How Much Food Should A Shih Tzu Eat Per Day

Want to learn about how much food should a Shih Tzu eat per day? Then you’re in the right place.

In this post, we’ll talk about Shih Tzu’s feeding needs, how to choose the right food for your Shih Tzu & tips for feeding a picky eater. 

How Much Food Should A Shih Tzu Eat Per Day

The Shih Tzu is a small dog that has unpredictable eating behavior. This breed eats a large amount of food when compared to other toy breeds. 

Some Shih Tzu dogs are picky eaters, while others will eat anything. It is important to give your dog high-quality food for him to keep in shape and live a long and healthy life.

Read along as we discuss the specific information that will help you feed your dog. 

How Often to Feed a Shih Tzu

The number of meals and snacks you feed your Shih Tzu is determined by their age:

A puppy under three months old needs free feeding. This method involved keeping fresh food available for a puppy to eat as they like. 

The reason this is done at such a young age is that toy breed puppies are prone to hypoglycemia, a rapid drop in blood sugar, which can be caused by going too long without food.

Do not just top off the dish when using this procedure; this will result in old, stale food remaining in the bottom. Keep a small amount in the dish instead. 

Clean the bowl as needed and replace it with fresh kibble.

For the first month or two, you may need to keep reminding your new puppy where his food and water dishes are. This will also encourage your dog to nibble on the food all day.

Shih Tzu Food Guide for Puppies 3 Months and Above

Puppies 3 to 12 months old need three meals per day. After the first month of free feeding, a Shih Tzu puppy should be fed three meals daily during their first year. 

Adults 1 to 9 years old need 2-3 meals per day. Some adults prefer two main meals daily, which may be fine, especially if snacks and training treats are provided throughout the day. Many adult Shih Tzus do best with three meals each day.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that toy breeds, like the Shih Tzu, should not be fed only once per day; this is reserved for much larger breeds.

Seniors 9+ years old need two meals a day. Because senior dogs have less activity, feed them smaller amounts. Their water must always be available.

To easily schedule their meals throughout the day, you can take a look at the information below:

In the morning, we suggest feeding your Shih Tzu at the same time every morning. This may overlap with your family’s early commitments, such as work or school.

For mid-day, this meal can be difficult if you have a busy family because many of your family members may be away from home. 

If no one is available at this time, we recommend putting their food in an automated treat dispenser. Then you can set it to dispense at around this time.

In the evening, you should feed your Shih Tzu right before bedtime so that they have enough energy to get through the night.

For snacks, it is a good idea to feed them snacks to keep your Shih Tzu’s energy levels up.

How Much to Feed a Shih Tzu

The amount of food your Shih Tzu needs daily is determined by various factors. You must consider your Shih Tzu’s age, weight, activity level, and any current health concerns when determining how much food they need.

It is also important that they eat a nutritious diet. Filler ingredients in heavily processed dog food often have no nutritional value, resulting in the need to eat more calories just to feel satisfied. 

Because of all the empty ingredients your dog consumes daily, these foods often result in weight gain.

Keep in mind that no matter how good the food is, if you overfeed your Shih Tzu, they will gain weight! If you are concerned that you have overfed your Shih Tzu, there is a clear sign that they are overweight. 

Examine their abdomen to see whether they have any. It needs to be tucked in close to their body. 

If your Shih Tzu has a small belly, he or she is probably overweight.

If you are unsure how much food a Shih Tzu should eat daily, use the table below as a general guideline.

Age	Feeding Amount	Total Calories per Day	Ideal Weight
0-1 year (puppy)	1.0 oz – 2.0 oz per day	40 – 55 per pound of bodyweight	2lb – 16lb
1-9 years (adult)	2.0 oz – 3.4 oz per day	80 – 140 per pound of bodyweight	9lb – 16lb
9 years and above (senior)	2.0 oz – 3.4 oz per day	80 – 140 per pound of bodyweight	9lb – 16lb

How to Choose the Right Food for Your Shih Tzu

Whether it is homemade or purchased dog food, you must always feed your dog healthy and high-quality food.

It must be all made with healthy ingredients. This includes human-grade meats, vegetables and fruits, and healthy fats. 

You can also feed them whole grains if they are not on a grain-free diet.

Make sure that it has natural preservatives. Usually, this is a vitamin combination labeled as mixed tocopherols.

Plant-based natural preservatives may also be used, such as spearmint, rosemary, and/or green tea extract.

Their food must also contain additives such as fish oil, omega 3 and 6, and DHA.

A greater fat content is also needed in your Shih Tzus diet. Omega 3 and 6 are also good sources of fatty acids, so you may want to include them in their food.

Chicken fat, salmon or fish oil, and sunflower oil are all good fat sources. Another healthy source is coconut oil, but it is not commonly seen in dog food.

When choosing a kibble, make sure it is sized specifically for small breeds. The kibble’s shape and size must be easy to mouth and chew, leading to more enthusiastic feeding.

Choose a food that is easy to digest. The formula will be designed with the digestive system of a small dog in mind, making it gentle on the stomach and easy to digest.

Finally, It is also important to keep an eye on the human food you give your dog to eat. Certain foods that are safe for humans are toxic to dogs.

Because dogs have a different metabolism than ours, feeding them some human foods can be extremely harmful to their health and may also lead to death.

If you just want to let your dog taste the food that is your favorite, like chocolate, please think again. This kind of food is one of the toxic foods that will harm your dog.

Tips for Feeding Picky Eaters

Shih Tzus often have sensitive stomachs, making them quite selective in what they eat.

It is not always easy to find food for picky eaters, so many dog owners resort to a homemade diet, which may not be the healthiest option. Cooking for your Shih Tzu may appear to be a caring gesture, but if the meals are not complete and balanced, the lack of necessary nutrition might lead to more health problems.

If you have a picky eater, consider following our tips below:

• For the next 24 hours, avoid any treats or in-between-meal snacks, such as greenies or other edible teething chews.
• Soak the kibble in boiling water until it is soft. Allow the soft kibble to cool before serving.
• Replacing one of the foods with something else. For instance, if you feed kibble, consider mixing a teaspoon of canned food in with the kibble.
• Add the kibble with a little beef, chicken, or bone broth.
• Try a different dog bowl or plate for your dog to eat. 

Do not worry! It is all a matter of good command and perseverance. Once you have carefully chosen the best technique for your dog to eat, stick to your chance. 

Dogs will eat out of self-preservation. Your dog will eat his food once he realizes that you have the willpower to outlast him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

It is important to provide your dog with enough of a well-balanced diet. Be sure to always feed them the right food with the right amount.

If you encounter sudden changes in your Shih Tzu because of the food he eats, contact your veterinarian immediately.