Best puppy food for a Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu puppy does best on a small-breed puppy formula, chosen with kibble size and calorie density in mind rather than picking whatever puppy food happens to be nearby, since a tiny mouth and a fast metabolism relative to body size are the two things that actually differ from feeding a larger breed puppy.
Why small-breed formulas exist
Small breeds like the Shih Tzu have a faster metabolism relative to their size than large breeds do, which means they generally need more calories per kilogram of body weight than a bigger dog would. A small-breed puppy formula reflects that with a more calorie-dense recipe, so your puppy can get what they need from a realistic amount of food rather than needing to eat an impractically large volume.
Kibble size matters more here than owners sometimes expect. A Shih Tzu puppy has a genuinely small mouth, and kibble sized for a medium or large breed puppy can be awkward or off-putting to eat, which is part of why small-breed formulas use a smaller kibble shape as standard.
Shih Tzu features worth bearing in mind at mealtimes
Shih Tzus have a shortened muzzle, which can make some bowl shapes and very deep kibble bowls slightly awkward for them to use comfortably, and can also make them prone to snorting or brief reverse sneezing around mealtimes, which is usually harmless but can look alarming the first time you see it. A shallower, wider bowl is often more comfortable for a flat-faced breed than a narrow, deep one.
Small breeds including Shih Tzus are also more prone to dental issues than many larger dogs, partly because of the relatively larger teeth these breeds carry for their jaw size. Alongside the right food, regular dental care from early puppyhood is worth building into the routine rather than something to think about later.
Portioning and moving to adult food
Follow the feeding guide on the bag as a starting point, based on your puppy's current weight, and check in on their body condition regularly rather than assuming the guide is exactly right for your individual puppy. Small breed puppies can be easy to overfeed given how little food a full daily portion actually looks like in a bowl.
Small breeds generally reach adult size, and can move onto adult food, earlier than large breeds — often from around nine to twelve months rather than the twelve to eighteen months a bigger dog might need. Make any change gradually over a week or two, and ask your vet if you are unsure of the right timing for your puppy.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Tasty Minis Puppy Treats Chewy Cubes with Chicken
Soft chewy puppy training treats with 13% chicken and added calcium, 125g
£2.25
Forthglade Complete Puppy Chicken with Liver Grain Free — 18 x 395g Trays
Sold as a case: 18 x 395g trays. A complete grain-free wet food for puppies, built on 71% chicken and 4% chicken liver
£35.89
Harringtons Puppy Turkey & Rice
Complete turkey puppy food with 30% protein and feeding bands by adult weight
£6.49
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Puppy/Junior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey and potato kibble for puppies and junior dogs, evenly balanced recipe
£12.75
Wagg Puppy Treats
Puppy Treats in a 120G pack, with 23.2% protein and 7% fat and full label detail
£1.49
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
Lily's Kitchen Puppy Chicken Recipe — 6 x 400g Tins
Sold as a case: 6 x 400g tins. Complete 400G wet puppy chicken recipe with 67% fresh chicken
£22.79
Pooch & Mutt Puppy Bite Size Beef Jerky
Bite-size beef jerky training treats for puppies, scaled by dog size
£3.99
Whimzees Puppy
Softer dental chews for puppies over three months old, grain free and gluten free
£7.99
Burns Grain Free Puppy Duck Potato
Grain-free duck and potato puppy food with a prebiotic, for starting a new litter on a novel protein
From£16.49
Lily's Kitchen Puppy Recipe Chicken — 10 x 150g Trays
Sold as a case: 10 x 150g trays. Complete 150G puppy chicken recipe with 67% chicken and salmon oil
£16.89
Common questions
- Why does kibble size matter for a Shih Tzu puppy?
- Shih Tzus have small mouths, and kibble sized for a medium or large breed can be awkward for them to pick up and chew comfortably. Small-breed formulas use a smaller kibble shape specifically to suit this.
- Do small dogs like Shih Tzus need more calories for their size than big dogs?
- Generally yes, relative to their body weight, because smaller breeds tend to have a faster metabolism. Small-breed puppy formulas are typically more calorie-dense to reflect that, so a realistic portion size can still meet their energy needs.
- When should I switch my Shih Tzu from puppy to adult food?
- Small breeds usually reach adult size earlier than large breeds, often somewhere between nine and twelve months. Switch gradually over a week or two, and check with your vet if you are unsure of the right time for your individual dog.
- Are Shih Tzus prone to dental problems?
- Small breeds generally are more prone to dental issues than larger dogs, so building regular dental care into the routine from puppyhood, alongside a suitable diet, is worth doing early rather than waiting until a problem appears.
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.