Purpose: - For dogs age 6 years and up, to help prevent or delay osteoarthritis (some veterinarians recommend starting at early as age 1, when a small breed is done growing).
- For adults and seniors, to treat osteoarthritis
- For any Shih Tzu with previous bone or joint issues, to help prevent or delay post-traumatic arthritis
What to know about Shih Tzu dogs and osteoarthritis: As a dog ages, the body produces less glycosaminoglycan, a by-product of glucosamine, that works to repair body tissue and cartilage damage that naturally occurs from everyday wear and tear. The body also produces less chondroitin which works alongside glycosaminoglycan and also aids in maintaining proper fluid levels in the tissue around the joints for good shock absorption and lubrication and supplies nutrients to cartilage.
Increasingly insufficient levels of these naturally occurring compounds leads to inflammation of the joints, joint stiffness, and deterioration of joint cartilage. Signs include decreased mobility, behavioral changes, and moderate to severe discomfort.
What to know about Shih Tzu dogs and post-traumatic arthritis: This is technically a form of osteoarthritis and is the development of the disease in a joint that was previously injured in some way. For Shih Tzu dogs, this often includes dislocation issues such as patella (kneecap) subluxation, hip dysplasia or abnormalities such as Legg-Calve-Perthes or collapsed trachea. This also includes any sprain, fracture, or bone break. In fact, arthritis is about 7 times more likely to develop in an injured joint than an uninjured one and to occur much faster.
How common joint issues are with Shih Tzu: There are several elements that can affect the age of onset and severity of issues with Shih Tzu. This includes level of exercise and activity throughout the dog’s life (the more
moderate exercise, the better), quality of the diet, a dog’s weight (excess weight increases the risk), and how quickly any bone or joint issues are diagnosed and treated.
This said, for dogs in general, 1 out of 5 adults have arthritis. Approximately 65% of dogs 7+ years and 85% of dogs 8+ years have some level of this painful and sometimes crippling disease.
How joint supplements can help: If you place your Shih Tzu on a joint supplement before any issues develop this can go a long way in helping to delay the onset of arthritis. And, if your Shih Tzu has already been diagnosed with the disease, some combination supplements can ease symptoms and help to increase mobility.
Let’s look at the main supplements that are made for joint health:
1) Glucosamine
and 2) Chondroitin. These are almost always found together in one supplement. These work together to repair cartilage, keep joints lubricated, and strengthen supporting tissue. And 3) MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
which is also commonly added to joint supplements for dogs. Its benefits are very similar; this can help with slowing down cartilage degeneration and decrease inflammation.
Recommendation: A mobility supplement that we really love is
Zesty Paws Mobility Bites Joint Supplement for Dogs; This has both glucosamine HCI and Chondroitin, along with OptiMSM (a premium form of methylsulfonylmethane) that provides excellent muscle support. As with all their products, this is 100% all-natural with no artificial additives or preservatives.
Please note: For fish oil, another supplement that can help with mobility, please see next (as this is mainly known for skin and coat health)
Skin & Coat Supplements: Omega Fatty Acids
Purpose: - Improves skin health. Quality omega helps with inflammation, rebalances skin to correct dry or oily issues, helps make skin more resilient to handle stressors such as contact irritants, allergens, etc. that may otherwise cause skin sores, hot spots, rashes, and other reactions.
- Improves coat health (hydrates to restore shine and moisture to the coat, improves texture, prompts hair growth)
- Can work alongside Glucosamine HCI & Chondroitin to help with the symptoms of arthritis via its anti-inflammatory properties and helps to improve overall joint health and mobility.
- As an added plus, is thought to support heart health and eye health.
What to know: Omega fatty acids are essential fats, meaning that a dog’s body (or yours, for that matter) cannot make these. They must be obtained from food (or supplements). There are 11 types of omega fatty acids. But, for the purpose of your Shih Tzu’s health and well-being, we’re just going to talk about 3 of them.
1) Omega-3 ALA
(alpha-linolenic acid) is derived from some foods such as flaxseed (common in dog foods) canola, and soybeans. The body first sees this as an energy source (to be used or stored, as is done with other fats). In order for ALA to help in other ways, it must be converted into one of two other types of omega-3: DHA or EPA. But the body only converts a negligible amount.
2) EPA
(eicosapentaenoic acid) and 3) DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) are two types of omega-3 fatty acids that directly help improve a dog’s skin and coat health, as well as provide the other benefits mentioned (heart, eye, and joint health). EPA and DHA are derived mainly from fish, some other seafood like eels and shrimp, and some algae, but levels vary.
Fish with high amounts of EPA and DHA include salmon and mackerel. Other types of fish and seafood that contain decent amounts include bluefin tuna, albacore tuna, swordfish, and trout. And in general, wild fish has more EPA and DHA than farmed fish.
Though certain top-quality dog foods have some level of omega-3 oil in them (via flaxseed and/or fish oil), if your Shih Tzu is suffering from skin or coat issues, extra supplementation is usually helpful.
Recommendation: Our top pick for the best omega-3 fish oil supplement for a Shih Tzu is
Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. This is 100% fish oil sourced from wild salmon that is caught off the Alaskan coast. The only other ingredient is mixed tocopherols, a natural organic compound that acts as a preservative. That’s it, there are no additives whatsoever, so this is one of the best fish oil supplements for Shih Tzu that is available.
It is made in the USA and comes in a nice handy pump that makes it very easy to dispense. And, you don’t need much; dogs at or under 12.5 lbs. (5.6 kg) just need 1/2 pump per day and dogs between 12.5 and 24 lbs. (5.6 and 10.9 kg) need just 1 pump.
Most dogs absolutely love the taste of fish oil and this should be mixed very well into meals (so that they cannot pick out just the pieces that are coated in the oil).
Digestive Health Supplements: Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes
These supplements help aid digestion and ease a sensitive stomach, help with coprophagia, can be a part of allergy treatments, and more. We will look at probiotics first, and then digestive enzymes; in many cases, both should be taken for the most effective results.
Purpose: - To balance the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ intestinal bacteria to help with digestive issues including runny stools, chronic diarrhea, and/or flatulence.
- To help a puppy or dog recover and rebalance after a bout of parvo or other stomach or intestinal-related illnesses.
- To help improve nutrient absorption.
- To help prevent chronic urinary tract infections.
- Is sometimes prescribed for dogs suffering from severe allergies; this can help with inflammatory responses.
What to know: Probiotic supplements for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs can help restore gastrointestinal health by adding in more ‘good’ bacteria when there has been an imbalance and there is a population overload of ‘bad’ bacteria. When you’re looking for a probiotic to give to your Shih Tzu, there are two elements to keep in mind:
1) CPU.
This stands for ‘colony-forming unit’ which refers to the number of active or ‘alive’ bacteria in each serving. For canines, there should be 1 billion (yes, that is with a ‘b’) at a minimum.
2) Number of strains.
There are many different strains of bacteria in a dog’s body (and yours, for that matter) so giving a Shih Tzu just one strain of probiotics may not help at all. Ideally, you want to offer a supplement that has multiple strains; typically, the more strains the supplement contains, the higher the likelihood that the ‘right’ one(s) will be included to fix the imbalance.
Recommendation: Our #1 pick for the best probiotic for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs is
Pet Ultimates Probiotics for Dogs. This has 2 billion CPU (twice the recommended minimum) and a whopping 22 strains. And, this is made in the USA, has no artificial additives, flavors, coloring, or fillers. It is a completely tasteless power that is easily added to meals, and this lasts for quite some time since most Shih Tzu only need 1/3 to 1/2 scoop per day.
Purpose: Digestive enzymes for Shih Tzu serve multiple purposes:
- Balancing Intestinal Bacteria: They help balance the 'good' and 'bad' intestinal bacteria, aiding in digestive issues such as runny stools, chronic diarrhea, and flatulence.
- Recovery and Rebalancing: Digestive enzymes assist in the recovery and rebalancing of a puppy or dog's gastrointestinal health after illnesses like parvo or other stomach/intestinal-related issues.
- Improving Nutrient Absorption: They enhance nutrient absorption, ensuring your Shih Tzu gets the most out of their diet.
- Preventing Urinary Tract Infections: Digestive enzymes can help prevent chronic urinary tract infections.
- Managing Allergies: In cases of severe allergies, they can aid in managing inflammatory responses.
What to Know: Digestive enzyme supplements for Shih Tzu dogs play a vital role in maintaining gastrointestinal health by facilitating the breakdown of food and enhancing nutrient absorption. When selecting a digestive enzyme supplement, consider the following:
- Enzyme Activity: Look for supplements with adequate enzyme activity, typically measured in activity units (e.g., DU, HUT, or FCC). Ensure the supplement contains sufficient enzyme activity to support your Shih Tzu's digestion effectively.
- Comprehensive Formulation: Opt for supplements that include a variety of enzyme strains to address different types of food components. Multiple strains increase the likelihood of addressing various digestive issues effectively.
Recommendation: We recommend is
Enzyme Miracle by Nusentia, which has 11 types of plant-based systemic and digestive enzymes. This is 100% all-natural with no by-products or fillers and is made in the USA.
Antioxidants
Purpose: - For adult Shih Tzu, to possibly help prevent or delay many age-related illnesses and diseases.
- For any dog that is not receiving adequate amounts via their main diet.
What to know: As puppies grow and dogs age, their bodies produce more free radicals, a byproduct of metabolism that increases with illness, poor diet, and exposure to chemicals like pesticides or artificial additives. These free radicals cause damage by stealing electrons from cell membranes and DNA, perpetuating a cycle of damage linked to diseases such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, degenerative eye conditions, heart failure, and Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, affecting up to 68% of dogs aged 15 to 16.
Antioxidants offer a defense by neutralizing free radicals with their electrons, halting their harmful effects. Common vitamins and amino acids, including vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, and L-Lysine, serve as potent antioxidants. While some are present in dog food, quantities are often too low to effectively combat free radicals. For example, dog food's minimum vitamin E content is 50 IU/kg, and vitamin C is not required at all.
Studies have shown the benefits of antioxidants, with one highlighting that older dogs on an antioxidant-rich diet displayed fewer age-related cognitive issues and maintained better recognition of their families and agility. [1] To support your Shih Tzu's cognitive health and potentially ward off various diseases, considering an antioxidant supplement could be beneficial.
Recommendations:
There are several fruits that are safe for dogs to eat that contain good levels of antioxidants including blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Fruits like this are often happily gobbled up and the fiber levels in these cause natural sugars to be digested slowly (no sugar spikes). And, spinach and kale are also good sources; these can be steamed and added to dog food.
This contains 23 different antioxidants, is made in Vermont, and comes in capsule form but you can open these and sprinkle the powder onto your Shih Tzu’s food (be sure to then mix it well).
[1] Dodd CE, Zicker SC, Jewell DE, et al. Can a fortified food affect the behavioral manifestations of age-related cognitive decline in dogs? Vet Med 2003;98:396–408.