You may think that you will never need to learn how to lure a Shih Tzu dog. After all, it is true that obesity in pet dogs like the Shih Tzu breed is a serious and common problem.
However, Shih Tzus can also be underweight for a wide variety of reasons, and when that happens, you’ll be surprised at how difficult it is to get them to eat more to become healthy.
Some Shih Tzu dogs are fussy, some Shih Tzu dogs have naturally small appetites, and some dogs have biological or medical issues that make it difficult for them to gain weight, even when they appear to be eating a lot.
Underweight Shih Tzu
If you want to know how to safely fatten a SHIH TZU, you must first make sure you understand why he is underweight. Here YOU WILL SEE a guide on how to know the ideal weight of the SHIH TZU, with illustrative images.
The cause of the weight loss will determine the best way to treat it, and there are a few potential causes. You will need to go to a vet to fully understand why your Shih Tzu is underweight.
They will be able to rule out medical causes and give you the best and most appropriate advice for your situation. Common causes of weight loss in dogs include:
- parasites
- Kidney disease or failure
- Heart disease – breeds more likely to have heart disease
- Recent dietary changes or inappropriate, low-quality dog food
- Stress or Anxiety
- Cancer
Depending on the illness, you may find that your Shih Tzu naturally puts on weight once they are healthy again. However, you will also need to ensure that they are eating a proper, healthy, and balanced diet throughout their treatment.
Likewise, a Shih Tzu that is being offered an insufficient diet will need to have its needs carefully reassessed and a new feeding schedule created.
On the other hand, a dog that is underweight due to stress or anxiety will need changes in its environment rather than its food. It’s always possible that your underweight dog could benefit from environmental and dietary changes, so the best thing to do is listen to your vet.
Canine weight loss can be the result of some diseases and metabolic imbalances, for example. To avoid any doubts, it is best to make an appointment with a veterinarian and ensure that there is no veterinary endocrinology problem, for example.
A balanced diet for dogs
The best way to gain weight in a Shih Tzu is to start by evaluating what you are feeding, especially if he has no other symptoms of illness.
Is it a balanced diet that provides all the nutrients they need? You might think you know what a balanced dog diet is, but you should check the ingredients and food instructions carefully.
It’s not uncommon for pet parents to make mistakes when calculating calories or switching food brands. Keep in mind that 1/2 cup of a Shih Tzu dog food does not necessarily offer the same calorie content as 1/2 cup of another food.
With that in mind, it’s always helpful to review some basic guidelines for creating a balanced diet for your Shih Tzu.
Water is essential for Shih Tzu puppies and they must have access to clean water at all times.
Protein is the most important nutrient they need. Proteins found in vegetables and cereals are not enough. They need animal protein and it should be one of the first ingredients listed in any food you give your Shih Tzu.
Fats can be great in moderation, particularly for helping a Shih Tzu gain weight, but keep in mind that 30 grams of fat have almost twice the amount of calories as 30 grams of protein. Dogs get sick if they are fed too much fat.
Carbohydrates are essential as they provide fiber. It is present in most dog foods in the form of corn, rice, and wheat. They can put on weight, so some underweight Shih Tzus can benefit from additional carbohydrates in their diet.
Vitamins and Minerals. If you are concerned about providing your dog with enough nutrients, you can provide vitamin and mineral supplements. However, you should consult a vet to ensure you are not putting your diet out of balance.
How to make Shih Tzu dogs gain weight in a healthy way
adding calories
Ensuring that you are offering a balanced diet to your Shih Tzu is always beneficial. This will help an undernourished dog to eat better and will aid in the recovery of a dog who is suffering from an illness or illness.
However, if your dog is already on a balanced diet and simply needs to put on weight, the answer is simple – he needs more calories. and they can be quite easy to do, depending on your dog’s personality.
Give them another meal every day.
Sometimes the answer is as simple as offering them more food. As long as the diet is already balanced, with plenty of protein, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, then more than that will help your dog put on weight – simple! So if your dog already has breakfast and dinner, start adding lunch at noon.
Making food more appetizing
Another reason why human food can help Shih Tzus gain weight is that it can encourage a fussy or anxious eater to eat more often.
For many dogs, stress or anxiety is the cause of weight loss and the problem could be that they just don’t eat enough, no matter how much you feed them.
For Shih Tzus like this, you need to work on making the food look more appetizing while tackling the underlying causes of stress.
Try a new brand of food
Shih Tzu dogs have preferences and tastes, so it’s worth experimenting with a few different foods to see which one triggers your Shih Tzu’s best response.
You should make sure that all brands you try are high quality and balanced, and you should be careful to ensure you are providing your dog with the same amount of calories, as foods can vary in calories per gram.
See also: 8+ Common Shih Tzu Habits You Really Need To Understand
Exercise
Exercise is also an important factor to consider when putting weight on a dog. It’s a bad idea to reduce the amount of exercise they do, as exercise keeps your Shih Tzu fit and healthy in other ways.
It’s also possible that your dog’s weight loss is related to muscle atrophy, possibly due to conditions like arthritis or metabolic diseases. This will be diagnosed by a veterinarian, who will advise you on the best way to treat the problem.
Consult with your veterinarian
They will give you the best advice about your Shih Tzu breed and health.
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