You definitely know that what your shih tzu eats affects his health. Feeding of appropriate dog food guarantees you a health and happy shih tzu, while poor or low quality food will only cause health issues. Now, as a responsible dog owner who wants nothing but his dog to be healthy and happy, you have to make sure that he is getting the right foods with nutrients he needed to grow.

Know that a shih tzu is a picture of a lively, alert, proud and somewhat stubborn little dog with luxurious coat. If you want your shih tzu to remain in this condition, you have to be wary of what he is putting into his mouth.

In the olden days, and even until now, dogs are fed with table scraps. Who can say no to begging eyes and floppy ears? These expressions will surely steal your heart and prompt you to toss him one half of the chocolate you are eating. But you will definitely promise not to give Fluffy even just a slice of cadbury when you will find out that chocolates contain theobromine and caffeine that are toxic to dogs. Ingestion of chocolate can cause vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity, fast breathing, weakness and seizures. Other table scraps to avoid are onions and garlics, spicy, salty or fried foods, rich foods that are high in fat such as meats with heavy sauces.

When feeding commercial dog foods, examine the ingredients carefully to make sure it is healthy. The most important are the first five or ten ingredients which include chicken meal, lamb meal and venison meal. Grains are good source of energy, however, if the first ingredient is corn or rice, that food is not recommended. The best grains for dogs are rolled oats, barley, quinoa, millet and brown rice. These grains should be used in whole form so that it supplies more fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Shih tzus are prone to health issues such as portosystemic liver funck, anal dysplasia, hip dysplasia as well as ear, eye and respiratory problems. This breed also gain weight easily. Special dietary should be provided if a dog is suffering from any of these health issues.

There are various brands of pet foods available in the market. But the bottom line is, don't be deceive by the colorful, glossy pack and great advertisements. Find out what's best for your dog.