Shih Tzu Guide

What to Feed a Shih Tzu

A Shih Tzu is a small dog with a small stomach, and that shapes almost everything about feeding one. Portions are tiny, a puppy needs meals more often than you might expect, and a few extra treats a day make a bigger difference to a 10 pound dog than to a Labrador.

This guide covers what to feed a Shih Tzu puppy and an adult, how much, a feeding schedule by age, the foods that are unsafe, and the fruit, vegetables and treats that are fine in small amounts. It is general advice from a breeder, and your own vet knows your dog best. Weight matters too, so it helps to know how big Shih Tzus get before you pick a portion.

What should a Shih Tzu puppy eat?

A Shih Tzu puppy should eat a complete puppy food made for small breeds. Look for the words "complete and balanced" on the bag, a named meat as the first ingredient, and a kibble small enough for a tiny mouth. Puppies grow fast and need more protein and fat per pound than adults, so adult food is not a substitute, however convenient.

The easiest rule in the first weeks is to change nothing. Puppies from Royal Silk Shih Tzus go home with the food they are eating now, and I tell families to keep feeding it for the first days while the puppy settles into a new house. A new home is stress enough for a young stomach. If you want a different food later, mix it in slowly over about a week, a little more of the new food each day. The go-home package lists everything that travels with the puppy, and the puppies available now each have their own profile.

How much should a Shih Tzu eat per day?

There is no single number, because Shih Tzus run from small to sturdy. The AKC breed standard puts the ideal adult weight at 9 to 16 pounds, and a dog at the top of that range eats noticeably more than one at the bottom. Start with the amount on the bag for your dog's weight, split it across the day's meals, and adjust from there.

Your hands tell you more than the bag does. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of padding, and from above you should see a slight waist behind the ribs. Under the long coat this is hard to judge by eye, so run your hands over the dog every week or two. If the ribs vanish, trim the portion by a small amount. If they stick out, add a little.

Count treats and any food used for training as part of the day's total, not as extras on top.

What is a good Shih Tzu feeding schedule by age?

Very young toy-breed puppies have little body fat to fall back on, and going too long between meals can drop their blood sugar. That is why small puppies eat often. The table shows a common pattern, and your vet may suggest a small change for your dog.

Age	Meals a day	Notes
8 to 12 weeks	4	Small portions, spaced through the day
3 to 6 months	3 to 4	Drop to three as appetite settles
6 to 12 months	2 to 3	Move to two meals as growth slows
Adult	2	Morning and evening, roughly 12 hours apart

Feed at the same times each day. A regular schedule also makes toilet training easier, because a puppy usually needs to go soon after eating. Pick up the bowl after about 15 minutes so the dog learns that meals have a start and an end.

What is the best dog food for a Shih Tzu?

The best food is a complete one your dog digests well, eats happily and keeps a steady weight on. Brand matters less than those three things. A few practical points:

Small kibble: a flat-faced, small-jawed dog manages small pieces more easily, and many brands make a small-breed or Shih Tzu-shaped kibble.
Life stage: choose puppy food until your dog is close to adult size, then switch to an adult recipe.
Wet or dry: either works. Dry food is easier on the budget and a little kinder to teeth, and a spoonful of wet food on top helps a fussy eater.
Sensitive skin or stomach: if your dog itches or has loose stools, talk to your vet before trying a limited-ingredient or "hypoallergenic" diet. A food trial run properly teaches you far more than switching brands every month.

Homemade food can work, but a recipe that is not balanced by a veterinary nutritionist can leave a growing puppy short of calcium and other nutrients. If you want to cook for your dog, ask your vet for a recipe, rather than improvising.

What can a Shih Tzu eat besides dog food?

Plenty of human foods are fine as small extras, as long as they are plain and cut small. These are the questions owners ask most:

Bananas: yes, a slice or two. They are sugary, so keep it occasional.
Apples and pears: yes, with the core and seeds removed.
Strawberries and blueberries: yes, a few at a time.
Watermelon and cantaloupe: yes, seedless and without the rind.
Oranges and pineapple: yes, a small piece with the peel off, though the sugar and acid upset some stomachs.
Mango: yes, flesh only, never the pit.
Carrots, cucumber and cooked broccoli: yes. Carrots are a good crunchy chew for teeth, cut to a size a small dog cannot choke on.
Cooked egg, plain chicken, plain cooked rice and shrimp without the shell: yes in small amounts, with no seasoning, oil or bones.
Cheese: a tiny cube now and then. It is rich, and some dogs do not digest dairy well.
Corn: kernels cut off the cob only. The cob is a real blockage risk.

Introduce one new food at a time so that if something upsets your dog, you know which it was.

What foods should a Shih Tzu avoid?

Some foods are dangerous to any dog, and a small body means a small amount does more harm. Keep these out of reach:

Grapes and raisins: linked to kidney failure in dogs. Even a small amount is a reason to call your vet.
Chocolate: contains theobromine, and dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst.
Xylitol: a sweetener in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, some toothpastes and some peanut butters. Very small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and liver damage.
Onions, garlic and chives: damage red blood cells, raw, cooked or powdered.
Macadamia nuts: cause weakness, tremors and vomiting.
Alcohol and caffeine: never.
Cooked bones: they splinter and can injure the mouth or gut.
Fatty scraps and rich leftovers: a common trigger for pancreatitis.

Avocado is best skipped too: the pit is a choking and blockage risk, and the skin and leaves contain persin. If your dog eats something on this list, contact your vet or an animal poison hotline straight away, and do not wait for symptoms.

What are the best treats for a Shih Tzu?

Pick treats that are small, soft enough to chew easily and low in calories. A pea-sized piece is plenty for a dog this size, and a puppy will work just as hard for a crumb as for a whole biscuit. Soft training treats broken into pieces, a bit of plain cooked chicken, a blueberry or a slice of carrot all fit.

Be careful with hard chews. A Shih Tzu has a short muzzle and crowded teeth, and a chew that is too hard can crack one. A good test is whether you could press a thumbnail into it. Dental chews can help, but they are calories too, and dental problems are common in the breed, so brushing does more than any chew.

Treats are also a training tool. If you are teaching a name, a sit or a toilet routine, use the dog's regular kibble as the reward some days so the totals stay sensible.

How do I keep my Shih Tzu at a healthy weight?

Extra weight is easy to put on a dog this small and hard to see under the coat. Excess weight also strains the knees, back and breathing, all of which are already things to watch in the breed. The habits that work are boring ones:

Measure each meal with a cup or kitchen scale instead of guessing.
Keep treats to a small share of the day's food.
Do not feed from the table, because one bite is a large fraction of a meal.
Walk daily, since a dog that moves is easier to keep lean, and a lean dog is likely to live longer (see how long Shih Tzus live). Short walks suit the breed, and heat and humidity call for care because flat-faced dogs overheat quickly.
Weigh monthly on a home scale and write the number down. A slow climb is easy to fix, and a big one is not.

If you are unsure what your dog should weigh, ask your vet at the next visit. The grooming guide also covers checking skin and coat, which is a good moment to feel for weight changes.

Quick Answers

Can Shih Tzus eat peanut butter?

Yes, in small amounts, as long as it is plain and has no xylitol. Always read the label, because xylitol is dangerous even in tiny quantities.

Why is my Shih Tzu a picky eater?

Small dogs often hold out for something better when they are offered tasty extras. Keep portions measured, offer meals on a schedule, and stop topping up with table scraps. If a healthy dog suddenly stops eating, call your vet.

Why does my Shih Tzu eat poop?

Eating stool is common in dogs and is usually a habit rather than a sign of illness. Clean up promptly, keep the yard tidy and mention it to your vet, who can rule out diet and parasite problems.

Is a raw diet good for a Shih Tzu?

Raw feeding carries a risk of bacteria for the dog and the people handling the food, and it is hard to balance for a growing puppy. Talk to your vet before trying it.

How much water does my Shih Tzu need?

Keep fresh water down all day. A small dog may drink only a modest amount, so a sharp increase in thirst is worth mentioning to your vet.

When should I move my puppy to adult food?

Most small breeds finish growing at about 10 to 12 months, and that is a sensible time to switch. Change gradually over about a week and ask your vet if you are unsure.