How Many Calories a Shih Tzu Needs
Overview
Calorie counting is not really necessary unless under rare circumstances. It's more important to offer a quality food and follow feeding guidelines regarding amounts (done by volume, i.e. cups). However, for those curious about a Shih Tzu calorie requirements, this page will cover aspects that affect calorie needs and the calorie requirements for puppies, adults and senior dogs.
Aspects that Affect Calorie Needs
The amount of calories that a Shih Tzu puppy needs to fuel his growing body or an adult needs to maintain weight depends on a few different factors.
#1 Activity level: This is one of the most significant factors. There are surprisingly few studies that have been done in regard to how many calories canines burn when walking or doing other activities.
However, two different studies have both suggested the same essential findings that a typical canine will burn 64 calories during a 1 hour walk. This may not seem like a lot, since humans can burn anywhere between 200 and 400, depending on their pace, weight and so forth. However, since a dog requires much fewer calories per day than his human family members, those 64 calories are going to count against a much smaller daily number.
The rate of 64 calories per hour was determined to be the average number if a dog walked at a pace of 3.8 to 4 miles per hour - which means that a mile would be covered in 15 minutes.
Since the Shih Tzu is a toy sized dog with relatively short legs and is a brachycephalic breed (compressed profile that often affects the respiratory system), walking at this fast pace is not reasonable. A 20 to 25 minute walk to cover 1 mile may be more common for a Shih Tzu and therefore, a slightly lower number of calories would be burned; somewhere in the range of 50 to 55 calories.
#2 Age:
This is another important aspect to factor in when figuring out calorie needs. Puppies have a higher metabolism than adult dogs. This evens out around the age of 1 to 1.5 years old. Then, as a dog matures into a senior the metabolism slows down even more. Senior Shih Tzu dogs
8 years and older may burn anywhere from 50 to 100 less calories per day. On top of this, activity for the senior dog often decreases as he/she may suffer from arthritis or other age
related health issues that affect mobility.
#3 Health Issues:
There are some health conditions that may affect a dog's metabolism and therefore calorie needs. This includes but is not limited to hypothyroidism, heart problems and certain medications (some may cause weight gain due to water retention) and others can cause increased appetite so that a dog will consume more food and calories.
#4 Spayed/ Neutered Dogs: Despite many assumptions about this, in most cases, a spayed or neutered dog does not need fewer calories than those that are intact. For the small percentage of dogs that do gain weight after being fixed, it is theorized that this may have to do with the fact that the dog is calmer; he is not pacing all day rearing to find a mate or acting hyper due to hormones, which does burn a certain number of calories.
How Many Calories are in the Food You Feed Your Shih Tzu
Some pet parents opt for home cooking.
While you will have many choices of ingredients, here are the counts for some of the most popular food items: White breast chicken (no skin) = 124 calories for 4 ounces, sugar snap peas = 10 calories per 1/4 cup, sweet potato = 62 calories per 1/4 cup, white rice = 66 calories per 1/4 cup, carrots = 14 calories in 1/4 cup (chopped), blueberries = 21 calories per 1/4 cup, raspberries = 17 calories per 1/4 cup.
Concerning commercial dog food, calorie count alone will not tell you if a kibble is excellent, terrible, or something in between. But, on the whole, better brands have a higher calorie count per cup, since inferior brands pack the food with fillers, which contain very few calories (or nutrients).
A high number of fillers can make a dog hungry all the time, despite eating often, and can be a trigger of allergies.
Wellness CORE for Small Breeds, one of our recommended dog foods for Shih Tzu, has 369 calories per cup, with 36% crude protein, 15% healthy fats, and 5% fiber. There is also good amounts of Omega 3 and 6 (3 and .5%) and glucosamine (250 mg per serving).
How Many Calories a Shih Tzu Puppy Needs
Please keep in mind that ‘puppy’ refers to a Shih Tzu from the age of 2 months to 1 year and therefore with such an age range, these numbers are a general guideline only.
Puppies need more calories per pound of body weight than adults do; roughly 55 calories per pound of body weight, compared to an adult dog that requires approximately 40 calories per pound of body weight.
The following numbers are based on a healthy puppy that is reasonably active (play, running around the house, etc.) and taken for daily walks of 20 to 40 minutes. Note that due to growth spurts and stops, these numbers are very general and should not be strictly adhered to. It is by following feeding guidelines on your chosen kibble, a healthy, gradual weight gain, and your veterinarian’s recommendations that will tell you are feeding your Shih Tzu puppy enough.
Variations in metabolic rates can alter these numbers by as much as 20%.
Weight 2 lbs. (0.90 kg) = approx. 110 calories
Weight 3 lbs. (1.36 kg) = approx. 165 calories
Weight 4 lbs. (1.81 kg) = approx. 220 calories
Weight 5 lbs. (2.26 kg) = approx. 275 calories
Weight 6 lbs. (2.72 kg) = approx. 330 calories
Weight 7 lbs. (3.17 kg) = approx. 385 calories
Weight 8 lbs. (3.62 kg) = approx. 440 calories
As you Shih Tzu matures from puppy to adult (the 1-year mark), you can then refer to the guidelines below for the calorie needs of an adult Shih Tzu.
How Many Calories an Adult Shih Tzu Needs to Maintain Weight
The following is a general guideline only, as each dog is an individual. These figures are for adult Shih Tzu that are done growing and have reached their full width and height.
Note:
The first calorie amount is an estimate for an adult Shih Tzu that exercises 1 time per day (35 calories per pound of body weight), the second amount is an estimate for an adult Shih Tzu that exercises 2 to 3 times per day (40 calories per pound of body weight).
Weight 7 lbs. (3.17 kg), approx. 245 calories | approx. 280 calories
Weight 8 lbs. (3.62 kg), approx. 280 calories | approx. 320 calories
Weight 9 lbs. (4.08 kg), approx. 320 calories | approx. 360 calories
Weight 10 lbs. (4.53 kg), approx. 355 calories | approx. 400 calories
Weight 11 lbs. (4.98 kg), approx. 385 calories | approx. 440 calories
Weight 12 lbs. (5.44 kg), approx. 420 calories | approx. 480 calories
Weight 13 lbs. (5.89 kg), approx. 455 calories | approx. 520 calories
Weight 14 lbs. (6.35 kg), approx. 490 calories | approx. 560 calories
Weight 15 lbs. (6.80 kg), approx. 525 calories | approx. 600 calories
Weight 16 lbs. (7.25 kg), approx. 560 calories | approx. 640 calories
Weight 17 lbs. (7.71 kg), approx. 595 calories | approx. 680 calories
How Many Calories a Senior Shih Tzu Needs
Older senior Shih Tzu will often need fewer calories than their active, adult counterparts. The number of calories required per day will vary greatly from dog to dog (because health and activity levels vary so much), yet may be in the 33 calories per pound of body weight range.
Malnourishment at this stage in life can affect lifespan
and exacerbate any health issues, so you’ll want to make sure that your Shih Tzu is eating a bit less due to normal decreased appetite and not due to another reason. A senior dog may have trouble eating due to tooth infection or loss, health conditions, or side effects of medication.
While the following can be used as a general reference point, it is highly recommended to discuss calorie and nutritional needs with your Shih Tzu’s veterinarian, if you have any concerns. These figures are for Shih Tzu 8+ years that are fairly inactive. Variations in metabolic rates can alter these numbers by as much as 20%.
Weight 7 lbs. (3.17 kg) = approx. 231 calories
Weight 8 lbs. (3.62 kg) = approx. 264 calories
Weight 9 lbs. (4.08 kg) = approx. 297 calories
Weight 10 lbs. (4.53 kg) = approx. 330 calories
Weight 11 lbs. (4.98 kg) = approx. 363 calories
Weight 12 lbs. (5.44 kg) = approx. 396 calories
Weight 13 lbs. (5.89 kg) = approx. 429 calories
Weight 14 lbs. (6.35 kg) = approx. 462 calories
Weight 15 lbs. (6.80 kg) = approx. 495 calories
Weight 16 lbs. (7.25 kg) = approx. 528 calories
Weight 17 lbs. (7.71 kg) = approx. 561 calories
Weight 18 lbs. (8.16 kg) = approx. 594 calories
A Final Note
Always use common sense over charts if you are keeping track of calories, and in most situations calorie counting is not needed when a Shih Tzu is healthy, eating quality meals and receiving regular exercise.
If you notice any losses, unexplained gains or signs of eating problems, do bring this to the attention of the vet since many issues are best resolved when detected early.
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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 Exercise - How much exercise a Shih Tzu should have and fun ways to get your little guy or gal moving. Applies to puppies, adults and seniors.
