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Dos and Don'ts

Top 6 List of Shih Tzu Do's and Don'ts

Overview

With so much to prioritize in regard to care tasks, it can be helpful to have a summary of just the top do's and don’ts for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs. And since it’s always a good idea to periodically reassess things, reading these guidelines are a great opportunity to do this. So, let’s dive in to see the 3 most important do's and the 3 most essential don’ts for Shih Tzu dogs of all ages.

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The Top 3 Do's for Shih Tzu Dogs

#1 Do provide daily moderate exercise.

The importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. Benefits for your Shih Tzu include:

Heart health
Helps maintain proper muscle mass
Keeps the metabolism functioning well
Aids in good digestion and regular bowel movements
Method of releasing pent-up energy in a healthy way that may otherwise manifest as barking or destructive chewing or, for some dogs, boredom and depression
Helps desensitize a dog to stimuli to lessen response to triggers (over time)
Allows a dog to engage their canine senses which often leads to higher levels of contentment for better emotional well-being

This all said, with brachycephalic breeds like the Shih Tzu, there is also a need to keep physical activity within a moderate range to help avoid potential breathing issues and overheating.

Ideally, puppies (once they have had their full rounds of puppy vaccinations) and adult Shih Tzu dogs should should have two walks per day, at a moderate pace. Some very active, energetic Shih Tzu dogs do best with two longer sessions (30+ minutes) or three sessions per day. Five-minute breaks to take a rest and hydrate should be given every 15 to 20 minutes and any time there is marked increased panting or drooling.

It's also recommended to offer short bouts of cardio for 15 to 20 minute sessions. You can meet this goal either indoors or outside, via fetch with something fun like Zanies Mini Tennis Balls for Dogs.

#2 Do have your Shih Tzu wear a harness when on a leash.

Harnesses are should be worn, not collars, to minimize breathing problems related to brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS). The three main BAS issues in Shih Tzu dogs are:

Collapsed trachea, where weak cartilage rings in the windpipe collapse, causing breathing difficulties and pain, typically starting around age 6 but can occur earlier.
Elongated soft palate, a common condition due to their facial structure, where excessive growth of the soft palate obstructs the tracheal entrance.
Stenotic nares (aka pinched nostrils), usually a minor but prevalent issue that restricts breathing due to small nostril openings.

A harness vest, unlike a collar, evenly distributes pressure across the chest, back, and shoulders, making it a much safer option. If you're looking for a harness, consider the EcoBark Harness Vest, which is made of breathable mesh, has an easy step-in design with an adjustable Velcro strap and comes in every size imaginable.

#3. Do stay on top of your Shih Tzu’s oral health.

This is such an important ‘do’ that sadly many pet parents fall a bit short on. And as opposed to a risk of issues, this one involves a near certainty. Without routine proper at-home and as-needed veterinary care, damage from dental neglect will occur. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of dogs age 3 years and up have at least one dental disease.

A lack of daily dental care can cause:

Erosion to tooth enamel (the protective layer on teeth)
Erosion under the gum line where damage occurs out-of-sight
Halitosis (chronic bad breath)
Gingivitis (a disease involving gum inflammation)
Periodontal disease (infection that damages gums and the jawbone)
Tooth decay that leads to tooth loss
Bacterial infections (which can travel to the sinus passages or even lead to sepsis)

At-home, you can keep your Shih Tzu’s teeth clean by brushing them. Many dogs learn to tolerate this just fine. It’s important to use a canine paste that is non-foaming, fluoride-free, and meant to be swallowed. A kit like the Arm & Hammer for Pets Clinical Care Dental Kit is great; it contains 3 dental care items for effective cleaning: a toothbrush, a safe paste and a fingertip brush. This is also sized well for most Shih Tzu dogs.

And alternatives methods to use in conjunction with brushing include dental chews, supplements that are added to drinking water, and dental sprays like the Pets Are Kids Too Premium Pet Dental Spray.

The Top 3 Don'ts for Shih Tzu Dogs

#1. Don’t let your Shih Tzu eat artificial food additives or fillers.

Don't: Let your Shih Tzu eat foods with fillers or artificial additives

Additives, used for preservation, flavoring, or coloring in canine foods, often pose health risks to dogs, including allergies and various diseases. It's crucial to be aware that some harmful additives may not be listed on ingredient labels due to legal exemptions. Steer very clear of:

Synthetic preservatives like ethoxyquin, BHA, BHT, and TBHQ, linked to cancer and nervous system issues.
Artificial colorings such as Blue #2 (carcinogens), Red #40 (hyperactivity), Yellow #5 (behavior changes, allergies, banned in Europe), and Yellow #6 (allergies, tumors).
Flavor enhancers like MSG (associated with allergic and neurological effects).

And fillers are inexpensive foodstuffs that add bulk but little nutritional value. Dogs eating fillers will feel full yet will be lacking important nutrients. Common fillers include:

Corn by-products (feed-grade coarse corn, not sweet corn).
Bran, hulls, and remnants from corn, rice, oats, peanuts, soybeans (outer shells/kernels and processing by-products).
Cereal by-products (processing leftovers).
Wheat by-products.
Animal/meat by-products (non-meat parts like lungs, brain, intestines; unspecified sources may include 4D livestock, roadkill, expired supermarket meat).

To avoid additives and fillers, stick with wholesome, all-natural kibbles, dog snacks, and training treats.

An example of a good kibble is Wellness Complete Health for Small Breeds, which uses natural preservatives like a vitamin mix (mixed tocopherols) and herbs (rosemary, green tea extract, spearmint) and is free of coloring dyes, flavor enhancers, or fillers. It includes healthy meats (turkey, chicken), grains (brown rice, oats, barley), vegetables (carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes), fruits (blueberries, apples), and good omega-3 levels from salmon, along with all essential vitamins and minerals.

A good example of a healthy snack is Wellness Natural Wellbars. Note that these crunchy baked treats are best for snacks given in between meals. Their soft WellBites are best for training treat rewards.

#2. Don’t give unfiltered tap water.

Don't: Let your Shih Tzu drink unfiltered tap water

Offering a dog drinking water may seem like the easiest task in the world. But, if you’re on city water and you’re filling up the bowl straight from your kitchen tap, you’ll want to think twice about this (and most certainly your own water intake as well, if you drink from the tap).

In the U.S. (and many other countries), the majority of municipal tap water violates laws that are supposed to keep it safe. You may be surprised to know that a recent report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) showed that U.S. community water systems amassed more than 80,000 safety violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA).

Here are just a few concerns:

Over 200 Americans in all 50 states have Chromium-6, a carcinogen, in their tap water (EPA confirmed).
Around 6 million in the U.S. have PFASs (poly fluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl) in tap water, linked to immune suppression and hormonal issues.
Other common contaminants include chlorite, chloramines, trichloroethane (1, 1,2), various pesticides, and traces of drugs, impacting at least 41 million Americans.
High levels of heavy metals are widespread.

Fortunately, there are some effective methods to offer clean, toxin-free water to your Shih Tzu. This includes obtaining spring or bottled water, installing an effective filtration system to your kitchen faucet, or using a device like the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher.

#3. Don’t skip veterinary wellness checks.

If you only bring your Shih Tzu to the vet when they are feeling under the weather, you may be compromising their long-term health. Adults age 1 through 7 should be seen once per year for a routine health exam and those 8 and over are generally seen twice per year.

These visits are crucial for keeping a Shih Tzu’s health on track and catching potential issues early. Types of testing typically include a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, urinalysis, fecal testing, and thyroid hormone testing. These are to rule out a wide range of infections and parasitic worms, check immune response, organ function, production of thyroid hormones, and more.

The vet will check for issues common to the Shih Tzu breed including those that fall under brachycephalic airway syndrome, as mentioned in the #2 Do, and patella (knee) luxation. Eyesight, hearing, weight, muscle condition, skin health, coat health, heart rhythm, lung function, and much more will be assessed. To skip over these important exams is really doing a disservice to a canine family member.

To Summarize:

The top 3 do's for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs are:

Do provide daily moderate exercise.
Do have your Shih Tzu wear a harness when on a leash.
Do stay on top of your Shih Tzu’s oral health.

And the top 3 don’ts are:

Don’t let your Shih Tzu eat artificial additives food or fillers.
Don’t give unfiltered tap water.
Don’t skip veterinary wellness checks.

If you are following these 6 guidelines, that’s awesome, you’re right on top of things in regard to the most important care tasks. And if there is one or more that you aren’t doing right now, it’s definitely time to reassess things and make a few changes.