{"id":47736,"date":"2026-10-20T16:22:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:22:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/?p=47736"},"modified":"2026-10-20T18:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T18:28:04","slug":"whats-the-best-dog-food-for-shih-tzus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/whats-the-best-dog-food-for-shih-tzus\/","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s the Best Dog Food for Shih Tzus?"},"content":{"rendered":"<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><p><strong>In this article:<\/strong><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#What-should-I-feed-my-shih-tzu?\">What should I feed my shih tzu?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Is-The-Farmer%E2%80%99s-Dog-a-good-food-for-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog a good food for shih tzus?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Is-The-Farmer%E2%80%99s-Dog-good-for-healthy-skin-and-a-glossy-coat-in-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for healthy skin and a glossy coat in shih tzus?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Is-The-Farmer%E2%80%99s-Dog-good-for-shih-tzus-with-allergies?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for shih tzus with allergies?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Is-The-Farmer%E2%80%99s-Dog-good-for-digestion-in-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for digestion in shih tzus?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Is-The-Farmer%E2%80%99s-Dog-good-for-weight-maintenance-in-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for weight maintenance in shih tzus?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Do-shih-tzus-need-kibble-for-good-dental-health?\">Do shih tzus need kibble for good dental health?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#How-can-I-sign-my-shih-tzu-up-for-The-Farmer%E2%80%99s-Dog?\">How can I sign my shih tzu up for The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"><div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div><p>Shih tzus are affectionate, friendly lapdogs who love to spend time with their people. The breed, whose name means &ldquo;little lion&rdquo; in Mandarin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/dog-breeds\/shih-tzu-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">originated in Tibet<\/a>; shih tzus were living with Chinese royalty <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/dog-breeds\/shih-tzu-history\/\">by the <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/dog-breeds\/shih-tzu-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">14th century<\/a>. Eager to please and moderately energetic, shih tzus benefit from playtime and training to keep them healthy inside and out. And, yes, their beautiful coats require regular brushing.<\/p><p>Along with daily exercise, regular vet care, and a welcoming lap to lounge in, feeding a healthy diet is one of the most important ways you can take good care of your shih tzu. Here are the details.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-should-I-feed-my-shih-tzu?\">What should I feed my shih tzu?<\/h4><p>To keep your shih tzu in good health, feed them appropriate portions of a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/what-does-complete-and-balanced-mean-for-dog-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> food that&rsquo;s complete and balanced for their needs according to AAFCO standards<\/a>.<\/p><p>A diet of real food for your<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/ultimate-french-bulldog-guide\"> <\/a>shih tzu contributes to a healthy, active life.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/signup\/me\/GetStarted\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"277\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Banner-paidsocial-1024x277.png\" alt='White text on a green background next to a pack of fresh food. Text reads: Real food. Made fresh. Delivered.\"' class=\"wp-image-13352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Banner-paidsocial-1024x277.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Banner-paidsocial-300x81.png 300w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Banner-paidsocial-768x208.png 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Banner-paidsocial-1536x416.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Banner-paidsocial-2048x555.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Is-The-Farmer&rsquo;s-Dog-a-good-food-for-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog a good food for shih tzus?<\/h4><p>The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog makes real,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/what-is-human-grade-dog-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> human-grade<\/a> food that&rsquo;s gently cooked to retain nutrients and pre-portioned to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/myths-and-facts-about-dogs-weight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> help maintain a healthy weight<\/a>. All of this makes us a good choice for shih tzus.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Is-The-Farmer&rsquo;s-Dog-good-for-healthy-skin-and-a-glossy-coat-in-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for healthy skin and a glossy coat in shih tzus?<\/h4><p>Shih tzus have famously luxurious coats&mdash;the flowing locks may be their defining feature&mdash;and The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog supports healthy skin and glossy coats.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Is-The-Farmer&rsquo;s-Dog-good-for-shih-tzus-with-allergies?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for shih tzus with allergies?<\/h4><p>Shih tzus <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10807147\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">may experience<\/a> dry and itchy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/your-dogs-amazing-coat-and-how-to-take-care-of-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">skin<\/a>, sensitive stomachs, and other signs of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/how-to-help-a-dog-with-food-allergies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">food allergies and sensitivities<\/a>. That&rsquo;s one of many reasons that it&rsquo;s important to know exactly what you&rsquo;re feeding them. Many dog foods feature long or inaccurate ingredient lists. Food from The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog can deliver peace of mind, both in terms of finding a food that works for a dog with allergies as well as knowing there will be no surprise flare-ups from mislabeling. And our strict safety controls are designed to prevent allergen carryover and cross-contamination. This means you know precisely what&rsquo;s going in your dog&rsquo;s bowl so you can avoid what they can&rsquo;t eat.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shih-tzu-on-boat-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"A shih tzu on a boat looks off to the side with water in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-47753\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shih-tzu-on-boat-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shih-tzu-on-boat-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shih-tzu-on-boat-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/shih-tzu-on-boat-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Is-The-Farmer&rsquo;s-Dog-good-for-digestion-in-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for digestion in shih tzus?<\/h4><p>Our fresh food is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/all-about-pet-food-digestibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">clinically proven to be highly digestible<\/a>&mdash;and fresh, gently cooked food is more digestible than typical kibble. Another hallmark of a digestible diet is what we call &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/decoding-your-dogs-poop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high-quality poops<\/a>.&rdquo; And our internal digestibility studies show that dogs eating The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog produce smaller poops than they did before.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Is-The-Farmer&rsquo;s-Dog-good-for-weight-maintenance-in-shih-tzus?\">Is The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog good for weight maintenance in shih tzus?<\/h4><p>It&rsquo;s critically important to avoid overfeeding any dog, big or small. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/myths-and-facts-about-dogs-weight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Being overweight<\/a> can increase your shih tzu&rsquo;s risk of developing a host of diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer. A fresh-food plan tailored to your dog&rsquo;s needs, and delivered in pre-portioned packs, makes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/measure-dogs-body-condition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weight maintenance<\/a> easier.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Do-shih-tzus-need-kibble-for-good-dental-health?\">Do shih tzus need kibble for good dental health?<\/h4><p>Shih tzus are <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10807147\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">prone to dental disease<\/a>&mdash;but, despite widespread myths, standard kibble won&rsquo;t help them. The<a href=\"https:\/\/wsava.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Dental-Guidleines-for-endorsement_0.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> Global Dental Guidelines<\/a> from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) explain why regular kibble does not get the job done. &ldquo;Standard dry foods,&rdquo; they say, &ldquo;break apart at the incisal edge of the teeth, providing minimal to no cleaning at the gingival margin, which is where it matters.&rdquo;<\/p><p>In general, research shows that healthy and safe chews can benefit dogs&rsquo; dental health&mdash;but you shouldn&rsquo;t let them chew just anything, as certain items can even hurt them. Ask your vet what chewing choices are right for your dog. And know that even effective chews have their limits, and are not a replacement for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/myths-and-facts-about-dogs-dental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> regular toothbrushing and dental examinations<\/a>.<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-can-I-sign-my-shih-tzu-up-for-The-Farmer&rsquo;s-Dog?\">How can I sign my shih tzu up for The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog?<\/h4><p>It&rsquo;s easy to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/signup\/me\/GetStarted\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">start your shih tzu on real, human-grade food from The Farmer&rsquo;s Dog<\/a>. Here&rsquo;s how it works.<\/p><ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tell us about your dog<\/strong>. Our plans are tailored for your dog&rsquo;s needs, based on their age, weight, activity level, body condition, and other factors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Choose your recipes<\/strong>. Pick the recipes that work best for your dog, and wait for your trial box to arrive (and the dinnertime dancing to commence).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get your trial box<\/strong>. Your trial contains up to two weeks of food, so you can get a proper taste of how it&rsquo;s working for your dog before your first full order ships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep feeding real food<\/strong>. Once you&rsquo;ve had a chance to try (and love) it, we&rsquo;ll keep sending perfectly timed deliveries of healthy, pre-portioned food.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Real, human-grade, pre-portioned food has all kinds of benefits for shih tzus\u2014from weight maintenance to supporting a glossy coat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":5852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[203,174],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47736","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breeds","category-nutrition"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47736"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47736\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":47754,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47736\/revisions\/47754"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}