New Puppy Recommendations

I am a firm believer in feeding my Shih Tzus the healthiest food I possibly can. As I said before, my dogs are family members. High quality food may cost more but your pet deserves the very best. I currently feed my dogs FreshPet Vital Grain Free. FreshPet has great products for all life stages! You can purchase Fresh Pet Vital at any Petco or PetSmart. 

 I free feed dry dog food as well. I have the dry dog food sitting out for my adult Shih Tzus at all times. I take the food away at bedtime. It may be easier during the potty training phase to schedule meals. Just make sure your Shih Tzu puppy is eating at least 3 meals a day, plus a few snacks. I usually rotate dry dog food as well. Some of my favorite dry dog foods are Vital Essentials Freeze-dried mini nibs, The Honest Kitchen, NutriSource, and Royal Canin Small Breed Puppy. 

I will send you home with a few samples of whatever kibble I am feeding at the time your Shih Tzu puppy comes home. If you do decide to switch to a different food go slowly over several days in order to avoid an upset stomach. Also, try and choose a food that has meat as the first ingredient and no legumes! Read the ingredient list! Do your research! Quality food will help ensure you pet lives a long healthy life!

All of my adult Shih Tzus drink from a pet drinking fountain. The puppies will be trained to use both the water fountain and a water bowl to make it easier on new owners. But, I do find the water fountain to be more sanitary, cleaner, and it helps with facial staining. Furthermore, I haven’t had a dog yet that hasn’t preferred the drinking fountain. You can find one on Amazon, Chewy.com, or your local pet store. Let me know if you want more information on the one I use. Please make sure you clean out all water bottles with soap and a baby bottle brush every couple of days. Otherwise your water bottle will collect bacteria overtime. The same advice goes for water bowls and food bowls.

Toy breed puppies are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It can be caused by stress, too much exercise, and infrequent feedings. Puppies are especially prone to this condition. It is important that they receive frequent feedings to prevent low glucose levels. Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia include weakness, sleepiness, shivering and in severe cases unconsciousness. It is essential to get some form of sugar into the dog if you notice any of these symptoms. I usually stick a dab of honey, corn syrup, or Nutrical paste on my finger if I feel my dog/puppy is suffering from low blood sugar. If the symptoms are severe contact your vet immediately! I am not a doctor. I also use a dab of honey, corn syrup or Nutrical paste when my Shih Tzus have any type of vomiting or diarrhea. It’s a good idea to have some unflavored pedialyte on hand for vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration as well.

Xylitol is a sugar alternative that is in a lot of products now a days. It is commonly found in most gum and baked goods. It is highly toxic to dogs! My dog Izzy swallowed a piece of gum with xylitol when she was little. I ended up having to take her to the vet for medical intervention. It doesn’t take a whole lot to make a tiny toy breed dog sick!

Chocolate, grapes and raisins are also toxic to dogs as well.

Many types of plants and mushrooms are also poisonous to your pet. For example, Oleanders and Sago palms are very toxic to dogs. It is important that you always supervise your pet when outdoors especially when they are puppies. Puppies will eat just about anything!

I suggest you install the PUPTOX app or another like it on your phone before you bring the puppy home. It’s a great resource that will give you more specific information on dog toxins.

Always supervise your dog outdoors! Toy breed dogs don’t stand much of a chance against hawks, owls, snakes, scorpions, coyotes, etc. I have snake proofed my yard. Also, my dogs only go in our yard supervised. 

I suggest waiting until your puppy has completed the entire set of puppy vaccines and deworming protocol (usually around 14-18 weeks) before you expose him or her to pet stores, dog daycare and other places where there are possibly unvaccinated dogs. Puppies have an underdeveloped immune system. There are viruses like Parvovirus that can be lethal!

Be careful if you take your toy breed dog to dog parks or around other dogs if you’re unfamiliar with their temperament. I never take my dogs to dog parks. There are too many risks for a small breed dog.

I don’t recommend rawhide for small breed dogs. Rawhide can pose a choking hazard. Cooked bones are a choking hazard as well! 

I also pressure cook or boil chicken breasts and beef and shred it into small pieces. I use it instead of treats for training, meal toppers, etc. I freeze what I don’t need for later. Boiled egg is treat my dogs enjoy as well. Furthermore, I use freeze dried chicken, chicken hearts, freeze dried minnows and other freeze dried organ meat from Vital Essentials and Stella and Chewy’s as treats. You can purchase these items through Amazon or Chewy.com.

I suggest the following supplies when preparing for the your new Shih Tzu puppy’s arrival…a puppy playpen, a crate, pee pads or grass pads, puppy wipes, a dog car seat or seat belt for safe car travel, dog food/kibble, treats, dog food dishes and water bowls, treats, honey/corn syrup or Nutrical, Unflavored Pedialyte, a dog water fountain, a leash, a harness, a dog collar for ID tags, dog shampoo and conditioner, ear cleaner, a brush and comb, a toothbrush, tooth paste, filtered water, a dog bed, toys, non toxic enzyme cleaner for cleaning up accidents, poo bags, and a good veterinarian, groomer and trainer!

Make sure to puppy proof your home and yard! Remember puppies will get into everything. If you have a swimming pool come up with a safety plan so the puppy accidentally drown! Go through your home and make sure anything toxic including plants are placed out of reach before the new puppy arrives. 

Here’s a link to my favorite Amazon items that I use for my puppies/dogs.