20 Essential Shih Tzu Dog Supplies & Products: 2024 Guide
By Jessica Kim
Updated on
Shih Tzus are an adorable and popular dog breed. Despite their small size, they have big personalities and easily become beloved members of the family. No two dog breeds are the same, and each one will have a specific set of unique needs that have to be met. As a toy breed, Shih Tzus often need appropriately sized equipment and supplies, and their nutritional needs will differ from large dog breeds.
It can feel overwhelming trying to figure out everything your new Shih Tzu puppy will need before they arrive home. Our list of essential Shih Tzu supplies will help you stay on course and help you feel better prepared to take care of them.
The 20 Essential Shih Tzu Dog Supplies
Food and Feeding Supplies
1. Puppy Food
- Our Pick: The Farmer’s Dog
Small dog breeds like the Shih Tzu need diets that have an ample amount of calories due to their fast metabolic rate. They also often benefit from eating more frequently throughout the day because they have smaller stomachs.
The Farmer’s Dog creates tasty and nutritious fresh dog food that no Shih Tzu will be able to resist. Its veterinarian-developed recipes use human-grade ingredients and are prepared in USDA kitchens. All orders are made fresh to maintain nutritional integrity, and your Shih Tzu will also be on a personalized plan to ensure they get all the calories and nutrients they require on a daily basis.
2. Food Bowls
- Our Pick: Hepper NomNom Bowl
Since Shih Tzus are smaller in size and benefit from eating multiple small portions of food a day, a small food and water bowl set is often the best option for them. The Hepper NomNom is the perfect size for a Shih Tzu. The dishes are wide and shallow, and they’re raised on a tray for easier eating. They’re made with stainless steel and are machine-washable.
The tray is also designed to trap and contain any food or water that falls from the bowls. It’s also machine-washable and made with food-safe PP plastic.
3. Food Mat
- Our Pick: Â ORE Pet Silicone Dog & Cat Placemat
While many people will remember to buy food and water bowls, food placemats are often forgotten. It’s important to purchase a food placemat to keep your Shih Tzu’s eating area clean and sanitary.
This placemat is highly recommended for several reasons. It’s made with 100% food-safe silicone and has raised edges to keep both bits of food and splashes of water contained within the mat. It’s easy to wash due to its flexibility, and it’s also machine washable. Another thing to note is that it comes in many different colors, so it’s easy to have it match with the rest of your home décor.
Toy Supplies
4. Plush Toy
- Our Pick: KONG Plush Teddy Bear Dog Toy
Toys are an important part of a dog’s life. Along with encouraging play, toys can provide physical exercise and mental stimulation. So, it’s a good idea to have a few different toys for your Shih Tzu to play with.
Our top plush toy pick is this KONG Plush Teddy Bear Dog Toy. It’s small enough for Shih Tzus to bite and grip, and it has minimal stuffing to prevent messes if it tears. You can also remove the squeaker for quieter play, and the toy comes with one replaceable squeaker.
- Related Read:Â 10 Best Kong Dog Toys: Reviews & Top Picks
5. Mini Tennis Ball
Many Shih Tzus love to chase things, so they often find tennis balls to be entertaining. Standard tennis balls can be too big for them to play with, but they can certainly enjoy mini versions specifically made for smaller dogs.
We love these tennis balls because they’re the perfect size for a small Shih Tzu. They have a soft texture and a good bounce. The fact that they also squeak only adds to the fun that your Shih Tzu will experience when playing with them.
6. Treat Dispensing Toy
Treat dispensing toys encourage mental stimulation and are a great way to add enrichment activities to your Shih Tzu’s life. Some toys have the capacity to hold your dog’s meals to make mealtimes more fun and engaging.
This fouFIT toy is a suitable size for Shih Tzus. It has grooves to help them get a good grip, and the grooves also stimulate the gums and help clean their teeth. The toy has a slow-release mechanism inside to allow longer playtime.
Training Supplies
7. Training Treats
- Our Pick: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe
Training treats can help immensely with obedience training if you have a food-motivated Shih-Tzu. When looking for training treats, look for treats that have a lower number of calories and are made with high-quality ingredients.
Zuke’s training treats are a popular and reliable choice because they’re small and have just 2 calories per treat. They’re also soft so that Shih Tzus can eat them quickly and safely, and your training time won’t be interrupted by constant chewing. You can also break them in half easily.
8. Potty Pad
Potty training can be particularly challenging for Shih Tzu puppies due to their small bladders. So, it’s helpful to have potty pads laid out in your home to protect your floors and have your Shih Tzu puppy relieve themselves in appropriate places.
These Hartz potty pads help deodorize smells and have flash-dry technology that works quickly to trap and confine moisture. They also have leak protection to prevent messes from spreading. The pads have a lavender scent to further prevent odors from permeating.
9. Pet Odor and Stain Remover
- Our Pick: Hepper Bio-Enzymatic Spray
Accidents are to be expected while a Shih Tzu is going through potty training. Having a reliable pet odor and stain remover will help immensely with keeping your house sanitized and free of unpleasant smells.
The Hepper Bio-Enzymatic Spray has a powerful formula that quickly deodorizes and wipes up stains. You can use it to clean up many kinds of messes, including urine, feces, vomit, and drool. Its formula contains enzymes that work to break down stains and prevent your Shih Tzu from peeing repeatedly in the same spots.
Walking Supplies
10. Collar
Since dogs wear collars for the majority of their days, it’s important to find a high-quality collar that’s both comfy and durable. This Chai’s Choice collar is made with durable nylon webbing and has a breathable mesh inner padding to reduce rubbing around your Shih Tzu’s neck.
The outer lining has 3M reflective material to increase visibility in low-light settings. This collar is also very personalized as it also comes in many different fun colors.
11. ID Tag
ID tags can help keep our dogs safe, so it’s important to equip your Shih Tzu with a durable one. We recommend this specific ID tag by Red Dingo because it’s small enough not to be an obstruction for a Shih Tzu, but you can still fit all the important information you need on it.
Another great thing about this ID tag is that the information is engraved rather than printed on it. So, the information isn’t at risk of rubbing off or fading. It also has many color options for you to choose from.
12. Leash
- Our Pick: Â Mendota Products Small Snap Solid Rope Dog Leash
Shih Tzus will benefit from at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and many will enjoy going on walks around the neighborhood. A durable leash is essential for safety, and it’s important to find one that’s comfortable for you to use.
The Mendota Products Small Snap Solid Rope Dog Leash is both fashionable and functional. It’s made with polypropylene rope, which is waterproof, long-lasting, and machine washable. Its round form is soft and comfortable to hold and reduces the risk of fabric burn.
13. Harness
Shih Tzus tend to have a strong prey drive and will have the urge to chase small animals that cross their paths during a walk. A harness can help protect them from potential injuries that come from leash pulling.
We recommend this Best Pet Supplies harness because it helps Shih Tzus stay safe, and it’s comfortable for them to wear. It’s made with soft and light mesh fabric and has two D-rings to ensure a secure fit with a leash clip. It’s also easy to put on, so you and your Shih Tzu will be ready to go out on a walk in no time.
14. Poop Bags
- Our Pick: PET N PET Compostable Dog Poop Bags
Poop bags are an essential dog-walking supply that you’ll use frequently. Since you’ll be using a lot, it’s best to choose an eco-friendly option whenever you can. The poop bags developed by PET N PET are made from a cornstarch bio-based material and are free of polyethylene plastic. As they’re made with natural biodegradable ingredients, they’re compostable in a home composter. The bags are also unscented so they won’t irritate the nose with a strong artificial fragrance.
Grooming Supplies
15. Shampoo
- Our Pick: Hepper Oatmeal Wet Shampoo
Shih Tzus benefit from having a bath at least once a month. Baths can help remove any dirt, allergens, and dead hairs from their coat, and they can help prevent mats and tangles from forming.
It’s important to use a high-quality shampoo to prevent over-drying and skin irritation. The Hepper Oatmeal Wet Shampoo contains colloidal oatmeal, which works to soothe and nourish the skin and coat. The formula is pH-balanced to protect your Shih Tzu from skin irritation. It’s also free of harsh ingredients and doesn’t use any soaps, glutens, dyes, DEA, sulfates, or phthalates.
16. Nail Clippers
- Our Pick: Â Boshel Dog Nail Clippers
Maintaining a Shih Tzu’s nails helps them to stay safe and move around comfortably. Using a set of high-quality nail clippers will help make clean cuts and prevent torn nails.
The Boshel nail clippers have ergonomic handles that help you maintain a good grip and quickly clip your Shih Tzu’s nails. The blades are made with heavy-duty stainless steel and are made to last for a long time. There’s also a safety stop to ensure you cut your Shih Tzu’s nail at an appropriate length.
17. Slicker Brush
Shih Tzus have soft, fine hair that’s prone to tangling and matting. They require regular brushing so that their hair doesn’t develop any mats. A good slicker brush will help detangle and pick up dead hairs from your Shih Tzu’s coat.
This particular slicker brush is specifically designed for small dogs. The smaller head enables you to brush through hard-to-reach places. The handle also has an ergonomic design to make brushing easier and more comfortable for you. It’s double-coated with rubber to ensure you maintain a good grip at all times.
18. Pet Wipes
- Our Pick: Hepper Pet Wash Wipes
While baths are important, they shouldn’t be given too frequently. Too many baths can cause your Shih Tzu’s skin to dry out and exacerbate skin issues. Using pet wipes can help prevent this issue and ensure your Shih Tzu’s still smelling fresh and clean.
The Hepper Wash Wipes are infused with gentle yet powerful odor-eliminating ingredients. They use a hypoallergenic formula and are often safe to use on pets with sensitive skin. The wipes are also durable and do a great job of picking up dirt. They’re designed to have dirt cling to them so that you’re not just wiping dirt all over your Shih Tzu’s body.
Comfort Supplies
19. Crate
- Our Pick: Â Midwest iCrate Double Door
Dog crates can provide a safe space for dogs, and your small Shih Tzu will appreciate having a cozy den-like space that they can retreat to at any time. It’s often helpful to purchase a crate kit that includes useful accessories
This crate kit has got you covered. The crate itself has two entryways for your dog and comes with soft and plush bedding. It also has a crate cover to provide more privacy and coziness for your Shih Tzu.
20. Dog Bed
Your Shih Tzu will absolutely love having a comfy and cozy bed for rest and relaxation. We recommend this donut bed because it has a calming, comfortable design that cradles dogs as they snooze. It’s filled with high-loft and high-density polyfill that’s designed to provide long-lasting support and enable the bed to maintain its shape.
This bed is also made with high-quality materials. It doesn’t use any harsh dyes or skin irritants and is suitable for dogs with sensitive skin. The entire bed is machine-washable, making it easy and convenient to clean.
Conclusion
Remember to be mindful of quality and size when shopping for supplies for your Shih Tzu. Stick to smaller-sized supplies and select food and treats that contain all-natural ingredients. Choosing the right supplies will help immensely with providing the best care for your precious Shih Tzu, and your Shih Tzu will be sure to return your efforts with a lot of love and affection.
Featured Image Credit: Rasulov, Shutterstock
