This is a wonderful choice and is a unique blend of flavors: Rabbit and pumpkin, which makes them great as a training treat, as it offers a special flavor combo that a Shih Tzu does not receive often. As the name suggests, these are all-natural with zero artificial additives or preservatives. In fact, this is a very limited-ingredient treat, so it's great for sensitive tummies. Smart Cookie is a Colorado USA company that sources locally.
These are are perfect for adult Shih Tzu dogs. As with all of our picks, these are 100% all natural, with no fillers, artificial additives, coloring, or preservatives and there's no corn, wheat or soy. There are some fantastic flavors, so it's easy to find one that'll motivate your little guy or gal. Choose from chicken, beef, salmon or peanut butter. And, Zukes is made in the USA.
Snacks for a Shih Tzu Puppy or Dog
What these are:
Snacks are small portions of food that are usually given in between meals to keep a dog satiated and may be offered at other times to 'cushion' the stomach.
Why these are given:
Toy breeds like the Shih Tzu tend to have fast metabolisms and low fat reserves. So, going for too long without any food can cause some issues including:
- Hypoglycemia - A rapid drop in blood glucose levels. This is seen most often with young pups, but can happen at any age. Signs include weakness, dizziness, and/or confusion.
- Upset stomach - With no food in the stomach to serve as a 'cushion', dogs can vomit up stomach acid or bile (seen as white or yellowish foam).
- Fast ingestion of food - If ravished at meal time, a Shih Tzu may eat much too fast. The risks of this range from regurgitation to bloat (gastric dilation-volvulus).
When to give these:
Shih Tzu puppies and dogs should be given small snacks 2 to 4 times per day. Many do best with 1 snack between each of the 3 meals and then an additional nighttime snack a couple of hours after dinner. A small snack can also help with motion sickness when given 15 to 20 minutes before a car ride.
Tips:
To reinforce your place as Alpha leader and work on command training, ask your Shih Tzu to obey a 'sit' before handing over a snack.
Qualities of the best snacks:
Unlike training treats, snacks usually work best when be dry. These may be labeled as dry, crunchy, or baked, and may be referred to as biscuits or cookies.
Recommendations:
Staying in line with the qualities of top-end snacks and with the caveat of being dry, baked goodies, some of the best snacks for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs include:
As the name implies, these are fruit-based snacks and these particular ones all have pumpkin paired with another tasty fruit. Options include pumpkin with blueberries, cranberries, apple or banana. There is also an awesome sweet potato and pecan combination and a wonderful crispy bacon & apple that Shih Tzu dogs seems to love. These are 100% all-natural with an organic compound (mixed tocopherals) as a natural preservative. And, there is no wheat, corn, or soy and these are made in the USA.
There are so many options with these all-natural, made-in-the-USA snacks. These are designed for dogs of all sizes, from teeny to large; the only thing to adjust is how many are given for each snacking session. Shih Tzu puppies may do fine with just 1 and most adults will have room in their tummies for at least 2. Flavor options include some scrumptious combos: lamb & apple, yogurt, apples & banana or peanuts & honey. And, these are made in Canada.
This is a great limited-ingredient dry, crunchy snack from a trusted brand and are ideal for sensitive stomachs with both oats and pumpkin. These are all-natural, with no artificial additives, flavors or preservatives and no fillers. And Merrick snacks are made in the USA.
Edible Chews for a Shih Tzu Puppy or Dog
What these are:
Chews are different from training treats and snacks in that they are meant to be chewed on for a longer period of time. In fact, some dogs may take days to work on a particular edible chew.
Why these are given:
Offering something to gnaw on can keep a Shih Tzu busy; if it's flavorful and makes for an enjoyable gnawing activity, their interest is likely to remain high. Teething options are available for puppies to assist with their intense need to nibble. Additionally, dental chews are specifically designed to aid in plaque removal, an essential part of oral hygiene.
When to give these:
Chews can be reserved for when a Shih Tzu is home alone or can be given any time that you want your little guy or gal to stay occupied. Puppies that are
deep into the teething stage can be given a chew any time that they seem in need of it.
Tips:
Two of the most common type of chews, rawhides and pig ears, should not be given. Rawhides present a dangerous choking hazard and as well as pig ears which additionally have had some serious recalls for salmonella.
Qualities of the best chews:
The best sort of chews will offer the right size, texture, and flavor to effectively to their job. They should last a long time (relative to a snack) and be hard enough to give the jaws a good workout.
Recommendations:
Marrow bones are an excellent rawhide alternative, providing a nutritious chew that meets a dog's natural urge to gnaw while offering essential minerals like calcium and phosphorous. This type of chew is less prone to splintering and more digestible compared to rawhide. The rich marrow inside engages dogs and its hard consistency helps to improve dental health by cleaning plaque and tartar.
Jack & Pup is our top pick, as it has just one ingredient: Marrow bones sourced from grass-fed, free-range cattle raised without the use of added hormones or antibiotics. These are human-grade chews, made in the USA and are FDA-inspected. This particular option is sized at 3 inches, they're perfect for adult Shih Tzu dogs.
Yak chews are a top choice for puppies and dogs, sourced from the Himalayas where the yaks feed on special, medicinal plants found only in these high-altitude pastures (Note that the North American yak is endangered, so their milk is not used for any type of food).
These are ideal for Shih Tzu dogs that love to chew, because they are tough yet safely soften as they're gnawed on, reducing the risk of choking or splintering. The only ingredients in these are yak's milk, cow's milk, lime and salt, making them a pure, clean treat. The size small is for dogs up to 15 lbs., and medium is for dogs 15+.
The importance of good dental hygiene cannot be overstated. You'll want to bring your Shih Tzu for regular examinations and work to keep teeth clean with
at-home dental care
such as brushing, sprays, and chews like this. These are made for puppies and dogs from 5 to 15 lbs. For Shih Tzu over 15 lbs., the 'Petite' size is best. Aside from these original ones, there are also grain-free and blueberry-flavor options.
Note that these are very hard by design (in order to help remove plaque), so these types of chews are meant to be given to a dog when they are being supervised, in case a small piece breaks off that you'd want to toss out.