Best Puppy Food for Shih Tzus (2026): Dry and Wet Picks for Small Breeds
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Shih Tzu Pedia earns from qualifying purchases on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca, at no extra cost to you. Our picks are based on veterinary nutrition guidance and published product details, not on hands-on testing.
How we chose these foods: We used feeding guidance from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), VCA Animal Hospitals, the American Kennel Club, and the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. We then compared current Amazon listings for small-breed puppy formulas, customer ratings, and availability in the United States and Canada. Last reviewed: September 2026.
A Shih Tzu puppy grows fast in a short time. The food you choose in these first months supports that growth. The good news is that you do not need a fancy or expensive brand. You need a complete puppy food made for small breeds, fed in the right amounts.
This guide lists six dry and wet foods that fit a Shih Tzu puppy. It also explains what to look for on the label, how often to feed, and when to switch to adult food. For the bigger picture, see our Shih Tzu puppy care guide.
Quick Picks: Best Puppy Foods for Shih Tzus in 2026
| Pick | Best for | Type | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin Small Puppy | Best overall | Dry | Amazon.com | Amazon.ca |
| Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini | Small kibble, gentle start | Dry | Amazon.com | Amazon.ca |
| Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice | Active puppies | Dry | Amazon.com | Amazon.ca |
| Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Puppy | Budget pick | Dry | Amazon.com |
| Royal Canin Small Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy | Best wet food | Wet | Amazon.com |
| Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Beef & Barley | Wet topper or picky eaters | Wet | Amazon.com | Amazon.ca |
What to Look For in a Shih Tzu Puppy Food
1. A “growth” statement on the label
VCA Animal Hospitals advises owners to check the label for a nutritional adequacy statement, often called the AAFCO statement. It should say the food meets the requirements for growth. A food labeled only for adult maintenance is not made for puppies.
2. A small-breed formula
The AKC breed standard gives an ideal adult weight of 9 to 16 pounds for a Shih Tzu. Small-breed puppy foods have smaller kibble that fits a small mouth. Check the bag for the adult weight range. For example, Royal Canin says its Small Puppy formula is for puppies expected to weigh 9 to 22 pounds as adults.
3. A manufacturer that answers the right questions
WSAVA suggests asking every pet food company a few simple questions. Who formulates the food, and what are their qualifications? What quality control testing do they do? Do they publish research? Do they make the food themselves? A good company will answer clearly.
4. Be careful with grain-free and pulse-heavy foods
Grain-free is not better for most puppies. Veterinary cardiologists and nutritionists at Tufts University report that diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart disease, appears linked to diets high in pulses such as peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans. Unless your vet recommends a special diet, choose a food that does not list pulses among its main ingredients.
Safety note: low blood sugar in small puppies. Toy and small-breed puppies can develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially if they skip meals. PetMD advises feeding puppies and toy breeds small, frequent meals to keep blood sugar steady. Signs include low energy, weakness, trembling, and in severe cases seizures or collapse. If you see these signs, take your puppy to a veterinarian immediately.
The Best Puppy Foods for Shih Tzus, Reviewed
1. Royal Canin Small Puppy Dry Dog Food
Best for: Most Shih Tzu puppies. This is our top pick.
- Made for puppies 2 to 10 months old with an expected adult weight of 9 to 22 pounds, according to the brand
- Crunchy small-breed kibble
- Antioxidants for immune support and prebiotics for digestion, per the listing
Why we picked it: The adult weight range matches the Shih Tzu breed standard. Royal Canin also makes a matching wet food, which makes mixed feeding simple.
Keep in mind: It costs more per pound than grocery brands. Royal Canin also sells a Shih Tzu breed formula, but the one on Amazon is for adults 10 months and older, so do not buy it for a young puppy.
Check price on Amazon.com → | Check price on Amazon.ca →
2. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Dry Dog Food
Best for: Owners who want a widely available, vet-clinic brand with small kibble.
- Made for small and mini breed puppies
- DHA from fish oil for brain and eye development, per the brand
- Balanced minerals for growing bones and teeth
Why we picked it: It is a small-breed puppy formula from a large manufacturer, and it is sold in both the United States and Canada.
Keep in mind: Bag sizes and pack names differ between Amazon.com and Amazon.ca. Check that the bag says “Puppy” and “Small & Mini” before you buy.
Check price on Amazon.com → | Check price on Amazon.ca →
3. Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy, Chicken & Rice
Best for: Active puppies and owners who want a probiotic formula.
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- Guaranteed live probiotics for digestive and immune health, per the listing
- DHA from fish oil for brain and vision development
- Formerly sold as Pro Plan FOCUS Small Breed Puppy
Why we picked it: It is a high-protein small-breed puppy food with a long track record. It is sold in both countries.
Keep in mind: It is richer than some foods. Measure portions carefully so your puppy does not gain too much weight.
Check price on Amazon.com → | Check price on Amazon.ca →
4. Purina ONE +Plus Healthy Puppy Dry Food
Best for: Owners on a budget.
- Real chicken is the first ingredient
- DHA for vision and brain development, per the brand
- Antioxidants for immune support
Why we picked it: It is a complete puppy food from a major manufacturer at a lower price than the premium picks.
Keep in mind: It is not a small-breed formula, so the kibble can be larger. Watch your puppy eat. If the pieces seem too big, choose one of the small-breed picks above. We could not find this exact product in stock on Amazon.ca.
5. Royal Canin Small Puppy Thin Slices in Gravy (Wet)
Best for: Puppies that need a softer food, or as a mix-in with dry kibble.
- Made for puppies 2 to 10 months old with an expected adult weight up to 22 pounds, per the brand
- Soft thin slices in gravy
- DHA and antioxidants, per the listing
Why we picked it: It is designed to pair with the Royal Canin Small Puppy dry food, so you can mix the two without guessing.
Keep in mind: Wet food costs more per meal. If you mix wet and dry, reduce the dry portion so you do not overfeed. We could not find this item on Amazon.ca.
6. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini Beef & Barley (Wet)
Best for: Picky eaters, or a topper for Hill’s dry food.
- Made for small and mini breed puppies
- Beef and barley recipe in 5.8-ounce cans
- Antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and balanced minerals for bones and teeth, per the listing
- Sold on both Amazon.com and Amazon.ca
Why we picked it: It pairs well with our second pick and helps picky puppies eat their full meal.
Keep in mind: It has far fewer ratings than the dry foods on this list, and its average rating is a little lower. Wet food also costs more per meal, so many owners use it as a topper rather than a full diet.
Check price on Amazon.com → | Check price on Amazon.ca →
How Much and How Often to Feed a Shih Tzu Puppy
Start with the feeding chart on the bag. Then adjust based on your puppy’s body. The AKC puts it simply: watch the dog, not the dish. Your puppy should have a visible waist and ribs you can feel but not see.
| Age | Meals per day (AKC) |
|---|---|
| 6 to 12 weeks | 4 |
| 3 to 6 months | 3 |
| 6 to 12 months | 2 |
| Adult | Usually 2 |
Because small puppies are prone to low blood sugar, do not cut meals too early. Ask your vet before you drop to fewer meals if your puppy is very small.
- Do not free-feed. VCA Animal Hospitals warns that leaving food out all day can lead to excess body fat and skeletal problems in growing puppies.
- Limit treats. VCA recommends that treats make up no more than 10 percent of daily calories. See our guide to treats for Shih Tzus.
- Switch foods slowly. Mix a little of the new food into the old food and increase it over several days. A sudden switch can upset the stomach. If your puppy has ongoing digestive trouble, read our sensitive stomach food guide and talk to your vet.
- Skip most human food. Some foods are toxic to dogs. Read which human foods are safe for Shih Tzus first.
When to Switch to Adult Food
The AKC says small-breed puppies can usually switch to adult food at 7 to 9 months. Some small-breed puppy formulas, such as Royal Canin Small Puppy, are labeled for puppies up to 10 months. Ask your vet at your puppy’s checkup, and make the change gradually.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best puppy food for a Shih Tzu?
Our top pick is Royal Canin Small Puppy dry food because it is made for puppies with an expected adult weight of 9 to 22 pounds. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small & Mini and Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy are also strong choices. The best food is a complete puppy food for small breeds that your puppy eats well and that keeps them at a healthy weight.
How many times a day should I feed my Shih Tzu puppy?
The AKC suggests four meals a day from 6 to 12 weeks, three meals from 3 to 6 months, and two meals from 6 to 12 months. Small, frequent meals help prevent low blood sugar in small puppies.
When should a Shih Tzu puppy switch to adult food?
The AKC says small-breed puppies can usually switch at 7 to 9 months. Some small-breed puppy foods are labeled for up to 10 months. Ask your vet, then switch gradually over several days.
Is grain-free food better for Shih Tzu puppies?
No. There is no proven benefit for most puppies. Veterinary experts at Tufts University report that diet-associated heart disease (DCM) appears linked to diets high in peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans. Choose a grain-free diet only if your vet recommends it.
Should I feed my Shih Tzu puppy wet or dry food?
Either can work if it is complete and balanced for growth. Dry food is cheaper and easier to measure. Wet food can help picky eaters. Many owners mix the two. If you do, reduce the dry portion so the total calories stay the same.
Sources
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Guidelines on selecting pet foods
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding growing puppies
- American Kennel Club: Puppy feeding fundamentals
- Tufts Petfoodology: Update on diet-associated dilated cardiomyopathy, June 2026
- PetMD: Hypoglycemia in dogs
- American Kennel Club: Shih Tzu breed information
- Amazon.com and Amazon.ca product listings, checked September 2026
This article is for general information. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Read our medical disclaimer.
