The Shih Tzu is a small breed, and small breeds have faster metabolisms. Combine that with their sturdy muscular build means they should get a moderate protein and moderate calorie diet. Smaller dogs need more energy and nutrients in their diet than larger dogs.
We want to understand the nutritional values of dog food so that we can make the best choice for our pet. This article will provide some guidance to help you choose the best quality dog food to feed your Shih Tzu based on the brands we like or trust.
As Shih Tzu owners for over 20 years, we have tried many different brands as well as home made foods for our dogs.
Our Shih Tzus eat natural foods, human grade foods, in addition to high quality commercial dry dog food for convenience. There are many such foods that are worthy of feeding to your pet.
These are some recommendations based on our experience and research. We only recommend foods that we have fed to our own Shih Tzus. Or foods that we would feed based on research of the nutritional value and quality of the ingredients.
So let’s get to our recommendations.
Our 10 Best Dog Foods For Shih Tzu
- Taste of The Wild Prairie (Best Selling Dog Food for Shih Tzu)
- Purina Pro Plan Small Breed (Premium High Protein Dog Food for Active Shih Tzu)
- Wellness Complete Health Small Breed (All Life Stages Dog Food for Shih Tzu)
- Royal Canin Shih Tzu Breed (Breed Specific Dog Food)
- Orijen Small Breed Recipe (High Protein Grain Free Dog Food for Shih Tzu )
- Royal Canin Dental Small Dog (Vet Approved Dental Dog Food for Shih Tzu)
- Merrick Classic Small (Healthy Grains Dog Food for Shih Tzu)
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Natural Senior (Wet Food for Senior Shih Tzu)
- Instinct Raw Boost (Kibble & Raw Dog Food Blend for Shih Tzu)
- Ollie Fresh Turkey (Fresh Dog Food for Shih Tzu)
Choose a quality food with moderate protein and fat content for a Shih Tzu that gets low to moderate exercise. If they are more active then a higher protein food is also a good choice. For dogs that have sensitive digestion or allergies, a non grain source of carbohydrates or gluten free formula may help. Also some Shih Tzus may have allergies to chicken so you could choose an alternate protein such as turkey or salmon.
10 Best Dog Foods for Shih Tzus: What we like
Think of AAFCO nutrition guidelines as the minimum requirements for the nutrition of the dog food.
All ingredients are required to be listed in order of most to least by weight (before processing including water).
Preferably aim for higher quality if you can. Always check with your veterinarian before supplementing or changing your dog’s diet.
Taste of the Wild Prairie
- Key Feature: Best Selling Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 32% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 56%
- Caloric Content: 422 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Grain Free
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adults of all sizes
This grain free recipe contains high protein for excellent tissue and muscle health. it is a solid choice for small dog breeds. No wonder it is one of the best selling dog foods.
Purina Pro Plan Small Breed
- Key Feature: Premium High Protein with Probiotics Dog Food for Shih Tzu. Made is USA
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry by-product Meal, Beef Fat, Corn Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 29% Crude Protein, 17% Crude Fat, 3% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 59%
- Caloric Content: 397 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High protein formula with probiotics to support digestive health
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adults, Active dogs who need extra energy
This Purina Pro Plan recipe is their premium product. It features higher protein content from chicken which is good for active small dogs. Note this kibble does contain corn. Corn has a bad rap as not being good for dogs, but it’s fine if your dog is not sensitive to it. Overall customers report being very satisfied with this dog food and give it high marks.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed
- Key Feature: High Quality Protein Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Salmon meal, Oatmeal, Rice
- Guaranteed Analysis: 28% Crude Protein, 10% Crude Fat, 5% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture, 36% Fat to Protein Ratio 36%
- Caloric Content: 341 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High Quality Protein, with Wholesome Grains
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adults, Seniors; Fewer Calories for healthy weight
The Wellness Complete health dog food provides premium protein from Turkey and includes whole some grains from rice. This is touted as a good food for healthy weight, so if your Shih Tzu likes to lounge around a lot, this should be good for them.
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Breed
- Key Feature: Breed Specific Dog Food for Shih Tzu’s short face and underbite
- First 5 ingredients: Brewers Rice, Brown Rice, Chicken by-product Meal, Chicken Fat, Oats
- Guaranteed Analysis: 22% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4.7% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 82%
- Caloric Content: 355 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Quality proteins for healthy skin and hair
- Lifestage: Adults 10 months and older
- Best for: Shih Tzu adults
Royal Canin specializes in breed specific dog foods. This Shih Tzu formula is sized for a Shih Tzu’s mouth. This is a lower protein formula with somewhat higher carbs that help reduce stool size.
Orjen Small Breed Recipe
- Key Feature: High Protein Grain Free Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey, Chicken, Quail, Eggs, Whole Blue Whiting
- Guaranteed Analysis: 38% Crude Protein, 18% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 12% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 47%
- Caloric Content: 473 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High Protein Grain Free
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adults dog who need extra energy or are active
Orijen is known for their high quality ingredients, and high protein content. The first few ingredients all all animal protein and provide a good nutrition for building tissue and muscle. Wean your dog gradually to help prevent diarrhea due to the higher protein.
Royal Canin Veterinary Dental Small Dog
- Key Feature: Vet Approved Diet Dental Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Brewers Rice, Corn, Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, wheat gluten
- Guaranteed Analysis: 20% Crude Protein, 15% Crude Fat, 4.8% Crude Fiber, 10% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 75%
- Caloric Content: 329 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High Protein with Plaque and Tartar Control
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adult Small Dogs
Royal Canin Dental Small Dog is available from your veterinarian. This kibble is sized and textured to provide a brushing action for the teeth of small dogs. This helps remove some of the plaque and tartar to improve dental health. Our Shih Tzus love them and regularly scoop them out of the Royal Canin Shih Tzu food. I guess they like the larger size dental pieces.
Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe
- Key Feature: Healthy Grains Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Turkey Meal
- Guaranteed Analysis: 27% Crude Protein, 16% Crude Fat, 3.5% Crude Fiber, 11% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 59%
- Caloric Content: kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Pea Free, Lentil Free, Potato Free
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adults with sensitive digestion
The addition of omega 3 and 6 provide the fatty acids to improve the skin and coat of your small dog. And the recipe of healthy grains are used to help with digestion.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Natural Senior Wet Dog Food
- Key Feature: Wet Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas
- Guaranteed Analysis: 7.5% Crude Protein, 4% Crude Fat, 2% Crude Fiber, 78% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 53%
- Caloric Content: 396 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: No meat by products, no corn or wheat
- Lifestage: Senior
- Best for: Senior Shih Tzu or adult dogs that are picky eaters
A dog in his senior years may have more trouble chewing dry kibble. Switching to a wet food, or mixing a wet food with his kibble will help your senior dog chew and digest the food.
Our oldest Shih Tzu Yorkie cross just turned 16 years old. He sure is a slow eater now so we offer up more canned wet food now and then. He gobbles up this moist Blue Buffalo Chicken dog food.
Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed
- Key Feature: Grain Free Dry and Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food Blend for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, Chicken meal, Chickpeas, Tapioca, Chicken fat
- Guaranteed Analysis: 35% Crude Protein, 20% Crude Fat, 4% Crude Fiber, 9% Moisture, Fat to Protein Ratio 57%
- Caloric Content: 469 kcal/cup
- Type of Product: High protein, grain free, high quality raw freeze dried
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adult small dogs for gluten free or raw food diet
If you are considering a raw diet for your Shih Tzu, this might be an option. it provides a raw type of diet with the freeze dried raw food blended with dry kibble.
This raw food blend offers the benefit of a raw food at a budget friendly price. It could be an easy way to test the raw food diet for your Shih Tzu.
Ollie Fresh Turkey
- Key Feature: Fresh Wet Dog Food for Shih Tzu
- First 5 ingredients: Turkey Thigh, Pumpkin, Turkey Liver, Turkey Heart, Carrots
- Guaranteed Analysis: 11% crude protein, 7% crude fat, 2% crude fiber, 72% moisture, fat to protein ratio 64%
- Caloric Content: n/a kcal/cup
- Type of Product: Grain Free, Premium Quality Wet Food
- Lifestage: Adult
- Best for: Adults, Seniors
Ollie is at the top tier of dog foods,providing as close to home made as you can get. It offers better than average protein content. And the carbohydrate content is lower than most foods. This food is also grain free.
This fresh dog food is highly recommended and receives considerable praise from reviewers. The downside though is is one of the most expensive foods. However if you have a smaller dog such as a Shih Tzu the costs become more manageable.
Guide to Buying Dog Food for Your Shih Tzu
When considering what to feed your dog, we want to find a food that provides a healthy complete and balanced diet. Select a food that is personalized for your Shih Tzu.
First let’s talk about nutritional macros.That is the protein, fat, carbs, fiber, vitamins, and moisture content of the dog food.
Macro Nutrients for your Shih Tzu
Most dogs require a good amount of protein. The Shih Tzu breed also needs a good amount of protein from sources such as chicken, turkey and eggs. Fish is good for protein and healthy fats, carbs from sweet potato,white or brown rice barley oats are healthy. Stick with healthy carbs and don’t overdo them as that increases the risk of your pet becoming overweight.
Look for labels on dog food such as AAFCO stating the food meets nutrition guidelines, or meets those standards And it’s a good idea to check with vet before supplementing or changing diet.
There is no nutrient standard chart for any specific breed, therefore try to pick a food that will align with the AAFCO nutrient profile for your Shih Tzus build and age. AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials is a non profit organization for setting pet food and feed quality and safety standards in the United States.
There is no AAFCO approved pet food, but what they do is specify guidelines for dog food. An AAFCO approval simply means the food meets the requirements specified for one of the life stages. Those life stages being either adult maintenance, or growth and reproduction (puppy). If it meets both then it is for all life stages.
However, these guidelines are based on running a trial feeding 8 dogs the dog food for 3-6 months. So it does not guarantee long term health and nutrition.
Therefore use your judgment, and don’t assume all AAFCO foods are equal. Think of AATCO as the minimum requirements for dog food nutrition, and always aim higher.
Mid to High protein Content
Protein is the building block of your Shih Tzus diet. Because dogs have descended from carnivorous wolves, they do well on eating mostly meat and fat in their diet.
The best sources are organic animals and vegetables. Protein is the single most important ingredient in your dog’s diet. So look for this as the first main or main group of ingredients on the dog food label.
The protein builds tissues and organs and provides hormones and antibodies for health. Higher percentage of protein is good only if it is high quality. Low quality protein in high amounts should be avoided as it is more difficult to digest and could put strain on the kidneys.
The Shih Tzu is a small breed, and small breeds have faster metabolisms. The Shih Tzu is also usually muscular, and should get higher protein of minimum 20% to 30% preferable in their diet. More natural protein sources such as real chicken or beef is acceptable, and they require more calories for their size than a larger breed.
High Fats
Fats provide flavor to the dog food and make it more delicious for your pet. Thankfully you may be happy to know that Shih tzu have long beautiful hair, and fats (and proteins) help nourish that hair. Shih Tzus are mostly muscular in stature as well (perhaps with the exception of teacups) and protein will nourish and maintain the strong muscles.
Fats also provide energy, so if your shih tzu is active a higher fat diet (12% to 18%) and higher protein (20 to 30%) are a good choice.
Carbohydrates
Carbs from sweet potato,white or brown rice barley oats are healthy. Don’t overdo carbs as too many carbs, or low quality carbs may lead to weight gain. Fiber should be in the 3-5% range. Madjust more or less to get consistent stools.
Other minerals and vitamins
Using vegetables to supplement minerals and vitamins is a great way to provide the supplemental minerals and vitamins in the pets diet.. Good choices: green beans, sweet peppers,sweet peas, carrots, blueberries, raspberries and broccoli. Don’t overdo the broccoli though as that can lead to gas.
How to Choose Shih Tzu Dog Food
There are two main types of characteristics that buyers should consider. First is the nutritional categories such as proteins, fats and carbs as we have detailed above. Second is the quality of each ingredient. Knowing those will help you understand the ingredient list on each bag of dog food.
The ingredients list can be difficult to understand. The ingredient list shows the ingredients from highest quantity to lowest quantity. The first few will be animal or plant ingredients and are the major ingredients of dog food.
The remaining minor ingredients may have chemical sounding names and they are minerals, vitamins and colors, flavors and preservatives.Regulations do specify the use of standardized common ingredient names. That is good news for us consumers as we can compare product to product with this info.
The main ones we want to pay attention to are the meats.These are mostly muscle and may include fat and gristle. This is just like we would see in human meats and are most desirable in dog food.
Meat by-products can include organs, fat tissue, intestines and stomachs. This is really all the other parts of the animal other than the meat description above. As unappealing as that may sound to us it is perfectly desirable for your dog.
After that is meat meal which may come from other animals other than cows, pigs, goats and sheep.
Plant ingredients such as potatoes, peas, barley rice or corn provide energy in the form of carbohydrates . Fiber can be added from ingredients such as dried beet pulp and chicory root., but fiber is also the non digestible part of carbs.
For further reading on what is in the ingredients of pet food you can read more at AAFCO link at https://www.aafco.org/Consumers/What-is-in-Pet-Food
Smaller Size Kibble
Most shih tzu have an underbite and short faces. What does this have to do with food? It may make picking the food up more difficult and difficulty breathing could make it also more difficult to eat. Smaller to medium kibble is easy to pick up and easier to chew. But many Shih Tzus also have no trouble eating larger kibble pieces. Choose what works best for your particular dog.
How much to feed Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus like to eat more than other small breeds, and may need larger portions. Note though that Shih Tzus will overeat if you feed too much and can become overweight. If too heavy, do not allow the dog to access food all day.
As a rule feed more frequently for pups feeding 4 times a day for pups up to 6 months.
Then feed 2 meals daily for ages 6 months and older. This guide can be adjusted for dogs age, metabolism, activity level and body/build.
Calorie Needs of Shih Tzu
On average most dogs should get around 30 calories per pound of weight but the Shih Tzu requires more than that due to being a smaller dog and their faster metabolism. Aim for 30 to 40 calories per pound of body weight depending on how active your dog is.
That works out to 1/2 to 1 cup dry high quality dry dog food daily depending on the caloric content and weight of your dog.
After a Shih Tzu has reached 6-7 months, they should receive an adult or maintenance diet, as they are past the puppy growth stage. Quantity can be adjusted depending on the calories in the food.
Feed about 35 -40 calories per lb of body weight for a Shih Tzu puppy, or about 1 oz per lb of weight. What is a puppy? For Shih Tzu that is until about 6-7 months of age, when the pup reaches 90% of its adult weight.
Table for weight of dog and how much food to feed /calories
We can generalize the feeding amounts for your Shih Tzu. Refer to the example below. But ultimately it is best to follow the feeding guide on each package of dog food.
Is Age of Shih Tzu a factor for how much to feed?
As your dog enters his senior years, he may begin to reduce its activity level. If it is still active, then there may be no need to adjust the amount of food.
There are two things to keep in mind as your dog enters its senior years.
Switching to a senior food may not be the best thing to do. As a Shih Tzu ages they cannot digest and metabolize their foods as well, so maintaining a high protein diet is best advice for the senior Shih Tzu.
The dog may absorb nutrients less efficiently. That is why the protein content should be increased for a senior dog. Senior dogs should get more protein and fewer calories in their diet.
Because an older dog still needs a high protein diet for optimal health, reducing the protein content as many senior foods do, may hurt the health of your dog. If your senior dog becomes overweight, then maintain the high protein content and just feed 5 or 10 percent less food. Don’t reduce it too much or your dog could become ill.
Again, follow the feeding guide from your packaging to verify the amount, and watch your dog for signs that it is fed enough and not searching for food or eating too much and becoming overweight.
Shih Tzu Dog Food for Health Issues
The choice of food can sometimes impact the health of the Shih Tzu. Here are some health issues that can influence your choice of dog food.
Short Faces and Breathing
Choosing a smaller kibble that is easy for the dog to chew will minimize interfering with breathing while eating. Softer, easy to chew foods are also a great choice.
Sensitive Stomach
Your Shih Tzu is sure to let you know if the food is bothering their stomach, Common culprits are grains or corn. Try to choose a food with plain or brown rice. A plain chicken and rice blend is agreeable to almost every sensitive dog’s tummy.
Allergies and Skin Conditions
These allergies are generally caused by environmental issues such as dust and pollen, but sometimes the Shih Tzu can be sensitive to the food they eat. If you suspect food is causing skin itching or rashes, try eliminating chicken or try a grain free diet. Sometimes you need to try a few different foods to find what is right for your pet. If you have the budget for it, a higher end human grade food diet such as Non Nom or Ollie may be the solution.
FAQ about Shih Tzu Dog Food
Shih Tzus generally thrive on higher protein diets that provide denser nutrition for their faster metabolism. Just like people, each Shih Tzu will have their likes and dislikes for their favorite foods.
Here are a few popular questions related to feeding Shih Tzus.
Dry vs Wet food, which is better for my Shih Tzu?
Choosing a dry kibble offers the best convenience and provides the longest shelf life. Just keep the container sealed up to help preserve freshness. Don’t buy too large of a size so that you can rotate and keep the dog foods fresher.
When we think of wet food, we generally think of canned or moist packaged foods. Wet food may be better for picky Shih Tzus. But with their short faces they may get food particles on their face. The wet food will dry out and become stale if left out too long, and once opened does not keep as long as kibble.
Grains vs Grain Free Dog Food, which is best?
There is some controversy around this topic. There are a number of healthy grains such as whole wheat, brown rice sorghum and oats. And these are healthy for your dog as they can provide good sources of energy and fiber.
Many pet owners put their pets on grain free diets though they may not need to. If your dog has any food allergies to the grains, then grain free is a better option. If not, then the grain included formula is perfectly healthy if using a quality source of healthy grains.
Should I feed home made food to my Shih Tzu?
Historically dogs lived primarily off of meat based diets with some fat and a small amount of carbs up until about 100 years ago. Then commercial dog food came along and convinced us that is the way to feed our dog.
Their natural diet would consist of real meat protein with about 65% to 70% water content. An advantage of wet or home made food is that higher water content helps keep your Shih Tzu hydrated and their digestion system works efficiently. Adding water to a dry kibble won’t have the same effect as a natural diet.
If considering strictly home made food, it is wise to get advice from a pet nutritionist. They can ensure the diet is healthy for your Shih Tzu and includes the correct amount of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber minerals and vitamins. Without veterinary nutritional guidance you may not provide all the nutrients your pet needs. There are also some great books on dog nutrition worth reading.
However, providing a quality dog food and supplementing with some healthy homemade food is a great way to add variety to your pet’s diet and provide healthy supplements. Your dog will consider home made food a real treat.
Our Shih Tzus thrive on a mix of two kibbles. We use Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult and Dental Small Breed from our veterinarian and also feed a daily small serving of home made food consisting of lean protein chicken or lean beef, mixed with healthy vegetables such as green beans, bell peppers or carrots.
Should I Change Foods for Variety
Don’t be afraid to try different foods, or even rotate different foods every few months if your dog is able to adjust without issues to keep more variety in your dog’s dish. Your Shuh Tzu will thank you for it as this may remove the monotony of eating the same thing day after day.
Summary
It can be confusing decoding the dog food labels, ingredients, calories, etc. But as long as your shih tzu has a good level of energy, has a healthy shiny coat and looks healthy, then the food is likely good for them and agrees with their metabolism.
On the flip side, if your dog has a dull coat, lacks energy or has itchy skin or rashes then the food may not agree with them and you should switch to a different food.
Generally dog foods meet the nutritional needs of your dog especially if it carries a statement of nutritional adequacy endorsed by an organization. It is rare for your dog to become malnourished, though they could have allergies or sensitive stomachs.
There are some commercial dog foods made from low nutritional quality ingredients, fillers and animal by products.Those are the foods barely meeting the minimum requirements needed by your dog. These are heavily processed and cooked sometimes several times, providing questionable nutrition for your dog. They can contain more fillers that don’t offer good nutritional value, and these empty calories can lead to weight gain in some dogs.
However, there are many commercial dog foods that use quality ingredients. These suppliers are more trustworthy and are where we want to buy our dog food from. We have picked some of reputable quality manufactures for our recommendations. There are certainly many other worthy foods that we have not evaluated.
Don’t just trust suppliers based on their pretty pictures and bold health claims. Focus more closely at the ingredients lists and use your judgment to determine what looks healthy or not.
Your dog must be able to tolerate the food without allergies or stomach upset, and must also want to eat it. The healthiest food won’t work if it bothers your pet or he refuses to eat it.
In the end a food that your dog likes to eat, provides a healthy look, coat and weight will serve your dog well.