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Shih Tzus are persistently probably the most widespread small canine breeds within the U.S. and a household favourite for his or her extremely affectionate and easy-going temperaments. These low-energy puffballs make excellent lap canines, however, because of their sedentary nature and a few frequent well being points, ShihTzus have particular dietary wants.
We clarify all of the dietary and feeding necessities for Shih Tzus at each life stage and the way particular components will be helpful to your furbaby’s total well being in addition to potential well being issues frequent on this lovable breed. Lastly, we’ve researched a whole bunch of pet food manufacturers and formulation to present you our suggestions for the very best moist and dry pet food for Shih Tzus.
At A Look: Finest Canine Meals For Shih Tzus
Word: The entire canine meals we’ve included in our critiques meet or exceed Affiliation of American Feed Management Officers (AAFCO) dietary pointers, are made in North America, and comprise no fillers, by-products, preservatives, or synthetic components.
Dietary Wants For Shih Tzus
This toy breed solely reaches 9-10 inches in peak and may weigh wherever from 9-16 kilos as an grownup. Shih Tzus require a food regimen that accommodates reasonable energy and protein in addition to wholesome fat, fiber, and complicated carbohydrates.
A few of the hereditary well being challenges that have an effect on this breed can’t be prevented by food regimen, however high-quality pet food might help cut back the chance and severity of some circumstances. For instance, many Shih Tzus endure from ear infections, so a nutritious food regimen wealthy in antioxidants might help the immune system battle off infections. Listed below are another methods a premium food regimen can profit your Shih Tzu all through his lifetime.
Weight Management Is Important
Due to their small dimension and low-energy degree, Shih Tzus are extra liable to weight acquire than many different breeds. And even a few additional kilos can worsen breed-related well being points they face. Sustaining a wholesome weight might help stop a luxating patella (dislocated kneecap) and gradual the development of intervertebral disc illness (IVDD) and hip dysplasia, two skeletal issues generally affecting this breed.
Like all flat-faced breeds, Shih Tzus endure from brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS), and being chubby can severely intensify respiratory issues related to this power situation. Avoiding meals with pointless fillers, preservatives, and synthetic components might help your pup preserve an excellent weight and maintain extreme signs at bay.
Knowledgeable Tip: In case your Shih Tzu is even barely chubby, it’s essential to get it below management as quickly as attainable to keep away from the issues we outlined above and extra long-term well being points, like diabetes, arthritis, coronary heart illness, and extra. See our information on chubby and overweight canines and our critiques of the finest pet food for weight reduction.
Allergic reactions
Shih Tzus are notably liable to environmental and meals allergy symptoms. Widespread meals allergens, corresponding to wheat, soy, rooster, and beef, may cause extraordinarily itchy pores and skin and/or digestive issues. An all-natural, limited-ingredient food regimen wealthy in omega-3 and 6 fatty acids (fish, fish oil, flaxseed, and many others.) helps cut back and even get rid of signs.
Eye Well being
Eye illnesses, corresponding to cataracts, glaucoma, and progressive retinal atrophy, are one more well being challenge many Shih Tzus face as they age. A high-quality food regimen usually accommodates most of the vitamins vital for sustaining eye well being and decreasing the dangers and signs of eye circumstances.
These embody omega-3 fatty acids, beta-carotene, vitamin A, taurine, and antioxidants. You’ll additionally wish to search for the inclusion of the very best entire meals for eye well being, together with carrots, pumpkin, candy potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, kale, broccoli, blueberries, cold-water fish, and eggs.
Knowledgeable Tip For Tear Stains: Whereas Shih Tzus are infamous for tear stains, they’re not a threatening well being situation. Nonetheless, if you wish to cut back these ugly reddish-brown stains below your pup’s eyes, a change in pet food could assist. Eradicating crimson meat out of your canine’s food regimen and switching to high-quality pet food that’s low in carbohydrate fillers has been proven to assist with tear staining.
Past Fundamental Components
All pet food ought to embody protein, carbs, fats, fiber, and important nutritional vitamins and minerals. However most of the most nutritious premium canine meals are fortified with extra components which have main well being advantages to your furry pal. Listed below are a couple of you’ll wish to search for and the way they assist your pup’s well being. To your comfort, we’ve listed these premium components in our critiques.
- Fruits & greens: wonderful pure sources of fiber, nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to assist immune well being
- Fish oil and/or flaxseed: sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids Docosahexenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) that assist mind and eye improvement and pores and skin, coat, joint, and immune well being
- Glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate (usually from rooster meal*): maintains wholesome joints
- Prebiotics & probiotics: assist digestion and a wholesome degree of excellent intestine micro organism (usually consists of dried chickory root, a strong pure prebiotic)
- Taurine: helps cardiovascular, eye, and mind well being, immune system operate, and advantages many different physique features
- L-carnitine: an amino acid by-product that helps the metabolism of fat (notably helpful for older, much less energetic canines)
- Organ meats: wonderful supply of premium high quality protein and fats in addition to nutritional vitamins A, B, D, and E, copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc
- Chia seeds: wealthy in plant protein, fiber, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus
*A word about meat meal: High quality pet meals manufacturers usually use meat meal of their recipes, which generally is a very wholesome supply of protein to your pup (so long as the “meat” is known as, e.g., rooster meal, lamb meal, and many others.). A meal will be produced from the meat, tissue, organ meat, bone, abdomen, and intestines of the named animal. However meal doesn’t embody by-products like hair, feathers, beaks, heads, blood, hooves, cover trimmings, and many others.
Finest Moist Canine Meals For Shih Tzus (All Life Phases): The Farmer’s Canine
Our high choose for the very best moist pet food for Shih Tzus in any respect life levels is The Farmer’s Canine, our favourite model that provides contemporary, human-grade pet food delivered proper to your door. Each recipe options whole-food USDA animal protein, greens, and fruits, all fortified with an excellent mix of nutritional vitamins and minerals to your pup’s life stage, dimension, and particular wants.
An enormous bonus in our e-book, they even pre-portion your canine’s customized meals for handy feeding. All you must do is fill out a quick survey, which incorporates your furry pal’s age, breed, present weight, physique form, and whether or not he has any well being circumstances. The Farmer’s Canine affords grain-free beef, rooster, pork, and turkey recipes developed by board-certified American Faculty of Veterinary Diet (ACVN) nutritionists and flash-frozen to protect vitamins and freshness.
Whereas The Farmer’s Canine requires a subscription, you may cancel or pause it anytime. The one downsides? They solely provide grain-free formulation, and their meals are costly in comparison with premium kibble. Every recipe consists of totally different components, however right here’s an summary of their turkey formulation.
- First 5 components: USDA turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, and spinach
- System highlights: human-grade & whole-food components, restricted components, fish oil, and taurine
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 38% (min), crude fats 26% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
- Energy: not out there
Value
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Full Assessment Of The Farmer’s Canine
Finest Pet Meals For Shih Tzus
Most veterinarians and animal nutritionists advocate that toy breeds ought to eat pet meals formulated particularly for small breeds. Toy and small-breed puppies have very excessive metabolic charges, requiring nutrient- and calorie-dense meals that’s greater in protein and fats than common pet meals.
Specialists additionally advocate feeding toy breeds a minimum of 4 meals per day till round six months outdated, when their metabolism and progress begin to decelerate (then you may change to a few occasions per day). Youthful small-breed puppies burn by way of energy so quick they’re at a greater danger of creating hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and extra frequent feedings assist cut back this danger. Listed below are our high picks for the very best dry meals for Shih Tzu puppies, which all have the ideally suited kibble dimension for little Shih Tzus.
Blue Buffalo Life Safety Small Breed Pet (Grain-Inclusive)
We advocate this Blue Buffalo small-breed pet formulation, which mixes an reasonably priced value with premium, all-natural components to present your itty bitty Shih Tzu the best steadiness of vitamins for whole-body progress and improvement. This recipe options actual meat as the primary ingredient (an indication of high-quality pet food), easily-digestible healthful grains, and loads of fruits and veggies, corresponding to candy potatoes, kelp, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries.
It’s fortified with Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, a mix of antioxidants, nutritional vitamins, and chelated minerals formulated by animal nutritionists particularly for small-breed puppies. A couple of clients stated it prompted their pups to have diarrhea, however most rave about this pet meals.
- First 5 components: deboned rooster, rooster meal, oatmeal, barley, and fish meal
- System highlights: fish oil, flaxseed, dried chickory root, probiotics, taurine, and L-carnitine
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 29% (min), crude fats 17% (min), crude fiber 5% (max)
- Energy: 417 kcal/cup
Value
Now Contemporary Grain-Free Small Breed Pet
In case your pet is already exhibiting indicators of a meals intolerance, this premium small-breed pet formulation accommodates no beef, rooster, or grain merchandise, which can be simpler on his tummy or pores and skin. It’s additionally filled with omega fatty acids and probiotics, that are helpful for pups with allergy symptoms. Even when your pet doesn’t have allergy signs, this recipe is unbelievable for optimum progress and a wholesome basis for all times.
It options high-quality turkey, salmon, and duck, tummy-friendly advanced carbs, and greater than 20 superfoods, corresponding to blueberries, broccoli, carrots, pumpkin, apples, and extra. We additionally love that Now Contemporary solely cooks all of the contemporary components as soon as on the lowest temperature attainable to protect their vitamins and pure taste. The one potential draw back with this meals is its excessive value.
- First 5 components: deboned turkey, entire dried egg, peas, pea flour, and potatoes
- System highlights: chicken-free, flaxseed, coconut oil, taurine, dried chickory root, and probiotics
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 28% (min), crude fats 18% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
- Energy: 415 kcal/cup
Value
Wellness Full Well being Small Breed Pet (Grain-Inclusive)
This Wellness Full Well being formulation is crafted with greater energy to present your energetic little man loads of gasoline, and it’s fortified with tons of vitamins for whole-body well being and improvement. This small-breed pet meals options actual turkey as the primary ingredient and easy-to-digest, lower-glycemic grains.
It additionally consists of entire fruits and veggies, corresponding to carrots, spinach, candy potatoes, blueberries, and apples (with no corn, wheat, or soy). Shih Tzu pet house owners stated their pups love this meals and that it retains their coats tender and fluffy.
- First 5 components: deboned turkey, rooster meal, oatmeal, salmon meal, and barley
- System highlights: salmon oil, flaxseed, dried chickory root, probiotics, and taurine
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 28% (min), crude fats 19% (min), crude fiber 4.25% (max)
- Energy: 489 kcal/cup
Value
Finest Canine Meals For Grownup Shih Tzus
We advocate slowly transitioning your Shih Tzu to grownup meals round 11-12 months of age as soon as he’s completed most of his progress. Toy and small breeds proceed to have quicker metabolic charges than bigger canines all through their maturity, so vets usually advise giving your Shih Tzu three meals per day of small-breed grownup pet food.
Open Farm Small Breed With Historical Grains
Whereas its pet and pet food is on the dear aspect, Open Farm is certainly one of our favourite manufacturers because of its superior humane, sustainable, and food-safety practices. All of their pet meals is formulated by animal vitamin consultants, and each batch is examined by an impartial third-party lab.
This grownup small-breed recipe options humanely raised rooster and turkey, healthful grains, and domestically sourced fruits and veggies, corresponding to blueberries, kale, carrots, pumpkin, and candy potatoes. It’s additionally freed from corn, wheat, soy, peas, potato, and legumes. Open Farm additionally affords a grain-free model of this small-breed formulation.
- First 5 components: rooster, turkey, menhaden fish meal, barley, and brown rice
- System highlights: salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, coconut oil, New Zealand green-lipped mussels (wonderful for joint assist), and dried chicory root
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 27.5% (min), crude fats 16% (min), crude fiber 5% (max)
- Energy: 436 kcal/cup
Value
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Full Assessment Of Open Farm Canine Meals
Strong Gold Mighty Mini Toy & Small Breed (Grain-Free)
With fewer energy and decrease fats content material than many premium choices, this Strong Gold formulation for toy and small breeds is an wonderful choice for sofa potato Shih Tzus who require a little bit of weight management. It may be an excellent choice in case your pup has a delicate abdomen or pores and skin points. This grain-free recipe options salmon as the first ingredient and consists of prebiotics, probiotics, omega fatty acids, and extra to assist ease digestive issues and itchy pores and skin.
It additionally accommodates carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, cranberries, and inexperienced beans for pure sources of added nutritional vitamins and minerals. Loads of toy mother and father say their furballs thrive on this pet food and that it’s fairly efficient in warding off additional weight.
- First 5 components: salmon, ocean fish meal, lentils, peas, and chickpeas
- System highlights: decrease energy and fats, salmon oil, taurine, dried chickory root, and probiotics
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 26% (min), crude fats 6% (min), crude fiber 10% (max)
- Energy: 355 kcal/cup
Value
Merrick Traditional Wholesome Grains Small Breed
In case your Shih Tzu is exhibiting indicators of hip dysplasia or joint issues, this Merrick small-breed recipe may very well be an excellent food regimen to assist his little physique. It accommodates excessive ranges of joint-friendly glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids in comparison with lots of your different choices. Whether or not your pup has joint points or not, this formulation is a extremely nutritious, well-balanced food regimen for any toy breed.
That includes a mix of actual deboned rooster, healthful grains, like quinoa, carrots, apples, chia seeds, and different rigorously chosen well being components, this premium pet food accommodates no potatoes, peas, lentils, corn, wheat, or soy. Most clients with choosy pooches say their pups love this recipe.
- First 5 components: deboned rooster, rooster meal, brown rice, and barley
- System highlights: salmon meal, flaxseed, taurine, chia seeds, glucosamine, chondroitin, and probiotics
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 27% (min), crude fats 16% (min), crude fiber 3.5% (max)
- Energy: 404 kcal/cup
Value
Finest Meals For Senior Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus are usually thought of seniors after they’re round 10 years outdated, so we advocate slowly transitioning your tiny tot to a small-breed senior pet food round this time. Aged Shih Tzus have to eat a food regimen decrease in energy and fats to assist stop weight acquire. A pet food wealthy in antioxidants and different immune-boosting vitamins can be important to assist stop most cancers, coronary heart issues, cataracts, and different points that older canines face.
Nutro Pure Selection Small Breed Senior (Grain-Inclusive)
This highly-rated Nutro senior formulation is crafted particularly for small breeds who’ve slowed down as they age. It’s made with all non-GMO components, actual rooster as the primary ingredient, and easy-to-digest grains (no corn, wheat, or soy). The inclusion of dried pumpkin is helpful for wholesome digestion, and dried kale, spinach, and coconut present pure nutritional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for immune well being. Many purchasers say the small kibble dimension is ideal for his or her growing old seniors who’ve issue chewing.
- First 5 components: rooster, rooster meal, entire grain barley, break up peas, and brewers rice
- System highlights: fish oil, chia seeds, and glucosamine
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 26% (min), crude fats 14% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
- Energy: 320 kcal/cup
Value
Merrick Lil’ Plates Senior Small Breed (Grain-Free)
One other unbelievable Merrick pet food, this formulation could also be a very good choice in case your Shih Tzu has a delicate abdomen or allergy symptoms as a result of it’s grain-free and accommodates excessive ranges of probiotics and omega fatty acids. It additionally consists of loads of different components which are vital for older pups’ joint, coronary heart, immune, pores and skin, and coat well being.
We love that it has a high-protein content material however reasonable energy and fats to take care of wholesome muscle groups and supply your pup power with out gaining weight. The small kibble dimension is ideal for toy breeds, and it has a crunchy texture to assist cut back plaque and maintain tooth clear.
- First 5 components: deboned rooster, rooster meal, turkey meal, and candy potatoes
- System highlights: salmon oil, flaxseed, taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, chicory root, probiotics, and L-carnitine
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 30% (min), crude fats 12% (min), crude fiber 3.5% (max)
- Energy: 388 kcal/cup
Value
Finest Canine Meals For Shih Tzus With Allergic reactions
Sadly, this breed is predisposed to allergy symptoms and meals intolerances, which may trigger power itchy pores and skin and/or digestive issues. If one thing in his present meals is the perpetrator, switching to a limited-ingredient food regimen containing a novel protein (one he’s by no means eaten earlier than) may assist ease his signs. You might also wish to take into account a canine allergy complement, so long as your vet offers you the inexperienced gentle.
If you happen to suspect your Shih Tzu has a meals intolerance or is allergic to environmental elements, corresponding to pollens, mud mites, and many others., you might wish to take into account an at-home canine allergy take a look at to find the supply. All you must do is ship a saliva or hair pattern to the corporate’s lab and get outcomes inside a couple of weeks. You possibly can then share these outcomes along with your vet to assist additional slim down attainable causes.
Ollie Lamb Recipe (Grain-Inclusive)
One other of our favourite fresh-frozen pet food supply companies, Ollie is just like The Farmer’s Canine (see overview above) in that it makes use of solely human-grade, whole-food components rigorously chosen by animal nutritionists for optimum well being in all life levels. Ollie additionally personalizes your pup’s meals primarily based on his profile (age, gender, breed, weight, physique form, exercise degree, allergy symptoms, and different well being points).
For Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms, we advocate Ollie’s grain-inclusive lamb recipe, notably if their different protein choices (rooster, beef, and pork) don’t sit nicely along with your pup. Nevertheless, their different formulation are grain-free so a type of may very well be a very good choice in case your pup has grain sensitivities. The restricted components and contemporary entire meals in all their recipes may very well be the reply to your furry pal’s allergy issues.
- First 5 components: lamb, butternut squash, lamb liver, chickpeas, and kale
- System highlights: human-grade & whole-food components, restricted components, organ meat, salmon oil, chia seeds, and taurine
- Assured evaluation (moist meals foundation): crude protein 10% (min), crude fats 7% (min), crude fiber 2% (max)
- Energy: 1804 kcal ME/kg (word: this isn’t kcal/cup like our different critiques)
Value
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Canidae Pure Petite Grownup Small Breed With Salmon (Grain-Free)
This limited-ingredient grownup formulation by Canidae is a superb selection for small breeds that suffer from allergy symptoms. Grain, corn, and soy-free, it options actual salmon as the one animal protein supply, which can be a superb protein selection in case your pup doesn’t tolerate beef, rooster, or different proteins nicely. The excessive ranges of omega fatty acids are additionally terrific for itchy, irritated pores and skin.
Coated with freeze-dried salmon, this small-sized kibble could make each mealtime tasty and nutritious to your Shih Tzu. Nevertheless, it’s greater in energy than many different choices, so that you’ll wish to be sure that your little buddy isn’t gaining weight on this meals.
- First 5 components: salmon, salmon meal, peas, lentils, and tapioca
- System highlights: Hen-free, restricted components, flaxseed, and probiotics
- Assured evaluation: crude protein 24% (min), crude fats 12.5% (min), crude fiber 4% (max)
- Energy: 525 kcal/cup
Value
Ought to I Contemplate Pet Insurance coverage For My Shih Tzu?
As a result of Shih Tzus have the potential to develop a number of hereditary and different expensive well being issues all through their lives, you might wish to plan forward in case you’re confronted with costly veterinary payments. The most effective issues you are able to do to handle your funds and defend your pup’s well being is to signal your Shih Tzu up for pet insurance coverage.
It’s ideally suited to get your furry pal lined as early as attainable earlier than issues come up as a result of most pet insurance coverage suppliers don’t cowl pre-existing circumstances. Be taught how pet insurance coverage works and if it’s value it to your pup. If you happen to’re already conversant in it, make sure to see our critiques of the finest pet insurance coverage corporations.
Tagged With: Comparability, Meals Supply
