How to Take Care of a Shih Tzu Puppy

Getting a new puppy can be exciting. Choosing the right breed for you takes time and research. If you have decided on a shih tzu puppy and brought one home, you are ready for a lifetime of love. However, you will need to follow a few simple steps to ensure your shih tzu puppy grows up to be a healthy and happy dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Food
  • Water
  • Bowls
  • Brush
  • Cloth
  • Nail trimmers
  • Groomer
  • Vet
  • Chew toys
  • Corn syrup
  • Heating pad
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your new puppy the same food the breeder was feeding her, which will help maintain a healthy digestive tract. If you want to switch to a different food at a later time, that is fine. When you decide to change foods, make sure you do it slowly by mixing three parts of the original food with one part of the new food. Increase the amount of the new food every feeding and decrease the old food until there is no old food left.

    • 2

      Provide plenty of clean fresh water for your puppy to keep her hydrated.

    • 3

      Practice good grooming habits. Brush your puppy daily to keep his coat from becoming matted. Start at his head and work your way back and down. Help minimize staining by using a clean, damp cloth every day or every other day and wipe around your puppy̵7;s mouth and eyes. Bathe your puppy every other week or so depending on how often he needs it. Use nail trimmers to clip his nails every two to four weeks, as needed.

    • 4

      Visit a professional groomer every three or four months, since shih tzu hair is long and fine and needs to be trimmed to help prevent knots.

    • 5

      Take your puppy to all her scheduled vet appointments. Keep up with her shots and regular checkups to make sure she is healthy.

    • 6

      Provide him with lots of chew toys. Young puppies like to chew, and shih tzus are no different.

    • 7

      Do not play with your new puppy too much. Let your puppy sleep when she wants to sleep. Do not wake her up to play. Small breeds like the shih tzu have a tendency to play too much, causing strain to their bodies or becoming so tired they forget to eat. When the puppy does not eat enough, her blood sugar drops, causing hypoglycemia. You will know your puppy is suffering from this if she is chilled, lethargic or unresponsive, and you will need to treat it immediately. The easiest way to treat a puppy for hypoglycemia is to rub corn syrup inside her mouth, place her on a heating pad to warm her body and feed her immediately when she becomes alert again.

    • 8

      Be gentle. Shih tzu puppies are very small, and they need a soft hand to keep them safe.