Arizona Sunrise Shih Tzus & Poos

Purebred Shih Tzu Puppies

Nutrition

How to Safely Switch your Shih Tzu Puppy to a New Kibble

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A liver & white Shih Tzu puppy on a unicorn bed.

Switching Puppy Kibble

If you recently bought a new puppy and are thinking of switching to a different kibble you need to consider a few things before you make the switch. First of all, you will need to learn how to choose a kibble that your puppy will thrive on. Furthermore, you must learn the process for weaning your puppy off the old kibble and on to the new food. This will help avoid stomach upset if this is a food your puppy has never tried before. 

Deciding the best food for your new Shih Tzu puppy is a tough decision. You want to make sure the new food is nutritious. Not every food on the market is good for your new puppy’s health. Often pet food contains unhealthy additives and chemicals. I’ve written another blog post where I dive deeper into what constitutes pet food as healthy. Click here if you want to learn more about the subject.

Next, you need to learn how to decipher a pet food label. The ingredient list on a pet food label is usually put in order based on weight. The ingredients that make up a large sum of the weight are listed first. Meat should always be the first ingredient unless your dog has some type of special dietary requirement. 

Watch out for products that don’t name the type of meat in the product. For example, meat meals can even include road kill. Often meat meal is sourced from another country of origin as well. All of the ingredients in the dog food should come from the United States in my opinion. 

Have you ever seen the term poultry by-products on a bag of kibble? Poultry-by-products can include anything from chicken feet to turkey feathers. These ingredients are put in the food to boost the protein content while saving money. Poultry-by-products usually contain minimal if any nutritional value. Furthermore, the by-products may cause gastrointestinal issues in your pet.  

When it comes to carbohydrates less is best. Our pets usually do fine with a small amount of natural carbohydrates in their food. But, dogs don’t need a ton of carbohydrates. Some fresh berries and carrots added to the food is typically not a problem. The problem is when pet food companies try to stuff carbs into the food to cut back on healthy protein. A telltale sign for instance is when you see corn on the ingredient list several times in different places. The manufacturer usually plays with the wording to make the obvious less obvious. For example, the words corn, corn flour, and corn meal may all be part of the ingredients. 

Now let’s talk about how to transition your Shih Tzu puppy to a new food. Dogs like humans aren’t always keen about trying something new. Furthermore, if your puppy is trying the food for the first time it is best to go slow to avoid stomach upset. If your dog already tried the food before there is no need to go slow. But, if this is a brand new food, I suggest gradually increasing the new food over a week. 

Step one is to replace about 1/4 of your Shih Tzu puppy’s old food with the new food. If your puppy eats a few times a day simply divide the new food by three and mix it with the old food. Continue feeding the new food at this portion for a few days. Watch out for the following signs of gastrointestinal upset:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea 
  • Excessive gas
  • Nausea

If any of the above symptoms develop take a break for a few days. Try to introduce the new food again in a few days. If stomach issues develop again you may want to return to the old food and consider looking for a different alternative dog food. Not every food agrees with every dog.

If your pet is cruising along with no gastrointestinal issues you can move on to an increase of 1/2 new food to 1/2 old food. Once again, follow this regimen for a few days. The next step would be to increase the new food ratio to 75% for a couple of days. The final step to complete the transition would be to offer a full meal of the new kibble as long as your pet isn’t having tummy troubles.

Please make sure to talk with your Veterinarian as well before switching your puppy to a new kibble. Your vet may have specific guidelines that he or she wants you to follow. Also, it is important to make sure that the food you choose to feed your puppy is either for puppies or all life stages. Puppies have different nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs. Also, look for the AAFCO (https://www.aafco.org/) seal on your pet food of choice. AAFCO is responsible for making sure that pet food companies adhere to certain set standards.

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Boutique Pet Shops in Arizona

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Black and white Shih Tzu puppy wearing a dress from a boutique pet shop.
A Shih Tzu puppy wearing a dress from a boutique pet shop.

We all want to feed our dogs right. The chain pet food stores offer an array of natural products that are healthy for dogs. Furthermore, today’s online market has become an amazing alternative to in-person shopping. You can find everything including gourmet dog food, interactive toys, tasty treats, and so much more. But, did you know there is another option for pampering your pet? Boutique pet shops often carry a large assortment of natural products for spoiling your best friend.

Boutique pet stores also carry unique products that you may not be able to find online or at your local chain pet store. For example, I am very picky with the food that I choose to feed to the Shih Tzu Puppies in my breeding program. I try to avoid feeding dog food laced with unnatural chemicals, preservatives, and food dyes to my puppies and adult dogs.

As a result, I often have to purchase food from a boutique pet store. I also love to purchase healthy treats, raw goat’s milk, and freeze-dried dog food from our local boutique pet shop. To learn more about some of the harmful chemicals that may be lurking in your dog’s food check out the following link: How to Choose Healthy Dog Food for Your Shih Tzu Puppy.

Boutique stores for pets often offer other services as well. Some boutique pet stores offer grooming services. There are even boutique-style shops that have a doggy hotel for overnight boarding. If you like to pamper your pooch look for a boutique that has a spa. Let’s not forget that boutique stores often offer special events to the dog community as well. Some of these events include vaccine clinics, dog training, dental cleaning, etc.

I hope you enjoy the list of Arizona boutique pet shops that I have put together for you below:

Petzplace: Goodyear, Arizona

Oh, My Dog Boutique Hotel & Spa: Scottsdale, Arizona

The Pet Shop: Mesa, Arizona

Pratt’s Pets: Glendale, Arizona

Pet Supplies Plus: Surprise, Arizona

EarthWise Pet Supply: Maricopa, Arizona

Noble Beast: Phoenix, Arizona

Pet Planet: Phoenix, Arizona

Bark Avenue Pet Supply: Mesa, Arizona

Red Planet: Litchfield, Arizona

The Fetching Dog: Scottsdale, Arizona

Fetch Natural Pet Market: Phoenix, Arizona

My Pet Market: Chandler, Arizona

Bonnies Bakery: CaveCreek, Arizona

Peoria’s Pet Market: Peoria, Arizona

Desert Pet: Tucson, Arizona

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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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Kong Stuffer Ideas for your Shih Tzu Puppy

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A chocolate Shih Tzu puppy keeping busy with a snuffle mat and an interactive ramen noodle toy.
Shih Tzu Puppy Playtime

Are you looking for ways to keep your puppy busy?

Stuffing a Kong is a great interactive activity for your Shih Tzu puppy. I love stuffing Kongs for the Shih Tzu puppies that I raise in my responsible breeding program. A Kong is awesome at keeping your Shih Tzu puppy busy and forcing your puppy to eat slowly. Although a Kong is a great form of mental stimulation it is important to make sure that the ingredients you’re stuffing into the Kong are safe for dogs. Fruit should be washed, peeled, and chopped into pieces.

Furthermore, all ingredients used for Kong stuffing should be free of harmful seasonings, artificial flavors, or sweeteners. Plain is best when it comes to choosing what to put into the Kong. Also, Avoid fatty items. Watch out for overindulgence as well. Too much of a good thing may backfire. 

I hope your Shih Tzu puppy benefits from the Kong stuffer suggestions below:

  • Shredded boiled chicken without skin, bones, or seasonings
  • Low-fat plain yogurt with chopped-up peeled apple chunks
  • Scrambled egg without seasonings
  • Banana and peanut butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Canned plain pumpkin
  • Plain mashed potato
  • Rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Cottage cheese
  • Kong stuffers
  • Canned wet dog food
  • Frozen applesauce
  • Berries
  • String cheese
  • Canned tuna or sardines
  • Dehydrated dog food
  • Frozen chicken or beef broth for dogs
  • Baby food that isn’t toxic for dogs
  • Sweet potato
  • Squash
  • Cantelope
  • Seedless watermelon

For more Kong Stuffer ideas check out the link below:

https://www.kongcompany.com/cuisine/

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Benefits of Using a Food Rotation Diet With Shih Tzus

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Foods I Include in a rotation Diet for my Shih Tzus.
Some of the food rotation options I use with my adult dogs and puppies.

Benefits of Using a Food Rotation Diet

There are many benefits to using a food rotation diet with your Shih Tzu. As a dog owner and a Shih Tzu breeder, I am a big advocate of a food rotation diet. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t enjoy eating the same thing every day. Variety is a good thing! I know, some of you may be thinking aren’t you supposed to stick with one kibble and that is it. I’m here to tell you that is old-school thinking. There are so many benefits when it comes to using food rotation with dogs. 

True Story!

Let me share an example that will hopefully help get my point across. When I gave birth to my son who is now 21, I chose to nurse him. He often broke out into hives after nursing sessions. We took him to an allergy specialist. They did skin testing and we found out that he was severely allergic to over 10 different foods. I took those foods out of my diet while nursing and he did much better. The allergist told me I should avoid eating top-allergen foods while nursing my future offspring. I was also told to avoid feeding my children high-allergen foods until they were one to prevent a food allergy. 

Fast forward several years later, the same allergist let me know that new studies had come out that signified introducing babies to a variety of foods, even the top allergen foods early on to prevent food allergies. The allergist said that avoiding foods didn’t prevent food allergies and may cause them.

The moral of the story is that scientists are always learning new things. We cannot simply allow ourselves to stop learning and get stuck in past ideas. This is why I always try to continue my breeder education. Like any profession, we can always learn new things if we allow ourselves the opportunity. I owe it to the puppies to raise them to live up to be their very best!

Feel free to click here to check out the classes I have taken thus far to learn about proper puppy-raising protocols. I once had someone tell me it was simply common sense. I beg to differ! I constantly am learning new things by continuing my breeder education!

I have learned some important things about puppy rearing including proper pregnancy and whelping protocols, how to tube feed, the importance of socialization, how to temperament test, how to promote good gut colonization in puppies, etc. I take all that I learn and pour it into my breeding program. As a result, my future puppy owners are hopefully getting a Shih Tzu puppy that has been brought up on the latest good puppy-rearing practices.

Now back to the topic at hand, food rotating doesn’t just give your pet variety when it comes to diet. Food rotation also allows your dog to receive an assortment of nutrients. I’m here to tell you that not all dog food is created equally. There are so many different dog foods to choose from in today’s market. There is kibble, freeze-dried raw kibble, fresh food options, frozen food options, raw food options, the list goes on. Switching out foods daily, weekly, or monthly allows your dog to absorb a variety of nutrients through a rotation diet. 

Furthermore, rotational feeding may help prevent boredom and help with the fussy eater. Think about it, wild dogs don’t dine on the same thing every day. They may eat berries for one meal and a bird for the next feast. Boredom and fussiness when it comes to food may also lead to limited nutrient intake. Over time, limited nutrient intake may lead to health problems. A bored dog may also reach for unsafe items such as garbage which could become hazardous. A rotational diet will provide enough variety to hopefully satisfy the picky palette.

Changing up your pet’s diet may also help prevent allergies and food sensitivities by increasing good bacteria. Dogs with great gut microflora are less likely to suffer from allergies according to studies. I recently published a post on the importance of creating good gut colonization in puppies to enhance future health. Feel free to check out the blog post if you want more details. In a nutshell, dogs with diverse gut microbiomes are often healthier and have robust immune systems. A diverse diet helps lead to more beneficial good gut bacteria which in return may help prevent everything from ear infections to food sensitivities.

Some individuals worry that a food rotation diet may lead to stomach upset or loose stools. The key is to take it slow in the beginning. For example, maybe introduce one food a week. Once you’re certain the food isn’t a problem move on to something new. Gradually your dog will get used to the transitions which will make things easier next time around. To date, I haven’t had any issues when introducing a rotation diet to my puppies or dogs. The only time my dogs get an upset stomach is when they overindulge or eat something that wasn’t meant for them to consume. This is just my experience but I thought it would be reassuring.

If your lifestyle doesn’t allow for constant rotating then maybe rotate once a month. Start by maybe just switching out the protein once a month or when the kibble bag is empty. Next, move on to maybe trying a freeze-dried raw kibble or a fresh food option. You can also add creativity to your dog’s diet by putting different healthy toppers on your dog’s kibble. 

As you can see, there is a lot of versatility when it comes to creating healthy meals for your dog. I’m a firm believer in feeding our pets a quality rotational diet. It may cost a little more but is well worth the benefits your dog will reap. Our pets are our family! They should be treated as family members. Would you feed your family the same thing every day if you knew it wasn’t the best thing for them? I will end this post with that thought to ponder.

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