Shi Tzus are adorable animals, warm and gentle yet intelligent in their own way. They’re great pets for people with allergies because they don’t shed much hair and are relatively easy to groom. However, they are also very picky dogs and won’t eat just anything.
That’s why it’s important to feed your Shih Tzu puppy the right kind of food to grow up healthy and strong.
We evaluated nine products and found the Royal Canin Dry Dog Food to be among the best Shih Tzu puppy food. The product is formulated to aid the healthy development of your small dog, and the kibble shape and texture are designed specifically for Shih Tzu’s short muzzle, making it easy to pick and chew.
Royal Canin also contains high-quality proteins and prebiotics to support your dog’s digestive system and enhance stool quality. It is best for puppies between 8 weeks to 10 months old, after which they are ready to transition to adult dog food.
Keep reading for more information on the best food for your Shih Tzu puppy.
1) Royal Canin Dry Dog Food – Best Overall
A well-formulated kibble designed specifically for Shih Tzu puppies, Royal Canin, contains all the nutrients a growing pup needs. It features high-quality proteins and prebiotics to support digestive health and an exclusive combination of nutrients to boost skin health.
Royal Canin comes with several benefits for your pup, including:
- Aids in the healthy development of your small dog: It is formulated specifically for the Shih Tzu breed and contains all the nutrients they need to grow up healthy and strong.
- Kibble shape and texture designed specifically for the Shih Tzu’s short muzzle: The kibble is easy to pick up and chew, perfect for your small pup. This encourages them to eat properly and helps prevent them from developing bad eating habits.
- Contains high-quality proteins and prebiotics: The ingredients in Royal Canin help support your pup’s digestive system, ensuring that they get the most out of their food. This also results in better stool quality.
- Best for puppies between weeks and months old: Royal Canin is not only nutritionally balanced but also age-appropriate. Puppies between weeks and months old will benefit the most from this food.
2) Rachael Ray Nutrish – Best For Value
If you’re looking for food that will offer your pup good nutrition without breaking the bank, Rachael Ray Nutrish is a great option. It contains real chicken as the main ingredient and a special mix of peas and rice for added fiber and nutrients.
Rachael Ray Nutrish is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing puppies and contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It is also free from artificial flavors and preservatives.
Some benefits of feeding your pup Rachael Ray Nutrish include:
- Rich in Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids: These fatty acids are important for healthy skin and coat and a strong immune system.
- Vitamins, minerals, and taurine: These nutrients help support your pup’s physical and mental development. Your pup gets the energy they need to play and learn and the antioxidants they need to stay healthy.
- No artificial additives or flavors: Rachael Ray Nutrish is made with only natural ingredients, so you can be sure your pup is getting the best possible nutrition.
- Includes EPA and DHA: These important fatty acids help support cognitive development and a healthy heart.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: Rachael Ray Nutrish is a great food for puppies of all ages.
3) Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe – Premium Choice
A diet to rival the best of homemade foods, Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe is a pup favorite. Our first wet food for your adorable pup, it contains high-quality protein from real chicken and is fortified with vitamins and minerals for a complete meal.
Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe also contains a mix of fruits and vegetables, which helps support your pup’s overall health and provides them with essential nutrients.
Some benefits of feeding your pup Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe include:
- Real chicken as the main ingredient: This food is rich in high-quality protein, which helps support your pup’s growth and development.
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals: The ingredients in this food help ensure that your pup gets all the nutrients they need in a single meal. This can help reduce the number of times you have to feed them throughout the day.
- No corn, wheat, or soy: These ingredients are often found in cheaper foods but can be tough for puppies to digest. Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe contains none of these ingredients, so it’s easy on your pup’s stomach.
- No artificial additives or flavors: This food is made with only natural ingredients, so you can be sure your pup is getting the best possible nutrition.
- Includes EPA and DHA: These important fatty acids help support cognitive development and a healthy heart.
- Pate texture: Some puppies prefer a softer food, and Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe comes in a pate texture for just that pup.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: Blue Buffalo’s Homestyle Recipe is a great food for puppies of all ages.
4) Wellness Small Breed Complete Health – Ideal for Tiny Pups
Wellness Small Breed Complete Health is the perfect food for the tiniest of puppies. It’s specifically designed for puppies who weigh less than 20 pounds at maturity and contains all the nutrients they need to grow into healthy adults.
Wellness Small Breed Complete Health contains salmon, turkey, and oatmeal, a trio of ingredients that helps support your pup’s immune system. It’s also enriched with probiotics, which help keep your pup’s gut healthy.
The kibble size is also perfect for tiny puppies, making it easy to chew.
Some benefits of feeding your pup Wellness’ Small Breed Complete Health include:
- Salmon, turkey, and oatmeal: This food contains a trio of ingredients that help support your pup’s immune system. This combination provides the perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
- Enriched with probiotics: These beneficial bacteria help keep your pup’s gut healthy and can help reduce the incidence of diarrhea and vomiting.
- Kibble size is perfect for tiny puppies. It is designed for puppies who weigh less than 20 pounds at maturity, making it easy for them to chew.
- No artificial additives or flavors: This food is made with only natural ingredients, so you can be sure your pup is getting the best possible nutrition.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: Wellness’ Small Breed Complete Health is a great food for puppies of all ages.
5) Health Extension Little Bites – Best for Puppies Under 12 Months
Although listed as suitable for all life stages, Health Extension’s Little Bites is best suited for puppies under 12 months old. It’s a kibble-based food fortified with probiotics, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.
Health Extension’s Little Bites also contains DHA, which helps support cognitive development and a healthy heart.
Made with a combination of organic free-range chicken, lamb, flaxseed, and brown rice, this food provides your pup with all the nutrients they need to grow into a healthy adult.
Some benefits of feeding your pup Health Extension’s Little Bites include:
- Kibble-based food: This food is easy for puppies to chew and digest. The kibble is also fortified with probiotics, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants, which help support your pup’s immune system.
- Contains DHA: This important fatty acid helps support cognitive development and a healthy heart.
- Organic free-range chicken, lamb, flaxseed, and brown rice: These ingredients provide your pup with all the nutrients they need to grow into a healthy adult. The food is packed with protein, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.
- No artificial additives or flavors: This food is made with only natural ingredients, so you can be sure your pup is getting the best possible nutrition.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: Health Extension’s Little Bites is a great food for puppies of all ages.
6) CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy – Best for Allergy
If your pup is prone to allergies, CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy is a great food to consider. It’s made with a single source of protein- salmon- and contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It includes peas and lentils for a perfect balance of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy is also enriched with probiotics to help keep your pup’s gut healthy. Antioxidants are also included to help support your pup’s immune system.
The freeze-dried kibble is easy for your pup to digest, and the small size is perfect for tiny puppies.
Some benefits of feeding your pup CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy include:
- Single source of protein: Salmon is the only protein in this food, making it ideal for puppies with allergies or sensitivities.
- No corn, wheat, or soy: These ingredients are known to cause allergies in some dogs.
- Enriched with probiotics: These beneficial bacteria help keep your pup’s gut healthy and can help reduce the incidence of diarrhea and vomiting.
- Freeze-dried kibble: This kibble is easy for puppies to digest and won’t upset their stomachs. The small size is perfect for tiny puppies.
- Antioxidants: These important nutrients help support your pup’s immune system.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: CANIDAE PURE Petite Puppy is a great food for puppies of all ages.
7) Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care – Best for Sensitive Stomach
Specially formulated for puppies with sensitive stomachs, Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care is a limited ingredient food that contains no artificial additives, flavors, or colors. It’s made with only the finest natural ingredients, including turkey and potatoes. Pumpkin is also included to help support your pup’s digestion.
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care contains LifeSource Bits, a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to boost your pup’s immunity.
DHA and ARA help boost your pup’s cognitive development and vision, while the Omega- fatty acids help support a healthy coat and skin.
Some benefits of feeding your pup Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care include:
- Limited ingredient food: This food contains only natural ingredients, making it ideal for puppies with sensitive stomachs.
- No artificial additives, flavors, or colors: This food is free from all artificial additives, perfect for puppies with sensitivities.
- Enriched with LifeSource Bits: This unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants helps support your pup’s immune system.
- DHA and ARA: These important fatty acids help support cognitive development and vision, while the Omega- fatty acids help support a healthy coat and skin.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care is a great food for puppies of all ages.
8) American Journey Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato – Best on a Budget
If you’re looking for high-quality food at an affordable price, American Journey Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato is a great option. This food is made with real chicken and sweet potatoes, making it a delicious and nutritious choice for your pup. It also contains a healthy combination of wholesome veggies and fruits such as kelp, carrots, and blueberries.
To help support your pup’s immune system, American Journey Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato contains essential antioxidants. It also includes probiotics to help keep your pup’s gut healthy. Omega fatty acids help support a healthy coat and skin, while DHA helps support cognitive development and vision.
The kibble is crunchy and easy for your pup to digest, and the small size is perfect for tiny puppies.
Key benefits of feeding your pup American Journey Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato include:
- Real chicken and sweet potatoes: This food is made with real chicken and sweet potatoes, making it a delicious and nutritious choice for your pup.
- A healthy combination of veggies and fruits: This food contains wholesome veggies and fruits to ensure a steady supply of fiber and nutrients.
- Antioxidants: This food contains essential antioxidants to help support your pup’s immune system.
- Probiotics: This food contains probiotics to help keep your pup’s gut healthy.
- Omega-fatty acids: These important fatty acids help support a healthy coat and skin, while DHA helps support cognitive development and vision.
- Small kibble size: The small kibble size is perfect for tiny puppies.
- Best for puppies at any development stage: American Journey Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato is a great food for puppies of all ages.
9) Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula – Most Popular
Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula is one of the most popular puppy foods. This food is made with real roasted meat and supplemented with fruits and vegetables, providing your pup with all the nutrients he needs to thrive. It also includes probiotics to help keep his gut healthy, as well as Omega- fatty acids to support a healthy coat and skin.
DHA helps support cognitive development and vision, while the antioxidants in this food help support your pup’s immune system. The kibble is crunchy and easy for your pup to digest, and the small size is perfect for tiny puppies.
Key benefits of feeding your pup Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula include:
- Real roasted meat: This food is made with real roasted meat, providing your pup with a delicious and nutritious meal. Formulated with bison and buffalo, this food brings out the true character in your pup’s diet.
- Supplemented with fruits and vegetables: This food is supplemented with a variety of fruits and vegetables, ensuring that your pup gets all of the nutrients he needs for a healthy life.
- Probiotics: This food contains probiotics to help keep your pup’s gut healthy.
- Omega-fatty acids: These important fatty acids help support a healthy coat and skin, while DHA helps support cognitive development and vision.
- Small kibble size: The small kibble size is perfect for tiny puppies.
- Most popular puppy food on the market: Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Formula is one of the most popular puppy foods on the market. It’s loved by dogs and their owners alike for its great taste and health benefits.
Shih Tzu Food Buying Guide
As mentioned earlier, Shih Tzu puppies are picky eaters, and they also require a special diet suitable for their build and breed. Knowing what to look for when buying food for your Shih Tzu can be confusing, so we’ve put together a handy guide to help you out.
Protein Composition
Shit Tzu pups require a protein-rich diet to support their growing muscles. Look for a food with a protein composition of at least 25%. When lean meat is the main source of protein, it is typically more digestible than plant-based proteins.
Probiotics and Helpful Supplements
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in the gut and help keep it healthy. They are essential for puppies because they help with the digestion of food and the absorption of nutrients. Look for food that contains probiotics to make sure your pup is getting the most out of his diet.
Additionally, some puppy foods contain supplements like Omega- fatty acids and DHA to support healthy coat and skin, cognitive development, and vision.
Size and Kibble Type
Shih Tzu puppies are small, so it’s important to find food that is specifically designed for small breeds of dogs. The kibble should also be small enough for your pup to chew easily.
Additionally, many Shih Tzu owners find that their pup prefers a wet food diet. If you decide to switch to a wet food diet, be sure to choose one that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
Ingredients
When looking at the ingredients list, you’ll want to ensure that the food is made with high-quality ingredients. Avoid foods that contain artificial additives, coloring, or flavoring. Also, avoid grains, as these can often lead to digestive problems in puppies.
Price
Although you want to ensure that you’re feeding your pup high-quality food, you don’t want to break the bank in the process. Look for food that is affordable without compromising on quality.
AAFCO Approval
The food you choose should be approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This means that the food has been tested and proven to meet the nutritional needs of puppies.
Feeding Based on Needs
Some Shih Tzu pups require a special diet due to health problems like food allergies, pancreatitis, or liver disease. Knowing how to find food that meets your pup’s specific needs can be daunting, but we have several tips to help you out.
Brachycephalic Pups
Snoring, snorting, and other respiratory problems are common in brachycephalic (short-nosed) puppies. These pups often have difficulty breathing because their airways are so small.
When buying them food, go for a small kibble to eliminate the chances of choking, and look for a food that is low in fat and high in protein to help keep their weight down.
Vibrant Coat
The most outstanding feature of Shih Tzu puppies is their long, luxurious coat. To keep your pup’s coat looking its best, feed him food that is high in Omega- fatty acids and biotin.
Food Allergies
Some Shih Tzu puppies are allergic to certain ingredients in their food. If you think your pup might be allergic to something in his diet, consult with your veterinarian to find food free of the allergen.
Pickiness
To some degree, all puppies are picky eaters, but Shih Tzu puppies can be especially fussy. If your pup has trouble adjusting to his new food, try mixing it with a little of his old food until he gets used to it.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your Shih Tzu pup means providing him with a high-quality diet that meets his specific nutritional needs. By choosing food made with only the finest ingredients, you can be sure that your pup is getting the most out of every meal. And don’t forget to consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions about your pup’s diet.
Get the best food for your Shih Tzu pal here!
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