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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Shih-Poo

The Shih-Poo is a tiny companion with an outsized appetite for being near you — and a small-breed build that makes every calorie, and every mouthful, count more than it would for a bigger dog.

Here is exactly how to feed a Shih-Poo on freeze-dried raw: small, nutrient-dense meals sized to their little frame, with the nutrition that protects their joints, teeth, skin, and eyes.

  • Adult weight8–18 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan10–18 years
  • CoatWavy to curly, variable length — low shedder
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A healthy Shih-Poo
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Shih-Poo's body needs

Every Shih-Poo trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Tiny body, fast metabolism

    Needs: Nutrient-dense, small portions

    Freeze-dried raw packs complete nutrition into a few small morsels — so a Shih-Poo gets everything they need from the little they eat, with no filler crowding out real food.

  • Prone to dental & gum disease

    Needs: Low-starch, whole-food diet

    Minimally processed raw skips the sticky carbohydrate fillers that feed plaque, supporting cleaner teeth in a breed where small mouths crowd and gum disease is common.

  • Joint risks (hips, knees, Legg-Calvé-Perthes)

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s ease joint inflammation, and staying lean keeps load off small, vulnerable joints.

  • Variable coat & tear-prone eyes

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier and coat from the inside, supporting a healthy coat and helping reduce the dryness and irritation behind tear staining.

  • Velcro companion, indoor life

    Needs: Honest calories, easy digestion

    A low-energy lapdog needs measured, easily digested meals — freeze-dried raw is gentle on the gut and simple to portion precisely for a small, mostly indoor dog.

How much to feed a Shih-Poo

Quick answer: a healthy adult Shih-Poo (8–18 lb) needs about 1.2–2.7 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
8 lb 1.2 oz 0.6 oz
11 lb 1.7 oz 0.8 oz
14 lb typical Shih-Poo 2.1 oz 1.1 oz
17 lb 2.6 oz 1.3 oz
18 lb 2.7 oz 1.4 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Shih-Poo

For a Shih-Poo we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone, no heat-processed filler — broken into the small, soft morsels a little mouth handles easily.

Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit sensitive tummies and weight-watchers; omega-rich Salmon supports the skin, coat and eyes this mix is prone to. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Shih-Poos

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Daily support for Shih-Poos

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Treats Shih-Poos love

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Feeding a Shih-Poo by life stage

  • Puppy: Shih-Poo puppies are tiny and can be prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), so feed small meals 3–4 times a day and never let them go too long without food. Use a complete, nutrient-dense raw and feed to steady, healthy growth.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist across two small meals a day. A Shih-Poo's full daily ration is only a few ounces, so weigh it precisely and count every treat toward the total.
  • Senior: Older Shih-Poos slow down but still need rich, easily digested protein to hold lean muscle. Trim portions to match lower activity and lean into joint- and dental-supporting nutrition.

Common Shih-Poo concerns — and the diet connection

  • Periodontal (dental) diseaseSmall, crowded mouths make gum disease common in this mix; a low-starch, whole-food raw diet avoids the sticky fillers that feed plaque and supports a cleaner mouth alongside regular brushing.
  • Hip dysplasia & patellar luxationLargely structural, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (natural glucosamine from bone and cartilage, omega-3) help take strain off small joints and support day-to-day comfort.
  • Legg-Calvé-Perthes diseaseThis small-breed hip condition is genetic, but keeping a Shih-Poo lean reduces load on a vulnerable joint, and whole-food joint nutrients support overall joint health.
  • Eye issues & tear stainingDiet does not cure eye disease, but omega-rich whole foods support the skin and tear film, and a clean, low-filler diet helps reduce the dietary triggers sometimes linked to tear staining.
  • Weight gainOn such a small frame, even a little extra food adds up fast — measured raw feeding and counting treats keeps a Shih-Poo lean, which protects their joints, heart and overall health.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Shih-Poo: what to know

A Shih-Poo's whole daily ration is small, so quality matters more than quantity — there is no room for filler when a dog eats only a few ounces a day. Every bite should carry real protein, fat, and micronutrients.

Because they are so little, a few extra treats or table scraps can tip a Shih-Poo into overweight fast. Weigh portions, count treats toward the daily total, and feed to a visible waist and easily felt ribs.

Shih-Poo feeding questions

How much should I feed my Shih-Poo?
A healthy adult Shih-Poo (roughly 8–18 lb) needs only about 1–3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Shih-Poo with a sensitive stomach?
A complete freeze-dried raw diet of a single lean protein like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod is gentle and easy to digest. Introduce it slowly and feed measured portions to keep a small tummy settled.
How do I switch my Shih-Poo to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Because a Shih-Poo eats so little, start at the lower end of the range and watch their weight and stool as you go.
Can the right diet help my Shih-Poo's teeth?
Diet is not a substitute for brushing, but a low-starch, whole-food raw diet avoids the sticky carbohydrate fillers that feed plaque — a helpful support in a small breed prone to dental and gum disease.
Does a Shih-Poo need a coat or skin supplement?
A complete raw diet already supplies omega-3s for skin and coat. For dogs with a dry coat, dull fur, or tear-staining concerns, an added omega supplement can give extra support — feed to body condition either way.

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  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.