Shih Tzu is a small dog with a rather unpredictable eating behavior, so it’s important to know what Shih Tzu can eat. Compared to various other small breeds, this breed doesn’t eat a large amount of food.
Some Shih Tzus are picky eaters, while others may eat with an open heart. It’s crucial to feed your dog quality meals to ensure they stay fit and have a long, healthy life.
Formerly, dogs’ diet was based on leftovers, as our grandparents used to say, “they never did harm.” However, we know that just like for humans, a balanced diet is crucial for dogs’ good development and maintenance of a healthy life.
Shih Tzu diets were developed precisely due to the difficulty of providing a balanced diet for puppies. It’s important to always use Shih Tzu-specific food because it’s created with many positives: it facilitates nutritional balance in a practical and cost-effective way.
Since these dogs are more prone to obesity than others, too many carbohydrates in their diet are not suggested. Like all other dogs, Shih Tzus also need a good amount of protein for healthy growth.
Chicken meal, chicken, turkey, and eggs are the main sources of lean protein for a Shih Tzu. Fish is also an important component of a healthy meal for these dogs, as it’s also a good source of protein and healthy fats. Sweet potatoes, oats, rice, and barley can be healthy sources of carbohydrates required by Shih Tzus. Vegetables can be given to meet the requirement for minerals and vitamins.
The foods Shih Tzu can eat include rice (always without seasoning), non-acidic fruits like melon, papaya, watermelon, blueberry, and banana, as well as vegetables like potatoes and carrots.
Finally, meats (always cooked and without seasoning) like skinless boneless chicken, fish fillets, pork, turkey, and lamb. It’s always important to choose lean meat parts when including these components in a dog’s diet.
The foods Shih Tzu cannot eat include the biggest villain for a dog’s health, chocolate. This sweet, so consumed by humans, when given as food to Shih Tzus, is highly toxic and can cause liver damage. Other foods like coffee, sugar, onion, macadamia nuts, raw egg, raisins, and avocado are also not suitable.
Remember that even foods Shih Tzu can eat should be given in moderation. Feeding dogs with these foods excessively can cause obesity, especially if the animal already has a complete diet with commercial food.
If you want to provide a diet without commercial food, consisting only of natural foods, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian for the correct calculation based on your Shih Tzu’s weight and health condition.