Feeding your Shih Tzu puppy a balanced diet of meat, fiber and greens is important for his health, happiness and well-being. The first few months are critical for proper growth, so start those healthy nutrition habits early.
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Feeding
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Feed your puppy two or three times a day; he should consume about an ounce of food for every pound he weighs. Never leave food out for your puppy to free feed.
Exercise
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Although the Shih Tzu puppy has lower exercise requirements than larger dogs, he does need daily exercise. If daily walking is a problem, throwing a ball or toy in the house for him to fetch will provide exercise and stimulation.
Allergies
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Sensitivity to pet food is a common problem among Shih Tzu. If your puppy is scratching or biting herself excessively, try switching her food to another brand. Be sure to ask your breeder what type food the mother was being fed; typically you can feed your dog the same kind with few issues.
Treats
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Your Shih Tzu puppy will love treats. They are also a good training tool. Giving your puppy the occasional human treat is fine, as long as you stay away from processed foods. Introduce new foods one at a time; that way you can immediately know the cause if your dog has an allergic reaction.
Caution
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Avoid other animals until your puppy has had his second round of immunizations. Until that time, he may be at risk for exposure to disease from infected or carrier dogs.
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