Shih Tzu Food Calculator: Daily Calories and Cups
How much should your Shih Tzu eat each day? The answer depends on weight, age, activity and the food you use. This free calculator gives you a starting point in calories and in cups or grams, based on the same energy formulas that veterinarians use.
It is built only for Shih Tzus. It checks your numbers against the normal Shih Tzu size range and warns you when something needs a vet’s input.
How we built this tool: The calculator uses the resting energy requirement (RER) formula, 70 x body weight in kg0.75, published by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). It then applies life-stage multipliers from the Merck Veterinary Manual: 3.0 for puppies under 4 months, 2.0 for older puppies, 1.6 for spayed or neutered adults, 1.8 for intact adults and 1.4 for adults that gain weight easily. Weight-loss calories use 1.0 x RER at the ideal weight, as listed by the Pet Nutrition Alliance. The treat allowance follows the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) rule that treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
Shih Tzu Pedia tool
Shih Tzu Food Calculator
Find a starting point for how many calories and cups of food your Shih Tzu needs each day. Built on veterinary energy formulas and made only for Shih Tzus.
Enter your Shih Tzu’s weight to see the result.
This calculator gives a starting estimate only. Every dog is different. Weigh your Shih Tzu regularly and ask your veterinarian to check body condition and adjust the amount. It is not veterinary advice.
How to Use the Shih Tzu Food Calculator
- Weigh your Shih Tzu. A bathroom scale works: weigh yourself holding your dog, then subtract your own weight.
- Choose the life stage that fits your dog best.
- Find the calorie content on your dog food bag or can. It is usually listed as kcal per cup or kcal per kg.
- Pick how many meals you feed each day.
- Read the daily calories, the treat budget and the amount of food per meal.
If your Shih Tzu is overweight, do not use the current weight with an adult setting. Ask your vet for a target weight and choose Needs to lose weight.
How the Calculator Works
First, the calculator finds your dog’s resting energy requirement (RER). This is the energy a dog uses at rest in a comfortable environment. The formula is 70 x body weight in kg0.75.
Next, it multiplies RER by a factor for your dog’s life stage. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that any calorie calculation is only a starting point. It may need to change based on how your dog responds.
| Life stage | Multiplier | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy under 4 months | 3.0 x RER | Merck Veterinary Manual |
| Puppy over 4 months | 2.0 x RER | Merck Veterinary Manual |
| Adult, spayed or neutered | 1.6 x RER | Merck Veterinary Manual |
| Adult, intact | 1.8 x RER | Merck Veterinary Manual |
| Adult, prone to weight gain | 1.4 x RER | Merck Veterinary Manual |
| Weight loss (vet-supervised) | 1.0 x RER at ideal weight | Pet Nutrition Alliance |
Daily Calories for Common Shih Tzu Weights
This table shows calculated daily calories for adult Shih Tzus at common weights. The AKC standard is 9 to 16 pounds. Many pet Shih Tzus are heavier. In a large study of US veterinary records, researchers grouped the Shih Tzu with breeds whose adults weigh about 14 to 20 pounds (6.5 to 9 kg).
| Adult weight | RER (kcal) | Low activity (1.4x) | Spayed or neutered (1.6x) | Intact (1.8x) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 lb (4.1 kg) AKC minimum | 201 | 281 | 322 | 362 |
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 218 | 305 | 348 | 392 |
| 12 lb (5.4 kg) | 249 | 349 | 399 | 449 |
| 14 lb (6.4 kg) | 280 | 392 | 448 | 504 |
| 16 lb (7.3 kg) AKC maximum | 310 | 433 | 495 | 557 |
| 18 lb (8.2 kg) Above standard | 338 | 473 | 541 | 609 |
| 20 lb (9.1 kg) Above standard | 366 | 512 | 585 | 659 |
These numbers are for dogs at a healthy weight. If your Shih Tzu is overweight, the right number comes from the ideal weight, not the current weight. For more detail, read our Shih Tzu feeding guide.
Treats Count Too
WSAVA advises that treats make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. The calculator shows this treat budget for you. If you give treats, feed about 90% of the calories as regular food. Small training treats, or pieces of your dog’s regular kibble, make it easier to stay on budget. See our guide to the best treats for Shih Tzus.
How to Tell If You Are Feeding the Right Amount
Calories are only half the story. The other half is your dog’s body condition. WSAVA describes an ideal body condition like this:
- You can feel the ribs without a thick layer of fat over them.
- You can see a waist behind the ribs when you look down from above.
- The belly tucks up when you look from the side.
A Shih Tzu’s long coat can hide both weight gain and weight loss. Feel your dog’s ribs and waist with your hands, or ask your groomer or vet to check. If your dog is gaining or losing weight on the calculated amount, adjust with your vet’s help. Our guide on how much a Shih Tzu should weigh explains body condition in more detail.
Safety first: Toy-size puppies can develop low blood sugar when they do not eat enough. VCA Animal Hospitals lists weakness, collapse, disorientation, tremors and seizures as signs. A puppy with any of these signs needs a vet right away. Also see your vet if your Shih Tzu loses weight without trying, stops eating, or suddenly drinks much more than usual. Never put a dog on a strict diet without a vet’s plan.
Feeding a Shih Tzu Puppy
Puppies need more calories per pound than adults because they are growing. A study in The Journal of Nutrition found that toy and small breeds reach about 99% of their adult weight at around 9 to 10 months of age. Use the puppy settings until then, and recalculate often as your puppy gains weight. Choose a food made for growth or for all life stages. Our guide to the best puppy food for Shih Tzus can help.
Related Feeding Guides
- How much should a Shih Tzu eat?
- How to get a picky Shih Tzu to eat
- Dog food for a Shih Tzu with a sensitive stomach
- Dog food for Shih Tzus with allergies
- Human foods that are safe and unsafe for Shih Tzus
How many calories does a Shih Tzu need per day?
It depends on weight and life stage. A 12-pound spayed or neutered adult Shih Tzu needs about 400 calories a day, based on 1.6 x RER. A 9-pound adult needs about 320, and a 16-pound adult needs about 495. Use the calculator for your dog’s exact weight.
How many cups of food should a Shih Tzu eat a day?
It depends on the calories in your food. For example, a 12-pound neutered adult that needs about 400 calories would eat about 1 cup a day of a food with 380 kcal per cup, after a small treat allowance. Enter your food’s kcal per cup in the calculator for an exact amount.
How much should a Shih Tzu puppy eat?
Puppies under 4 months need about 3 times their resting energy requirement, and older puppies about 2 times, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Because puppies gain weight fast, recalculate often and follow the feeding advice from your vet.
How many treats can a Shih Tzu have a day?
WSAVA advises that treats should be no more than 10% of daily calories. For a Shih Tzu that needs 400 calories a day, that is about 40 calories of treats. The calculator shows this treat budget for your dog.
Why is my Shih Tzu gaining weight on the calculated amount?
Every dog is different. Activity level, age, spay or neuter status and extra treats all change calorie needs. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that any calculation is only a starting point. If your dog gains weight, ask your vet to check body condition and help you adjust the amount.
Sources
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Calculating a Pet’s Caloric Intake for Weight Management (tip sheet)
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Daily Maintenance Energy Requirements for Dogs and Cats
- Pet Nutrition Alliance. Calculating Calories Based on Pet Needs
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Feeding Treats to Your Dog
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee. Body Condition Score Charts for Dogs and Cats
- American Kennel Club. Shih Tzu Dog Breed Information
- Salt C, Morris PJ, German AJ, et al. Growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes. PLOS ONE, 2017
- Hawthorne AJ, Booles D, Nugent PA, Gettinby G, Wilkinson J. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. The Journal of Nutrition, 2004
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Testing for Low Blood Sugar
This article is for general information. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Read our medical disclaimer.
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