{"id":81323,"date":"2026-04-21T12:02:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T12:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/20-best-shih-tzu-puppy-foods\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T12:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T12:02:41","slug":"20-best-shih-tzu-puppy-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/20-best-shih-tzu-puppy-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Best Shih Tzu Puppy Foods"},"content":{"rendered":"


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iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n

Choosing a food for your new Shih Tzu puppy can be confusing! While good advice can be gleaned from your rescue, breeder, or veterinarian, there is a wide range of opinions about which puppy food is best, and you may receive contradictory advice. We asked our 800,000-member shih tzu community on Facebook the following question:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhat food did you feed your shih tzu puppy?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>We received hundreds of replies, and summarized the top responses below.<\/p>\n

Please be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your Shih Tzu puppy\u2019s diet. iHeartDogs is reader-supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.<\/span><\/p>\n

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20 Best Foods for a Shih Tzu Puppy<\/h2>\n

Freshpet Vital Grain Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg Fresh Puppy Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Freshpet<\/p>\n

I feed my Shih Tzu fresh pet and he loves it. You can find it in the dog food section in a refrigerator, at least that\u2019s where we get ours at Walmart or Publix<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Vickie R.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>61<\/p>\n

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Fromm Puppy Gold Premium Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Fromm<\/p>\n

Have fed Fromm for years. Good ingredients, only minor recalls, and they love it. For my kidney girl, I cook rice, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and top with Vital Essentials freeze-dried raw for her protein.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Lynda S.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>3<\/p>\n

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Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Puppy Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Royal<\/p>\n

I used Royal Canin for Shih Tzu\u2019s. My Shih Tzu lived for 14 yrs and 4 months. Was never sick until the last few months of his life. No table food. And the dog food was dry dog food.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Fonda V.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>63<\/p>\n

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Hill\u2019s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Hill's<\/p>\n

I used Science Diet Puppy food.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Kay K.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>61<\/p>\n

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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Blue<\/p>\n

Our female Shih Tzu loves Blue Buffalo small adult chicken and rice. It\u2019s never had any recalls. And she\u2019s always been super healthy at each vet visit for 10 years! Good luck! Ps\u2026I add a little salmon oil to it for dogs, and she devours it! <\/span><\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Chelsea M.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>9<\/p>\n

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I\u2019ve had mine for a year now, and she never would eat any kind of dog food, so she eats only home-cooked, chicken, green beans, zucchini, squash, and sweet potatoes. I\u2019ve gone through as much as I could do. Never had dogs like this before.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Jannie G.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>21<\/p>\n\n

Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Small<\/p>\n

I use Diamond Natural Puppy. I had a time finding a food that agreed with my 2 Babies! They are 3 years now, but very sensitive bellies, unlike my first Baby! Good luck!!!<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Martha S.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>1<\/p>\n

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Pedigree Dry Puppy Food, Puppy Dry Food with Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Flavor<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Pedigree<\/p>\n

I had 3 Shih Tzus, fed them Pedigree, one lived to 12 and the other till he was almost 18 years, never sick until the end, my boy and now our puppy is 9 months, and he eats the same food, I love Shih Tzus!<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Darlene F.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>9<\/p>\n

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Hill\u2019s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Dry Dog Food<\/h3>\n

\"Hill'sI used Hills Science Diet for mine, who gave us 16 wonderful years.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Patricia P.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>37<\/p>\n

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Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Natural<\/p>\n

I feed my Shih Tzu chicken breast and Natural Balance (small breed) Salmon and Sweet Potatoes. I cook his chicken daily and mix it with the Natural Balance. My dog is 10 years old and weighs 21lbs.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Gladys L.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>3<\/p>\n

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Bil-Jac Small Breed Puppy Food, Chicken, Oatmeal & Yam Recipe<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Bil-Jac<\/p>\n

I used Bil Jac small-breed puppy food. You can order it from Chewy.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>John B.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>1<\/p>\n

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Puppy Chow Complete Nutritious Meals for Healthy Beginners<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Cesar Puppy Classic Loaf in Sauce Wet Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Cesar<\/p>\n

Purina puppy chow and\u00a0Little\u00a0Caesars<\/span>\u00a0puppy food<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Diana M.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>6<\/p>\n

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Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Nutro<\/p>\n

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Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Senior Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Nutro<\/p>\n

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Nutro Natural Choice Dry Puppy Food, Dry Dog Food for Puppies<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Nutro<\/p>\n

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I used Nutro small breed and switched to senior as she got older. They have a puppy formula as well.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Pam W.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>0<\/p>\n\n

Mine are not able to eat any dog food sold in stores or from the vet, due to allergies, which caused severe ear infections. I now cook their meals, and that, too, has been trial and error. I learned that chicken is not something they can tolerate at all, so I mostly use ground hamburger and ground turkey. I cook the hamburg or turkey in an electric skillet, and when done, I add a cup of rice and then frozen veggies, until all is done. The concoction lasts about 4 days, and I store it in containers that I keep in the fridge until needed. For breakfast, I generally make scrambled eggs, which they absolutely love. I also give them fresh apples and other fruits as a snack. Good luck with your new fur baby, and may you enjoy him\/her for many years to come!<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Bonnie P.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>0<\/p>\n\n

IAMS Proactive Health Dry Dog Food, Premium Dog Food Dry Recipe<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"IAMS<\/p>\n

Hard Iams food, she\u2019s going on eleven years old, she never gets sick. I had a little dog, 16 years that\u2019s what I fed her<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Janice M.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>3<\/p>\n

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Freshpet Vital Grain Free Chicken, Beef, Salmon & Egg Fresh Puppy Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Freshpet<\/p>\n

Fresh Pet. My dog loves the chicken. I told my vet, and he said it was very good for my dog. It\u2019s at Sobeys and Petsmart and some Walmart stores in the fridge where dog food is.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Bonnie D.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>3<\/p>\n

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Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Puppy Dry Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Royal<\/p>\n

I feed my Shih Tzu, Royal Canin Shih Tzu. She has been on it all her life + it has a stool reducer in it. Some foods cause too much bulk. (more poops). She is 9 yrs old now and very healthy.<\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Jean G.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>1<\/p>\n

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Cesar Wholesome Bowls Adult Wet Dog Food<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Cesar<\/p>\n

Everyone will have a different recommendation, and none are wrong. These babies are picky! I always say to feed what your baby will eat and what you can afford, and what your schedule allows. Mine won\u2019t eat kibble. We tried Fresh Pet that worked for a <\/span>while. Then I home-cooked, and that was overwhelming, and I was worried about getting all the right nutrients. We now feed a new line by Cesar called wholesome bowls and meal toppers. My boy loves them. Best wishes<\/span><\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Marianne D.<\/p>\n

Likes:<\/strong> 43<\/p>\n

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Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Puppy Dry Dog Food with Healthy Grains<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"Natural<\/p>\n

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient kibble. As others have pointed out, Shih Tzus have very sensitive stomachs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Libby J.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>1<\/p>\n

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I adopted a 2yr shih-tzu, and he was on a vet-recommended food, only to find out he was extremely allergic to chicken. He is now on Food Sensitivity kibble and canned food, and is doing so much better. His skin has gone to a healthy pink instead of <\/span>bright red, and he doesn\u2019t scratch like he used to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Author: <\/strong>Kelly V.<\/p>\n

Likes: <\/strong>1<\/p>\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Shih Tzu Puppy Foods<\/h2>\n

1. What type of food is best for Shih Tzu puppies?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shih Tzu puppies thrive on high-quality, small-breed puppy food that contains a balanced blend of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Look for formulas that feature real meat as the first ingredient, along with omega fatty acids, DHA for brain development, and essential vitamins and minerals.<\/p>\n

2. How often should I feed my Shih Tzu puppy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shih Tzu puppies typically need to eat 3\u20134 times a day until they are about 6 months old. Because of their small size and high energy levels, they benefit from consistent access to nutritious meals to support their growth and prevent hypoglycemia.<\/p>\n

3. Are grain-free diets good for Shih Tzu puppies?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Grain-free diets can be beneficial if your Shih Tzu puppy has allergies or sensitivities to grains. However, unless a veterinarian recommends it, a well-balanced puppy food with wholesome grains (like brown rice or oats) is often perfectly healthy and beneficial.<\/p>\n

4. Should I choose wet or dry food for my Shih Tzu puppy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Both wet and dry puppy foods have benefits. Dry kibble can help with dental health by reducing tartar buildup, while wet food is more palatable and hydrating. Many Shih Tzu owners opt for a combination of both, or dry food topped with a little wet food to encourage appetite.<\/p>\n

5. What ingredients should I avoid in Shih Tzu puppy food?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Avoid foods with artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or meat by-products. Fillers like corn and soy may also be problematic for some puppies. Always choose a food made from recognizable, whole-food ingredients.<\/p>\n

6. When should I transition my Shih Tzu from puppy food to adult food?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most Shih Tzus can be switched to adult food between 9 and 12 months of age. The exact timing depends on your puppy\u2019s size, activity level, and overall health. Consult your vet for personalized recommendations to ensure a smooth transition.<\/p>\n

7. Can I feed my Shih Tzu puppy homemade food?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While homemade diets can be healthy if properly balanced, they require careful planning to ensure all nutritional needs are met. If you\u2019re considering a homemade diet, work closely with a veterinary nutritionist to avoid deficiencies during this critical growth phase.<\/p>\n

As always, be sure to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your Shih Tzu\u2019s food. iHeartDogs is reader-supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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Setting Your Shih Tzu Puppy Up for a Lifetime of Health<\/h2>\n

Choosing the right food for your Shih Tzu puppy is one of the most important decisions you\u2019ll make early in their life. Proper nutrition fuels their growth, supports their developing immune system, and helps build a strong foundation for years to come. While every puppy is unique, focusing on high-quality ingredients and formulas designed for small breeds can make a noticeable difference in their energy, coat health, and overall well-being. Take the time to observe how your puppy responds to their food and don\u2019t hesitate to adjust when needed. With the right care and attention, you\u2019re not just feeding your puppy, you\u2019re giving them the best possible start toward a happy, vibrant life.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: The Complete Dog Food Guide: Nutrition, Ingredients, Feeding & How to Choose<\/em><\/h3>\n
iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/strong><\/h6>\n<\/p><\/div>\n