Every Shih Tzu owner wants their dog to have a long and healthy life. Fortunately, owners can add years to their dogs’ lives by following these Shih Tzu care tips.
Shih Tzu puppies should continue on the same food they received from the breeder, so be sure to ask your breeder what type of food to buy. Making gradual dietary changes will help prevent your dog’s stomach upset. As your dog grows, transition from puppy food to premium food specially formulated for smaller dogs.
The best Shih Tzu diet is the fresh food that you cook for your dog. Just saute the ground chicken, beef, or lamb, add the cooked brown rice, and serve, your dog will love it! Small pieces of cooked meat or vegetables are perfect to feed as dog treats. Avoid raw hides and pig ears, as these foods are difficult to digest and can harm your dog’s digestive system.
The key to making Shih Tzu care easier is keeping up with maintenance tasks. Therefore, your dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, paws, and fur should be regularly inspected for problems.
Check the eyes for excessive tearing or redness. Keep the hair around your dog’s eyes trimmed or tie it away from the eyes with a tape to prevent the eyes from becoming irritated. Clean your dog’s ears with cotton balls dipped in a cleaning solution that you can get from your vet. Inform the vet of any redness or bleeding.
Shih Tzus are instantly recognizable by their long, flowing coats. The best way to ensure your Shih Tzu’s coat remains mat and growl free is to brush your dog every day. This can be an enjoyable task for you and your dog if you use “lap time” to brush your dog. Shih Tzus love spending time sitting quietly on their masters’ laps. Just keep the dog brush close to his favorite chair, and your dog will think that the brushing routine is just another way to shower him with attention.
All dogs need veterinary care and the Shih Tzu is no different. However, small dogs tend to have fewer health problems than larger dogs, and if you’ve had large breeds before, you may be pleasantly surprised at how easy it will be to maintain your Shih Tzu’s health.
Choosing the right vet is the first challenge. If you’ve had pets before, you probably already have a vet. If not, the best way to find a trustworthy vet is to talk to your friends, co-workers, and family who have pets and find out who they use for vet services. You should be able to develop a short list of really good vets this way. Choose the veterinary clinic closest to your home and make sure the clinic is open during hours that are convenient for you.
Take your new Shih Tzu to the vet for a health inspection as soon as you receive it. Your vet will diagnose any health problems, make sure your dog has all necessary vaccinations, and schedule your dog on a schedule of regular health check-ups.