Maltese Shih Tzu breed insights: care, personality & expert tips
Lyka’s go-to guide on Maltese Shih Tzus, produced with our veterinary experts.
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Fresh dog food for Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus may be small, but they’re known for their big personalities and affectionate nature. To help them stay healthy and thrive, they need balanced nutrition that supports their unique needs.
Discover how Lyka’s vet-formulated fresh dog food for Shih Tzus is made with real ingredients to support their energy, wellbeing and everyday vitality.
What’s the best dog food for Shih Tzus?
The best dog food for Shih Tzus is complete and balanced, made with high-quality protein, essential fats, and nutrients that support healthy skin, joints, and body condition.
Fresh, gently-cooked dog food is highly digestible, helping Shih Tzus absorb more of the goodness they need from real ingredients. While dry food is ultra-processed and low in moisture, and raw diets can be difficult to digest for some dogs, fresh food offers a complete and convenient way to support long-term health.
When comparing fresh dog food options for your Shih Tzus, look for:
High-quality animal protein as a primary ingredient – preferably human-grade
Essential fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 at a healthy ratio (Lyka use a ratio of 1.1:1 – 4.4:1)
Real food ingredients such as vegetables, berries, and superfoods
Essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamins B, D, E and zinc, magnesium, and potassium.
Formulation that meets recognised nutritional standards such as AAFCO or FEDIAF
Diets made without artificial preservatives, added sugars or unnecessary fillers like beet pulp.
Why choose Lyka for healthy Shih Tzus
Lyka dog food is designed for companion dogs like Shih Tzus. Each meal is formulated by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists for targeted support across key areas of Shih Tzu health.
From skin and coat to healthy body condition, Lyka supports common small-breed priorities. With high-quality protein, essential fatty acids, and targeted micronutrients, Lyka helps Shih Tzus thrive across all life stages.
Skin & coat support
Shih Tzus can be prone to itchy, sensitive skin — and their luscious coat needs the right nutrition and care to stay glossy.
Lyka supports skin and coat health with a complete and balanced diet that includes key nutrients like essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and zinc.
Joint support for active Shih Tzus
Shih Tzus can be prone to joint conditions like patellar luxation, and activity can put additional stress on their joints. Nutrition that supports healthy joints helps them stay mobile.
Lyka meals include Omega-3 (EPA and DHA) from fish oil or algae oil, to help manage inflammation, while high-quality protein maintains muscle mass to support joint health.
Active ingredients for oral health
Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in dogs, with up to 80–90% affected by age three. Alongside brushing and regular vet dental care, nutrition can help support a healthy oral environment.
Lyka’s fresh meals include kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum) to help control plaque and tartar accumulation.
Healthy weight management
Because Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed, weight gain can impact their breathing, as well as joint comfort and overall health.
Lyka supports healthy weight management with custom-portioned, nutrient-dense meals that take the guesswork out of mealtimes.
Choose from 5 meals for targeted support
Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by an expert team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they're balanced for all life stages.
Better for them. Easier for you
Healthier dog food, delivered conveniently on a flexible plan.
Perfectly portioned.
Just peel and serve.
1
Choose your flexible meal plan
Get a custom meal plan based on your dog’s health needs.
2
Cooked daily, delivered direct
Meals are prepared daily, snap-frozen and delivered direct.
3
Enjoy total flexibility and control
Switch up meals, skip an order, pause, delay or cancel.
Hear why Lyka’s experts recommend real food for Shih Tzus
“Shih Tzus are prone to developing dental conditions. Lyka’s meals contain kelp to help reduce tartar and plaque that can lead to gingivitis and gum disease.”
"Shih Tzus are predisposed to joint issues, which can be supported with a real food diet. Lyka's real food meals are rich in omega-3 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation helping Shih Tzus to live a healthy, active life."
Real food. Real results.
With over 65 million meals devoured around the country, hundreds of Shih Tzus are thriving on Lyka.
We haven't looked back
“Ira’s coat is smooth as silk now and her poop is consistent and stink-free. Her dental health is so much better and overall, she’s just so much happier!"
Aish, Ira's human
Your Shih Tzu FAQs, answered
What’s the best dog food for my Shih Tzus?
The best dog food for Shih Tzus is complete and balanced, with nutrient levels suited to their activity, health concerns, and life stage.
But not all dog food is the same.
Essential nutrients are more easily absorbed if they’re delivered via highly digestible real ingredients. It’s the same principle as a healthy human diet.
Fresh dog food is made without artificial preservatives, sugars, or unnecessary fillers like beet pulp – ingredients commonly used in ultra-processed dry food.
Compared to raw food, gently cooked fresh meals can be easier on the stomach, while still maintaining nutrient integrity.
Do different dog breeds need different food?
Different dog breeds don't need different food, as long as their meals provide for their daily nutritional and energy needs. Breed traits — such as activity level and predisposition to certain health conditions — can influence nutritional needs.
How do I choose the right diet for my Shih Tzus?
When choosing Shih Tzus dog food, look for minimally processed food made with real, whole ingredients and formulated to be nutritionally complete.
Kibble is convenient but highly processed. Raw diets retain nutrients but may not suit all dogs. Home-cooked meals can lack balance unless guided by a veterinary nutritionist.
Lyka meals are formulated by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with gently cooked, real food ingredients.
Are there specific nutrients that Shih Tzus need more of?
Shih Tzus need a complete and balanced diet first, then targeted nutrition based on individual health concerns.
Shih Tzus can benefit from a high-quality protein to support lean muscle and omega-3 fatty acids to support joint, skin and coat health.
Are grain-free diets better for Shih Tzus?
Not necessarily. If your dog has a grain allergy or sensitivity, then a grain-free diet can help. But some grain-free diets have simply replaced grain with a high proportion of legumes that can cause digestive issues and have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). What matters more for your Shih Tzus is the overall quality of a complete and balanced diet.
How much protein, carbs and fats should my Shih Tzus eat?
Shih Tzus benefit from a diet that is complete and balanced, that’s high in protein, moderate in healthy fats, with low-GI carbohydrates.
What are the most common diet concerns for Shih Tzus?
Common concerns can include weight gain – even a small amount can significantly affect brachycephalic breeds like Shih Tzus.
A custom-portioned diet, like Lyka, provides all your dog’s daily nutritional needs to help keep them in top condition.
Does my Shih Tzus need a special diet to address future health concerns?
We want our dogs to live a long and healthy life. It’s much easier to maintain health than treat conditions when they arise. Feeding them a fresh food diet from an early age is a practical way to support long-term wellbeing as part of a holistic approach that also includes regular vet checks, dental care, exercise, and keeping them at a healthy weight. But it’s never too late for your Shih Tzus to benefit from a change to fresh.
Do I need to give my Shih Tzus extra supplements?
If your Shih Tzus has a complete and balanced, nutrient-dense diet, like Lyka, they’ll get all their daily requirements. But if your pup has a health condition, it can be helpful to give them targeted supplements for an extra boost.
Lyka’s Joint Supplement contains green lipped mussels, which are rich in Omega-3, glycosaminoglycans and chondroitin to amplify the benefits of Lyka meals to support joint health.
Deep dive into all things Shih Tzus
