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Pien
Ji Shih Tzu-
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NutritionThere is a lot of confusion when it comes to feeding and nutrients. This is an attempt to clarify some of it. I am NOT a nutritionist, but what I have learned I will gladly share with you. This is all accurate TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. Please use this as the starting point it was meant to be, and explore more on your own. Why I Am Concerned With NutritionI had a Rhodesian Ridgeback that I loved dearly. Solo died at 15, he had cancer for about five years. It seems to me we are seeing more and more cancer in dogs today. So what are we doing different? To me, it seems the major difference is that we are feeding our dogs more crap- chemicals and carcinogens. So I started looking around for information. I found an EXCELLENT resource: What’s Really in Pet Food DO take time to read this so you understand where the problem is. We’re Being Sold a Bill of Goods!!!Now, having read What’s Really in Dog Food (link above), think about what the dog food industry tells us: Feeding table-scraps is bad- they won’t get a balanced diet No doubt we should go on feeding the chemicals and toxins they cook into their product! When you had dogs growing up, didn’t you feed table scraps? And probably, for the most part, your dogs did fine on that diet. Here’s how I see it- if you aren’t going to take time to find a quality dog food, you’re probably better off using the scraps and just using a good vitamin supplement. At least they’re not all full of toxins and carcinogens! Be an informed consumer! Read labels! EXPENSIVE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN GOOD (though inexpensive usually DOES mean bad!). No BY-PRODUCTS! Puppy Food:I only leave them on puppy food until 4 months- when the rapid growth slows down. I use Royal Canin's Sensible Choice Natural Blend Puppy.
By-products are bad. Meal isn't as bad, but they have to process it at such high heat that it is nutritionally compromised. (What's Really in Pet Food) So if you can find a decent pet food with no meal- bonus! Less poop because they need less because it is more nutritionally dense. Feed twice (or more) a day if you do not always have food available (I prefer leaving dry always available). Little guys burn energy quickly!
Another food I really like is Wellness 5 Chicken
by Mother Hubbard, though I don't care for their puppy food (it is too
hard, and it stinks). Places
that carry specialty foods can often order this for you even if they
A Bit on SupplementsEnzymes: These are NOT vitamins. Enzymes aid the body in the processes of digestion. Without enzymes, you would not process the foods you eat or the vitamins you take, because they would not break down in your system. It can be beneficial to add enzymes to increase dietary efficiency. Keep in mind: enzymes are NOT VITAMINS. Raspberry Leaf: This has long been used for humans as a “uterine tonic.” It relaxes tight uterine muscles. Many vitamin concoctions for pregnant bitches include raspberry leaf. This is NOT a good idea- it can lead to premature delivery. In humans, it has been given to trigger labor- and it would be a good idea to keep this in mind. MOST vets have recommended raspberry leaf during pregnancy in the past- now the move is away from this- AS IT SHOULD BE. Folic Acid: Particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy, folic acid has been shown to be beneficial in reducing birth defects- most notably to us cleft palate. (This is true in humans also.) Use the supplements you find in the vitamin section of your grocery store. For a Shih Tzu, give 200mg (½ of a 400 mg tablet) each day for the first three weeks of the pregnancy at least, and beginning to supplement a month or so before breeding is likely to be beneficial in producing healthy ova. Omega 3 Fatty Acids: Increase immune response, are thought to be beneficial in reducing cancer risks, and likely have positive effects on existing cancers. Available from fish (DON”T feed your dog raw salmon! The blood is VERY toxic to dogs!), flax oil, wheat germ oil, or soybean oil. Many supplements developed for dogs contain Omega 3’s. There is a Brewer's Yeast supplement with Omega 3 and garlic at Walmart- this is what I give min three times a week, plus Salmon oil for more Omega threes. My dogs take it right out of my hand and eat it (nice dogs, but not too bright!). I ask, "Who wants pills?" and there they all are! Antioxidants: These are your cancer fighters. Primarily vitamins A, C and E. Make sure your food contains these!
Other Feeding ConcernsWater: Get rabbit bottles! Your dog will be much more lovable when you do away with the soggy kisses, and it helps keep the face dry, which will minimize staining. A damp face is a good place for yeast to grow- if your dog's face smells musty, a damp face is likely the culprit. Snacking on poop: unfortunately, many Shih Tzu are known to do this. There's even a name for it- Coprophagia. Not charming. Increasing the amount of meat-like substance (canned food or even real meat!) in their diet can help, but there’s nothing better than regular upkeep in their living areas. There are commercial preparations available to put in their food to make the poop taste too crappy (excuse the pun!) to eat- I get mixed reviews on these from people who used them. They didn’t work on my dogs, but try them- if they work for you, it’s an easy fix. Some owners have had success in stopping this behavior by supplementing their dog's diet with one spoonful of canned pineapple, a couple of tablespoons of tomato juice, or a teaspoon of spinach (these also are to make the poop taste bad). Some people advocate feeding Accent (MSG). I am not a fan of feeding carcinogens to stop unpleasant behavior! MSG (monosodium glutamate) is a known carcinogen. A friend of mine followed her puppy and sprayed the feces with bitter apple- that worked for her and would probably work better than most of the other ideas above, but try them- they're cheap and easy. Canned food: I like giving my Shih Tzu some canned food. I DO NOT like their faces in it! I spoon-feed from the can right into the little gaping mouths. They love it- it’s funny- their faces stay clean and dry- and I’m not washing a sink load of dishes twice a day. Again, I make sure to find canned food with no by-products. It is given more as a treat than a food. Snacks: Try raw vegetables! Most Shih Tzu like them. I get the mixed veggie bags that have broccoli, carrots, and green beans. They enjoy all of them. If it’s something tough to chew, be careful until your dogs are used to getting such food. Bob especially likes snap peas- he loves the way they crunch. Fruits are good- bananas are a real favorite, as are pears, strawberries, and blueberries. And cranberries are very good for urinary tract health. Shih Tzu have a tendency to forego chewing and swallow anything they think they can get down- and they are often overly optimistic in this area. Either cut small enough to be swallowed whole, or give them pieces too big to just swallow. Yogurt: A good source of digestive enzymes! Snacks to AvoidGrapes are bad for your dog. They are hard on the kidneys. Onions are toxic in large amounts and not recommended at all. Chocolate is bad for dogs. Apples should not be given in large amounts to breeding bitches. (Something about the tannin is bad for fertility.) Beet pulp in food is suspected to be a cause of red staining on the face. Raw FeedMixing/cooking for them yourself can be tempting, but isn’t a good idea unless you REALLY know nutrition. Feed a good quality, balanced dog food. Vitamins are usually included, and you can easily deprive your dogs of something they need in their diet.
There’s a really good program for comparing dog foods on the Innova website. You might want to check it out. |
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Copyright © Pien Ji Shih Tzu, 2001-2007 Pien Ji Puppies are only sold on Spay/Neuter contracts. For the reason for this policy, please check #8 on the Puget Sound Shih Tzu Fancier's Looking For a Puppy page!
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It
has no meal and no by-products, and good ingredients. You can find this at
Petco. I supplement with brewer's yeast tabs with garlic (you
can get them at any pet store- even Walmart carries them) and salmon oil
capsules for coat and Omega 3s. 
When your pup is older, I like
Natural Balance Ultra. It has several protein
sources, so you won't get your dog so used to one he can't tolerate others.
The ingredients are really good, and dogs that have allergies or hot spots often
clear up when put on this food with no other medications or special shampoos at
all! My dogs will happily eat it right out of the bag, which is always a
big help. 
don't
routinely stock it. My feed store orders it for me- that may be an option
for you. Wellness Chicken has de-boned chicken as a first ingredient, and
fruits, vegetables, and brown rice. It has no by-products AND NO MEAL. If
you want a nice priced but good food that's easier to get, continue with the
Authority. It has no by-products. Again- by-products: bad. 