10 Best Dog Treats for Shih Tzus in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

You may have tried various flavored snacks for your Shih Tzu but have yet to find one your pet enjoyed. So, if you’re searching for ideas for some new treats for your best pal, you might wonder what’s on the market these days. Shih Tzus can be a little picky about their food, and some can suffer from dental issues that make it difficult to chew.

Finding a new delicious snack that works best for your Shih Tzu can be challenging, but we’ve covered all bases! Hopefully, one of our reviews will lead you to purchase a scrumptious bag of goodies.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Dog Treats for Shih Tzus

1. Milkbone Minis Flavor Dog Snacks – Best Overall

 

Your Shih Tzu will love a wide variety of snacks, but we think most will go crazy for Milkbone Minis Flavor Snacks; it’s our pick for the best overall treat for Shih Tzus. These tiny bite-sized treats are perfect for training and reward—and just the right size!

Your pup can get a new flavor experience at random with bacon, beef, and chicken. They will love the versatility of these scrumptious flavors, getting a surprise mouthful of meaty goodness. This container is resealable and easy to store for ultimate freshness.

These crunchy treats do a dental favor, too, providing a texture that removes plaque from the teeth. If you have a dog that needs to watch its weight, these are fantastic low-calorie snacks, coming out at just 5 calories per treat.

Each treat contains 15% protein and 12 vitamins and minerals to keep your pup healthiest. These are high-quality treats, but they won’t meet all of the dietary restrictions of some—nor will they work for Shih Tzus with dental issues.

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2. Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef – Best Value

If you are trying out new snacks to see which tastes best to your pup, we recommend Blue Buffalo Bits Tender Beef. These little snacks are the perfect size and texture and are the best treats for Shih Tzus for the money.

We decided on the beef flavor for our Shih Tzus, but you have many flavor options. You can choose from chicken, turkey, and salmon, too. Plus, the added moisture provides a punch of savory hydration.

Another significant upside to this treat is that they are tender pieces. Shih Tzus often have specific dental issues that make it challenging to chew crunchy foods, especially as they age. These snacks are soft enough for puppies and seniors alike.

Blue Bits are made in the USA with no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or byproducts. Because these are moist snacks, they can dry out quite easily when exposed to air.

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3. Full Moon Chicken Jerky Dog Treats – Premium Choice

We recommend Full Moon Chicken Jerky if you’re looking for a high-protein snack for your pup. These long-lasting treats make an ideal pick for the grazer in your home. Many Shih Tzus love taking their time while they eat, which is entirely possible with Full Moon jerky.

If your pet loves to leisurely chew on a snack to savor it instead of wolfing it down, these will become a favorite in no time. They have a terrific texture and flavor for even picky eaters.

We love that these treats only have five ingredients, so you know exactly what’s in each bag. You can choose between beef or chicken; both are 100% human-grade. Full Moon has no fillers, preservatives, artificial colors, or byproducts.

These treats are expensive, but we think they are worth it.

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4. Wellness Soft Puppy Bites – Best for Puppies

If you have an adorable Shih Tzu puppy on your hands, try Wellness Soft Puppy Bites. Wellness is a trusted brand with many great products, and these treats are ideal in size and texture.

Wellness treats are flavored with lamb and salmon, providing a double protein flavor experience. To top it off, there is nothing artificial in the bag. So, you can freely give these to your puppy during training sessions knowing they’re getting only healthy ingredients.

These treats are entirely grain free and made in the USA. They contain no corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or flavors. Wellness treats give your pup a terrific introduction to the canine snack world. However, this might not work for very picky eaters. Instead, it packs DHA for optimal brain development and omega fatty acids to strengthen the skin and coat.

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5. Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs

Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Meatballs are a real chef special if you want a flavorful option for your four-legged friends. These meatballs are carefully crafted with your pup in mind. Taste-wise, these were a real hit with our Shih Tzu.

Depending on your needs, you can buy these treats in three sizes: 10, 18, or 28 ounces. Each treat contains 20.0% protein. Don’t let the size of these meatballs fool you—they break down quite easily for smaller dogs.

Milo’s does not use artificial additives in this recipe. Instead, they focus on the components in the formula that make it ultra-yummy. It contains grilled chicken with no artificial ingredients. These treats are focused on taste, and dogs respond accordingly.

The meatballs come with a resealable pouch to keep the moisture in. Always make sure you seal it up completely to preserve the freshness of the product. The only downside with these treats is that they are high in calories. So, if your Shih Tzu is trying to watch their figure, this might not be the best option for them.

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6. Hills Natural Fruity Snacks

 

If your dog loves fruity treats and you want to keep snack time healthy, try out Hills Natural Fruity Snacks. These delightfully crunchy treats satisfy your pup’s craving, all while being nutritious. If you are looking for a healthy alternative to calorie-filled snacks, you might have found the one.

Hills’ treats are flavored cranberry and oatmeal. The oatmeal and flaxseed in the recipe help to soothe digestion. If you have a dog with any food allergy or protein sensitivity, this is a great alternative to consider.

Hills Natural Fruity Snacks contains no corn, artificial flavors, or artificial preservatives. Instead, it contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and poly nutrients.

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7. Trick or Snack Salmon Blueberry Flavored Nuggets

 

Trick or Snack Salmon Blueberry Flavored Nuggets are ideal if your Shih Tzu loves to take their time. You get one whole pound of treats, which lasts quite a while. You can give each nugget as a standalone treat or break them in half for training motivation.

These nuggets are particularly high in protein, making them a great snack if you want to build your Shih Tzu’s muscle mass. They are gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors, colors, soy, or corn.

This recipe uses a combination of animal protein and antioxidant-rich blueberries for a well-rounded nutritional experience. Not only does it contain salmon, but it also has chicken and pork for added protein flavors. It contains a smoky, aromatic scent that draws your pup’s attention.

We love the short ingredients list and high protein content. The only downfall is that they might be a little large for Shih Tzus if you give them a whole treat at a time. Try to break them up to make the chewing experience easier.

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8. Wag Soft & Tender American Jerky Treats Duck Bites

We have to take a moment to rave about the Wag Soft & Tender American Jerky Treats Duck Bites. These powerful, protein-packed treats get our Shih Tzus approval for yumminess. They contain no added grain, soy, wheat, or artificial colors and flavors.

We chose duck since the novel protein works well, even with dogs with allergies. However, you can select from other flavors, including sweet potato, beef, chicken, or turkey. It also comes in four sizes: 1 pound, 6 oz, 12 ounces, and 24 ounces.

Duck Bites are made in the USA with 100% traceable ingredients sourced in the country. This limited-ingredient recipe makes it incredibly versatile and compatible with several dietary restrictions. They are also moist enough for puppies and seniors who might have trouble chewing.

Be a little careful when you’re ordering this product. Many reviewers claim that the recipe has been changed over time, and they noticed a change in their dog’s willingness to eat it.

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9. Cloud Star Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits

Our pups absolutely loved the Cloud Star Soft & Chewy Buddy Biscuits. However, we want to be upfront that this won’t work for all dietary sensitivities. This recipe contains a few allergens like wheat that won’t work with every Shih Tzus diet plan.

We tried the peanut butter flavor for our pups, but you can also choose chicken or bacon and cheese, depending on your dog’s taste preference. If you find these traits are a hit, you can always order in bulk. They come in three sizes: 6 ounces, a pack of 46 oz, and 1.25 pounds.

Cloud Star is crafted with plant-based foods comprising 60% of the recipe and designed to support healthy skin with omega fatty acids and natural fiber. All ingredients are non-GMO.

We love that these treats are for all life stages, making them ideal for puppies, seniors, and all in between.

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10. PLATO Small Bites Natural Training Dog Treats

We think that PLATO Small Bites Natural Training Dog Treats are a worthy mention, even though the taste was a hit-and-miss with one of our pups. These small bites were designed for training pups or small dogs, so each goodie is the perfect shape.

Real American organic chicken is the first ingredient, followed by a list of savory ingredients that are responsibly sourced worldwide. These traits are naturally air-dried to maximize palpability and preserve nutrients.

In addition to the chicken recipe we tried, you can also order duck, salmon, or lamb. They come in two available sizes: 6 or 2.5 ounces.

One thing we don’t like about PLATO traits is that they tend to go stale quickly. One of our dogs snubbed its nose at this recipe, which could be a fluke. But if you have a picky eater on your hands, try another option on the list.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Dog Treats for Shih Tzus

Because Shih Tzus can be picky, finding treats that work in your home might be a little challenging. If you need help deciding which one is the best, here are some factors you can consider.

Texture

Sometimes texture is important. Due to dental issues and other difficulties with chewing, you should get a soft chew that works with your dog’s dental palette. Most healthy dogs do best with a crunchy treat that helps remove plaque and debris from their teeth.

Taste

Your Shih Tzu is going to show you exactly what tastes good and what doesn’t. If you have a particularly picky pooch, you might have to run through the list a bit before finding one that satisfies their appetite. You can also add new flavors with meaty, salty, and fruity notes.

Soon enough, you will get a good feel for their preferences, and you can order accordingly.

Allergies

If your dog is allergic to anything in commercial dog foods, you should look out for the same ingredients in treats. Do a quick sweep of the ingredients to ensure nothing that might irritate your dog’s system.

Also, if you’re trying out a brand-new treat, it’s best to watch for any signals that your dog might have allergies to the formula. Signs of food allergies include ear itching, ear infections, irritation on the skin, excessive itching, and used infections.

Artificial Additives

As time passes, more options are coming on the market that are free of artificial flavors and preservatives. However, there are still plenty of companies that use them in their formulas. If you want to steer clear of artificial ingredients, it’s entirely possible.

Dental Health

Shih Tzus can have a little trouble when it comes to chewing. Not only do they have that classically cute underbite, but they may also have dental issues at some point in their life. If your dog suffers from bad or soft teeth, consider this when buying snacks.

Dogs with dental issues might do better with soft, moist snacks than crunchy snacks. If your new treat hurts their teeth, they might be disinterested, even if they enjoy the flavor.

Brand

Certain brands have sterling reputations, while others are questionable. Choose a brand with a long-standing history with customers. It’s best to check where their facilities are located and where the ingredients are sourced.

Once you get a better look at the company, you can trust that the products you’re feeding your dog are quality.

Conclusion

We still stand by our number one—Milkbone Minis Flavor Snacks. Each crunchy bite is a perfect size for training or to reward a job well done. Plus, it’s a gamble about which flavor they will get, making it an exciting experience every time.

Blue Buffalo Bits Tender Beef is the way to go if you are trying out new snacks and would love an affordable sampler. This reputable company makes quality products in the USA. And the tender, bite-sized snacks are ideal for training or reward purposes. If money is no object and flavor is important, check out Full Moon Chicken Jerky. Each piece is a long-lasting flavor reward your pup can enjoy. Plus, all the ingredients are traceable and healthy for your dog.

These reviews only account for our experience, and we hope yours will be the same. Regardless of which snack you choose to try out, we bet that your Shih Tzu gobbles it up without hesitation.

• See Also: 9 Best Organic Dog Treats – Reviews & Guide

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Featured Image Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock