Dog Food for Shih Tzu: How to Choose and Feed It

Shih Tzus look like they were built for a cushion, not a food bowl. That flat little face, the crowded mouth, and the long silky coat all affect what goes on in mealtime, and they're a big reason a generic "adult dog food" isn't always the best fit.

The good news: feeding a Shih Tzu well isn't complicated. Once you know what their bodies are working with, choosing a food and a portion gets a lot easier.

Dog Food for Shih Tzu — The Short Answer

The best food for a Shih Tzu is a complete and balanced diet for their life stage, in small, easy-to-grab pieces, fed in measured portions. Most do well on a quality small breed formula. Beyond that, the details depend on your dog: their age, their weight, their teeth, and whether their skin reacts to certain proteins.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, adult Shih Tzus usually weigh 9 to 16 pounds and "tend to stay in good weight or be a bit heavy." That one line explains a lot about how to feed them.

Why Shih Tzus Eat a Little Differently

A flat face changes how they pick up food

Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed. VCA lists them alongside pugs, Pekingese, and French bulldogs. A shortened muzzle means a shortened jaw, and many Shih Tzus find large or oddly shaped kibble awkward to scoop up and chew.

If you notice your dog pushing food around the bowl, dropping pieces, or swallowing kibble whole, try these fixes:

• Smaller kibble. Small or toy breed formulas usually have pieces sized for little mouths.
• A shallow, wide bowl. Deep bowls make flat-faced dogs dig with their whole face.
• Softening dry food with a little warm water, or mixing in some wet dog food.

Crowded teeth need extra attention

A small jaw still has to hold a full set of adult teeth, so crowding is common. VCA notes the breed is prone to periodontal problems, which can be prevented in large part by regular tooth brushing.

Food alone won't clean teeth, whatever the bag says. Treat diet and dental care as a team: a food your dog can chew comfortably, plus brushing a few times a week (daily is ideal).

Extra weight hits them harder

Shih Tzus gain weight easily, and their build makes those extra ounces matter. VCA's guidance on brachycephalic airway syndrome states that obesity worsens breathing signs in flat-faced dogs, and weight loss is part of treatment for overweight dogs. Keeping your Shih Tzu lean is one of the kindest things you can do for their breathing, joints, and long-term health.

Feeding by Life Stage

Shih Tzu puppies

Tiny puppies burn through energy fast and have little in reserve. VCA advises that Shih Tzu puppies be fed often to help prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which very small puppies are prone to.

• Choose a food labeled for growth or all life stages.
• Split the day's food into three or four small meals.
• Don't let a young puppy go long stretches without eating.

Our puppy feeding chart is a handy starting point for portions as your puppy grows.

Adult Shih Tzus

Many Shih Tzus can switch to an adult (maintenance) food around their first birthday. Your vet can confirm the timing. From there, the focus shifts from growth to weight control.

• Feed two measured meals a day. See how many times a day a dog should eat for more on scheduling.
• Start with the bag's feeding directions, then adjust based on how your dog looks and feels.
• Keep treats small. Tiny dogs hit their daily calorie limit quickly.

A dog calorie calculator can give you a rough daily target, but body condition is the real test. You should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily under the coat, and see a waist when you look from above. That fluffy coat hides a lot, so check with your hands, not your eyes.

Senior Shih Tzus

VCA puts the breed's typical lifespan at 11 to 14 years. (We dig into that in our guide to the average lifespan of a Shih Tzu.) As they age, activity drops and dental problems often catch up with them.

• Watch for weight creep as your dog slows down, and adjust portions.
• If chewing gets painful, try softer food or a wet and dry mix. Our guide to soft dog food for senior dogs covers options.
• Talk to your vet about a senior dog food if your dog has health changes like kidney or joint issues.

Skin, Coat, and Food Allergies

That gorgeous coat sits on skin that can get itchy. Not every itchy Shih Tzu has a food allergy, since environmental allergies and fleas are common culprits too. Still, food is worth considering.

According to VCA's guide to food allergies in dogs, the most common food allergens are proteins from dairy, beef, chicken, chicken eggs, soy, or wheat gluten. Signs usually include itchy skin, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea.

If you suspect a food allergy:

1. Don't guess by swapping brands. Many foods share the same core proteins.
2. Ask your vet about an elimination trial. VCA describes this as feeding a hypoallergenic diet for 8 to 12 weeks, with no other treats or flavored supplements.
3. Stick with what works. Once you find a food your dog tolerates, keep treats consistent too.

For a deeper look, see our guide to dog food for food allergies.

What to Look for on the Label

You don't need a nutrition degree to read a dog food bag. Focus on these parts:

The AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement

AAFCO calls this statement perhaps the most important part of the label. It tells you whether the food is "complete and balanced" and for which life stage: growth, maintenance, gestation/lactation, or all life stages. It's usually in small print on the back or side of the bag. Treats and toppers often don't have one, which means they aren't meant to be a full diet.

The product name

AAFCO's naming rules tell you more than you'd think:

• "Chicken Dog Food": the named ingredient must make up at least 95% of the product, not counting added water.
• "Chicken Dinner" or "Entrée": the named ingredient must make up at least 25%, not counting water.
• "With Chicken": only at least 3% is required.

So "with salmon" on the front doesn't mean salmon is the main protein.

Ingredients and feeding directions

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. Check the first few if you're avoiding a specific protein. Then use the feeding directions as a starting point, not a rule, especially for a breed that gains weight as easily as a Shih Tzu. Our breakdown of dog food ingredients can help you decode the rest.

Practical Takeaways

• Pick a food with an AAFCO complete and balanced statement for your Shih Tzu's life stage.
• Choose small kibble and a shallow bowl, or soften food if chewing is a struggle.
• Measure every meal. Check body condition with your hands under that coat.
• Feed puppies small, frequent meals to help prevent low blood sugar.
• Brush teeth regularly. No food replaces it.
• If your dog is itchy, work with your vet on an elimination trial instead of brand-hopping.

For more on feeding little dogs in general, our guide to small breed dog food pairs well with this one.

Shih Tzus were bred to be companions, and they're very good at it. A food that fits their face, their teeth, and their waistline helps you keep that companion around for as many good years as possible.