It can be safely said that many people enjoy the company of their Shih Tzu. For people like this, nothing can be better than buying the best dog food for Shih Tzu. However, how can you exactly know what’s the best food for your dog when you can’t taste it in the first place?
In this article, we’ll examine the essential things you need to consider when buying food for your Shih Tzu.
Healthy Ingredients
As a responsible pet owner, you should be cautious about the nutritional content of processed dog food because not all dog foods are safe for your pet to consume. Health problems can crop up, especially in the digestive system, if the ingredients of the dog food are not the right ones.
Here are some healthy ingredients that you should look for when buying dog food:
- Meat: You’ll find this to be common among a variety of dog food brands. Read the label of the dog food brand you get to find out what kind of meat it contains. Some may contain lamb, chicken, turkey, duck, eggs, or salmon (and maybe some other types of fish) as the key protein. Some brands have more meat than others. Each brand may have a particular dog food variant depending on the size and age of your Shih Tzu.
- Fruit and vegetables: These are added to dog food to provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber, as well as taste. The amount of each can depend on the age of the dog, so look for variants that clearly label what dog food variant is ideal for your dog at that time.
- Omega oils: Your Shih Tzu will need these to keep their fur and skin healthy and shiny.
- Antioxidants: Like humans, dogs need antioxidants to prevent the onset of common illnesses. A dog with sufficient antioxidants will be healthy, happy, and energetic for longer periods of time.
- Probiotics: This is to improve the digestion of your Shih Tzu.
Wet and Dry Food
Some doggies prefer wet dog food over dry dog food. The wet dog food may be more appealing since it’s soft enough for your Shih Tzu to bite and chew. However, your dog will need dry food to munch on as this helps them exercise their jaws and remove tartar on their teeth.
A compromise for this is for you to mix some wet dog food with the dry variant so that the taste your Shih Tzu is looking for is there. In addition to that, it also becomes more interesting for your dog to chew on.
A dog that doesn’t drink much water needs more hydration, which wet food can supplement. Thus, wet dog food is preferable for dogs that don’t like to drink a lot of water. Elderly dogs may also want wet dog food because their sense of taste is affected by aging, so the taste appeals to them more. Shih Tzus that are ill may also like to be pampered with wet dog food since dry dog food may require more effort to eat.
Protein Content
Some pet owners are careful about feeding their Shih Tzu the right amount of protein per day. This is because their dog can be a quickly-growing puppy. If you want to buy snacks for your pet read the label as well because the source of the protein (chicken, lamb, turkey, fish) is important.
Remember, the appearance of your dog’s skin and coat will require a good supply of protein (and some fat) to look healthy.
Size of Meal Portions
Dog food should be made in the appropriate sizes depending on the age and size of your Shih Tzu. This means that the portions of doggie meals and snacks should be small enough to comfortably fit inside the mouth of your pet.
Be cautious about dog food brands that recommend bigger meals than your Shih Tzu can handle. Unbridled eating can lead to health problems, like diabetes and heart disease.
The size of meals can also influence energy needs as well as help your Shih Tzu’s mental development.
Final Thoughts
A Shih Tzu is a prized member of your family, so naturally, you want to buy the best dog food for your pet. Take into consideration your pet’s preference for wet or dry dog food, need for snacks in addition to regular meals, the appropriate size of snacks and meals, and, most importantly, the healthy ingredients that comprise the dog food itself.
Buying the right dog food will allow your Shih Tzu to have a long, energetic, and healthy life so that your family can enjoy its company for more years to come.