Best dog food for a Shih Poo
A Shih Poo is a small crossbreed, usually a Shih Tzu crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle, and most sit somewhere between 4 and 9kg as adults. That small size, combined with a fine, often curly coat inherited from the Poodle side, points towards a small-breed kibble with a genuinely small piece size and a decent fat content to support skin and coat.
What their size means at the bowl
Small dogs have a faster metabolism relative to their size than large breeds, and a smaller stomach to match, which is why small-breed foods are typically more calorie-dense per gram than a food made for a Labrador — a Shih Poo needs less volume to meet the same energy needs, and a food scaled for a bigger dog can be harder for them to eat enough of.
Kibble size matters more than owners often expect. A piece designed for a large-breed jaw is genuinely awkward for a dog this small to pick up and chew properly, so a small-breed or toy-breed formula with a correspondingly small biscuit shape is worth prioritising over a general all-breed food.
Coat and skin
The Poodle side of a Shih Poo's ancestry usually means a fine, curly or wavy coat that needs regular grooming to avoid matting, and coat condition in these crosses tends to show diet quality quickly — a food with a named protein and a proper fat source helps keep that coat manageable between grooming sessions.
A visible drop in coat shine or an increase in shedding is often one of the first signs that a food isn't quite agreeing with a Shih Poo, so it's worth watching alongside the more obvious signs like appetite and stool quality when trying a new recipe.
Dental care
Small and toy breeds are generally more prone to dental issues than larger dogs, partly because their teeth are proportionally large for a small jaw and crowd more easily. A dry kibble with a texture designed to scrape at the tooth as it's chewed, alongside a dental chew a few times a week, is worth building in as routine rather than an afterthought.
Regular brushing at home, even a couple of times a week, makes a genuine difference alongside diet, and starting the habit while a Shih Poo is still a puppy makes it far easier to keep up once they're a fully grown adult who's used to it.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Long-Handled Silicone Pet Toothbrush
A food-grade silicone toothbrush with fine soft bristles on a long, paw-shaped handle that reaches back teeth comfortably. Gentle on gums and helps keep your pet's mouth fresh and clean.
£7.99
NanoSanitas Advanced No-Brush Dental Gel for Dogs & Cats
A brush-free dental gel for dogs and cats, formulated with silver nanoparticles and papaya extract to help reduce plaque and freshen breath.
£14.99
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Pet Dental Cleaning Wipes (50 Pack)
A tub of 50 textured finger wipes that lift plaque and freshen breath for dogs and cats without a toothbrush. Slip one over your finger and wipe teeth clean for easy daily dental care.
£9.99
Pet Oral Spray for Dogs & Cats
A 100ml pet oral spray for dogs and cats that helps promote fresh breath and cleaner teeth. Simply spray onto teeth and gums - no brushing needed for daily oral care.
£8.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Common questions
- Is wet or dry food better for a Shih Poo?
- Both can work as a complete diet. Dry food has the dental advantage of some mechanical cleaning action as it's chewed, while wet food can suit a dog with a smaller appetite or dental discomfort. Many owners feed a mix of both rather than choosing one exclusively.
- Do Shih Poos need a small-breed specific food?
- It isn't compulsory, but the smaller kibble size and more calorie-dense recipe of a small-breed formula generally suits a dog this size better than a food made for large breeds, which tends to have a larger biscuit that's awkward for a small mouth to manage.
- Are Shih Poos prone to weight gain?
- Small, food-motivated crossbreeds can put on weight easily if treats and training rewards aren't accounted for in their overall daily food. Weighing their food rather than eyeballing it, and factoring treats into the total, is a simple way to keep an eye on this.
- How often should a Shih Poo be fed?
- Most adult Shih Poos do well on two meals a day rather than one large one, which suits their smaller stomach capacity better. Puppies typically need more frequent, smaller meals — check the guide on your specific puppy food's packaging and adjust gradually as they grow.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.