Best dry food for a Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu's flat face, small mouth and crowded teeth mean the shape of a kibble matters almost as much as what is in it, and a small-breed formula sized for a compact jaw is usually the right starting point. Beyond kibble size, look for a food that supports dental health and a coat that many Shih Tzus need real help keeping in good condition.
Feeding a Shih Tzu
A small breed
An adult Shih Tzu typically weighs 4–7.5 kg, so a healthy Shih Tzu eats a modest amount compared with other breeds. Every feeding guide on a bag is written per kilo of body weight, not per breed — start there, then adjust to the dog in front of you.
Life stage
A small breed is usually done growing at 10–12 months, which is roughly when a puppy food has finished its job. With a typical lifespan of 10–16 years, there is a long adult stretch in the middle; switch to a senior food when your vet thinks it is worth it rather than on a birthday.
Small mouths, crowded teeth
Smaller breeds get dental disease more often than big ones, largely because the same number of teeth are packed into a shorter jaw. Kibble size is worth checking, and a dental chew counts towards the daily 10% of calories from treats.
A shallow, wide bowl suits a flat face
A flat-faced dog cannot reach into a deep bowl without pressing its nose into the sides, which is uncomfortable and makes it gulp air. A shallow bowl, and food that does not have to be chased around it, is the easier arrangement.
How much should a Shih Tzu weigh?
Adult 4–7.5 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.7–1.3 kg | 17% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 1.1–2 kg | 27% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 2.2–4.1 kg | 54% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 4–7.5 kg | 100% |
A guide, from the same rule of thumb our puppy growth predictor uses — each age is that share of the way to maturity for a small breed. Puppies grow fastest early, so a real puppy usually sits a little above the middle rows. Weigh yours and ask your vet if the number worries you.
Complete dog foods that suit a Shih Tzu
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Shih Tzu's size band and what the breed typically needs. Stock levels and delivery dates are live on each product.
Pedigree Can in Jelly Puppy 6 Pack
Complete Pedigree puppy food in jelly with chicken, lamb and poultry recipes
£10.15
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 Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Why kibble size and shape matter for this breed
Shih Tzus have a shortened muzzle and a mouth that is genuinely crowded for their size, which can make a large or awkwardly shaped kibble harder to pick up and chew properly. A small-breed dry food is designed with this in mind, with pieces sized for a smaller jaw rather than scaled down from a large-breed recipe.
This is not purely about comfort. A dog who cannot chew a kibble properly may swallow pieces closer to whole, which does nothing for dental health and can occasionally cause digestive upset. Checking the kibble size against your own dog's mouth, not just the age range on the bag, is worth doing.
Dental health is a genuine consideration
Small and toy breeds, Shih Tzus included, are more prone to dental crowding and the tartar build-up that comes with it than larger dogs. Some dry foods are formulated with a kibble texture designed to help scrape plaque as the dog chews, which can be a useful addition alongside proper dental care rather than a replacement for it.
Regardless of the food chosen, dental chews and regular brushing do more for a Shih Tzu's teeth over time than diet alone. Diet is one part of a dental routine, not the whole of it.
Skin and coat are worth watching too
Shih Tzus carry a long, dense coat that some owners keep long and others clip short, and either way the breed can be prone to skin sensitivities. A food with a named protein source and added omega fatty acids tends to support healthier skin and coat than a cheap filler-heavy formula, though grooming routine plays just as large a part.
If your dog develops ongoing itching, flaking or an unusually dull coat despite a decent diet, that is worth mentioning to your vet rather than simply switching foods repeatedly to see what helps.
Common questions
- Do Shih Tzus need a small-breed specific dry food?
- It is generally a sensible choice given their compact jaw and crowded teeth. A small-breed formula sizes the kibble for a smaller mouth, which many Shih Tzus find easier to chew properly than a food designed for larger dogs.
- Are Shih Tzus prone to food allergies?
- Some individual dogs develop sensitivities, most often to a specific protein rather than grain. If your Shih Tzu shows ongoing itching, digestive upset or ear problems, speak to your vet about identifying the actual cause rather than switching foods repeatedly on a guess.
- How much dry food should I feed my Shih Tzu?
- Use the feeding guide on the bag for your dog's current weight as a starting point, and adjust gradually based on their body condition. Your vet can help fine-tune the amount for your individual dog, particularly given how small a Shih Tzu's daily portion actually is.
- Does dry food help with a Shih Tzu's dental problems?
- Some dry kibble textures are designed to help reduce plaque build-up as the dog chews, which can help alongside proper dental care. It is a useful addition rather than a substitute for dental chews and regular brushing.
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.