What Do Shitzus Eat?

Shih Tzus originated in China and have been bred as companion dogs for centuries. Also known as Tibetan Temple Dogs, they are a toy breed with luxurious, flowing coats. Like many small breeds they may need to eat more than twice a day, and they need a diet rich in fats and essential oils to keep their coat and skin shiny and supple.

  1. History

    • One of the most ancient dog breeds, Shih Tzus were first kept as vermin hunters, then primarily as pets. Shih Tzu means "lion" in Chinese, and since lions are associated with deities, the little dogs became favorites of royalty and in temples and were often given as prestigious gifts to other heads of state. Writings and artwork document the Shih Tzu as favored house pets as far back as the Ming Dynasty in China.

    Identification

    • Shih Tzus are small dogs, measuring between 8 and 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 9 and 16 pounds. Smaller Shih Tzus are sometimes sold as "teacup" Shih Tzus but this is a marketing term for dogs that do not meet the recognized breed standard and undersized dogs may have more health problems. Their most notable feature is a long flowing double coat that, when untrimmed, reaches the ground. Most colors are acceptable but they are usually primarily white with black, gray or brown markings.

    Considerations

    • Like many small dogs, Shih Tzus can be prone to low blood sugar. They also may vomit on an empty stomach, and some owners find their Shih Tzus will vomit in the middle of the night. This is best addressed by feeding twice a day, in the morning and at dinnertime, with a small snack right before bedtime.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Shih Tzus have no breed-specific dietary requirements. Feed a high-quality, naturally preserved food. Avoid preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Look for foods preserved with mixed tocopherols, rosemary and vitamins C and E instead. Look for foods that have meat as the first ingredient, and preferably elsewhere in the top five ingredients. Avoid foods that have corn or wheat gluten if possible. Home cooked or raw diets are fine as well, but do your research extremely carefully and avoid relying on any single source for advice. The link below has extensive nutrition information, including tips on choosing the best kibble.

    Misconceptions

    • Many Shih Tzus are coddled, and this is fine. But, avoid overfeeding or giving too many treats or potentially harmful foods like cooked bones, chocolate, grapes or fatty cooked meats. Avoid foods and treats with red dye(because many dogs are intolerant to this and will get dry, itchy skin. It's not enough to merely rely on the marketing blurbs on the dog food or treat bag, you need to read the actual ingredients to understand just what your Shih Tzu is eating.

    Expert Insight

    • Give a Shih Tzu additional omega three fatty acids for superb coat conditioning. These are usually sold for both humans and dogs alike in the form of fish or flax seed oil capsules. Fish oil is better digested by dogs, and most will eat a capsule if added to the food. Some owners poke a pin in the capsule and squeeze it over the food. The fish oil sold for human consumption is fine and a 1000mg capsule every 2 to 3 days is sufficient. Pet stores also carry omega three supplements.