Choosing the right food for your Shih Tzu is crucial for maintaining their health, energy levels, and overall well-being. With a wide array of options available on the market, it's important to select products that cater specifically to their unique dietary needs, including high-quality proteins, essential fatty acids, and key vitamins and minerals. Some of the top-rated brands renowned for their specialty formulations ensure your furry friend enjoys both balanced nutrition and tasty flavors. To discover which of these brands might be the perfect fit for your beloved Shih Tzu, explore the comprehensive list below.
Illustration of food for shih tzu
Best brands of food for shih tzu in 2025
Royal Canin
Royal Canin is a leading brand in producing tailored nutrition for Shih Tzus, offering breed-specific formulas that cater to the unique needs of this small breed. Their Shih Tzu Puppy food, designed for puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months, includes an exclusive complex of antioxidants, EPA, DHA, and vitamin A to support immune system development, skin health, and digestive care. The kibble is specially designed for the Shih Tzu's short muzzle and underbite, making it easy to pick up and chew. For adult Shih Tzus, Royal Canin provides a formula that maintains skin health, promotes a shiny coat, and supports healthy digestion to reduce stool odor. These formulas are meticulously crafted to ensure optimal nutrition for each life stage.
Hill's Science Diet
Hill's Science Diet is a renowned brand, particularly recommended by veterinarians, offering science-led nutrition tailored to the specific needs of pets, including Shih Tzus. With a history of decades in research and development, Hill's Science Diet ensures an optimal balance of nutrients, making it a trusted choice. The brand underwent a significant redesign in 2019, resulting in a 17% growth in the following six months, translating to an annualized increase of approximately $100 million. Hill's Science Diet is the US #1 Veterinarian Recommended brand, emphasizing premium wellness nutrition for various life stages and health conditions. Their products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo is a highly recommended brand for Shih Tzu owners, known for its commitment to natural ingredients and nutritional balance. Since General Mills acquired Blue Buffalo in March 2018, the brand has driven strong growth, increasing its distribution in the U.S. by four times and more than doubling its household penetration, with a compound annual net sales growth of 15%. The Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula, for example, contains 32% protein, 19% fat, and includes DHA to support healthy growth and development in small puppies. The brand also offers grain-free varieties and smaller pack sizes, which have contributed to its market share growth in dry feeding. For more information on the best dog foods for Shih Tzus, visit the Dog Food Advisor website.
Wellness CORE
Wellness CORE is a highly regarded brand for dog food, particularly suitable for breeds like the Shih Tzu, due to its high protein content and balanced nutrient profile. The Wellness CORE with Wholesome Grains range, for example, features a dry matter protein reading of 38.9%, a fat level of 17.8%, and estimated carbohydrates of about 35.3%, making it an above-average dry dog food. This brand is known for using quality ingredients such as turkey, chicken meal, and turkey meal, which are rich in protein and essential nutrients. The inclusion of wholesome grains like oatmeal and barley adds fiber and other healthy nutrients, while ingredients like chicory root and taurine support digestive health and heart function. With a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor, Wellness CORE is a trusted choice for pet owners seeking a nutritious diet for their dogs.
Merrick
Merrick is a highly recommended brand for Shih Tzu owners, offering high-protein recipes such as Merrick Lil' Plates, which contains 44% protein, 17% fat, and 31% estimated carbs, along with glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy skin and joints. Their products are made with fresh ingredients like beef and are available in convenient, single-serving trays. Merrick also produces grain-inclusive dog foods, such as the Healthy Grains Small Breed recipe, which features real deboned chicken and whole grains like oats. Despite a slight decline in market share, Merrick remains a trusted brand in the pet food industry. Their products are manufactured in the USA, ensuring high-quality and balanced nutrition for small breed dogs.
Nutro Ultra
Nutro Ultra is a highly regarded brand for dog food, particularly suitable for small breeds like the Shih Tzu, due to its high protein content and balanced nutrient profile. The Nutro Ultra Small Breed High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food features a dry matter protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 21.1%, and estimated carbohydrates of about 39.8%, making it an above-average dry dog food. This formula includes a trio of proteins from chicken, lamb, and salmon, and is free from artificial colors and fillers, which is a significant advantage for pet owners seeking a natural diet for their dogs. The brand has received a 4-star rating from the Dog Food Advisor, indicating its quality and nutritional value. With its grain-inclusive approach and use of named meat meals, Nutro Ultra is a reliable choice for Shih Tzu owners.
Orijen
Orijen is a highly regarded brand in the pet food industry, particularly for its high-quality dog food suitable for breeds like the shih tzu. Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, Orijen dog food, such as the Original Dog Food, contains 39% protein, 20% carbohydrates, and 41% fat, ensuring a balanced diet for all life stages, including growth of large size dogs. In 2021, the company generating Orijen, along with Acana, reported an annual revenue of $200 million, highlighting its significant presence in the market. Orijen's products are known for their high meat content, which can be particularly appealing to dogs that love meat treats. This brand is part of the Canadian pet food market, which has seen a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5% from 2016 to 2020.
Canidae
Canidae is a highly regarded brand for dog food, particularly suitable for breeds like the Shih Tzu, due to its high-quality ingredients and balanced nutrition. The brand features an average protein content of 27% and a mean fat level of 12%, with a carbohydrate content of around 53%, making it an above-average dry dog food. Canidae uses nutrient-rich ingredients, including named meat meals like chicken, turkey, and lamb, and avoids artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Owned by Ethos Pet Brands, Canidae has established itself as a premium pet food brand since 1996, known for its focus on quality and sustainability. With a strong market presence and positive customer reviews, Canidae is a top choice for pet owners seeking healthy and nutritious food for their dogs. For more insights, you can read a detailed review of Canidae dog food.
Solid Gold
Solid Gold Pet Nutrition is a renowned brand in the pet food industry, particularly esteemed for its holistic and nutritious recipes tailored for dogs, including the Shih Tzu breed. Founded in 1974 by Sissy McGill, Solid Gold is America's first holistic pet nutrition company, focusing on gut health and probiotic-based diets. The brand offers a range of 21 dry dog foods and nine dry cat foods, along with wet foods, nutritional supplements, and treats. Acquired by the H&H Group of Hong Kong in 2020 for $163 million, Solid Gold has established a strong presence in the US and international markets, including China, with a year-on-year growth of 39% as of 2020. Known for its high-quality proteins and whole superfoods, Solid Gold provides customized recipes to meet the unique nutritional needs of pets across all sizes and life stages. For more detailed insights, visit their company profile on Growjo.
Purina Pro Plan
Purina Pro Plan is a highly recommended brand for Shih Tzu owners, offering specialized nutrition tailored to the unique needs of small and toy breeds. The Pro Plan Adult Small Breed Chicken & Rice Formula, for instance, is high in protein to meet the needs of highly active small dogs, with chicken as the first ingredient and a balanced mix of calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals to maintain strong bones and teeth. This formula also includes natural prebiotic fiber for digestive health and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat nourishment. Additionally, the Pro Plan Puppy Toy Breed Chicken & Rice Formula is designed for puppies, containing DHA to support brain and vision development and antioxidants for immune system support. These formulas are manufactured in Purina-owned U.S. facilities and are veterinarian-recommended.
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