How many times a day should a Shih Tzu eat

Shih Tzu Feeding Guide (Everything You Should Know)

Hello, Shih Tzu parents! Welcome to my ultimate Shih Tzu feeding guide.

In this guide, I will cover how much to feed a Shih Tzu, how often to feed your Shih Tzu, when to feed your Shih Tzu, what foods to feed your Shih Tzu, what foods to avoid feeding your Shih Tzu, and other questions you may have about your Shih Tzus nutrition.

You can read the article to the end or go through the table of contents below and jump to the section that answers the questions you have on your mind.

The sheer cuteness of a Shih Tzu will melt the heart of anybody. They originate from China but are loved by many across the world. Based on my personal experience working for a veterinarian, I will go into detail on any feeding questions you may have.

Shih Tzus are energetic, gracious, and affectionate for their size. They possess a sturdy frame and will require quality nutrition for peak health, energy, and agility. Pet parents have to be conscious of what is fed to the pup to avoid health issues.

I have created this ultimate guide to feeding your Shih Tzu for curious and new pet parents to solve your dogs nutrition problem.

Lets jump into the article.

Shih Tzu Nutritional Requirements

Shih Tzus are small dogs that require specific amounts of nutrients to grow healthy. Like other dog breeds, if some of these nutrients are present in excess amounts or less, it would end up endangering the overall health of your dog.

Your Shih Tzus meal when they are in their growing phase should consist primarily of 2025% protein and 510% fat. Adults food should contain 15-20% protein, 5% fat, fiber, carbohydrates, multi-vitamins, and minerals.

Their feed should contain vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K for a healthy immune system and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and potassium for healthy, strong bones and nervous systems. Their source of fiber should come from rich, wholesome vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and sprouts.

Nutritional Requirements for a Shih Tzu Puppy

The diet of a Shih Tzu puppy should consist of 15-20% protein, 5-10% fat, and 6% fiber. Shih Tzu puppies metabolism is faster compared to that of adults, and most of the nutrients absorbed by the body are used for the growth of muscles and bones.

Nutritional Requirements for an Adult Shih Tzu

The meal plan for an adult Shih Tzu should consist of 15-20% protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber. At this stage, most nutrients are used for energy generation and the maintenance of healthy muscle mass. It is very important not to overfeed your pup at this stage to prevent obesity, which can lead to serious health problems.

Nutritional Requirement For Senior Shih Tzu

At this stage of your dogs life, your senior Shih Tzu is less active, and most of the carbs in their diet will have to be limited since, with old age, the body will not be able to absorb and synthesize proteins effectively.

The protein content of their diet will have to be higher than that of adults. The fat content will help maintain a healthy nervous system and prevent rapid weight loss. Vitamins will strengthen the immune system of old dogs.

Factors Affecting The Feeding of a Shih Tzu

There are some factors that will affect the diet of your Shih Tzus, such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions.

Lets take a quick look at those factors before we jump into the quantity of food to feed your dog.

Size consideration

The average length of a Shih Tzu is 2028 cm from the sole of its feet to its shoulder. The weight of a Shih Tzu is 47.2 kg. The small size of Shih Tzu implies that their calorie consumption will not be as high as that of other large and medium breeds.

Males and females are of the same size, so there is no difference in calorie content across the sexes.

Age consideration

The puppy is in the growing stage, so they usually require more nutrition and have to feed more often than in other stages because of their faster metabolism.

Shih Tzu adult dogs are done growing, so they will require more energy-giving food for energy generation and less protein than a puppy to maintain strong muscles and body structure in general.

The same is true for senior Shih Tzu, who require vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and agile.

Activity Level

Shih Tzus are very active and agile dogs that require optimum nutrition to keep their energy level high. If your Shin Tzu is less active than usual for any reason, the amount of food they receive must be adjusted to avoid obesity and stomach problems.

Health Consideration

Shih Tzus, like most dog breeds, are prone to health issues of their own, and this has been taken into consideration when feeding them.

Some health issues that affect Shih Tzus include heart disease, brachycephaly, eye issues, hair issues, ear issues, and skin sensitivities.

Some of these health issues can be prevented or controlled by feeding your dog the right food and following strict guidelines when feeding them.

Cheap and low-quality food, if fed to your Shih Tzu, can trigger some of these diseases, and avoiding such foods can help prevent some (although most are genetic).

Shih Tzu Feeding Amount

Your Shih Tzu, just like any other dog breed, will require different amounts of food according to its stage of development. According to nutritional requirements, the amount of food required by a puppy differs from that required by an adult.

On average, feed your puppy Shih Tzu 0.125 to 1.56 cups of food that has 120 to 413 kcal per day; feed your adult Shih Tzus 0.5 to 1 cup per day that has 323 to 497 kcal per day, according to their activity level; and feed your senior Shih Tzu 0.35 to 0.41 cups per day that has 270 to 480 kcal per day.

I will provide you with charts below to help you plan your dogs meals from its puppy years to its senior years. However, this meal plan is not one-size-fits-all. Its just a general guideline that should be followed based on your dogs needs and recommendations from your vet or dog nutritionist.

How Much To Feed Your Puppy Shih Tzu

For your puppy and adolescent to grow into healthy adults, the meal should be high in protein and low in fat, which can be obtained from animal meat.

A Shih Tzu puppy should be given 0.125 to 1.56 cups of food per day that contains 120 to 413 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.

The feeding requirement of your puppy is given in detail in the charts below:

Following the above guidelines will aid in bone development and muscle growth, as well as strengthen their immune system to combat common bacteria and viruses that can cause health complications.

How Much To Feed Your Adult Dog Shih Tzu

The nutritional requirements of an adult Shih Tzu differ from those of a puppy. To avoid obesity, a mature Shih Tzus food should contain a lower percentage of proteins and fats. This is done by reducing the feeding frequency to two times per day.

A mature and adult Shih Tzu puppy should be given 0.5 to 1 cup of food per day that contains 323 to 497 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.

The chart below will give you an understanding of the daily consumption needs of an adult Shih Tzu and help you with their meal plan.

How Much To Feed Your Senior Shih Tzu

Senior Shih Tzus are generally less active than their younger counterparts due to fragile bones and joints. This means their meals will contain lesser quantities of calories, protein, and fat.

Geriatric Shih Tzus are often plagued with health issues. Some of these issues can be alleviated by supplementing your senior dogs diet with vitamins and minerals to help revive his or her weakened immune system and fragile bones.

Senior and geriatric Shih Tzus should be given 0.35 to 0.41 cups of food per day that contains 270 to 480 kcal of nutrients based on their age, weight, size, gender, and health issues.

The table below gives you some details about the meal plan for older Shih Tzus.

However, you must still ensure that they get the essential nutrients they need.

You can continue giving your senior dog the same food you gave them as an adult, only in a lesser quantity, as they dont need as many calories as adult dogs. However, you should still consult your vet or pet nutritionist to be on the safe side.

Shih Tzu Feeding Frequency

Your Shih Tzus meal frequency will vary the same as the feeding amounts, which are majorly dependent on its age. Below is a list of how often to feed your Shih Tzus:

How Often Should You Feed Your Shih Tzu Puppy?

During the weaning process or at 8 weeks old and below: feed them four to six times a day at equally spaced intervals.

8 weeks to 3 months old: feed them four to six times a day at equally spaced intervals.

4 months to 12 months old: gradually transition to feeding them four times a day with equally spaced time intervals

How Often Should You Feed Your Adult Shih Tzu?

You should feed your adult Shih Tzu three times a day, with equal space-time intervals, and ensure their last meal is before bed and not late in the evening for easy digestion.

How Often Should You Feed Your Senior Shih Tzu?

You should feed your senior SHIH Tzu two times a day except given a specific schedule by a vet.

Shih Tzu Feeding Schedule

Shih Tzu puppies should be free-fed or fed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night due to a faster metabolism in comparison to their adult colleagues.

Adolescent Shih Tzus should be fed in the morning, afternoon, and evening to help them transition properly into an adult.

Adults should be fed morning, afternoon, and early evening for easy digestion. While seniors can be fed morning and evening unless stated differently by your pet nutritionist or Vet.

As a general rule, you should feed your Shih Tzus a few hours before going to bed in the evening, so they have enough time to digest the food before going to sleep.

In total, we shouldnt spoil our companions with treats as they may grow too attached to them. Treats should be heavily used as a reward when training your dog, as they are a major contributor to obesity in dogs.

The Kind Of Food To Feed Your Shih Tzu

The food you feed your Shih Tzu should specifically cater to large breeds and contain the required nutrients necessary for a strong and healthy dog.

The kind of food to feed your Shih Tzu includes dry dog food, wet dog food, a home-cooked diet, and biologically appropriate raw food to ensure your dog eats a balanced diet.

Let me touch on these few points to help you understand what to feed your dog:

Dry Food: Dry dog or kibble is a portion of commercial pet food made by grinding and mixing up ingredients like meats, grains, and nutritional additives, which are then shaped into little kernels and cooked at high temperatures to remove the water content.

Dry dog food contains more carbs, less fat, less water, and sometimes less protein, and is often recommended by vets due to its lower cost, dental health benefits, convenience, weight loss support, and playtime perks.

Wet Food: Wet dog food, or canned food, is made by mixing up and cooking the ingredients before adding or extracting varying amounts of water. Unlike dry dog food, wet dog food contains more water, fewer carbs, more fat, and often more protein. They are recommended by veterinarians due to their high water content, taste, ease of eating, and high nutritional profile.

Home-Cooked Diet: Home-cooked diets are a great option for pet parents who are not into commercial dog food and want to go the extra length to prepare a meal for their furry companion. Feeding your dog a home-cooked meal gives you control over its nutrition and can put your mind at ease knowing that you are always providing the best care for your dog.

The BARF Diet: (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is a diet that includes raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. BARF diets are used as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. However, consult your vet before feeding your pet a raw diet to avoid health complications from harmful substances.

The Kind of Food To Avoid Feeding Your Shih Tzu

We should take caution before giving whatever food were eating to our Shih Tzu. They have large appetites, which makes it tempting to hand them whatever we find ourselves eating.

There are certain human foods, fruits, and vegetables you should avoid feeding your Shih Tzu because they contain toxins that are harmful to your pet and could lead to frequent trips to the vet.

Human food to avoid feeding your Shih Tzu includes chocolates, coffee, gums, peanut butter, candies, cooked bones, etc.

The Fruits and vegetables to avoid feeding your Shih Tzu include grapes, avocado, garlic, onions, etc.

You should always check the ingredients on the food label to see if these ingredients are present in the food. Or you can simply consult a vet or pet nutritionist to check the ingredients with them.

When Should You Switch Your Shih Tzu From Puppy Food To Adult Food?

You should transition your Shih Tzu puppy from puppy food to adult food when hes around 1012 months old.

Transitioning your adolescent Shih Tzus from puppy food to adult food is an important stage in your dogs development. Puppy food contains more calories and nutrients than adult food to meet the nutritional requirements at that stage of life.

Transitioning needs to be gradual by introducing adult feed bit by bit until you get to 100% adult feed.

However, feeding your adult puppy food will fill them with more protein and fat than their body requires and will lead to obesity due to the high fat content the body doesnt need for optimum growth.

Why Your Shih Tzu Is Not Eating

Your Shih Tzu will not eat if it has one or a combination of the factors listed below:

Illness, dental problems, teething, medication, spoiled food, stress, and picky eaters

Shih Tzu are prone to dental problems. Make sure not to spoil your dog with treats, as this will turn them into picky eaters.

Why Your Shih Tzu Is Always Hungry

Shih Tzu and most dog breeds are ravenous feeders; they also have high metabolisms, especially when they are puppies. They can consume food quickly, which may incur additional costs for you as a pet parent. This is why it is very important to train your pup on a strict diet regimen.

Another reason may be that they are doing too many exercises or that their food is below their normal calorie needs.

Frequently Asked Questions on Feeding A Shih Tzu

Do Shih Tzu eat a lot?

Shih Tzu, for their size, eat a lot but not as much as other large dog breeds. This is why it is absolutely essential that you properly train your pup, or else they may become overweight and, due to their size, definitely develop health issues.

Can Shih Tzus become vegetarians?

Shih Tzu dogs can live on a vegetarian diet as long as this diet consists of all the essential nutrients required by the Shih Tzu to thrive and grow optimally.If you take your dog on a vegan path, then ensure that meals contain micronutrients that may not be present in a vegan diet.You should consult your vet or pet nutritionist while planning your vegan meals to ensure your Shih Tzu does not encounter any health complications.

What human food can I feed my Shih Tzu?

You can feed your Shih Tzu different types of human foods, such as beef, chicken, pork, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. They can also eat noodles, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, unsalted peanuts, parsnips, and other foods such as rice and pasta, yogurt, cheese, and peanut butter

What fruits and vegetables can I feed my Shih Tzu?

Shih Tzu can eat many types of fruits, such as strawberries, apples, bananas, raspberries, peaches, mango, pears, blueberries, plums, melon, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi fruit. They can also eat vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, peas, corn, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, and more.

Should you give your Shih Tzu supplements?

Your Shih Tzu doesnt need to be given supplements if you feed it a commercial diet that meets its nutritional requirements. However, you may need to feed them supplements if you feed them home-cooked meals as recommended by your vet or dog nutritionis

Final Thoughts

Shih Tzus are cute toy dog breeds that make adorable pets when it comes to feeding them. You, as responsible pet parents, have to take measures to ensure that they are fed the best quality nutrition and are fed adequately, so that they can grow in the best health possible.

Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. You can free-feed your Shih Tzu as a puppy, but you have to draw up a strict plan as they continue to grow. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some are toxic.

However, if you desire more information on how to take care of your Shih Tzu, you should contact the nearest vet for information on essential nutrients, and you can also see a pet nutritionist for a regimen schedule for your pet.