Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

20 Best Foods for a Picky Eater Shih Tzu

| Published on February 16, 2023
We hear it all the time: “Why won’t my finicky shih tzu eat the expensive food I buy them?!” Dealing with a picky shih tzu can be frustrating, so we asked our I Love My Shih Tzu Facebook community the following question, “What’s the best food for a picky eating Shih Tzu?” We received hundreds of replies and summarized some of the best suggestions below.
Always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your shih tzu diet, especially if they have any medical issues. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

20 Best Foods for a Picky Shih Tzu

Good to see this thought it was just mine. Very picky but will eat simply Cesar’s. But have to pick out the peas. Does like potatoes. Sweet taters. Hamburger once in awhile. She is 3yrs and still have the first bag of dry food since I’ve had her. She is just super spoiled.

Author: Deb C.

Likes: 14


The only thing that works with my shih tzu is, Rawabble chicken (holistic) and Science Diet chicken stew. I’ll add either chicken, pasta, broccoli or a small amount of what we have. She’s always been finicky, I think they all are

Author: Pam Jaykus B.

Likes: 4


We feed them Royal Canin they have a shih tzu dry and wet food and mine will eat it they are extremely picky it’s a little pricey though

Author: Michelle L.

Likes: 6


Yes, Diamond natural I get mine at tractor supply they have it for small dogs or even puppies or big dogs. it doesn’t have any Of those products in it that is not good for dogs. Done research on it.

Author: Barbara I.

Likes: 0


I use the dry purina pro plan puppy. My puppy is 10 months. I add green beans and sometimes scrambled eggs. I find she eats better if I put the cooked egg and green beans in the microwave only for 7 seconds She seemed to like the warmth in this cold weather. Also use frozen strawberries for treats. She loves them. Also baby carrots. Trying to make sure she is not going to be overweight.

Author: Rea H.

Likes: 0


Stella & Chewy freeze dried. Or grandma Lucy’s freeze dried food..I never feed anything with chicken in it..most dogs are allergic to it…I have a 10 year old shih tzu…good luck with ur fur baby….my Willie sends woof woofs

Author: Dorothy Scaffidi D.

Likes: 1


Dr. MARTY’S WITH A SIDE OF BOILED CHICKEN AND A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK I GIVE HIM A SIDE OF SOME CUT UP BEEF. MIX THE DR. MARTY’S WITH SOME WARM WATER AS DIRECTED. I HEAT IT UP IN THE MICRO ABOUT 16 SECONDS AND MAKE SURE ITS NOT TO HOT INCLUDING THEIR DISH. IF IT IS GIVE IT TIME TO COOL DISH INCLUDED TO JUST A WARM FEEL. DOES THE TRICK.

Author: Sean T.

Likes: 0


My shih tzu is 2 years old and I had never found a dog food that she would eat on a regular basis until I tried Fresh Pet, now she cleans her dish out almost everyday. I had tried wet food, dry food, all different brands and she would not eat it.

Author: Sue St Aubin

Likes: 3


I cook a variety of meats for mine but it’s usually what we’re eating that day. So if I am making steak she gets one. She also gets veal, lamb, pork, chicken, wild rabbit, grouse, and sometimes deer. Not at all spoiled ETA, she eats Nutrience Subzero, the red bag. I will sometimes crush and sprinkle dried liver treats on this kibble but mostly she eats it as is.

Author: Sylvia R.

Likes: 0


I give mine Nature’s Recipe hard and soft per my vet after trying a dozen kinds. A can goes a long way. She is so small I get 3 feedings from 1 can. I get the mini bite hard food.

Author: Mary N.

Likes: 0


We have a shorkie which is shitzu and Yorkie mixed and we give her little Caesars rotisserie chicken dry dog food and mixed with rotisserie chicken that I have to cook in my rotisserie oven. Can we say spoiled. But I love her and she loves and protects me.

Author: Bonnie L.

Likes: 0


I have a picky eater since she was a baby. I Mix her dry food with Stella and chewy lil bites and steam Broccoli or boiled chicken breast.

Or I give her boil sweet potatoes or pumpkin and mix it with her food. I have to give her different mix every day bec she won’t eat if it’s the same every day

Author: Cathy Aquino C.

Likes: 0


We feed both of ours FreshPet. I use all 4 of the flavors. We use one roll of one flavor and when that roll is used up, we go to another roll of a different flavor. They are picky too, but this seems to be a constant winner. I tried the shredded fresh pet and they got tired of it and wouldn’t eat it. I use just the rolls now. I’ve tried farmers dog and they threw it up, so I cancelled that program. They also like the fresh pet turkey bacon treats.

Author: Nancy Mandigo T.

Likes: 0


Rocco gets 1/3 cup of kibble (wellness) in the morning 1/3 cup of kibble at night, a little boiled chicken and 5 green beans with a milk bone. At bedtime he gets a Good Morning treat.

Author: Martie L.

Likes: 0


Mine too, I boil chicken tenders and mix with science diet dry for sensitive stomach and skin . It is fine for now, but he just gets tired of it . I also use Fresh pet every know and then. He is also in a probiotic every day and it helps.

Author: Linda S.

Likes: 0


Pet fresh for small breeds…My Rocky is 3 years old and he loves it they have the log or you can buy it in the bag.. it’s located in the pet section in the refrigerator.. grocery stores and BJ’S .. and they also have it for cats too just to keep that in mind if anyone is a cat owner…

Author: Mamie Rose H.

Likes: 0


Rosie is 4 years old and she may eat once or twice a day. One day she will not eat at all. I don’t worry she knows when she is hungry. I feed her in the morning and evening a quarter cup of Wellness brand grain free dog food and top it off with a small amount of Badlands Ranch high protein adult dog food rinse it with warm water. I have it ready for her when she wants it. I reserved so many dog food brands to read what is in the food. So many unhealthy ingredients in high brand names. I had so many fur babies die from kidney problems. I knew I wanted better dog food for her. I guess I’m very picky on what she eats. Rosie loves her food when she wants to eat. Her weight has stayed low around 9lbs 10oz. Rosie is a small Shih Tzu frame. My other Shih Tzu were up in the 16 lbs dog frame. I love this fur baby and I want her to have the best.

Author: Karen P.

Likes: 0


My female shih-tzu and shih-tzu/bichon mix are pretty picky.I feed them a mix of: Beneful medley or incredibite (wet dog food) with Beneful dried food. They are different sizes so servings are based on weight 3x a day. Lunch is smaller servings.They each will randomly skip a meal now and then.

Author: Cindy Lou A.

Likes: 0


Mine still eats Purina puppy chow but is only a year old. Loves green beans and carrots. Don’t tell anyone but eats what we do. Loves fruits

Author: Linwood M.

Likes: 0


Victor dry food. They have wet food as well. Mix with sweet potato and pumpkin and blueberry

Author: Mark U.

Likes: 0


Always consult your vet before making any health changes to your shih tzu’s diet, especially if they frequently suffer from any medical issues. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog