Does your Shih Tzu need to lose a few extra pounds? You’re not alone. Members of our I Love My Shih Tzu Facebook community recently shared their insights on the following question: What food would you recommend for an overweight Shih Tzu? We received hundreds of helpful responses, and here are some of the best.
Always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your shih tzu’s diet, especially if they are overweight and may have other related health problems. . iHeartDogs is reader powered so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
25 best foods for Shih Tzu dogs that need to lose weight
My dog doesn’t eat, I buy instant brown rice. I put it in the microwave and I bought young carrots to put it in. I only boil chickens for a whole week and I only feed them dinner in the morning. I use liquid eggs, whites. , carrots and whatever was left over, we only ate chicken and fish in the house. I have never had an overweight dog.
Author: Linda K.
Prefer: 21
Hills Science Diet, Lamb and Brown Rice. Do not eat chicken because of allergies
Author: Terry McWilliams H.
Prefer: 9
What did your vet recommend? Ours is to eat Royal Canin, But she was always extremely itchy. Has anyone switched to free cereal? We are currently trying Merrick Lil Đĩa Disc… So far she seems to like it and She doesn’t itch and her coat isn’t greasy
Author: Chris T.
Prefer: first
When my dog/Shih Tzu gets sick, she recommends cooking rice with a boiled burger and adding vegetables – no seasonings, no herbs, no plain butter – add some to his bowl – this is not must be a long term agreement. My dog really loves it and I started making my own veggie mixes for him and he loves it too – and it’s healthier than all the others on the market.
Author: Marika F.
Prefer: first
Im having the same problem. i gave her royal dog but I have to add something to it or she won’t eat.
Author: Martha K.
Prefer: 4
I feed me purina smart one for small dogs. I always feed her for free so there’s always crumbs on her plate. Sometimes I mix boiled lean ground beef or chicken with sweet potatoes and she loves it. She is a gnat so she eats when she is hungry.
Author: Sharon Wheeler W.
Prefer: first
my dog loves fresh pet. I have a piglet and a picky eater so I spread some liver sausage around the sides of the plate and he liked it so I would polish that part and then eat his food in the middle of the plate. This has worked for many years!
Author: Stacy A.
Prefer: 4
Caesars small lamb but honestly, maybe how much you give her really matters, she also likes green food and grain-free ones too. Little or no scraps on the table.
Author: Douglas B.
Prefer: 0
Feeling full from royal canin is what we used for my 27 lb boy and he lost 10 pounds and is not begging. Seems to keep him filled. And his energy levels OMG like he’s a puppy again..he’s 8 years old.
Author: Kristy C.
Prefer: first
I add peas and chickpeas to my pet food. Also buy fresh pet often to turn it on. I have one that will eat anything you give it, and the other seems bored with its food.
Author: Lisa J.
Prefer: 2
My little daughter Pebbles is over 16 years old and does not eat prescribed food,,. At her age and health, I gave what she wanted or would eat. I feed her canned dog food whatever she wants. A few weeks ago, she ate only a hot dog, a ground hamburger, once a taco, and then she ate some chickpeas and chicken. She’s been eating only tuna for the past 3 days,,, I won’t add anything else to it,, She passed a short day at the age of 17.. I have never budgeted for her health care. she. My vet has a cc on file for Pebbles for Anything she needs for her health,,, I’m traveling for work and once a week away. It was to care for her, whoever would take her to the vet. My point is we do what we can. And when they already have enuf,,, we need to consider that too. There is no easy fix.
Author: Pattie C.
Prefer: 7
royal dog… We buy all of her pet food through Chewy as one app and they are pretty knowledgeable about all dog food and everything they sell and they are amazing people and they make sure our pets have enough food during the pandemic
Author: Pattie N.
Prefer: 2
So does my male dog. He is on Wellness Core weight management for small dogs and love it.
Author: Vicky G.
Prefer: 2
Mine is on Purina Pro Plan Weight management for small dogs. I got the chicken crumb mix flavored with kibble and meat patties. It is best to keep her weight between 10-11 lbs. She had a lot of teeth pulled out recently, so I softened it for her and she loved it. She is 11 years old and has been there for about 8 years now. It’s a bag with a hound on the front, and we’re shipping it on a Petco recurring order. She drinks 1/4 cup twice a day. Snacks for her are pieces of meat from her food (I took some out and packed it as a snack), pieces of apple, lettuce peel (the middle part of the leaf) and prepared carrots. soft.
Author: Debby S.
Prefer: first
You can cook fresh meals. I use chicken breast (canned or freshly cooked), brown rice, and low-salt canned string beans. I sometimes use peas, corn, or carrots instead of string beans. Ask your veterinarian how many calories you should feed them and split them up. One box of each item is enough for a week, but you can make more at once and freeze. If you’re using canned chicken and vegetables, it won’t take long to combine.
Author: Valeria B.
Prefer: 0
My vet has reduced my intake to 1/8 cup dry mixed with a few tablespoons of wet food twice a day. And she just wants him on a purina. He did well and seemed pleased with it. He lost his target weight and now acts like a 4-5 year old dog instead of 12.
Author: Tina Hornby D.
Prefer: 2
Dogs will eat whatever food is available when they are hungry. Just give him water and chew bones for 24 hours. The next day, give it more water and ONLY the food your veterinarian prescribes, and in the portion your veterinarian prescribes. No snacks. No hospitality. Dogs are by nature opportunistic feeders. If you try to mix its old food with your Vet’s food, it may avoid healthy pieces. NEVER leave food out all day. Feed him twice a day, 6 to 8 hours apart. Eliminate any food he doesn’t eat. Dogs can only be as fat as their owners allow. Tough love makes healthy pets. Be strong.
Author: Dean of Faculty F.
Prefer: 3
Royal Canin canned stomachboiled chicken breast, some kibble and a teaspoon of canned pumpkin.
Author: Rebecca G.
Prefer: first
I give my boys a local purina, but until we get back to Michigan and stay away from all our dog-free Rv park neighbors who offer junk food, we just can’t seem to lose weight!! He loves his chickpeas though. I buy less canned salt from Walmart.
Author: Diane KS.
Prefer: 2
My dog is allergic to every vet I feed Purina pro salmon and rice for sensitive skin and stomach. I think they have the formula for overweight in the pro
Author: Yolanda B.
Prefer: first
Dr Marty’s Nature’s Blend! Great for my Shih Tzu!
Author: Byron B.
Prefer: first
We use dry pedigree and the food can and she likes it especially. Chicken
Author: Susan S.
Prefer: first
worddepending on their age, they had Senior Gold, we fed the dogs and they did a great job.
Author: Bob Alice R.
Prefer: first
Weight maintenance foods and believe it or not green beans mixed with low sodium make them full but low in calories and you can use green beans for snacks, make sure they are low in sodium, rinse in a strainer with water Refrigerate after opening. Lose 35 lbs rescue gold with this diet
Author: Barbara B.
Prefer: 0
I have fed all my children I took a small bite and never had any problems.
Author: Mary DeMaagd D.
Prefer: 0
In conclusion, providing obese Shih Tzu with the right diet is crucial to ensuring their journey towards a healthy weight is both enjoyable and productive. By focusing on sources of high-quality protein, low-glycemic carbohydrates, and essential nutrients, you can support your dog’s weight loss while maintaining their overall health. Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your pet’s diet. With patience, dedication, and the right food choices, your dear Shih Tzu will be on your way to achieving a leaner, happier and more energetic life. Embrace the journey together for a stronger bond and a healthier future.
iHeartDogs is reader powered so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
