Different breeds require different kinds of diets. If you have a Shih Tzu in your household, you probably know that this breed is not too picky when it comes to food. They are often hungry, and they will eat almost anything. But did you ever think about the quality of the food you are serving them and how their body reacts to it?
Not every food is the same, and some types of food and ingredients can have a different effects on their general health. That is why we have decided to write about the different brands you can get for your little furry friend.
- Food for Schnauzers
- Dog Food for Poodles
- English Mastiff brands of food
- Suitable Dog Food For Rottweilers
What Are The Healthiest Ingredients?
Since these guys are almost always hungry and willing to eat, they tend to get fat if their diet is not under control. What you can do is to find food that isn’t loaded with carbs. Keep in mind that they will still need normal carb intake, so complete removal of carbs from his diet is not recommended. Instead, try looking for a food rich with proteins such as chicken meal, turkey, chicken, eggs, and turkey meals. Also, if you can find food loaded with fish, grab it. Fish is an ideal source of lean protein you can get for your dog.
Proteins are not the only thing you should pay attention to when looking for quality food for them. You will also want a food rich in good fats. Good fats are the ingredient that makes the coat of your little woofer shiny and healthy. In addition to that, you also need to keep an eye on the carbohydrates which can be found in their foods.
You need to make sure that the food you buy contains healthy and complex carbohydrates and not processed carbohydrates which are usually less healthy. That means that you should buy food that contains oats, rice, sweet potatoes, and barley. Those carbohydrates are much healthier than soy and corn. If you stumble upon food that contains soy or corn, just keep on walking.
Dangerous Foods for Shih Tzu
You need to keep an eye on toxic and dangerous ingredients in their food the same way you need to pay attention to good ingredients. Actually, you need to pay more attention to dangerous ingredients which can be found in products. There are a couple of ingredients you shouldn’t feed them with such as raisins and grapes. These two ingredients can cause serious problems to their kidneys. Don’t feed them because it doesn’t take a lot of grapes or raisins to cause kidney problems.
Another dangerous food for them is chocolate, but you probably know this already. Dogs and chocolate don’t mix well. Chocolate can cause coma, seizures or even death when it comes to smaller breeds so make sure that you don’t leave any chocolate where they might be able to reach it.
Also, don’t give them meat cooked with onion, sodas, tea, or coffee, large amounts of salt, artificial sweetener called xylitol, macadamia nuts can cause paralysis and tremors, and fruit seeds and pits can cause various health problems such as fluid filling, heart, abdomen and breathing difficulties.
The list is not that long and it’s not hard to remove dangerous types of foods from their reach. However, if they manages to get into your cupboard and eat something they shouldn’t have, contact your vet immediately and don’t panic.
General Nutritional Recommendations
If the product is loaded with good fats or proteins, but it lacks other ingredients, that food won’t be good enough for your dog. You need to find food with a well-balanced formula that contains proteins, good fats, and carbohydrates. Proteins main job is to build the muscle tissue of your dog.
The more muscle tissue there is the less likely they will get injured. Also, every dog needs enough energy to get through a day. Especially active dogs and puppies. Fats are a great source of concentrated energy, and they do wonders for their brain, coat, skin, and immune system. When it comes to carbohydrates the product has to contain reasonable levels of carbohydrates because they are the main source of key minerals and vitamins, and they are great for this breeds digestive system.
Finding a product with a perfect combination of this ingredients is vital for their health and development to be energized and healthy. Imagine if you were to eat junk food every day for at least a month. How would you feel?
How would your body react? It doesn’t matter if it is tasty because it isn’t healthy. The Same thing can be applied to your their diet. If you wish for them to be healthy, energized, happy, and have a perfect coat, then make sure that you buy him a product that will make all of that happen.
Top Brands For Your Shih Tzu
Now that you know what things are good and what things are bad for this breed, let’s talk about the products that are able to provide you with that perfect combination of healthy ingredients that are guaranteed to keep them healthy and energized.
Royal Canin Health Nutrition Adult Shih Tzu
Check price and more details here
If they are older than 10 months than this product might be the perfect choice for them. This high-quality food offers well-balanced ingredient formula which is guaranteed to keep your little furry friend energized and healthy. Make sure when changing foods that you introduce it at a slow pace to them. It could cause digestive problems if you switch his regular food with a new one he is not accustomed to.
Why Its So Popular:
– Great for skin
– Easy-to-grasp kibbles
– Well-balanced formula
– Created specifically for this breed
– Great taste
Keep In Mind:
– Might be harder for them to chew
Royal Canin Healthy Nutrition
Check price and more details here
Everybody knows that it can be extremely difficult to make your puppy eat dry dog food once he tastes wet food. However, with this product formula created specifically for this breed, you won’t have to deal with that kind of problem. This tasty and well-balanced food is all your puppy will need up until he reaches 10 months.
Why Its So Popular:
– Rich with exclusive nutrient ingredients
– Contains good bacteria for digestive system
– Reduced stool volume and odor
– Made specifically for this breed
– Easy-to-grasp kibbles
Keep In Mind:
– Somewhat pricey
– Small packaging
Eukanuba Breed Specific Yorkshire Terrier
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Even though this product is made for Yorkshire Terriers, Shih Tzus love it. It contains a well-balanced formula of fats, carbohydrates, fibers, and proteins which are guaranteed to keep your furry friend energized and healthy. You will have a hard time keeping him away from his plate with this food in it.
Why Its So Popular:
– Reasonable price
– Great taste
– Chicken is the main source of protein
– Multiple packaging size options
– Great for other breeds too if you have any
Keep In Mind:
– Their coat might become coarse
Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed Grain Free Chicken Meal Formula Dry Dog Food
Check price and more details here
Another product with a well-balanced ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates which are guaranteed to keep them healthy. Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost is a grain-free, high protein dog food that contains everything your fury friend might need to get through a day. It is made out of completely natural ingredients without any artificial flavors or colors so it might not be suitable for picky eaters.
Why Its So Popular:
– Natural ingredients
– Great formula
– Fewer fillers than other products
– Doesn’t contain soy or wheat
– No artificial coloring or preservatives
Keep In Mind:
– Might not be great choice for picky eaters
– Not as much fish
Nutro ULTRA Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
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This dry product is great for smaller breeds because it contains small kibbles which are easy to grasp and chew. Also, it contains ingredients such as whole brown rice, natural sunflower oil, flaxseed, rolled oats, fatty acids, blend of three different kinds of proteins such as pasture-fed lamb, farm-raised chicken, and salmon. If you decide to buy this food, you can rest easy knowing that your pet is eating top-quality dry food.
Why Its So Popular:
– Great for picky eaters
– Small kibbles
– Nutrient ingredients
– Made specifically for smaller breeds
– Three kinds of proteins
Keep In Mind:
– Might cause them to have gas
– Somewhat pricey
Conclusion
Now that you know the importance of providing your special companion with high-quality food I believe it will be much easier making a decision after reading some of the info I have provided. If you are afraid that you will spend $35+ on a product that they won’t even eat, then try them on food that is great for picky eaters.
Also, don’t forget about the things you should never feed them. There aren’t many of them, and it is not hard to keep track of them. Make sure that you provide your little friend with a nutrient food he deserves, food that will keep him healthy and happy.
If you can’t decide which product to choose, Nutro ULTRA Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food is our favorite. It has so much to offer, filled with rich, natural ingredients that will make your Shih Tzu healthier than ever! The only thing you will have to deal from time to time is the gas. Small price to pay for health and happiness of your pet.
For further reading, we also have an extensive guide on dog food brands on the market.