The Maltese Shih Tzu, often affectionately called a Malshi, is a small breed with a big personality and a variety of unique nutritional needs. With their tendency for skin sensitivities and joint conditions, what's in their bowl plays a major role in their overall health. Choosing the right food is essential — but with so many options to choose from, it's not always straightforward.

In this guide, we unpack what your Maltese Shih Tzu really needs to thrive. With expert-backed tips on ingredients and targeted nutrition, you’ll be equipped to make the best feeding choices for your cute companion.

Read more: Maltese Shih Tzu breed insights: care, personality & expert tips

How nutrition can help common Maltese Shih Tzu health concerns

Skin allergies and sensitivities

This breed's long, silky coat can hide irritated or inflamed skin due to food allergies or intolerances. Common triggers include chicken, beef, dairy, and wheat, which can cause symptoms like itchy skin, ear infections, and gastrointestinal upset.

Look for fresh, real food diets without common allergens and unnecessary synthetic additives. A novel protein diet, such as goat or kangaroo, can reduce allergic responses in sensitive dogs. Plus, ingredients like omega-3s from fish and chia seeds support skin health. 

Try this: 
Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro meals are made with goat and don’t contain common allergens, making them ideal for Maltese Shih Tzus with sensitive skin.

Read more: Dog skin allergies: triggers, symptoms and itch relief treatment (with photos) 

Joint conditions

Maltese Shih Tzus may be at increased risk of joint conditions like patellar luxation: a hereditary condition where the kneecap moves from its normal position, causing it to slip out of place. Maintaining a healthy weight and providing joint-supporting nutrients can be a helpful way to support long-term mobility. 

Try this:
Ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties like turmeric, ginger and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can support joint health.

Lyka's Joint Supplement contains active ingredients like curcumin extract (from turmeric), Boswellia extract, and omega-3 from Green-lipped mussels to help keep joints strong and supple.

How to choose the best food for your Maltese Shih Tzu

Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin?

1. Complete and balanced

Maltese Shih Tzus, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions.

Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines.

Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages.

Read more: Dog food ingredients: a glossary of common and confusing terms

2. Optimal nutrition for your Maltese Shih Tzu

Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food.

Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system, or digestive issues.

Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides.

Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance.

Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs.

Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Maltese Shih Tzu? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice.

Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?  
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better?

How much food does a Maltese Shih Tzu need?

Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture.

That’s why Lyka calculates your Maltese Shih Tzu’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.

Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Maltese Shih Tzu to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.

Read more: Lyka’s vet guide to healthy dog weight (with charts and videos)

Do Maltese Shih Tzu puppies and senior dogs need special food?

Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years.

Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs 
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development

New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together

Parenting a Maltese Shih Tzu comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important.

Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.

Maltese Shih Tzus across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next.

Join our pack of proud Maltese Shih Tzu parents today.