Best puppy food for a Shih Poo
A Shih Poo, a Shih Tzu and Poodle cross, is a small toy-sized dog as an adult, which means a small breed puppy formula with a correspondingly small kibble piece is the right starting point rather than a standard or large-breed puppy food. Small breed puppies also have faster metabolisms relative to their size, so more frequent, smaller meals through the early months tend to suit them better than fewer, larger ones.
Feeding a Shih-Poo
A toy breed
An adult Shih-Poo typically weighs 4–7 kg, so a healthy Shih-Poo eats a small amount — often under 100g of dry food a day 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 toy 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 12–16 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.
How much should a Shih-Poo weigh?
Adult 4–7 kgfully grown at 10–12 months
| Age | Stage | Typical weight | Of adult size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | Just home | 0.7–1.3 kg | 18% |
| 3 months | Young puppy | 1.2–2.1 kg | 30% |
| 6 months | Growing fast | 2.4–4.1 kg | 59% |
| 10–12 months | Fully grown | 4–7 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 toy 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-Poo
Complete foods from our range, matched to a Shih-Poo'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 Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
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
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
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 Adult Dog Turkey Veg
Complete dry food for adult dogs with turkey, chicken and salmon oil, 21% protein
From£3.39
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 size matters more than breed name here
A Shih Poo's small mouth and jaw make a large kibble piece awkward or even difficult to eat, so a food labelled for small or toy breeds, with a correspondingly small kibble, is generally the more comfortable option. Small breed puppy formulas are also typically higher in calorie density per gram than large breed formulas, reflecting a small dog's faster metabolism and higher energy needs relative to its size.
Because small breed puppies can be prone to low blood sugar between meals in their first few months, more frequent small meals — often three or four a day rather than two — tend to be recommended until they're a bit older, at which point a vet can advise on moving to fewer, larger meals.
Dental and jaw considerations
Small and toy breeds, including many Shih Poos, are prone to crowded teeth and dental issues later in life because a full set of adult teeth doesn't always fit comfortably in a small jaw. Feeding a kibble sized appropriately from puppyhood, and getting into the habit of regular teeth checks and cleaning early, sets a foundation that's harder to establish once dental problems have already started.
A dry kibble does provide some mild abrasive action against plaque simply through chewing, though it isn't a substitute for proper dental care and shouldn't be relied on as one.
Watching for a sensitive stomach
Some small designer crosses, Shih Poos included, can have a more sensitive digestion than average, showing up as occasional loose stools or a fussy appetite. If that describes your puppy, a food formulated for sensitive digestion, or a gradual, gentle transition whenever changing food, is worth trying before assuming it's simply a fussy eater.
Any switch between puppy foods should happen gradually over about a week, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with the old, since a sudden full switch is one of the more common causes of a puppy's temporary stomach upset.
Common questions
- What size kibble does a Shih Poo puppy need?
- A small or toy breed puppy kibble, which is made noticeably smaller than a standard or large breed formula, suits a Shih Poo's small mouth and jaw far better. A large kibble piece can be genuinely difficult for a toy-sized puppy to pick up and chew.
- How many times a day should I feed a Shih Poo puppy?
- Most small breed puppies do well on three to four smaller meals a day in their first few months, moving to two as they get a bit older, since small breeds can be prone to low blood sugar between longer gaps. A vet can advise on the right timing to reduce meal frequency for your individual puppy.
- Do Shih Poos have sensitive stomachs?
- Some do, showing up as occasional loose stools or a fussy appetite, though it varies between individual dogs. A gentle, gradual transition whenever changing foods, and a formula designed for sensitive digestion if problems persist, are both worth trying before assuming it's simply fussiness.
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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.