FEEDING:
If you decide to change your puppy’s food to something other than what it has been receiving, do it over 2-3 feedings, gradually working in the new food. I would suggest continuing your puppy on the food it is on for at least one small bag so it is not experiencing too many changes at one time. By the time your Shih Tzu puppy goes home with you, they will be on dry food. I generally feed them 3 times a day. I moisten the food with hot water, (letting it stand 20-30 mins) one feeding (as they seem to enjoy the soft food), and then dry the other times. The dry food is necessary for their teething and teeth health, and as time progresses you will want to judge how often you want to give them moisten food. A schedule in conjunction with potty training is the initial idea. After they are trained and are a few weeks older feedng them twice a day or either free feed them like most breeders do their dogs may work well for you and them. I advise that all feedings be monitored and no food be left with the puppy over night or while you are away as a precaution. After 12 weeks it should be fine to relax the rule. Should your puppy ever appear lethargic, try putting a dab of white karo syrup on their tongue 3-4 times over a hour or two period. If low blood sugar is the problem, they should be up and going within a few minutes. (This is usually only an issue with a small infant, but just as a precaution I am sharing this information with you. I have never had this happen, but I have talked to others that have, and should the blood sugar drop it is very important to be aware of the symptoms and be prepared to take appropriate action).
I have used Purina Dog Chow for some time and the dogs have always done real well on this. I personally prefer a food that contains around 21-23% protein and around 10-15% fat, and usually switch my puppies to adult food around 6 months old or so. After they are 5 months old I may give them small bites of meats (not pork), eggs, rice, vegetables (such as green beans or carrots) that we are having. As a treat I give mine a few cheerios occasionally. They like them and it seems to be a good choice for a treat. I’m cautious in giving dog treat biscuits, strips, etc. If you do get these type of treats, I would limit it to 1-2 kinds (not several varieties), and preferably nothing containing dyes or made overseas. I like to keep tabs on what they are having in case there is any issue, and if you are given multiple items that is harder to do. Never feed a dog, cat food or a cat, dog food. Slight appetite changes and occasional digestive upsets are normal in puppies. Should your puppy develop a loose stool, you may want to try giving it a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (not with spices) 2-3 times a day. This remedy usually does the trick to firm up a loose stool. I also like to have Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate on hand to use to remedy a loose stool.
Also I have learned that an occasional teaspoon (one every day or so isn’t too much) of cultured plain yogurt is beneficial to a dogs health as it contains probiotics which boost the immune system. Do not give any meat bones as they can splitter and puncture your dogs digestive tract. Treats and human food should be quite limited, as very much may result in an upset stomach so us discretion and moderation. A good quality dog food will contain what they need and is foremost what they should be eating. Know that occasionally your Shih Tzu could vomit a little yellow bile. This is not uncommon, and nothing to be alarmed about. Sometimes they will get nauseous and this can result. It has been suggested that a small treat before bed time can help reduce this tendency if one is doing this. If I have one do this I may give them a saltine cracker to help.
There are certain foods that should not ever be given to a dog. Some are onions or anything containing them, grapes, raisins, chocolate, or anything else that contains caffeine. “Sugar-free” products containing xylitol may prove fatal. Also never give a dog Acetominophen (Tylenol).
*One thing in particular to pay attention to is if your puppy becomes noticeably inactive and breathing becomes belabored along with noise in the breathing. This could be a respiratory infection and you want to move quickly to get ahead of this as a puppy can go down hill fast. If you have any similar symptoms see the Vet right away. An antibiotic can clear this up, but it’s important to not delay.
If you decide to change your puppy’s food to something other than what it has been receiving, do it over 2-3 feedings, gradually working in the new food. I would suggest continuing your puppy on the food it is on for at least one small bag so it is not experiencing too many changes at one time. By the time your Shih Tzu puppy goes home with you, they will be on dry food. I generally feed them 3 times a day. I moisten the food with hot water, (letting it stand 20-30 mins) one feeding (as they seem to enjoy the soft food), and then dry the other times. The dry food is necessary for their teething and teeth health, and as time progresses you will want to judge how often you want to give them moisten food. A schedule in conjunction with potty training is the initial idea. After they are trained and are a few weeks older feedng them twice a day or either free feed them like most breeders do their dogs may work well for you and them. I advise that all feedings be monitored and no food be left with the puppy over night or while you are away as a precaution. After 12 weeks it should be fine to relax the rule. Should your puppy ever appear lethargic, try putting a dab of white karo syrup on their tongue 3-4 times over a hour or two period. If low blood sugar is the problem, they should be up and going within a few minutes. (This is usually only an issue with a small infant, but just as a precaution I am sharing this information with you. I have never had this happen, but I have talked to others that have, and should the blood sugar drop it is very important to be aware of the symptoms and be prepared to take appropriate action).
I have used Purina Dog Chow for some time and the dogs have always done real well on this. I personally prefer a food that contains around 21-23% protein and around 10-15% fat, and usually switch my puppies to adult food around 6 months old or so. After they are 5 months old I may give them small bites of meats (not pork), eggs, rice, vegetables (such as green beans or carrots) that we are having. As a treat I give mine a few cheerios occasionally. They like them and it seems to be a good choice for a treat. I’m cautious in giving dog treat biscuits, strips, etc. If you do get these type of treats, I would limit it to 1-2 kinds (not several varieties), and preferably nothing containing dyes or made overseas. I like to keep tabs on what they are having in case there is any issue, and if you are given multiple items that is harder to do. Never feed a dog, cat food or a cat, dog food. Slight appetite changes and occasional digestive upsets are normal in puppies. Should your puppy develop a loose stool, you may want to try giving it a teaspoon of plain canned pumpkin (not with spices) 2-3 times a day. This remedy usually does the trick to firm up a loose stool. I also like to have Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate on hand to use to remedy a loose stool.
Also I have learned that an occasional teaspoon (one every day or so isn’t too much) of cultured plain yogurt is beneficial to a dogs health as it contains probiotics which boost the immune system. Do not give any meat bones as they can splitter and puncture your dogs digestive tract. Treats and human food should be quite limited, as very much may result in an upset stomach so us discretion and moderation. A good quality dog food will contain what they need and is foremost what they should be eating. Know that occasionally your Shih Tzu could vomit a little yellow bile. This is not uncommon, and nothing to be alarmed about. Sometimes they will get nauseous and this can result. It has been suggested that a small treat before bed time can help reduce this tendency if one is doing this. If I have one do this I may give them a saltine cracker to help.
There are certain foods that should not ever be given to a dog. Some are onions or anything containing them, grapes, raisins, chocolate, or anything else that contains caffeine. “Sugar-free” products containing xylitol may prove fatal. Also never give a dog Acetominophen (Tylenol).
*One thing in particular to pay attention to is if your puppy becomes noticeably inactive and breathing becomes belabored along with noise in the breathing. This could be a respiratory infection and you want to move quickly to get ahead of this as a puppy can go down hill fast. If you have any similar symptoms see the Vet right away. An antibiotic can clear this up, but it’s important to not delay.
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