Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Health

Shih Tzus and the Danger of Second-Hand Smoke

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A brown and white liver Shih Tzu puppy posing for a photo next to a toy bear.
Sweet Shih Tzu Puppy

We are all relatively aware of the dangers of smoking cigarettes and marijuana around humans and our pets. But, did you know that second and third-hand smoke pose a risk to our animals’ health as well? Second-hand smoke is the chemical odor that lingers in the air after smoking. Third-hand smoke is the toxic chemical compounds that are left behind on skin, clothing, furniture, floors, etc. I don’t know about your dogs, but my Shih Tzus love to give kisses. Third-hand smoking compounds left on the face and skin may inadvertently harm your dog when he or she licks your skin after smoking.

To make matters worse, studies show that brachycephalic breeds like Shih Tzus are at an even greater risk because of their short nose. This increased risk in short-nosed dogs puts Shih Tzus at an elevated risk for contracting nose cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. In my opinion, any type of smoke exposure is not worth the risk.

Furthermore, nicotine and marijuana are dangerous if your dog accidentally ingests either of the two substances. If your Shih Tzu ingests marijuana you must take him or her to the veterinarian immediately. Your Shih Tzu may need IV fluids and other medications to help detoxify from the poisoning.

Pet intoxication with marijuana or nicotine can cause symptoms such as:

  • Vomiting
  • Loss of balance
  • Drooling
  • Hyperactivity
  • Disorientation
  • Low heart rate
  • Frequent urination

The moral of the story here is to keep your dog away from cannabis and nicotine in the first place. Try to smoke outdoors if you’re a smoker. When you come inside from smoking wash your hands and possibly change out your clothes to protect your pet. Make sure to keep all cannabis and nicotine products out of reach to prevent accidental ingestion. In the end, it is our job as responsible pet owners to protect our dogs from harm even if it may be inconvenient to us humans. Our pets trust us to take care of them in the best way possible. 

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How Much is That Shih Tzu Puppy in the Window

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A newborn female chocolate Shih Tzu puppy for sale in a responsible breeding program.
A Newborn Female Chocolate Shih Tzu Puppy

Are you thinking about bringing home a Shih Tzu puppy?

If your answer is yes, then you need to realize that not all Shih Tzu breeders raise their puppies under desirable standards! Although there are several options on where you can find your dream Shih Tzu puppy, you must work with a responsible Shih Tzu breeder.

Most people usually choose a puppy from a breeder, a pet store, or a rescue-type organization. Let’s start by going over the pros and cons of buying a puppy from a Shih Tzu breeder. First of all, you need to decide what type of Shih Tzu breeder you would like to work with. Do you want a breeder who runs a small program where the puppies and parents live in the home as part of the family? Or, do you prefer to work with a larger kennel-type breeding program where you don’t have to wait as long to get a puppy in the coat color and gender you desire?

Whether you work with a small or large breeding program please make sure the breeder is doing all mandatory health testing for the breed. Furthermore, make sure that the puppies complete proper socialization protocols. Puppies that receive proper socialization that aligns with their developmental benchmarks are usually more resilient in life. 

Most importantly, get to know your Shih Tzu breeder before you commit. There are small and large breeding programs that don’t have the best interest of the puppies at heart. Backyard breeders don’t usually care about breed standards. They may inbreed and puppies often leave the breeding program without ever seeing a veterinarian. Puppies may be sent home with parasites or much worse. 

In my small, responsible Shih Tzu Breeding Program, all of my adult breeding dogs meet mandatory health testing requirements for the breed. Furthermore, all of my Shih Tzu Puppies go through socialization protocols that align with developmental benchmarks. Shih Tzu puppies receive a head-to-toe check by our veterinarian before the go-home day. Most importantly, I provide lifetime breeder support to all my puppy clients. If life circumstances prevent a puppy owner from caring for their Shih Tzu, I will always take back my dogs. This is all part of my job description as a responsible Shih Tzu breeder.

Now let’s move on to the option of purchasing a puppy from a pet store. Pet store puppies often come with a high price tag. Often you only see the cute Shih Tzu puppies for sale from behind a glass window. But, do you know anything at all about the puppy’s living conditions? Often, pet store breeders mass-produce puppies in less-than-ideal conditions. Many times these breeders have a great deal of adult breeding dogs living on the property. 

The adult dogs are sometimes kept in cages their whole life. They never get to sit on a couch or be part of a family. They don’t get the opportunity to experience unconditional love. How could they when they’re confined to a cage most of their day and night? Some of these dogs may never see the outdoors. Their only job is literally to produce puppies. Once they’re done producing puppies they often end up in shelters.

Pet store puppies may have chronic health conditions because the focus is often on profit, not health and quality. These puppies are often sent home far too young. They never get a chance to socialize correctly. These puppies usually make their way to the pet store in a crate all alone on a giant shipping truck. I cannot imagine the fear they must experience on the road trip.

Rescue organizations and shelters are commendable places to purchase a pet. Every dog deserves unconditional love and a family to call their own. Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to find a puppy from a shelter or rescue. Furthermore, a shelter or rescue dog isn’t for everybody. In many situations, it is important to know the temperament of the dog you’re bringing home. For example, if you have mobility issues, you may not want to bring home a high-energy dog that weighs 100 pounds.  Don’t get me wrong, if you adopt from a shelter or rescue you could be saving a dog’s life. I’m just saying that a shelter or rescue dog isn’t the perfect fit for every family. 

Deciding whether to work with a breeder, a pet store, a shelter, or a rescue is a big deal. Bringing home a new puppy comes with a lot of preparation. This includes working with a responsible puppy raiser. It is important that the puppy and his or her parents receive the highest standards of care. Please don’t let the cute Shih Tzu puppy in the window or photo blind you. If the puppy doesn’t receive proper love and care during the most critical period of puppy development lifelong health and behavioral problems may arise. 

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What is the Best Age to Take Your Shih Tzu Puppy on a Walk

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Taking your Shih Tzu puppy outside on a walk is a great form of socialization. Socialization is an important part of puppyhood. But, it is best to wait to take your puppy on a walk outside of your home perimeter after the puppy shots are complete. Your Shih Tzu puppy may come in contact with a disease if he or she goes on a walk through the neighborhood before the puppy vaccination series is done at 16-18 weeks.

I recommend outdoor socialization take place in a safe area of your yard until vaccines are complete. You can carry your puppy in your arms during walks off the property to keep all 4 paws off the floor. Or, you can purchase a puppy stroller for trips around the block. The goal is to avoid harmful pathogens until inoculations are complete.

This doesn’t mean you cannot work on leash walking. Feel free to put a harness and leash on your Shih Tzu puppy and start walking around your yard. You will probably notice that your puppy doesn’t know exactly what to do on a walk anyway. This is a good time to teach the basics. By the time basic leash walking skills are understood puppy shots will most likely be complete. 

It is important to also do a quick check of your yard before bringing your Shih Tzu puppy outside. Make sure there are no snakes, scorpions, coyotes, hawks, etc on the property. I always recommend going outdoors with your Shih Tzu. It isn’t safe for your puppy or adult Shih Tzu for that matter to be outdoors alone in Arizona. Check out my article on Arizona wildlife to learn more on protecting your Shih Tzu from animals that may enter your property.

If you live in an area where wildlife may gain access to the yard it may be best to section off a small area of the yard for outside time until shots are done. Animals such as Coyotes may carry Parvovirus which can be deadly to puppies that have yet to complete the vaccine series. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

There are plenty of socialization opportunities that your puppy can participate in while waiting to complete puppy vaccines. Indoor socialization with other dogs is a great way to keep your puppy busy and happy. Check out the video above for instance of a past litter of Shih Tzu Puppies from my breeding program having a puppy party. Although these puppies weren’t yet fully inoculated they were still able to socialize with one another.

It is also okay to socialize your Shih Tzu puppy with other dogs as long as you know their temperament and vaccine status. The goal is to avoid unvaccinated animals until the puppy shots are complete. Just be sure to go slow with dog introductions. Not all adult dogs are fond of jumpy puppies. Feel free to check out my blog article on how to Introduce dogs to one another. Once vaccines are complete, puppy socialization classes and training are a great way to continue the socialization process and set your Shih Tzu puppy up for success! 

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How to Protect your Shih Tzu from Food Poisoning

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A black Shih Tzu puppy wearing a light gray hoodie with ears.
Shih Tzu Puppy Cuteness Overload

Have you ever wondered if your Shih Tzu is susceptible to food poisoning? Well, the short answer is yes. If your Shih Tzu eats something with mold, bacteria, or another type of toxin, he or she may become ill. Most of the time the symptoms of food poisoning in dogs are mild but serious illness may occur.

Dogs are notorious for eating off-limits things. There is a reason they came up with the term garbage gut. Most dogs wouldn’t mind fine dining on stale garbage, a dead bird carcass, and a host of other off-limit delicacies. Let’s not forget dog food recalls. Often dog food is recalled because of pathogens.

Some of the symptoms of food poisoning in your Shih Tzu include the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dehydration 
  • Loss of balance
  • Seizures
  • Collapse

If you think that your Shih Tzu might be a victim of food poisoning, I suggest consulting with your veterinarian right away. If it is after hours, try contacting the poison control center for advice: https://www.aspca.org/. If your pet is sick for less than 24 hours, you can try offering a pet-safe electrolyte solution until things calm down as long as your vet is on board. If you’re dealing with a Shih Tzu puppy or your pet isn’t able to keep down electrolytes a visit to urgent care may be necessary. Shih Tzu Puppies and small dogs can dehydrate quickly. Your Shih Tzu may need IV fluids to prevent dehydration.

Also, if you truly suspect that your Shih Tzu is a victim of food poisoning, I recommend that you contact the Food and Drug Administration: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary. There is a form that you can fill out electronically to report and investigate food poisoning. If pet owners don’t report food poisoning incidents many more pets may become ill. It is also a good idea to contact the dog food company and let them know of the adverse reaction. 

It is important not to confuse food poisoning with the ingestion of a toxic substance. A great deal of human food is highly toxic to dogs. For example, grapes, chocolate, and xylitol are capable of making your Shih Tzu very ill. The great outdoors is another place where your furry friend may nibble on something toxic. Did you know that many leaves and plants are poisonous to your pet? If you will be getting a new puppy soon check out my post on how to safety-proof your home to avoid toxic food and plant poisoning.

As you probably already know, dogs are curious creatures that have no problem nibbling on just about anything. It is important to observe your pet for serious signs of toxicity if food poisoning is a possibility. Seek medical care right away if your Shih Tzu is lethargic, dehydrated, or isn’t improving within 24 hours. Be sure to report incidents of possible food poisoning to the FDA promptly to help ensure that more pets aren’t put in harm’s way! 

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Are Dog Treats Healthy For Your Shih Tzu?

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Homemade teddybear shaped dog treats.
Homemade Dog Treats

Are all dog treats created equal?

Who doesn’t like rewarding their pooch with a special treat? We love our dogs and want to give them the very best in life. This often includes store-bought treats. But, did you know that not all dog treats are created equal? There are healthy treats and not-so-healthy treats on the market. Some treats are downright harmful to your pet.

Let’s start with how to choose healthy treat options. A healthy treat for your dog should contain all-natural ingredients. If you want to take it a step further make sure that the ingredients are organic. Treats shouldn’t contain harmful chemicals, food dyes, or unnatural preservatives. If you want to take it another step in the right direction try making homemade dog treats. Making homemade treats is a lot more simple than you think. For example, if you have some whole wheat flour, peanut butter, pumpkin, and eggs on hand you can easily find a recipe for homemade dog cookies on the internet.

I used to purchase most of my dog treats for my Shih Tzus from the store or online. Recently, I had a scare where my dogs became sick after consuming chicken Jerky that I purchased from our local store. The Jerky had very few ingredients so I thought it was fine. Unfortunately, after eating the jerky treats my dogs became ill. They were vomiting and having episodes of diarrhea. This went on for a few days until I noticed the correlation between feeding the treats and the ill effects. Fortunately, once I took the jerky away my dogs got better.

Jerky treats are a hot topic of debate these days. Many dogs, especially small breed dogs may experience ill effects after eating jerky treats. Jerky treats that are made in China are of special concern. There have been reports of dogs that ate jerky made in China developing a syndrome similar to Fanconi Syndrome. Fanconi Syndrome is a rare disease that leads to kidney disease in dogs. Most dogs recover after the jerky treats are removed from the dog’s diet. Unfortunately, some dogs have died as a result of jerky poisoning.

Some of the other ill effects that dogs may suffer after eating tainted jerky include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea 
  • Lethargy
  • Excessive thirst
  • Frequent Urination
  • Kidney failure

If your dog is a jerky fan like my Shih Tzus there is a solution. Buy a food dehydrator and make your jerky for your pet. Making jerky is a relatively simple procedure. Furthermore, you have control over what ingredients go into the jerky. I recently started making jerky for my dogs. I include one ingredient in my homemade jerky and that is meat. It isn’t necessary to add anything else to the treat.

If you have a busy lifestyle and homemade treats aren’t an option please consider buying treats that are not jerky-based. If you must buy jerky for your pet make it an occasional treat. Furthermore, the jerky should come from meat that is sourced and made in the U.S.A. This goes for dog food as well. To learn more about healthy dog food options check out my blog post by clicking here.

All in all, you must feed healthy treats to your dog. Your dog can suffer ill health if he or she eats unhealthy treats frequently. It is simple to make homemade treats for your pet if time allows. On the other hand, there are safe treat options on the market. I adore the Vital Essentials treat line! Just make sure to do your homework and educate yourself on what companies have your dog’s best interest at heart. Our dogs depend on us to make decisions for them since they have no voice. 

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How to Choose Healthy Dog Food for Your Shih Tzu Puppy

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If you’re wondering how to choose healthy dog food for your Shih Tzu puppy you’re not alone! With so many different options on the market nowadays it can be difficult deciding what your Shih Tzu puppy should eat. After all, we all want to do right by our pets. But, it can be difficult to decide exactly what is right when it comes to dog food options.

Nowadays, there are a multitude of different types of dog food on the market. There are fresh food options, frozen food options, canned food options, etc. Let’s not forget that kibble can come in freeze-dried raw, baked, dehydrated, air-dried, etc. The options can be downright confusing to the first-time pet owner. 

So where does a pet owner start? I suggest starting by looking for a natural option if possible. Chemicals have no place in dog food. There is no reason that dog food needs artificial colors and toxic preservatives in the ingredient list. We love our dogs. They deserve better! I usually ask myself if I would feed the food to myself or my child. If the answer is no, then why would I feed it to my Shih Tzu who is part of my family? 

Feeding your Shih Tzu right may cost more but I believe the benefits outweigh the cost. If you feed your dog right, he or she will most likely have fewer health issues later on in life. Additives in dog food may cause a host of health issues including cancer.

Learning what to feed your Shih Tzu is a process. I have been guilty in the past of not always feeding my pets the best food. It has been a learning curve. There is a lot of misinformation out there. Marketing schemes can make almost every dog food on the market look like the best. It’s important to educate ourselves. Our pets deserve the very best, They trust us to feed them right.

Some common additives in dog food may include:

  • TBHQ
  • BHA
  • BHT
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Food dye
  • Ethoxyquin

Let’s dive a little deeper into these common dog food chemicals to see if they pose a danger to our dogs. TBHQ is a fat preservative that is commonly put in dog food to extend the shelf life. But, did you know that Tertiary butylhydroquinone is also an ingredient in resins and varnishes? TBHQ may increase the likelihood of cancer in your furry friend. There are quite a few natural preservatives that can take the place of TBHQ to extend shelf life. There is absolutely no ethical reason that pet food manufacturers need to use TBHQ.

BHA is another problematic additive that may be lurking in your dog food. BHA also known as Butylated Hydroxyanisole may reproductive disorders in animals. California has even gone as far as to list BHA as a chemical that may cause cancer as well. Many natural, non-toxic preservative options are much safer for our dogs to consume besides BHA.

BHT which is also commonly known as Butylated Hydroxytoluene is another preservative in dog food. Unfortunately, BHT may increase the risk of cancer for your pet as well. BHT is often put into dog food to prevent spoilage. Once again, there are less toxic options available. Did you know that BHT is commonly found in embalming fluid and jet fuels as well? Furthermore, BHT has been rightfully banned in several countries.

Have you ever heard of Propylene Glycol? Propylene Glycol is a chemical that is often found in antifreeze. Propylene Glycol is useful in dog food because it helps the product retain moisture. Chronic exposure to Propylene Glycol may cause an increase in risk for blood disorders in certain animals. Small amounts of Propylene Glycol may not cause immediate harm to your dog, but chronic exposure to this harmful additive may put your pet at risk. Many pet parents feed the same food to their dogs every day. This could lead to frequent Propylene Glycol exposure.

Food dyes are also often found in dog food. Food dye may cause everything from allergies to cancer. Most of the time dog food manufacturers add food dye to make the kibble appear more pleasing to the eye. The funny thing is that your dog probably could care less what color the food is. If color is necessary for marketing, there are natural alternatives that can produce more enticing colors.

Ethoxyquin is another preservative in dog food. Manufacturers often use Ethoxyquin to make rubber. Ethoxyquin is also often used as a pesticide. Ethotoxyquin may lead to liver problems and cancer in dogs. Frequent exposure to this chemical could make your dog very ill. It is best to avoid Ethoxyquin whenever possible. 

Now back to the question about what you should feed your Shih Tzu puppy. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you feed your Shih Tzu fresh food, dry food, frozen food, or a combination. What matters most is that you feed your Shih Tzu a diet free of toxic chemicals that may lead to health deterioration. 

With that being said, I currently feed all of my Shih Tzu puppies and adults in my responsible breeding program on a rotation diet. I rotate through fresh food options, frozen food options, raw food options, and basic kibble options. I feel a rotation diet allows my dogs to get the benefits from a variety of food options. A rotation diet allows your Shih Tzu to obtain nutrients from a variety of sources.

I also work hard to educate myself in regards to which dog foods are going to promote good health and longevity in my Shih Tzus. I currently stay away from dog food options that contain harmful chemicals whenever possible. I’m not going to lie, it has been trial and error. As I mentioned above, at one point I did feed my dogs less than ideal options on occasion. It has been a learning process. I never thought that harmful ingredients could be lurking in my dogs’ food. But, then I realized that dog food can and does contain toxic ingredients just like human food.

Some of my favorite dog food brands to rotate through with my adult dogs and Shih Tzu Puppies include:

  • Primal Kibble in the Raw for Puppies
  • The Simple Food Project
  • Sunday’s for Dogs
  • Carna 4
  • Portland Pet Food Company

To sum things up, it is up to the consumer to weed through products and find the very best for their dog. Not all companies invest equally in your dog’s health. There are unfortunately pet food companies out there that just want your money. Please carefully consider your Shih Tzu’s health when choosing dog food. Purchasing high-quality food for your dog will be worth it in the end. Furthermore, your dog will hopefully be less likely to succumb to illness. This alone will save you on veterinarian bills down the road. Our dogs aren’t with us for nearly long enough. Let’s try to make each day count by providing them with the healthiest lifestyle possible.

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