The Shih Tzu is small, between 4 kg and 7.5 kg, with low energy and a brachycephalic muzzle, with a tendency toward difficulty picking up kibble and toward periodontal disease. The priority in the food is a kibble shape adapted to the short muzzle, along with controlled caloric density matched to the breed's low energy expenditure.
In the current My Pet Magazine analysis, the best food for the Shih Tzu is Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials (Purina Pro Plan), with a technical score of 91.3/100 (🌟 Superior Quality), calculated with the My Pet Magazine IDNM/IPFI methodology across 49 dog foods reviewed in July 2026. See the full ranking ↓
What to weigh in food for the Shih Tzu
Three points guide the choice of a Shih Tzu's food: kibble shape, cleaning the teeth and weight control.
Kibble that is easy to pick up. Being brachycephalic — a condition described in the Merck Veterinary Manual — the Shih Tzu benefits from kibble with a shape and size adapted to the short muzzle, which makes it easier to grasp and reduces the effort of eating. Kibble that is round, smooth or too large makes biting harder and may lead the dog to swallow without chewing properly.
Clean teeth. As a small breed, the Shih Tzu is more likely to develop periodontal disease, which reinforces the value of kibble with a mechanical cleaning action during chewing — without replacing brushing and periodic veterinary assessment.
Weight under control. The breed's low energy expenditure calls for controlled caloric density and a portion adjusted to the dog's weight, since energy left over in the bowl turns into weight when calorie intake is not well calibrated. Quality protein remains the nutritional basis, regardless of those specific adjustments.
Criteria scored against the My Pet Magazine nutritional targets (protein, fat, calcium and caloric density ranges by size — see our methodology).
Breed profile and predispositions
The Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic breed — VCA Animal Hospitals lists the Shih Tzu among the short-muzzled breeds subject to brachycephalic syndrome — and that conformation makes it harder to pick up kibble during the meal. The direct nutritional implication is the need for kibble with a shape and size adapted to the short muzzle, which favors grasping without demanding forced chewing.
The breed also shows a predisposition to periodontal disease: the Merck Veterinary Manual lists toy/small breeds as a risk factor for the condition. In that case, the nutritional implication is to prioritize kibble with a mechanical cleaning action during chewing, combined with controlled caloric density matched to the animal's small size.
Recommended foods for the Shih Tzu
Ranked by IDNM/IPFI technical score across 49 dog foods — no manual product curation.
- 1
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials · Purina Pro Plan
91.3/100 - 2
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed · Blue Buffalo
90/100 - 3
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed · Wellness
89.5/100 - 4
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula · Blue Buffalo
89.2/100 - 5
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages · Diamond Naturals
88.6/100
Frequently asked questions about Shih Tzu food
- Does the Shih Tzu have any specific dietary predisposition?
- Yes. The breed is brachycephalic, which makes it harder to pick up kibble, and it has a strong tendency toward periodontal disease — two points that change the ideal kibble shape and reinforce the importance of oral hygiene.
- Why does kibble shape matter so much for the Shih Tzu?
- The short muzzle and the breed's characteristic bite make it hard to pick up round, smooth kibble. Kibble with a shape and size designed for a short muzzle makes it easier to grasp and reduces the effort of eating.
- Does the Shih Tzu need food with a dental cleaning action?
- Yes, it helps considerably. As a small breed, he is more likely to develop periodontal disease. Kibble with a mechanical cleaning action during chewing helps control tartar build-up — but it does not replace brushing.
- Does the Shih Tzu's low energy level change the ideal caloric density of the food?
- Yes. A low-energy, small dog like the Shih Tzu needs controlled caloric density and a portion adjusted to his weight — between 4 kg and 7.5 kg — so as not to go over on calories.
- Why does the Shih Tzu gain weight more easily than other active breeds?
- Because he burns little energy day to day. With low energy expenditure, calories are left over when the portion is not well calibrated — hence the importance of weighing the food and not relying on the eye alone.
Methodology
The food ranking on this page is ordered by My Pet Magazine's IDNM/IPFI technical methodology, which evaluates the nutritional density and ingredient purity of each product in the active dataset, with no manual brand curation. For the Shih Tzu, the score projection uses the small-size profile entered in the quiz, prioritizing the options in the dataset most aligned with the kibble shape and caloric density appropriate for the breed.
The ranking on this page is a projection of the My Pet Magazine IDNM/IPFI scoring engine over the dog dataset, with no manual product curation. See the full methodology →
Want a recommendation tailored to your Shih Tzu?