Shih Tzu Diet Problems – A Few Solutions
With literally thousands of pet foods brands and types available, deciding on a Shih Tzu diet seems a problem. But it becomes an even bigger problem if your pup or dog refuses to eat. What can you do about Shih Tzu diet problems?
There are three main diet problems that we will talk about today — pickiness, appetite loss, and stomach upsets. All three of these problems can be exasperating, but thankfully there are a few solutions.
Pickiness –
A picky Shih Tzu can be a pain, but actually pickiness is associated with the breed. To avoid having a picky eater later in your dog’s life, always make it clear to your pup that he is to eat the food that is set before him when the food is set before him. One way to do this is to set your pup’s bowl down in front of him at feeding time and then take it up in five or so minutes whether the food is eaten or not.
This may seem a little cruel if your pup hasn’t gotten anything to eat yet, but it won’t take long for your pup to learn. Never ever replace your Shih Tzu’s food with something else. This will only teach that the longer he goes without food, the better food he’ll get.
Appetite loss –
Appetite loss does naturally occur as dogs get older. If you have an older Shih Tzu, the rule book can be thrown out and you can replace his dry food with other fresh food. It is more than okay to do this with an older dog. With a puppy, this so-called “appetite loss” may just be stubbornness. If the problem persists for more than 24 hours, however, you may consider a vet checkup.
Stomach aches –
Stomach problems can be caused any number of ways, but one of the common ways is a sudden change in feed. If you are just bringing a young puppy home, you must always remember to feed exactly the same brand and type of feed that the kennel fed. Ask the breeder for a list of instructions on how much feed, what brand, times of the day to feed, and any other recommendations. Even older dogs can suffer if their feed is changed suddenly, so be sure and buy feed in bulk and switch over very gradually if a change in brands or types is necessary.
Shih Tzu diet problems are a challenge, but it’s well worth it to see a happy, healthy Shih Tzu enjoying life!
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