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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu was bred for the lap, not the field — a sweet, sturdy little companion that loves attention and treats in equal measure, which is exactly why this breed slips into obesity so quietly. With a flat face, crowded little mouth, and a long coat that asks a lot of the skin underneath, how you feed a Shih Tzu shapes nearly everything about how they feel.

Here is exactly how to feed a Shih Tzu on freeze-dried raw: portioned to keep this small, weight-prone dog lean, with the lean protein, omega-3s, and clean whole-food nutrition that support their coat, eyes, and tiny teeth.

  • Adult weight9–16 lb
  • SizeToy
  • EnergyLow to moderate
  • Lifespan10–18 years
  • CoatLong, double, continuously growing — minimal shedder

One of the most popular companion dog breeds in the United States

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A healthy Shih Tzu
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Shih Tzu's body needs

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

  • Loves treats, barely exercises

    Needs: Precise portions, lean protein

    Measured freeze-dried raw fed by weight — not by the begging — keeps a Shih Tzu lean. Staying trim is the single biggest thing you can do for this obesity-prone breed's long-term health.

  • Long, continuously growing coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier beneath that luxurious coat, easing the dryness, matting irritation, and tear-staining tendencies the breed is known for.

  • Flat face, crowded little teeth

    Needs: Soft, low-filler whole-food meals

    Rehydrated freeze-dried raw is gentle for a brachycephalic eater and skips the starchy fillers that feed plaque — a real concern in a small mouth prone to dental disease.

  • Prone to dry eye & inherited eye issues

    Needs: Omega-3s and clean nutrition

    The same omega fatty acids that support skin and joints also support eye and tear-film health — and a low-inflammation, whole-food diet keeps overall load light.

  • Small body, easy to overfeed

    Needs: Calorie-dense, nutrient-complete food

    A little freeze-dried raw goes a long way: every small portion is real meat and organ, so a Shih Tzu gets complete nutrition without the volume that packs on weight.

How much to feed a Shih Tzu

Quick answer: a healthy adult Shih Tzu (9–16 lb) needs about 1.4–2.4 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)
9 lb 1.4 oz 0.7 oz
11 lb 1.7 oz 0.8 oz
13 lb typical Shih Tzu 2.0 oz 1.0 oz
15 lb 2.3 oz 1.1 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 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 Tzu

For a Shih Tzu we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — rehydrated so it is soft and easy on a small, crowded mouth and a flat-faced eater.

Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod keep calories honest for a weight-prone dog, while omega-rich Salmon feeds the long coat and skin from the inside. Just add water, break it into small morsels, and serve.

Recipes for Shih Tzus

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Daily support for Shih Tzus

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Treats Shih Tzus love

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Feeding a Shih Tzu by life stage

  • Puppy: Shih Tzu puppies are tiny and can be prone to low blood sugar, so feed small, frequent meals — about 3–4 a day — of a calorie-dense, complete diet. Rehydrate freeze-dried raw well so it is easy for a small mouth, and never let a Shih Tzu pup go long between meals.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, tucked waist across two meals a day. This breed gains weight quietly, so use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition — count any training treats toward the daily total.
  • Senior: Older Shih Tzu slow down but rarely lose their appetite. Trim portions to match lower activity, keep protein high to hold onto lean muscle, and lean into omega-3s for coat, joint, and eye comfort.

Common Shih Tzu concerns — and the diet connection

  • ObesityThe breed's most common and most preventable issue. Measured raw feeding and a lean body condition lower the strain on a flat-faced dog's breathing and joints, and reduce the risk of nearly every other problem on this list.
  • Dental & periodontal diseaseCrowded teeth in a small mouth trap plaque. A whole-food diet without starchy fillers gives plaque less to feed on, supporting the daily brushing and dental care this breed needs.
  • Skin, coat & tear stainingThat long, growing coat and a flat face make skin and tear-staining issues common; an omega-rich, whole-food, low-filler diet supports the skin barrier and helps keep inflammation down.
  • Luxating patellas & hip dysplasiaSmall-breed joint quirks are largely structural, but a lean body weight plus natural glucosamine from real bone and omega-3s help take day-to-day load off the joints.
  • Brachycephalic breathingA flat face means less heat tolerance and easier breathlessness; keeping a Shih Tzu lean with portion-controlled, calorie-dense nutrition reduces the extra effort excess weight puts on breathing.

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

Feeding a Shih Tzu: what to know

A Shih Tzu is small, sedentary by nature, and an expert at charming you out of one more treat — so a few extra bites a day add up fast. Feed to body condition, not to the begging: you should feel the ribs easily and see a tucked waist from above.

Because freeze-dried raw is calorie-dense and measured dry, a Shih Tzu's daily portion is small. Weigh it on a kitchen scale rather than eyeballing, keep training treats counted toward the daily total, and split the food across two meals so this little dog never goes long on an empty stomach.

Shih Tzu feeding questions

How much should I feed my Shih Tzu?
A healthy adult Shih Tzu (9–16 lb) needs roughly 1.5–2.5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is a small amount by volume — weigh each portion and feed to a tucked waistline, adjusting every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Shih Tzu that gains weight easily?
A measured, complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Cod makes portion control easy and keeps calories honest. Weigh meals, count treats toward the daily total, and feed to body condition rather than to your Shih Tzu's appetite.
Is freeze-dried raw good for a Shih Tzu's flat face and small teeth?
Yes. Rehydrated freeze-dried raw is soft and easy for a brachycephalic dog to eat, and because it has no starchy fillers it gives plaque less to feed on — helpful for a small, crowded mouth prone to dental disease. It does not replace tooth brushing, but it supports the effort.
Will raw food help my Shih Tzu's coat and tear staining?
The omega-3 fatty acids in whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier beneath that long coat and support eye and tear-film health. A low-inflammation, omega-rich diet won't cure staining, but many owners see a softer coat and less irritation.
How do I switch my Shih Tzu to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Rehydrate it well, start at the lower end of the portion range, and watch the waistline — this is a small dog, so small adjustments matter.

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  • "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.