On the hunt for the best dog food for shih tzus? In this article, we’ll cover all of the great options for your dog.
Special Dogs, Special Diet
With their long flowing locks, cute little faces, and floppy ears, Shih Tzus are adorable, aren’t they?
Unfortunately, as with many small dog breeds, Shih Tzus suffer from several health conditions. You have to take this into consideration when buying the best dog food for shih tzu with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or other issues. These include dental problems, allergies, joint and bone problems, and hypothyroidism.
To keep our furry little friends in the best health as possible, it’s our responsibility to source the best foods. However, with so many brands of dog food on the market, it’s difficult to know where to start.
Don’t worry – we’re here to help.
Here are our top picks of the best dog food for Shih Tzus.
Best Dog Food for Shih Tzus 2021: Top 10 Products
What is the best dog food for shih tzus? Read through these product descriptions to find our recommendations. All of these healthy options can be delivered right to your door.
1. Royal Canin Shih Tzu
Royal Canin is a dog food brand that understands that different breeds have different dietary needs. Many of their products are specific to the breed. Royal Canin Shih Tzu food products are perfectly suited for the health needs of your dog!
The special kibbles are produced in a way that makes it easier for your pup to grab them with their small mouth. They help reduce tartar and dental plaque.
The shih-tzu recipe is packed full of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to protect the breed’s long flowing coat.
Is your pooch a fussy eater? Not to worry, because Royal Canin kibble’s key ingredients are brewers rice, brown rice, chicken-by-product meal, and chicken fat- which any pup will love. It’s easily the best dry dog food for Shih Tzu dogs.
2. Merrick Lil’ Plates Small Breed
Will your Shih Tzu only sample the best? Then they will love Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed dog food.
The small-sized, crunchy kibble bites are a premium dog food product, focusing on the very best nutrition for your shih tzu. The recipes are 70/30 meaning that 70% consists of fish or meat and the remaining 30% is full of vitamins, fruit, and vegetables. Sounds healthy!
Merrick Lil’ Plates food also consists of valuable ingredients like omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. These help with bone and joint health, making it a fantastic Shih Tzu food option.
Likewise, the grain-free formula contains zero gluten to help ease your pup’s digestion. Choose from various flavors including Texas beef, chicken, lamb, and salmon.
3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dog Food
Wellness CORE is specially formulated to suit small breeds such as Shih Tzus.
One of Wellness CORE’s main advantages is that the food helps promote intestinal wellness, focusing on prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber content. The high protein count encourages leaner muscle mass and helps your pup lose extra fat and calories while the appropriate carbohydrates keep him or her energetic and sprightly.
The main ingredients of the food include:
- deboned turkey
- turkey meal
- chicken meal
- potatoes
- peas
- and dried ground potatoes
These ingredients offer a well-balanced diet that’s free of grains. The food is also enriched with essential minerals and vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants to help with your pup’s overall nutrition.
Likewise, the kibble is fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin for strong bones and joints.
4. NUTRO ULTRA Adult
NUTRO ULTRA is created especially for small dog breeds, making it an excellent choice of dog food for Shih Tzus.
The kibble’s primary ingredient includes real chicken, along with chicken meal, whole brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran, and chicken fat. This means the food provides an ideal combination of premium lean proteins, whole grains, healthy oils, and fatty acids to improve your pooch’s overall health.
Likewise, the food will keep your Shih Tzu’s long coat gleaming and will provide them with excellent vision and a healthy heart.
It’s only packed full of the good stuff too – this kibble is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and the meat is naturally sourced.
Picky eater? These pieces of kibble are super easy to chew so even the fussiest eater will wolf them down.
5. Wellness Simple LTD Small Breed
This dog food product from Wellness Simple is great for dogs that battle allergies, which is why it works particularly well for Shih Tzus.
The carbohydrates found in the Wellness range are sourced from potatoes rather than grain, and the high levels of omega-3 work well to calm inflamed, irritated, or itchy skin. Likewise, you can expect your pup’s lovely long coat to stay shiny and healthy.
It’s important to know that if your Shih Tzu is a particularly active dog, the fat content in this product is quite low. At just 14%, it may suit a Shih Tzu that needs to lose a pound or two rather than one that is constantly on the move.
6. Hill’s Science Small Breed Food
Have you adopted an adorable Shih Tzu puppy? Hill’s Science Small & Toy Dog Breed food is available in a variety of flavors for small breed dogs in all life stages, so it’s a great Shih Tzu puppy food option.
Hill’s Science recipes are created with wholesome, all-natural ingredients. Your Shih Tzu will enjoy the benefits of precise nutrition, improved health, and enhanced immunity from eating this product.
Packed full of:
- vitamins
- minerals
- amino acids
- antioxidants
with no artificial additives, you can be sure your dog is only receiving the best nutrition on the market.
Choose between chicken meal and rice or lamb meal and rice for your pup.
7. Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Adult Dogs
This dry dog food product is designed especially for small breed adult dogs. It would be a perfect fit for a Shih Tzu that’s just reached adulthood.
Available in either a 6-pound or 18-pound bag, you can choose between chicken and rice and lamb and rice.
Produced to meet the nutritional needs of a small dog, this product proudly meets the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles standards. The content is made from 27% protein, 16% fat, and other superfoods to maintain your dog’s overall health.
The small bite-sized kibbles are made so small dog breeds like Shih Tzus can chew them more easily in their smaller mouths. They also feature plaque reducing and teeth cleaning properties to keep your pup’s gnashers in tip-top condition.
8. Halo Dry Dog Food for Small Breed Dogs
This dry dog food works well for Shih Tzus as it only uses whole meat for its formulation. Whole meat is easier for Shih Tzus to digest, meaning they can retain more protein and use it for energetic walks.
Likewise, Halo’s dog foods are meat meal-free and are of high butcher quality meaning the product considers your pet’s nutritional needs.
Choose between 4-pound and 10-pound bags from different flavors – turkey, duck, and pheasant and wholesome chicken, and fish.
These flavors are mixed with:
- whole eggs
- fresh fruit
- vegetables
The food is also free from:
- artificial additives
- corn
- wheat
- wheat gluten
9. Nature’s Variety Instinct RawBoost Dog Food
This brand takes pride in providing suitable nutrition for small breed dogs like Shih Tzus. The food is specially formulated to meet the dietary needs of your pup as it would be provided in a natural setting for them.
The pure and wholesome raw-food pieces are freeze-dried and incredibly provide your dog with the same dietary nutrition as its ancestors would experience. The kibble is also produced into small pieces, meaning it will fit perfectly into any Shih Tzu’s mouth.
Likewise, the food is high in protein and is free from grains and gluten. Any small dog would love the taste of the freeze-dried raw coated kibble, which is also incredibly beneficial to his or her overall health. Your pup will reap the benefits of healthy omega fatty acids, probiotics, and antioxidants providing a shiny coat and healthy digestion.
10. Eukanuba Breed Specific Adult Dry Dog Food
While this Eukanuba dog food product is specially formulated for Yorkshire terriers, it’s also ideal for Shih Tzus and other small dog breeds.
Eukanuba dog foods are made from quality animal proteins, featuring a fiber blend to improve your pooch’s digestion and nutrient absorption. Chicken is the main ingredient, and the special formulation is packed full of zinc, copper, and omega fatty acids which will benefit your dog’s skin and coat health.
Choose from a variety of bag sizes – 3-pound, 10-pound, or 30-lbs is available.
Choosing the Best Dog Food for Shih Tzus
Choosing the best dog food for Shih Tzus is essential. After all, without the right diet, your Shih Tzu can suffer from serious health issues as he or she gets older.
With the right diet and nutrition, however, you can prevent such issues and look after your Shih Tzu into old age.
If you have any further questions on providing the correct diet for your Shih Tzu, we suggest speaking to your local vet.
Related Reading
Want more advice? Learn more on how to look after your dog here.
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