Making sure you perform the necessary one-month Shih Tzu puppy care can be stressful. But there’s no need to need to be anxious. You and your furry friend will be just fine! Our detailed 1 month Shih Tzu guide will help walk you through being a great fur parent to your new baby. Are you still waiting for the newest member of your family to arrive? Check out our guide on preparing your home before your furry friend arrives.
If possible, you will want to make sure your Shih Tzu is with its mother for at least six weeks before adopting it (ideally 8-12 weeks). This ensures that you reduce any chance of physical or behavioural problems that may arise from early separation. Here’s our shih tzu advice for new owners.
Establishing a Healthy Routine for Your 1 Month Shih Tzu
Your puppy’s diet is extremely important early on. Talking with your veterinarian will point you in the right direction. They are the best source for exactly what your month-old Shih Tzu should be eating, as each puppy is different. As a general guideline, a good structure for diet would be:
- Eating three to four meals a day
- Optimal levels of omega-3 fatty acids
- High-quality pet food that has met the requirements for nutrition
- Often, commercial canine milk replacer is needed for puppies (speak with your vet)
Proper Puppy Care: Checking On Your 1 Month Old Shih Tzu
A newborn Shih Tzu puppy is incredibly vulnerable to various ailments. Be sure to prioritize their care. One of the most important things to remember is to make sure they’re breathing well. Check their chest regularly for fast or labored breathing. If you notice anything abnormal, get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Around four weeks, your puppy may still need help to go to the bathroom. To help them achieve this, rub cotton wool balls or tissues moistened with warm water over the genitals and anus of the puppies after every feed. Failing to follow this procedure may result in constipation.
As with any dog, Shih Tzus are prone to specific conditions and diseases. A few to keep your eye on as you raise them are:
- Allergies: watch when new food is introduced to the diet or when certain substances come into contact with their skin (i.e. powders, blankets, shampoos…etc).
- Hip Discomfort: Shih Tzus can suffer from canine hip dysplasia, which is an instability in the hip joint.
- Eye Problem: multiple eye ailments can affect your Shih Tzu. This can include Keratopathy Syndrome, Corneal Ulcers, Cataracts, Entropion, Epiphora and more. To learn more about these ailments, check out Miracle Shih Tzu’s article.
Things You SHOULD Do With Your 1 Month Shih Tzu
Here are a few tips on ensuring your new baby’s physical and social development is as good as possible.
- Encourage them. Puppies learn from reactions and excited praise. Make sure to reward them with encouragement.
- Socialize them. Your Shih Tzu will most likely have their vision and hearing working well at around a month old. It’s good for them to meet new people and see things around the house (i.e. people walking outside…etc). They are great family dogs, so let them meet the family!
- Set a daily routine. Get them up at a certain time, have their naps scheduled, and allow them just to be puppies and have fun throughout the day.
Things You SHOULDN’T Do With Your 1 Month Shih Tzu
There are some specific things you shouldn’t do with Shih Tzus. There are also some common things you shouldn’t do with puppies in general. They are:
- Bring them outside. You will want to make sure your Shih Tzu is vaccinated first. It is also good to avoid any potential threat from wildlife when they are so young!
- Too much exercise. Shih Tzus are small, and Shih Tzu puppies are even smaller. They don’t need to go on walks or even run around a ton. A run across the living room and back might be all they need to tire themselves out. Most Shih Tzus at 1-month-old will be playing with their brothers and sisters (litter). That will be plenty of activity.
- Take them away from their mother. Like most puppies, Shih Tzus need their mom. It is unwise to take them away at a young age (anything under six weeks). Most Shih Tzus should be weaned off their mother’s milk around six weeks and ready to leave around 8-12 weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1-Month-Old Shih Tzus
Can I Bathe My 1-Month-Old Shih Tzu?
It is recommended that you do not bathe your 1-month-old Shih Tzu. At such a young age, they cannot regulate their body temperature. This brings us back to Shih Tzus being with their mothers for six weeks or more. The mother will bathe them and be the primary caregiver instead of you.
Can a 1-Month-Old Shih Tzu Eat Dog Food?
At about 1-month-old your little puppy will have some little teeth forming. Giving it a little extra food with dog’s milk is okay. It can help create a slow and gradual transition from milk to food. Feeding them a small amount of dried kibble is acceptable.
Later on, you can introduce more food opportunities. Check out our guide on The Best Dog Food To Feed A Shih Tzu.
Should I Try to Train My 1-Month-Old Shih Tzu?
There shouldn’t be much training outside of helping your Shih Tzu be comfortable with different sounds, children, and bigger dogs (in a controlled environment). At around 3-5 months is when you can begin housebreaking.
Should I Get My 1-Month-Old Shih Tzu Vaccinated?
No, four weeks old is too young for your puppy to be vaccinated. Wait until at least 6-8 weeks before starting the recommended vaccinations.
No, four weeks old is too young for your puppy to be vaccinated. Wait until at least 6-8 weeks before starting the recommended vaccinations.
How Long Should My 1-Month-Old Shih Tzu Be Sleeping?
Early on, Shih Tzu puppies will sleep a long time. They can sleep up to 22 hours a day. This will slowly reduce as they get older. Soon enough, all their sleeping will be at night.
Enjoy Your 1-Month-Old Shih Tzu
As mentioned earlier, this age in a Shih Tzu can be a worrisome time for you and your little one. But remember, take time to enjoy the little moments you spend together. These fun furry friends will be with you for a good part of your life.
If you are looking for more tips on Shih Tzu puppy care, you can find them all here.
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