Q: How many times a day does a Shih Tzu puppy need to eat?
We currently bought a very adorable Purebred Shih Tzu puppy. He is very healthy. We just need to know what portions of food to give him (food serving size) and what his feeding chart should be. How many times do they need to eat daily and how many hours or minutes until feeding time again?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Anni
My dogs eat when they r hungry the food is there for them they only eat what they need I have 2 Shih Tzus and one pom I never had a problem.
Answer by Old Curmudgeon
My vet just said my 15 week old Shih Tzu should be fed 4 times a day and a total of 1 to 1 1/2 cups of quality dry puppy chow divided over those 4 feedings. At 6 months he said to go to a twice-daily feeding of 1/2 cup each. That’s what I’ve been doing since I got him at 10 weeks. He was 4 pounds then and now 5 weeks later is up to 7 pounds. He looks good, lean but not skinny and he’s a bundle of energy and just seems very healthy and happy!
I feed him Blue Buffalo Chicken and Brown Rice Formula for Puppies. He gets a little 5 calorie Mini Milk Bone when he goes potty, and NO people food. His older sister has very severe grain allergies so she gets the Blue Buffalo Grain-Free Formula. I’ll be switching the puppy over to the same food when he’s ready for adult food….
Answer by erin o
It's a good idea to always have food down for a puppy. They tend to eat as much as they want and not much more. Once the puppy is 6mo then start regulating her food. Feed her twice a day for the recommended amount of food on your dog food label. For a small dog like Shih Tzu, it would probably be a half cup twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the evening.
Answer kirakagome
You can feed him 3 times a day…breakfast lunch and dinner, I don't know how you feel about free feeding, but putting a puppy onto a schedule would be best. This way you will notice if the puppy stops eating. As opposed to always leaving it out and the puppy eats whenever.
Also putting the dog onto a schedule will help with potty training. Leave the food down for about 20-30 mins. Measure out the amount you give him, if he eats it all, measure some more out and give it, if he leaves some in the bowl, minus that amount out on his next feeding. This is, of course, a guideline.
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Make sure once he is done eating you take him out to the washroom right away. Consistency will help with potty training….you can start with 1/4 and see how he does, e.g. if he eats it all, then he needs more. It would be good to talk to your vet about anything you are unsure about. Good Luck!
Answer lafemmenika26
the same as every other puppy. Shih Tzu puppies should be fed three times a day until about 6 months old then go to twice a day. and the bag of food can tell you how much to feed. i have two small breed dogs who eat half a cup twice a day. it varies for the size of the dog, for example. my great dane eats 6-8 cups a day.
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DO NOT free feed your Shih Tzu. all dogs need a set time for feedings according to your feeding chart, this keeps them on a stable elimination cycle. anyone who free feeds should not own a dog.
each size/breed has requirements, they need a certain amount of protein, fiber, etc…. if I let my westie free feed, she would be dead by now, she has cushings which is very common and unnoticed and it makes them THINK they are hungry at all times.
If my dog free-fed he would grow way too fast and could seriously injure his growing bones and forming joints. I really wish people would do more research and learn how to properly care for an animal.
Answer Pompous Poodles!
All growing puppies including Shih Tzu should be fed 2-3 times a day, check on the side usually of the dog food bag, the amount you feed depends on its weight, usually feed in morning when you wake up one at noon and one before bed, here's a tip: don't let food bowl down at all times with food in it, this can cause accidents in the house and obesity.
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Anni says
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Old Curmudgeon says
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leon johnson says
i have a female shihtzu puppy almost 4 months old when can i have her hair trimmed it is getting long and in hereyes thanks
RussianDog says
It’s quite individual. Probably you should show her to the groomer. You may also want to read How often should you take your Shih Tzu to get groomed?
Old Curmudgeon says
They can be given a “puppy cut” any time the hair starts getting in their eyes and their little feet get wet and dirty when they go potty. The groomer will clean up their faces and feet, trim inside the ears and trim their nails. My older Shih Tzus get trimmed every 6-8 weeks depending on the weather…more frequently in the summer…less frequently during our cold Minnesota winters!! Unless they’re show dogs, that long, flowing hair that is so beautiful is also extremely difficult to maintain. A shorter trim is easier on both the dog and the owner?
Diana says
Shih Tzu puppies should be fed at least 2 times a day with food that are healthy and full of nutrients for them so they won't eat their crap. You should feed your Shih Tzu at about 6:30 in the morning and again at about 6:30 in the evening. Always remember to take him out 10 minutes after eating so he won't crap in your house. You shouldn't ever leave food out for your Shih Tzu for these kind of breed can get overweight easily. The only time you should leave food out for your Shih Tzu is when you're going to be gone for a large amount of time and no one is there to take care of him. Good luck with taking care of your Tzu and I hope you enjoy him!
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TN2Vegas says
I have always fed my dogs twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. My Sheltie has a set schedule and she will let you know if it is past dinner time. Look on the side of the dog food bag, it should tell you based on age and weight.
Smilesunshine says
I read in a dog book when i got a puppy that they should eat three times a day until they are 6 months old.
but if its one thing i have learned from having alot of dogs, its that dogs will eat when they are hungry, and stop when they are full. So what I normally do is just make sure that there is food in the bowl everyday, and when its empty just fill it up.
so whatever you do is up to you.
and good luck.
Nintendork says
I don't own a shih tzu, but i would feed him about 2 cups of puppy food while he is growing and then 1 1/2 cups once he is older. i feed my dog at around 7 or 8 am and again at 5pm. it keeps my dog skinny without starving her.
laurel l says
3 to 4 times