![Best Treats For Shih Tzu [And Why, When & How To Feed Them]](https://peteducate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Best-Treats-For-Shih-Tzu-And-Why-When-How-To-Feed-Them.png)
Are you looking to get some treats for your Shih Tzu? Perhaps you are trying to train a young puppy, or maybe you just want to reward your older dog from time to time.
Either way, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, I am going to be walking you through the best treats that are currently available on the market for this toy breed.
We will first look at the top recommendations, and then we will look at why they have been hand-selected. Then we’ll move on to how and when to feed them.
But first, what are the top three treats?
Best Treats For Shih Tzus
If you are looking for treats suitable for the Shih Tzu breed, look no further than any one of the following.
Here is why:
Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Natural Treats
- REAL BEEF FIRST: BLUE Bits dog training treats are made with delicious real beef as the first ingredient making them an ideal reward for your best friend’s best behavior
- SOFT TRAINING TREATS: For dogs that love a soft treat, BLUE Bits are tender, bite-sized morsels that are the perfect size for training; plus, with DHA to help support cognitive development, they’re an ideal puppy treat
- WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: These dog treats don’t contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and are free from corn, wheat, and soy; plus, they’re free from artificial preservatives like Propylene Glycol and colors like Red Dye 40
- HEALTHY DOG TREATS: Blue Buffalo natural dog treats feature the healthy, wholesome ingredients you’ll love feeding as much as they’ll love eating
- Contains: One (1) 4-oz bag of BLUE Bits Natural Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats, Beef Recipe
What I Like About Blue Buffalo Natural Treats
- Highly rewarding; preferred by dogs in treat taste tests!
- Excellent for Shih Tzu pups and older adult dogs. Small and soft in appearance and texture.
- Available in five different packaging sizes; you can try them out or buy them in bulk for economical long-term use,
- High protein content as real meat is the primary ingredient,
- Other products in the range that you can buy for your Shih Tzu,
What I Don’t Like About Blue Buffalo Natural Treats
- Not all dogs appear to enjoy the flavor; while it appears to be in rare cases, some dogs turn their nose up at them when offered.
Good ‘N’ Fun Triple Flavor Wings
- A savory combination of three flavors that dogs love most
- Treats made from Rawhide and pork hide, then wrapped with real chicken
- Natural chewing action helps reduce tartar buildup
- Great source of protein
- Satisfy your dog's natural urge to chew
What I Like About Good ‘N’ Fun Triple Flavor Wings
- Ideal for dogs who love the chew and can help keep your Shih Tzus teeth clean by naturally removing plaque,
- They can keep your dog occupied and busy, unlike other treats,
- Many owners who claim that their dogs are ‘picky eaters’ report that they enjoy them when offered,
What I Don’t Like About Good ‘N’ Fun Triple Flavor Wings
- Ingredients are sourced from China/Taiwan, which raises concerns about ingredient quality.
Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
- IRRESISTABLE TASTE - Mmmm, Bison ! This mouthwatering recipe is like home-baked goodies in a three-calorie bite
- DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY DOG TREATS - Made with superfoods, our oven-baked dog biscuits are both healthy AND delicious. No compromises here
- ONLY 3 CALORIES PER TREAT - Skinny in Calories. Our treats are made with the health-conscious pet parent in mind, with reduced calories so you can keep treating your pet guilt free
- SMELL THE FRUITABLES DIFFERENCE - Our dog treats smell great. Seriously, open a bag and smell the difference! You’ll be tempted to try one yourself
- MINI SIZE IS GREAT FOR TRAINING - Mini in size, Skinny Minis are perfect to use for bite-sized training rewards!
What I Like About Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
- Available in seven unique and highly desirable flavors.
- Low calorie and therefore ideal for Shih Tzus going through training and require regular treats.
- Small in size and perfect for a toy breed like the Shih Tzu.
- Suitable for dogs with sensitive digestive systems and allergies.
- Very well-designed packaging ensures treats remain fresh and soft. The zip-loc bag system keeps the bag closed when stored away.
What I Don’t Like About Fruitables Skinny Mini Dog Treats
- Difficult to choose between the seven flavors; it may take a while to find what one your dog enjoys most. They may dislike one or two along the way.
What To Consider When Buying Dog Treats For Your Shih Tzu
If you are wondering why these treats were selected, or more importantly, the things you should look for in good quality treats (and to separate them from the bad), there are a few factors to consider.
Ingredients and Nutritional Content
An essential consideration when buying treats should always be ingredient quality and nutritional content.
While all dogs do deserve and should be fed a diet as nutrient-dense as possible, you need to consider the unique needs of the Shih Tzu breed.
They are a toy breed, after all.
Thus it is generally best to offer Shih Tzu’s low-calorie treats, particularly if you need or intend to offer them more regularly.
And low-calorie does not always mean healthy.
You need to ensure treats are made from natural ingredients, free from cheap fillers and other potentially problematic additives.
Barley, wheat, corn, and soy are four common offenders to watch out for.
And while not all dogs may react to any one of these, it’s still best not to take any chances here.
Generally, treats with minimal ingredients and those that are centered around meat, and subsequently, protein, are best.
Shape, Size, Texture, and Flavor
Next up, you want to ensure that the treats you offer are suitable for your dog to chew and consume.
They should be of an appropriate shape and size, and for the Shih Tzu breed, smaller treats are generally better.
Unless, of course, you want to get them a chew or something that is going to keep them occupied for a little while.
Treats, of course, need to be enticing, too – and that’s where texture and flavor come in.
The best treats have a strong smell/flavor, and your dog will go to great lengths (either by behaving well or responding to your commands) in order to get another.
Price
With so much competition on the market, the truth is, you shouldn’t need to pay above and beyond.
So, ensure that you are getting a fair price for your treats.
And do consider treat size and packaging size too here.
For instance, the packaging and bag weight of some treats is small/light. But this doesn’t necessarily equate to or mean that they will not last a long time.
It can do, however.
So just be sure you are aware of what you are paying and how long they should last you.
Packaging
You need to be able to safely and securely store treats away for when they are needed.
It could be in a cupboard, or it could be in a bag on the go.
Either way, the better brands will use packaging that keeps treats well preserved, fresh, and free from falling out (or worse, your dog getting access to them).
How Many Treats Should You Feed Your Shih Tzu
The number of treats you should feed your Shih Tzu will vary dog by dog, context to context. You will want to consider your Shih Tzus age, level of activity, weight, and behavior.
It’s common sense, really, but there is no one blanket recommendation for all Shih Tzus.
Besides, a younger, active Shih Tzu puppy will likely be able to consume more treats than an older, better-behaved dog.
At the same time, certain Shih Tzus may require more treats during intensive training periods, which may naturally subside as they learn commands and start behaving better, generally.
But there are other factors too.
Like the nutrition in the treat being offered.
For low-calorie treats, you can afford to be more liberal in your serving sizes.
Then, there are your individual dog’s needs to consider, too, based on their weight and health status.
It’s all a balance, you see. It is finding what is right and works best for your Shih Tzu.
It will likely change day by day, week by week too.
When To Give Your Shih Tzu Treats
The best time to offer a treat to your Shih Tzu is during any training activity or in response to or following a period of good behavior.
For example, it could be that you are teaching them the ‘sit’ command.
Each time your dog follows the command and sits down, it can be given a treat.
With time and consistency, you should find that they have learned the command, and you don’t necessarily need to offer a reward.
Another context where offering a treat may be a good idea is if they have responded well to a particularly challenging development or circumstance in their environment.
Say another boisterous dog approaches them in the park, and they respond in a calm, controlled manner.
Or, your Shih Tzu stops, or refrains, from barking when they previously might. And, you want to reward this calmer response.
As you can see, treats should be offered strategically.
At certain crucial times.
They should never be offered just because.
And you need to be careful you are not rewarding bad behavior, either.
Finally
Buying treats for your Shih Tzu may not have been as simple as you might have initially thought.
Besides, there are countless products on the market.
Not even just across brands, but within them too!
And you need to be careful.
Because not all of them are suitable for all dogs, of all ages, or of all breeds.
And then there are some that are just not good for any dog at all.
Unfortunately, there are treats out there that have caused illness or serious issues long-term health complications.
Thankfully, having researched the market, there are some good options out there.
The three recommendations referenced here today have been carefully and strategically identified. They are all optimal products for the Shih Tzu breed.
So rest assured when looking at either of the three brands.
Besides, if you head over to Amazon, you will soon start to get a feel for why you need them yourself ⬇️
I am an experienced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets, from traditional pets like dogs and cats, to the more exotic like reptiles and rodents. I currently own a Cockapoo (pictured) called Bailey. I am also the main writer and chief editor here at Pet Educate; a site dedicated to sharing evidence-based insights and guidance, based on my vast pet ownership knowledge, experience, and extensive research.