Cooper has always been a pretty good eater. But there were times he’d turn his nose up at wet food entirely. He’d sniff the bowl, decide it wasn’t worth his time, and walk away. Dry kibble, on the other hand, he never had a problem with. Pour it in the bowl and he was already there.
Those moments made me pay closer attention to what I was actually feeding him. Because when your dog skips a meal and you’re not sure why, you start reading ingredient labels a lot more carefully.
Shih Tzus have specific needs in digestion, coat health, and energy. Not all dry foods are built the same.
What looks balanced on the bag doesn’t always translate to a happy, healthy dog in practice.
So I did what any Shih Tzu parent would do: I researched. A lot.
This guide reviews six dry dog foods suited for small breeds, with honest pros and cons and what real customers are saying. Use it to narrow down your options, and always pair your choice with advice from your vet.
6 Best Dry Dog Foods for Shih Tzus For Sale 2025 Reviews and Ratings
1. Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Small Dog Dry Food
Available Flavors: Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable; Grilled Steak & Vegetable; also in Tender Bites line: Chicken & Steak.
Key Features
This formula is made for small mouths. It includes 36 vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It adds Omega-6 and zinc for skin and coat. The kibble pieces are small.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Easily available and affordable
- Balanced nutrition for adult small dogs
- Small kibble pieces suit tiny mouths
Cons:
- Uses corn and by-product meals in ingredients
- Some owners report digestive issues
- Very crunchy — “tender bites” may not be soft enough
What Customers Say
Many owners say it’s “the only food he likes”. It’s praised as a reliable daily food. Others report problems:
“Dogs have had diarrhea, throwing the food up … will have to throw it out.”
“Made my dog have terrible bloating and blood in her poop … super hard and crunchy.”
Our Take
Pedigree offers good value and reliable availability. For Shih Tzus with hardy digestion, it works well. But if your dog is sensitive or picky, the ingredients and texture may cause trouble.
2. Open Farm Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Available Flavors / Recipes: Epic Blend (Salmon, Beef, Chicken); Homestead Turkey & Ancient Grains; RawMix (bone broth coated) etc.
Key Features
This food is grain-free with ethically sourced proteins. It avoids corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Ingredients are traceable and transparent.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- High-quality, clean ingredients
- Many flavor and formula options
- Suits dogs with sensitivities
Cons:
- Premium price
- Some dogs reject it due to smell or flavor
- Transition must be gradual to avoid tummy upset
What Customers Say
Supportive reviews:
“He enjoys the food. On his 2nd bag … food smells fresh. Good size kibble for small breeds.”
“Stool is always firm, rarely digestive issues.”
But also negatives:
“Made my dogs sick … pooping and vomiting all over the house.”
“My dog wouldn’t even eat it or go near it.”
Our Take
Open Farm is great when your Shih Tzu needs cleaner, grain-free nutrition. But start with a small bag to test tolerance. It may cost more, but it can reduce skin or digestion issues in many dogs.
3. Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin
Available Flavors / Recipes: Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin (as given).
Key Features
First ingredient is real salmon. It adds fiber sources from sweet potato and pumpkin. It contains no poultry by-products, artificial colors, or common grains.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Ingredient list is simple and “cleaner”
- Good choice for dogs with mild sensitivities
- Digestive support from fiber
Cons:
- Reported variation in quality (color change of kibble)
- Some dogs had hair loss or skin problems
- Smaller bag sizes — may not be cost-efficient
What Customers Say
Some success stories:
“Older, picky dog had no reaction. Cats even eat it.”
“Switching helped reduce scratching, digestion now good.”
But others had issues:
“Stomach is all red … kibble is nearly black now.”
“Dogs lost hair, gnaw at skin to raw.”
Our Take
Nature’s Recipe is a solid mid-tier choice for small dogs with moderate sensitivities. Monitor your dog for a few weeks to ensure no adverse reactions.
4. IAMS Proactive Health Minichunks Adult Dry Dog Food
Available Flavors / Recipes: Real Chicken (Minichunks line) — typically chicken based.
Key Features
This formula supports digestion, immunity, and whole-body health. It includes natural fiber and antioxidants. The kibble is small for small dogs.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Affordable and well known
- Balanced formula with fibers and antioxidants
- Good for “everyday” feeding
Cons:
- Some reports of digestive issues in sensitive dogs
- Uses by-products and fillers
- Formula consistency may vary
What Customers Say
Positive voices:
“Finishes every bowl, coat looks healthier.”
“Senior dog loves this food, no allergies or upset tummy.”
Cautions:
“Latest batch gave my dog diarrhea.”
“Refused to eat sometimes; the food sat for minutes.”
Our Take
IAMS is a safe mid-choice for Shih Tzus with normal digestion. It balances cost, nutrition, and availability. Avoid it if your dog is especially sensitive.
5. Canidae Pure Limited Ingredient
Available Flavors / Recipes: Salmon & Sweet Potato; Lamb & Sweet Potato; Duck & Sweet Potato; Duck & Sweet Potato; etc.
Key Features
This is a limited-ingredient, grain-free formula. It uses 10 or fewer key ingredients for easier digestion. It includes probiotics and antioxidants.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Great for dogs with multiple allergies
- Clean, simple ingredients
- Good reputation for coat and digestion
Cons:
- Pricier than many brands
- Limited flavor rotation
- Some dogs still react — always test first
What Customers Say
Praises:
“Pup loves this; coat softer, shedding less.”
“Dog with sensitive diet issues does well on this.”
Warnings:
“Dogs had terrible diarrhea.”
“Senior dog had allergy flare up. Stopped eating it.”
Our Take
Canidae Pure is a strong choice for Shih Tzus with food allergies or intolerances. Use it as a trial if you suspect ingredient sensitivity.
6. BIXBI Liberty Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Available Flavors / Recipes: Beef; Fisherman’s Catch; Chicken; Lamb; Original Puppy Recipe; Chicken Small Breed Recipe.
Key Features
This food uses fresh meat, no meat meals. It excludes soy, corn, rice, or wheat. It is steam-cooked gently to preserve digestibility.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- High ingredient quality
- No fillers, good for sensitive digestion
- Multiple flavor options
Cons:
- Some dogs report loose stools
- Higher price point
- Occasional smells or quality issues reported
What Customers Say
Positive feedback:
“Puppy has no tummy issues.”
“Picky pup enjoys flavors, especially small breed chicken.”
Negatives:
“Smells off, dogs won’t eat it.”
“Loose stools in some dogs.”
“Bag smelled horrible, fuzz grew.”
Our Take
BIXBI is a premium option worth trying for small dogs with food sensitivities. Use small trial bags first. Its multiple flavors help rotate diet safely.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
All six of these dry foods have strengths and weaknesses. For a Shih Tzu owner, here’s a quick guide:
- If you’re on a budget and have a healthy dog, Pedigree or IAMS give you good value and ease of access.
- If your dog has digestive or skin sensitivity, Open Farm, Canidae Pure, or BIXBI may offer safer ingredient profiles.
- Nature’s Recipe sits in between: better ingredients, but some quality inconsistencies reported.
- Always transition gradually over 7–10 days. Watch stool consistency, skin, appetite, and energy.
If I were to pick one starter best overall: Open Farm offers the best balance of ingredient quality and adaptability. But start with a small bag first to test your Shih Tzu’s response.
