Best Food and Water Bowls for a Shih Tzu

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This page contains:

5 Elements to Know About Dog Food Bowls: Material, sizing, floor level vs raised, aspects of slow-feeder bowls and benefits of travel bowls.

Recommended Bowls for Shih Tzu Puppies and Dogs: Our top picks

Bowl Issues and Topics: Not wanting to eat from a bowl, how often to clean bowls.

Plastic bowls, while common, pose several risks to Shih Tzu dogs. They can trigger contact dermatitis, particularly affecting the nose with symptoms such as itching and discoloration. Additionally, the dyes used to color these bowls may seep into the dog's food and water, potentially staining hairs and being harmful if ingested. Chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and lead, often found in plastic, are linked to serious health problems, including neurological damage and cancer. Moreover, plastic's susceptibility to scratches creates niches for bacteria, posing a hygiene concern.

Ceramic bowls offer a safer alternative, free from the major issues of plastic. However, they are less prevalent in the market, resulting in a narrower variety of sizes and styles.

Stainless steel stands out as the superior choice for Shih Tzu food and water bowls. Its non-porous, scratch-resistant nature ensures no retention of odors or bacteria-harboring scratches. Robust and nearly indestructible, it's also easy to clean, can keep water cool, and is weighty enough to prevent skidding and discourage relocation by the dog. A high-quality stainless-steel bowl is not just durable but could last a Shih Tzu's lifetime, representing both safety and longevity.

The size of a bowl, including its diameter and depth, can significantly impacts a Shih Tzu's eating experience. Too deep a bowl can lead to forehead bumps against the rim for pups and adults alike, deterring them from eating. Deep water bowls often result in messier faces and can contribute to tear stains. Oversized bowls may cause discomfort, potentially straining a Shih Tzu's neck and shoulders, and can mislead owners regarding portion sizes. Conversely, a bowl that's too small can overflow and make messes. Our recommendations below address these size considerations thoroughly. 

Bowl height options include floor-level and elevated bowls, each with distinct benefits for Shih Tzu dogs.

Floor-Level Bowls:

• Ideal for Shih Tzu dogs content with their current setup.
• Recommended for puppies, as elevated bowls can be challenging for them.
• Can lead to messier faces due to splashing or dribbling, so do keep a grooming wipe handy to keep your Shih Tzu clean or consider an elevated bowl for tidiness.
• Ensure a non-skid base or use a mat to prevent sliding.

Elevated Bowls:

• Suitable for picky eaters reluctant to use floor-level dishes.
• Less strain on hips, shoulders, neck, and joints, beneficial for all ages, especially seniors.
• Reduces food and water mess on the face, preventing red yeast growth and tear staining.
• Not recommended for breeds prone to bloat (mostly large breeds). The Shih Tzu, being smaller, are less susceptible to this condition. However, floor-level bowls are advisable for those with a history of stomach bloating or fast eating.

Ultimately, Shih Tzu pups and dogs have preferences in bowl height, and choosing the right type can significantly impact their comfort and cleanliness during meals.

For dogs that really rush through dinner, barely tasting their food, there may be a need to encourage slower eating. Eating too rapidly can cause issues such as indigestion, choking, and excessive air intake, leading to discomfort like burping or flatulence. In more extreme cases, it can contribute to health risks like bloat (especially in larger breeds, but not unheard of in smaller breeds). By encouraging a slower, more deliberate eating pace, these specialized bowls help promote better digestion and overall well-being for your Shih Tzu.

Classic slow-feed bowls feature a raised area in the middle. This design effectively turns the bowl into a ring shape, compelling the dog to eat around it.

When considering bowls for your Shih Tzu, don't overlook the need for travel-friendly options, especially for long walks or outings during meal times. It's wise to bring water for walks over 30 minutes, particularly on hot summer days to prevent overheating. And if you're heading out for a long adventure, you may need to provide a meal on the go.

For practicality, standard bowls aren't ideal for travel. Instead, opt for canine travel water bowls, which despite the name, look more like bottles; consider 2-in-1 water containers with lids that double as bowls. For meals, collapsible bowls are convenient and portable.

Free-standing Bowls:

Free-standing bowls for young Shih Tzu puppies: The Our Pets DuraPet Stainless Steel Non-Slip Bowl. This is sized for little puppies and is 5.25 round in diameter and a nice shallow 1 inch. We love this because it's shallow depth makes eating and drinking easy and helps to keep water and food debris off a Shih Tzu's face. These are made of stainless-steel, have an effective anti-skid base, and are dishwasher-safe (top rack). 

Free-standing bowls for older pups and adult Shih Tzu: The Loving Pets Bella Bowls are a good option. These are very high-quality stainless steel with a poly-resin exterior, so they have a nice look and feel and are durable. The size small is good for most Shih Tzu adults. These come in several colors and have a cute paw print design on them. 

Double Bowl:

Dish set & mat combo, all ages: The VivaGlory Stainless Steel Dog Bowl Set with Mat. This all-in-one set features two removable stainless-steel bowls for food and water, set in a sturdy silicon mat with a small lip to catch spills, minimizing mess. The mat doubles as a tray for easy transport. Available in three sizes: 6.5 ounces (each side) which is ideal for Shih Tzu puppies and 12.5 ounces (each side) which is great for adult Shih Tzu dogs. 

Raised, Elevated Bowls:

Elevated bowl set: The Toozey Elevated Dog Bowl Set. It has a 100% bamboo base and stainless steel bowls, which makes it look lovely while being easy to clean. It's durable too. The best feature its 6 height adjustments, so you can tailor it to your growing puppy or get it just right for your adult Shih Tzu. It's also tilted at 15 degrees, help keep food and water off a dog's face. 

Slow-feed Bowl:

Slow feed bowl: The Neater Pet Brands Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl. This stainless-steel bowl to slow down food consumption is ideal for Shih Tzu dogs, avoiding the pitfalls of plastic and oversized models. Its small size, holding 1.5 cups of kibbl and is abut 2 inches deep. It features a central protrusion to slow down eating and a non-skid rubber base for stability.

Travel Bowls:

Travel 2-in-2 water container: The KONG H2O Stainless Steel Dog Water Bottle. This is a stainless-steel bottle with a cover that doubles as the bowl. The cover/bowl is 100% recyclable polypropylene that's BPA-free. It's heat-resistant, keeps water cool, comes in 6 colors and has a carabiner clip. 

Travel Bowl for food: The Collapsible Dog Bowls for Travel by Rest-Eazzzy. This is made of silicone rubber, folds down pretty flat, has a secure cover and has two attached carabiner clips so you can attach it to a bag, backpack, leash, etc. It also comes in 3 sizes and a wide array of colors. 

Shih Tzu Refuses to Eat from a Bowl:

When a Shih Tzu seems to prefer eating off the floor rather than from their bowl, it's important to discern whether this behavior stems from a health issue or a behavioral quirk. Consulting a veterinarian should be the first step if the behavior arises suddenly since it could be linked to tracheal issues. 

If health concerns are ruled out, consider the bowl's characteristics. Some Shih Tzu dogs are deterred by deep, shiny, or noisy bowls. Switching to a shallow, quieter bowl could resolve the issue. Additionally, the bowl's height and placement can affect a Shih Tzu's comfort. Those with serious bowl adversion can often transition to a plate (and a shallow bowl can come later). Adjusting these factors to suit your little guy or gal's size and preference can encourage bowl use.

Ultimately, patience and gradual adjustments are key. Observing and adapting to your Shih Tzu's unique needs can help transition them back to regular bowl feeding.

How Often to Clean a Shih Tzu's Bowls:

Cleaning your Shih Tzu's food and water bowls is a crucial aspect of pet care, often overlooked yet vital for maintaining your dog's health. Just like human dishes, these bowls can harbor bacteria, mold, and food residues, which can lead to gastrointestinal and other health issues in pets. Ideally, you should clean your Shih Tzu's food and water bowls once a day, and at a minimum once a week. 

Using hot water is essential as it helps to kill germs and dissolve fats and oils more effectively. Additionally, opting for dye-free dish soap is important because dogs can be sensitive to the dyes and fragrances in regular soaps.

Related:

Shih Tzu Supplies - An organized list of supplies every pet parent should have for their Shih Tzu; this list connects to more detailed articles with tips, advice and specific recommendations. See what your Shih Tzu is missing for optimal health and happiness. 

Shih Tzu Feeding Guidelines - Details of all food-related topics. Schedules, wet vs dry, grain vs grain-free, homemade foods, top recommendations and more. 

More Articles:

Shih Tzu Itchiness Issues - Being itchy is a very common issue seen with the Shih Tzu breed. There can be an itch with no other symptoms or lots of other problems like rash, hot spots, or dry skin. See exactly how to remedy this. 

Shih Tzu Eye Care - A helpful guide for keeping your Shih Tzu's eye area clean and free of eye 'sleep' and other irritants. This also leads to articles regarding tear stains and eye issues.

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