Why is my Shih Tzu always hungry

When a Shih Tzu is Always Hungry

Top 6 Reasons a Shih Tzu May Always Act Hungry

#1 Misguided serving sizes.

What happens:If a Shih Tzu is underfed, they'll constantly feel hungry, and if overfed, they may overeat just because food is available, as many dogs eat what they're given regardless of need.

What to do:Check if the amount you're feeding your Shih Tzu aligns with the recommended serving sizes on the dog food label, typically found under 'Feeding Guidelines'. These guidelines, based on age and weight, provide a fairly accurate estimate within a 10% range.

To ensure proper feeding, know your dog's weight (your vet can help with this, often at no charge) and refer to these feeding instructions. Remember, the listed serving size is usually for the entire day, not per meal, so divide it by the number of meals you provide (usually three for most Shih Tzu dogs).

#2 Offering too many snacks.

What happens:This follows suit with the previous reason for eating too much in that some dogs will eat to no end as long as the food is supplied. And, some will even beg for treats when they're not even really hungry; it's just habit.

What to do:

Maintain a feeding schedule. Until 3 months old, Shih Tzu puppies should be free-fed (food is available at all times). After that, both puppies and adults should have 3 meals per day plus several

wholesome snacks

to keep them satiated between meals and to help prevent hypoglycemia (a rapid drop in blood glucose levels that is not uncommon with toy breeds).

Training treats can be given as needed; but other than that,

do not give in to begging for food

or offer any extra tidbits just out of habit. If your Shih Tzu was previously given lots of extra snacks, they may miss the attention, however this can be substituted with pets, kisses and perhaps some extra one-on-one play time.

#3 Their food contains fillers.

What Fillers Are: Fillers in dog food are low-cost ingredients used to add bulk to kibble without providing significant nutritional value. These ingredients, typically devoid of essential nutrients like proteins and vitamins, offer only temporary satiety, as they pass through a dog's system without being properly digested.

Examples:Common fillers include corn and its derivatives (such as corn meal and corn gluten meal), various types of flour (including wheat and rice flour), and soy products. Even in popular brands like Purina One Natural and Royal Canin Health Nutrition, these fillers often appear among the top ingredients. For instance, Purina One Natural lists rice flour and corn gluten meal high on its ingredient list.

Consequences: A diet high in fillers can lead to a cycle of constant hunger and potential malnutrition in dogs. Symptoms include coat issues (such as hair loss), digestive problems (like flatulence and irregular stools), vomiting bile, lethargy, depressive behavior, poor skin health (likeoverly dry skin), and in severe cases, tooth loss, weakened bones, vision problems, and coprophagia (eating feces).

What to Do: If you find that fillers are among the top five ingredients in your dog's food, it's advisable to switch to a better-quality diet. Look forquality foods for Shih Tzu dogs that prioritize real meats, vegetables, and fruits as their main ingredients, and avoid those containing wheat, corn, or soy as key components. This shift can significantly improve your little guy or gal's overall health and well-being.

Shih Tzu Feeding Chart How Much to Feed?

How much should a Shih Tzu eat? How many meals a day for a Shih Tzu is enough? Is it important to refer to a dog food chart? All these are very common questions to trigger a pet parents mind. Right?

In our earlier blogs, we talked about other breeds, and their feeding charts, So, this time we thought to focus on this tiny breed.

We have gathered a piece of information related to Shih Tzus food to avoid, his feeding chart, and meal frequency. Furthermore, we have also covered feeding tips as per his weight, balanced diet, activity level, etc,

Without wasting any time, lets dive in and get an idea of the Shih Tzu feeding chart, how much to feed them, and other related factors.

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How Much to Feed a Shih Tzu Puppy-Feeding Chart

We know that at the initial stage, puppies prefer their mothers milk. But, if we talk about when to start feeding your Shih Tzu puppy. The answer is when he reaches the 4th week of his puppy stage, start introducing him to puppy-formulated food. When he reaches the 6th week of his puppy stage, they completely start ingesting puppy-formulated food.

For your convenience, we have prepared a Shih Tzu puppy feeding chart. That shows how much food to give your puppy each day and how many calories it has.

For example, If you are raising a younger puppy whose weight is around 0.5 to 1 kg. It is recommended to feed him 28 grams of food per day, with 169 kcal per day. As they are at the growing stage, their body will demand more food for better development. So, to avoid overfeeding, its important to follow the feeding guide, and divide their meals into three or four intervals.

Similarly, when they reach the older puppy stage, their feeding, and calorie intake ratio will vary depending on their weight and activeness.

We have also discussed other tiny breeds feeding charts, such as the Cockapoo feeding guide uk, as well as the Chihuahua feeding guide.

Adult Shih Tzu Feeding Proportion

Once, your pup reaches adulthood, its feeding frequency changes, food, and calorie intake ratio changes. In addition, food formulations also differ, as now their nutrient requirement also changes. Accordingly, you have to select adult dog food. Plus, you cannot feed him thrice or four times a day, it should be cut down to twice a day with small munching. For your preference, we have attached a PDF of an adult Shih Tzu feeding chart, which will guide you in a better way.

Lets take an example, you are parenting an adult Shih Tzu who a few months back only reaches adulthood. He is highly active by nature and is completely fit. In such a case, you will fix the feeding ratio as per his age and activity level. If he weighs around 7 kg, then his feeding ratio will be 126 grams of food daily with 542 kcal per day.

On the other hand, if he is of the same weight but a lazy one, doesnt take interest in any physical activity. It is recommended not to feed in a high proportion with a high-calorie ratio. This is because it will lead to weight gain issues and other severe issues will be developed from obesity.

Note:- It is advisable to have a word with the vet. When to start offering adult-formulated food to your Shih Tzu. Generally, when your pup turns one year, they enter adulthood. So accordingly, try to feed him adult food and make him friendly with it.

Senior Shih Tzu Feeding Proportion

Senior Shih Tzus appetite decreases as they grow old, and the majority of their body is occupied with several diseases. You need to be more careful with his diet and follow the following senior Shih Tzu feeding chart PDF to avoid future health consequences.

For instance, your senior Shih Tzu weighs around 5 kg. He is not active, and his body is occupied with severe diseases. In such cases, it is recommended to feed 60 grams of food daily, and calories should be 328 kcal per day.

On the other hand, if your oldie Shih Tzu is fit and fine in his seniority stage, then his feeding proportion will vary. Such as if he weighs around 6 kg, then 72 grams of food per day with a calorie intake ratio of 376 kcal per day is more than enough.

Note:- Consult the vet, and let them examine him. As per their health, they will recommend which type of senior food will be suitable for your furry pal. After that, you can simply refer to the Senior Shih Tzu feeding chart PDF and feed him wisely.

Shih Tzu Feeding Tips

From our above discussions, you have got an idea regarding the feeding and calorie intake ratio of your furry pal. Before you start with the feeding chart. Its also important to have a look at the feeding tips, which include factors like a healthy diet, weight considerations, meal considerations, and foods to avoid.

Lets quickly explore the major factors. Upon which you can get a clear image regarding the correct ingredients for your Shih Tzu, and an appropriate calorie ratio that needs to be consumed every day.

1. Healthy Diet

One of the important factors to look upon while feeding your Shih Tzu is to check whether you are feeding him a healthy diet. It should be enriched with all the essential nutrients like protein, fatty acid, Omega-3, DHA, vitamins, and minerals, which the body requires for proper functioning.

Furthermore, Shih Tzu has a sensitive stomach, so you need to be extra careful with his diet. Following a feeding chart is not enough, you must know which ingredients are suitable for your furry pal. We recommend you consult the vet and then decide which brand should be fed according to his bodys requirements.

2. Monitor Weight

Well, monitoring your Shih Tzus weight is one of the important factors that need to be considered before following the feeding chart. This is because these tiny breeds love to nibble anything you will offer them, which leads to obesity and further health issues.

If your Shih Tzu is overweight, then its advisable not to feed him high calories, and his munching needs to be cut down to maintain his weight. Similarly, if he is underweight, then you need to apply the vice-versa technique. So, thats the reason weight should be checked first and then decide which food ratio needs to be given to your furry pal.

Note:- You can check your furry pals weight by yourself with the help of a bathroom scale. But, still, we recommend you get an exact weight calculation from the vet, to avoid any health complications.

Read Next: Labrador feeding guide uk, and German Shepherd feeding guide.

3. Meal Frequency

Generally, its recommended to feed them thrice or four times a day to Shih Tzu puppies because they need more food for their better development of the body. As they grow old, the feeding frequency decreases, like two times a day is enough for them.

But, this tiny breed suffers from hypoglycaemia, which requires meals to sustain its energy level. So, there is a slight difference in feeding this tiny breed. After the puppy stage, two meals are fixed, but its suggested to feed them treats in small amounts. So that their bodys energy doesnt drain out faster and will keep them active all day.

Note:- It is advisable that Shih Tzu should be fed only high-quality kibbles for munching/treats, and it should not be replaced with a meal. In addition, dont forget to follow the feeding guide, it will help to keep a track of per day food and calorie ratio.

4. Foods to Avoid

Since Shih Tzu gets obese easily as compared to other breeds. So, too much intake of carbohydrates is not recommended for them. It is important to feed him the correct amount of food, and meals enriched with essential nutrients to maintain his health.

Here, are the list of ingredients/food which is bad for your Shih Tzus health.

• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Grapes
• Onion and Garlic
• Macadamia Nuts
• Raisins
• Salt
• Soda
• Fruits pits and Seeds

You should avoid these ingredients/food to feed your Shih Tzu, and always check the nutritional label before adding dog food to the cart. Furthermore, it has been noticed that your tiny furry pal is allergic to many ingredients. So, you have to be very careful while fixing the Shih Tzu diet plan.

Recommended food for Shih Tzu:

• Fish
• Lamb
• Organs (liver, heart)
• White chicken meat

Note:- First fix the diet pal for your Shih Tzu as per his weight, body requirements, allergies etc. After that, follow the Shih Tzu feeding chart to feed him the appropriate food ratio with the proper calorie intake ratio.

FAQs

Why is my Shih Tzu always hungry?

There can be many reasons behind your Shih Tzu always feeling hungry. Such as stress, not getting enough food, a habit of ingesting treats, eating low-grade food, etc. For example, if your Shih Tzus activity level is high, theres a possibility that your furry pals body will demand more food to match the energy level.

When to switch from puppy food to adult food?

Generally, vets recommend switching to adult food when your puppy is 12 months old. In Shih Tzus case, its the same when he turns one year old, it is suggested to stop feeding him puppy-formulated food. This is because by 12 months they stop growing, and puppy-formulated food is rich in fat, which the adult Shih Tzu body cannot easily digest. This further leads to weight gain and other health issues.

How much exercise does a Shih Tzu puppy need a day?

Your Shih Tzu requires an hour of exercise daily to live a healthy life. It is recommended to split their exercise into intervals, such as short walks, and fun activities. It will not give much pressure on your furry pal, and he will enjoy his exercise/physical activity time.

Is boiled egg good for Shih Tzu?

Yes, boiled eggs are good for your Shih Tzu. In fact, eggs are rich in protein, and fatty acids, which is good for your pups body. It helps in the development and boosts your furry pals immune system and keeps him healthy.

Well, Its a Wrap!

Hopefully, we have answered all your questions such as: how much should Shih Tzu eat, and the feeding guide as per life stages. If you carefully follow the Shih Tzu feeding chart, it will be beneficial to you and will help to maintain your furry pals health.

Along with the feeding guide, now you also have a fair knowledge regarding how to feed your tiny furry pal. So, if you will keep a track of his meal frequency, and feed him as per his body requirement, and weight. You will never jumble up with his feeding schedule.

All these precautions and efforts are worth it when you see your Shih Tzu in a healthy state. It, eventually, increases his life span and helps in staying happy.

Feel free to download our Shih Tzu feeding chart UK, and you can share your doubts with us in the comment box.