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10 Best Dog Foods for Shih Tzu Puppies – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

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By Nicole Cosgrove

shih tzu puppy eating

If you have a Shih Tzu puppy and are looking for the best food, this article is for you. We will examine the user reviews, benefits, and disadvantages of the top 10 dog foods for your Shih Tzu puppy.

Whether your puppy has a specific diet, is a picky eater, or you’re just looking for a new option, it might be overwhelming to dig through the numerous brands. Hopefully, this will cut your search time in half and help you find the perfect choice.

 

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription
  • Raw, fresh ingredients
  • Delivery available
  • Multiple flavor choices
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food Diamond Naturals Dry Dog Food
  • Smaller kibble
  • Antioxidant-rich
  • Supports overall wellness
  • Third place
    Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy
  • Designed for small breeds
  • Promotes digestive health
  • Best for Puppies
    Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy
  • Designed for puppies
  • LifeSource Bits add nutrition
  • Proteins
  • Nulo Frontrunner Dry Dog Food Nulo Frontrunner Dry Dog Food
  • Real ingredients
  • High protein
  • Supports maintenance
  • The 10 Best Dog Foods for Shih Tzu Puppies

    1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

    Main ingredients: Beef, turkey, chicken, pork, sweet potatoes, carrots, lentils
    Protein content: 33%–46%
    Fat content: 19%–34%
    Calories: 562/lb

    The Farmer’s Dog is the best overall dog food for Shih Tzu puppies this year. As an alternative to regular dog food, the Farmer’s Dog is conveniently delivered to your door. The human-grade recipes contain your choice of beef, turkey, chicken, and pork options. Its ingredients are whole and nutritious, providing just what your Shih Tzu puppy needs.

    Although the Farmer’s dog is an excellent choice, there are a few downsides. The first is that it’s a subscription-based service and isn’t available in stores. The second is that it’s expensive because it’s produced in small batches and uses fresh ingredients. That also means it has a shorter shelf life than other dog foods.

    Pros
    • Fresh ingredients
    • Customized recipes
    • Multiple flavors
    Cons
    • Subscription-based
    • Expensive
    • Less shelf-stable

    2. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

    Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Formula Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Cracked Pearled Barley
    Protein content: 32.0%
    Fat content: 22%
    Calories: 453 kcal/cup

    Diamond Naturals is the best dog food for Shih Tzu puppies for the money. It is great for puppies who have been advised by a veterinarian to follow a specialized diet, as it contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It’s made in the USA and contains only high-quality ingredients from trusted companies worldwide.

    The chicken used in this recipe is free range and is the number one ingredient. It also includes vitamins, minerals, and nutrients beneficial to a growing puppy. With the added benefit of superfoods like blueberries and oranges, and antioxidants to support a healthy overall immune system.

    The downside to this food is that the flavor may not be a hit with some dogs, especially those that have chicken allergies. Since the food is a budget-friendly option, there are also concerns about the quality of the ingredients.

    Pros
    • Smaller kibble
    • Antioxidant-rich
    • Supports overall wellness
    Cons
    • Not a favorite flavor
    • Cheap ingredients

    3. Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy

    Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy

    Main ingredients: Brewers rice, chicken by-product meal, corn, chicken fat, wheat gluten
    Protein content: 26%
    Fat content: 15%
    Calories: 355 kcal/cup

    Royal Canin is an excellent high-end dog food for Shih Tzu puppies. It’s designed for puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months old. The shape and size of the kibble are also made especially for the small mouths of Shih Tzu puppies. This recipe includes ingredients to support a healthy immune system, with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

    The probiotics support the digestive system of your small dog and help with stool odor and consistency. This is an excellent premium dog food for your puppy. However, it is made with chicken by-products, which isn’t the highest-quality protein ingredient. It’s also pricey,  especially for the amount of food that you get.

    Pros
    • Designed for small breeds
    • Promotes digestive health
    Cons
    • Chicken by-product
    • Increased price
    • Small bag

    4. Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy – Best for Puppies

    Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy

    Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley, fish meal (source of omega 3 fatty acids)
    Protein content: 29%
    Fat content: 17%
    Calories: 417 kcal/cup

    The Blue Buffalo Small Breed Puppy is ideal for Shih Tzu puppies. The kibble is designed with puppies and small mouths in mind; it’s created for small Shih Tzu jaws and helps promote dental health. With the addition of vitamins, minerals, and DHA to promote brain development, the nutritional value of the formula is high.

    There are no fillers, chicken by-products, or wheat, corn, or soy, which is great if you’ve been told by a vet to avoid the ingredients. This recipe has meat, fruits, vegetables, and nutrients enhanced with superfoods and proteins.

    The downside is that some users felt that the kibble was too small. Others said that the food upset their dog’s stomach and that their dogs didn’t find the added bits tasty.

    Pros
    • Designed for puppies
    • LifeSource Bits add nutrition
    • Proteins
    Cons
    • Upset stomachs in some dogs
    • Kibble pieces are too small
    • Added bits may not be tasty to some dogs

    5. Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Turkey Small Breed Dry Dog Food

    Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Turkey, Whitefish & Quinoa Small Breed Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, oats, barley, brown rice
    Protein content: 27%
    Fat content: 16%
    Calories: 432 kcal/cup

    Nulo Frontrunner Ancient Grains Turkey Small Breed Dry Dog Food is made with animal-based amino acids to support lean muscle mass and heart health for small dogs. It’s loaded with protein and has no fillers or by-products. Nulo also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which promote a healthy coat and lean muscles.

    The added probiotics support your puppy’s digestive and immune systems, and you can feel good about the ingredients in Nulo. However, the kibble may be too large for some Shih Tzu puppies, and picky dogs may not like the turkey flavor.

    Pros
    • Real ingredients
    • High protein
    • Supports maintenance
    Cons
    • Larger kibble
    • Some dogs may not like the turkey flavor

    6. Health Extension Little Bites

    Health Extension Little Bites

    Main ingredients: Organic deboned chicken, chicken meal, ground brown rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Lamb Meal
    Protein content: 24%
    Fat content: 18%
    Calories: 418 kcal/cup

    The Health Extension Little Bites dog food is suitable for small breeds of all life stages, and the kibble is smaller for easy consumption. The ingredients are organic and include free-range chicken and lamb. This specialized recipe is tailored to support the health of teacups and toy pups.

    With added benefits like superfoods and whole grains such as brown rice and flaxseeds, the combination is sure to provide a balanced diet for a growing puppy. It also contains vitamins and minerals to support your pup’s heart health and fatty acids for healthy coats and skin.

    The downside to this food is the price, as it is one of the more expensive options on our list. The kibble may also be too small for larger Shih Tzus as they grow from puppies to adults.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • No artificial preservatives
    • Superfoods
    Cons
    • Expensive
    • Kibble is too small

    7. Ollie Fresh Dog Food

    Ollie Fresh Turkey with Blueberries dog food

    Main ingredients: Lamb, turkey, beef, chicken, sweet potatoes, blueberries, cranberries, kale
    Protein content: 11%
    Fat content:  7%
    Calories: ~1390/kg

    Ollie Fresh Dog Food is a nutritious choice for Shih Tzu puppy owners. Its ingredients are minimally processed and all-natural, containing the added benefits of superfoods, minerals, and nutrients. The recipes are cooked in small batches for freshness upon delivery. None of the recipes have fillers or preservatives, and all Ollie dog food is made in the US and sourced from trusted companies for high-quality ingredients.

    The meat is hormone and antibiotic-free, ensuring a balanced diet for puppies. The downside is that this is another subscription service, and the price depends on the size and age of your dog. It’s also difficult to cancel the subscription if you change your mind. Also, as a fresh food, it spoils quicker than other dry foods.

    Pros
    • All-natural ingredients
    • Customizable to your dog
    • Delivery
    Cons
    • Price is confusing
    • Difficult cancellation
    • Spoils quickly

    8. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Merrick Lil' Plates Grain-Free Real Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, Salmon Meal
    Protein content: 28%
    Fat content: 15%
    Calories: 394 kcal/cup

    The Merrick Lil’ Plates dog food for puppies includes real chicken as one of its main ingredients. The recipe benefits your Shih Tzu puppy by adding omega fatty acids. The kibble’s small size is great for smaller mouths. The crunchy texture is also helpful in reducing plaque and promoting cleaner teeth.

    The ingredients are sourced from trusted local and global brands and crafted in the USA. The downside is that chicken is the main protein source, and it may be tough on dogs with sensitive tummies since chicken is a common allergen.

    Pros
    • Promotes muscles
    • Added vitamins
    • Supports healthy coats
    Cons
    • Tough on sensitive tummies
    • Chicken may cause allergies in some dogs

    9. Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken by-product meal, corn, chicken fat, wheat
    Protein content: 32%
    Fat content: 21%
    Calories: 465 kcal/cup

    Eukanuba Puppy Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food is suitable for Shih Tzu puppies up to 1 year old. It has a high protein content, which is great for growing dogs to support muscle growth and healthy bones. It’s good for active dogs who need a boost of energy and the maintenance of bones and muscles. With the added benefit of calcium, phosphorus, concentrated fat, and carbs, it has everything a growing puppy requires early in life.

    Eukanuba includes DHA levels to support brain development. It also adds fibers and prebiotics for digestive health and antioxidants for a better immune system. The downsides are that it may cause smelly poops and it may be hard for some dogs to digest. The bag is also not resealable, which may cause the food to go stale quicker.

    Pros
    • High protein
    • Concentrated ingredients for high activity
    • Real chicken
    Cons
    • Smelly stool
    • Hard for some dogs to digest
    • Not resealable

    10. Whole Earth Farms Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

    Whole Earth Farms Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

    Main ingredients: Chicken meal, potatoes, canola meal, peas, chicken Fat
    Protein content: 27%
    Fat content: 14%
    Calories: 381 kcal/cup

    Whole Earth rounds out the list of the top ten dog foods for Shih Tzu puppies this year. With its first ingredient being chicken and turkey, this food could be a great choice for a growing pup. The nutritional value of Whole Earth Farms dog food is high-quality and contains a high protein content, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.

    The ingredients also add vitamins and minerals for added nutritional value. Fruits and veggies provide a decent amount of fiber for a sound digestive system and an overall balanced diet. Whole Earth is crafted in the USA and backed by experts in nutrition and veterinary studies. It is also crafted specifically for small dogs using appropriately sized kibble. The downside is that picky eaters may dislike this food, which is an expensive option.

    Pros
    • Omega fatty acids
    • Farm grown ingredients
    • Probiotics and prebiotics
    Cons
    • Picky dogs may not like it
    • Expensive

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for a Shih Tzu Puppy

    When browsing the web for the best dog food for your Shih Tzu puppy, there are a few important factors to consider.

    Ingredients/Kibble Size

    The first thing to consider is looking for small dog breed-specific food; the kibble is usually smaller and easier to consume. Consider ingredients in terms of special dietary restrictions your puppy might have, such as grains or corn. They might even have a dislike or allergy to a type of protein, such as chicken.

    Type of Dog Food

    Fresh dog food uses premium ingredients, and most subscription-based services customize the meals according to your dog’s age, weight, and health. It’s delivered to your door and sealed in separate containers for easier portioning. Standard dry dog food is served in paper bags of different weights and cannot be as easily portioned. However, fresh dog food can spoil quicker than dry dog food and requires plenty of freezer space.

    Breed Specific Needs

    To make the best choice for your Shih Tzu puppy, consider their size and breed specific needs to ensure they grow into a healthy adult. This includes ingredients that support healthy muscles and fur.

    Dog food for Shih Tzu puppies usually includes minerals, vitamins, and nutrients to support their health and improve young immune systems.

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    Conclusion

    The best overall dog food for Shih Tzu puppies is from The Farmer’s Dog, which uses fresh ingredients customized for your dog’s needs. The best value dog food for Shih Tzu puppies is Diamond Naturals since it has a high protein content and a lower price point. Royal Canin is a premium dog food created with small breed puppies in mind. Blue Buffalo is curated specifically for puppies using small kibble.

    With an abundance of healthy ingredients, the best choice depends on your dog’s palette, dietary needs, and health.


    Featured Image Credit: STEVEPHILCOPHOTOGRAPHY, Shutterstock

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