Shih Tzu nutrition presents owners with a particular challenge: this small, lively breed with its distinctive flat muzzle has its own metabolism, sensitive skin and often a certain fussiness when it comes to eating. Anyone who knows what really matters when it comes to food for the Shih Tzu can prevent allergies, keep the teeth healthy and give the dog a good feeling in its stomach for many years to come. In this guide, we show you what makes the breed special, how to feed it appropriately and which chews are suitable for small, sensitive dogs.
The Shih Tzu in brief: a small companion dog with a flat muzzle
The Shih Tzu originally comes from Tibet and China, where it was bred as a lapdog for the imperial family over the centuries. Weighing mostly between four and eight kilograms, it counts among the small breeds, yet it is surprisingly sturdy and self-assured. In character, the Shih Tzu is affectionate, playful and very people-oriented, but it can also become nervous and sensitive under stress or when its daily routine changes. This emotional sensitivity is often reflected in its eating behaviour: some dogs become fussy or temporarily refuse food when they are agitated.
The breed is characterised by its brachycephalic build, meaning its short, flat muzzle. This anatomy means that a Shih Tzu generally eats more slowly and with more effort than long-muzzled dogs. When eating hastily, it swallows air more easily, which can lead to flatulence or burping. Breathing while eating is also harder for some dogs. For this reason, it is worth paying attention to the shape and size of the pieces of food as well as calm feeding breaks, so that the small head with the short nose is not overwhelmed.
The right food for your Shih Tzu
Because the Shih Tzu is one of the small breeds, it has a relatively high energy requirement in relation to its body weight, yet a small stomach. This means that food for the Shih Tzu should be nutrient-dense, so that even smaller portions provide enough energy, protein and micronutrients. Several small meals spread throughout the day are more pleasant for many dogs of this breed than two large portions, especially since the slow, deliberate eating caused by the flat muzzle takes some time anyway.
Since sensitive digestion and skin problems are not uncommon in small, brachycephalic breeds, grain-free food with clearly defined, high-quality protein sources is recommended. Grain is not fundamentally harmful, but it can encourage intolerances in sensitive dogs and causes flatulence in some animals, which can be additionally uncomfortable due to the anatomically induced intake of air while eating. Our grain-free dry food is specially designed with single-protein, easily digestible recipes and is therefore well suited as a base for small, sensitive dogs.
Also pay attention to the size of the kibble or pieces: small kibble or soft wet food consistencies noticeably make eating easier for your Shih Tzu, as it doesn't have to chew in uncomfortable head positions. If you prefer to add moisture to the bowl or want to supplement the dry food, you will also find suitable wet food for sensitive dogs in our range, which we introduce in more detail in the next section.
Skin & allergies: feeding single-protein
Hardly any breed is as well known for sensitive skin as the Shih Tzu. Itching, sore paws, redness or constant scratching and licking can indicate a food intolerance or a Shih Tzu allergy. Often, this is not a classic pollen or mite allergy, but a reaction to certain protein sources in the food, such as beef, chicken or certain types of grain.
The most reliable way to identify a food allergy is a structured elimination diet. In this process, you feed your dog exclusively with a single, clearly defined protein source over several weeks and observe whether the symptoms improve. We explain exactly how to go about this and what matters in detail on our page about the elimination diet.
This is exactly where the principle of single-protein feeding comes in: instead of mixtures of several types of meat, single-protein food contains only one protein and one carbohydrate source each. This makes it much easier to identify which ingredient is tolerated and which is not. For Shih Tzus with a known allergy or suspected cases, so-called novel protein sources are particularly suitable, meaning types of meat that the dog has not yet eaten, or only rarely. Horse meat, for example as horse liver, is often considered a well-tolerated alternative here, as it causes intolerances less frequently than the common standard proteins. Our wet food for allergy sufferers is specifically composed as single-protein and without unnecessary additives and can be incorporated into an elimination diet or long-term feeding plan for a known allergy.
Important to know: treats and chews also count during an elimination diet. If you continue to give your Shih Tzu mixed snacks during the test phase, this will distort the results. During this time, it is better to use products with the same protein source as the main food, for example our natural treats in a single-protein composition.
Dental health in small breeds
Small breeds such as the Shih Tzu are particularly prone to tartar, gum inflammation and early tooth loss due to their compact jaw. The teeth sit closer together than in larger dogs, which means food residue and plaque can build up more quickly. Combined with the flat muzzle, which already makes thorough chewing of food more difficult, this breed benefits from particular attention to dental care.
Regular chewing is one of the most natural forms of dental care: the mechanical friction reduces plaque, while saliva is produced at the same time, which also contributes to oral hygiene. It is important that the chews match the size of the dog. Pieces that are too large or too hard can mean more stress than benefit for a small jaw like that of the Shih Tzu. You can find suitable, soft chews conveniently via our chew finder, which gives you a recommendation based on the size, age and chewing strength of your dog.
Suitable chews for very small dogs
When it comes to Shih Tzu chews, the rule is: small, soft and easily digestible beats hard and solid. Since the jaw of the Shih Tzu is comparatively small and the flat muzzle makes biting more difficult, thin, air-dried chews are usually better suited than thick bones or hard rawhide chews.
- Lamb ears are thin, soft and yet still chewable for a long time, which is why they are excellent for small, sensitive breeds.
- Horse liver scores as a novel protein source for dogs with a known allergy or food intolerance and can serve as a particularly well-tolerated snack in small amounts.
- Beef liver is rich in protein, aromatic and is usually readily accepted by fussy dogs, but should only be fed in moderation due to its high nutritional value.
- Thin chews without additives support dental care without overwhelming the small jaw.
All the snacks mentioned should be single-protein, grain-free and air-dried, meaning without artificial additives, preservatives or flavourings. This not only protects the sensitive stomach but also reduces the risk of skin reactions. In our natural chews category, you will find a selection tailored exactly to these needs. It is best to give your Shih Tzu the snacks under supervision and in bite-sized, small pieces, so that nothing can happen even if larger bites are swallowed.
The Shih Tzu puppy and the senior
A Shih Tzu puppy grows more slowly and less dramatically than large breeds, but still needs food with a high nutrient density for the development of bones, muscles and the immune system. Since puppies can still only manage smaller portions, several small meals a day make sense, supplemented by soft, easily chewable snacks for the first chewing attempts with the milk teeth.
In old age, which often begins in the Shih Tzu from around eight to ten years, needs change again: the metabolism slows down, activity decreases and dental problems can make eating even more difficult. Easily digestible food adapted in energy content, as well as particularly soft chews, help older dogs to continue eating happily and without discomfort. If you are unsure which food suits your dog's age, weight and individual needs, our food finder will help you find the right choice, whether puppy, adult dog or senior.
Frequently asked questions about Shih Tzu nutrition
How often should I feed my Shih Tzu?
Due to the small stomach and deliberate eating behaviour, most Shih Tzus tolerate two to three smaller meals a day better than one or two large portions. This relieves the digestive system and reduces the risk of too much air being swallowed during hasty eating.
Why does my Shih Tzu react so sensitively to certain food?
Due to its breeding and anatomy, the breed tends more often towards sensitive skin and digestion. This is often due to an intolerance to certain protein sources, which can most reliably be identified via a single-protein elimination diet.
Which chews are suitable for a very small jaw?
Thin, soft and air-dried snacks such as lamb ears or thin chews are usually more comfortable for the small jaw of the Shih Tzu than thick, hard chew bones. They support dental care without overwhelming the dog while chewing.
From what age is a Shih Tzu considered a senior and does the food need to be adjusted?
Many Shih Tzus show the first signs of ageing from around eight to ten years, such as reduced activity or more sensitive teeth. From this point on, it is worth switching to easily digestible food with adjusted energy density as well as particularly soft chews, so that the dog continues to enjoy eating despite possible dental problems.
Character & who the Shih Tzu suits
In short, the Shih Tzu is best suited to: calm families/seniors, flat living, cuddly companion dog.
- Size: small
- Energy level: calm
- With children: very good with children
- Flat living: suitable for flats
- For beginners: suitable for beginners
- Coat care: high grooming effort
- Trainability: moderately eager to learn
- Watchfulness: not a pronounced guard dog
Not sure whether this breed suits your life? Find out with our breed finder “Which dog breed suits me?”.
Also worth a look: Which chew suits my dog?
