Shih Tzu Expert

Here You can find everything about Shih Tzu dogs. Best dog Food, Grooming tips and advice, Training and Health issues of Shih Tzu and other small breed dogs

  • Food
  • Health
  • Dog Grooming
    • Dog Clippers
    • Other Grooming Tools
    • Grooming Products
    • Grooming Tips
  • Dog Safety
    • GPS Dog Collars
    • GPS Dog Fences
    • In ground dog fences
    • Wireless Dog Fences
  • Dog Training
  • About

Low Fat Dog Food Is this another Fad Diet? or does it have Real Benefits?

By Elma | Last Updated May 12, 2020

We may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Simply copying your Weight watchers diet plan, for Low Fat Dog Food will simply not work!!!
If the need arises to make changes to your Shih Tzu’s diet, your vet may talk with you about choosing a food with lower fat content than your normal brand. It is important to talk any dietary changes over with your vet prior to changing anything.

Low Fat Dog Food Options

Contents

  • 1 Why your Shih Tzu might need a low fat food
  • 2 Fat content by food group
  • 3 What is the best form of low fat diet to follow?
  • 4 What ingredients to avoid
  • 5 What ingredients to seek out
  • 6 How much to feed
  • 7 Feeding habits
  • 8 Transitioning a new food

Why your Shih Tzu might need a low fat food

The usual reason for feeding a low fat diet is in response to some type of medical disorder. In a healthy animal, fat is a much needed and integral part of the diet. There are three main reasons why you may need to start Fido on a low fat food:

  • Pancreatitis

This painful condition causes the pancreas to become inflamed and reduces its effectiveness in assisting the digestive system to work properly. It also makes digesting fat extremely difficult.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include dehydration, unusual heartbeat or arrhythmia, lethargy, vomiting, appetite loss, fever, laboured breathing, and stomach pain. Certain breeds are more prone to this condition than others are. It is most common in schnauzers and older dogs carrying around extra weight. By reducing the intake of fat, your dog’s pancreas will have time to rest and heal.
  • Obesity

We all love to make our pets happy by feeding them special treats. Just look down the aisles of a pet store – treats account for billions of dollars in global sales annually. Unfortunately, when we feed them the wrong way we are contributing to weight gain and encouraging unhealthy habits.

An extra pound or two is not such a big deal. However, when the weight gain becomes extreme it leads to a ton of other problems such as joint issues, high-blood pressure, high-cholesterol, and pancreatitis.

  • Tummy sensitivities

Certain dogs are like humans – they have a stomach that is more sensitive than normal. This is normally not difficult to notice, since there will be plenty of messes to give you some clues.

One of the first things a vet will suggest is a reduction in your Shih Tzus intake of fat. Even though fat is needed in the diet, it is difficult to digest in general, more so than even protein. When there is too much floating around the stomach will start to rebel, making a low fat food virtually crucial.

Fat content by food group

When a conclusion has been reached that your pet’s intake of fat needs a slight decrease, you can follow a standard rule of thumb!

Fat content by food group

Dry dog foods usually have the lowest amounts of overall fat (10-15%), raw food diets have the greatest amounts of fat (20-30%), and wet dog food falls in the middle, (25-15%). These are simply guidelines. Every brand has options that are higher and lower than the approximated percentages listed above.

There is a large variety of brand choices featuring low fat on the shelves of any pet store. For the breed as a whole, Shih Tzus commonly experience sensitive tummies. If your Shih-Tzu is one who suffers from a severe case of digestive upset, it may be worth considering purchasing your low fat food directly from the vet. This way you have the peace of mind in knowing you have made the best choice for your pup’s particular needs.

What is the best form of low fat diet to follow?

What is the best form of low fat diet

This is a question with no simple answer. Several factors come into play when deciding to choose dry, wet, or raw diets, and price is only one consideration.

  • Raw food

The raw food diet is most expensive (Please Refer to this for a list of the best cheap dog food). This depends upon the protein source you are using and whether you plan to purchase from your local butcher, or if you are a hunter able to provide fresh meat year round. Obviously, it would be more cost-effective if you were using venison or rabbit that you killed yourself as opposed to paying exorbitant grocer’s prices. Certain proteins are less costly than others so if you want to feed a raw food diet and still cut costs, look towards pork or beef.

Preparing a raw food diet takes a certain amount of work every few days. You will have the meat to get ready, vegetables and/or grains to cook, and ensure you have the proper amount of space to store the food. Small amounts keep well in the refrigerator for two or three days. If you want to prepare large batches at a time – say enough for a month or so, you will need plenty of freezer space. Since Shih Tzus are a small breed dog, they will not consume pounds of food at one sitting. The best way to store your food is to place it in high-quality freezer bags, remove the excess air, and flatten the bag so that it will stack easily.
  • Wet food

Wet, or canned food, has excellent options in the low fat category. There is no skimping on taste either, since the flavour options range from pheasant to filet mignon. This is often the best option for senior dogs that have dental problems or difficulties with chewing and swallowing.

The price of brands varies greatly from budget to premium. This allows even those on a strict budget to find a decent quality food to feed their Shih Tzu without breaking the bank.

Keep in mind that adding water or unsalted broth into your pooch’s dry food bowl to make a gravy-like consistency can also be considered wet food.

  • Dry food

It is truly astonishing to walk down the aisles of dog food in a pet store. Everywhere you look, there is something new to draw your attention. Marketing professionals have done their jobs well, since we usually cannot make a decision without getting some assistance after frustration levels rise.

Dry low fat dog food comes in varieties such as grain-free, gluten-free, low-carb, high-carb, organic, and a host of others. The proteins vary as well. Some label checking will have you finding ingredients like alligator, elk, and even caribou. Unbelievably, my dogs eat better than I do!

Price points for dry dog food are all over the board. Since you should be looking to choose a food containing no artificial preservatives, purchase a bag size you will go through quickly in order to preserve freshness.

As always, if you are unsure whether a certain food is appropriate for your Shih Tzu, speak with your vet to voice your concerns.

What ingredients to avoid

What ingredients to avoid

When it comes to avoiding ingredients, follow this simple rule: If you cannot pronounce it, put it back! A complete list of what to avoid is a book all its own, but practice learning how to read labels and keep your eye out for the following:

  • Artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives
  • White flour
  • MSG
  • Gluten
  • Meat and meat meal
  • BHT/BHA
  • Xylitol or other sugar alcohol
  • Salt
  • Soy
  • Nitrates
  • Farmed salmon
  • Sodium tripolyphosphate (STTP)
  • Propylene glycol
  • Animal by-products and animal digest
  • Rendered fat
  • Sodium hexametaphosphate
  • Corn
  • Potato products
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Cellulose
  • Grape pomace

What ingredients to seek out

What ingredients to seek out

The good news is that there are plenty of good ingredients to look for in your choice of Shih Tzu food. Some of the best ones to watch for include:
  • Carrots, peas, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, lettuce, asparagus, sweet potatoes, or green beans
  • Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, winter squash, pumpkin, dark leafy greens
  • Oatmeal
  • Real meat – beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, duck, bison, etc.
  • Whole grain brown rice
  • Eggs
  • Cottage cheese
  • Banana, apricots, apple, mango, cranberries, blueberry, pineapple, pear, orange, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, or raspberries
  • Coconut oil

How much to feed

The amount of food your Shih Tzu receives will depend largely on your pooch and their weight. The general guideline is to feed approximately 30 grams of food for each kilo of body weight in an adult dog. Senior dogs expend less energy so around 20 – 25 grams per kilo is a good number. Puppies require roughly double the amount an adult needs to meet their optimal growth requirements. Keep in mind that these are just estimates. Check with your vet for exact feeding instructions.

Feeding habits

Along with their predilection for obesity, Shih Tzus can be extremely fussy about what they put in their mouths. So the intention is to find that delicate balance where your pup is not being overfed but is still receiving the proper amount of nutrients for its age.

Break meals down into two or three small offerings daily. If it seems like your pooch is looking for more food, present them with premium quality snacks in between meals to tide them over.

Transitioning a new food

Transitioning a new food

Whenever you make any changes to your Shih Tzus diet, it should be done slowly and gradually. Simply jumping right in will cause stomach distress more often than it will not.

Begin by mixing small amounts of the new food in with the current brand you use. This gives your dog time to get used to the new texture and taste. Over the span of two or three weeks, add the new food in increasing quantities and reduce the amount of old food. As long as they continue to tolerate the change well, finish by removing the old food completely.

Try experimenting with different formulations and flavours of low fat dog food to see what your Shih Tzu prefers. Ask your vet for recommendations and speak with other owners to get their opinions.

Lastly, remember not to jump back into a high fat diet all at once. If your vet decides that your pooch can increase their levels of fat, make sure to transition them all over again. Happy tummy, happy Shih Tzu!

 

More Shih Tzu Related Awesomeness

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Low Fat Dog Food

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dog Grooming Tools

Best Dog Dryers

Best Dog Dryers : Things to think about before purchasing!

Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair

Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair [Pet Safe]

Best Dog Clippers

7 Best Dog Clippers for Professional use 2021 [Ultimate Guide]

Best Dog Clippers for Poodles

Best Dog Clippers for Poodles 2021 [Safe & Easy to Use]

Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzu

12 Best Dog Clippers for Shih Tzu 2021 [Fun & Easy Grooming]

How to find the best brush for Shih Tzu

How to find the best brush for Shih Tzu — it’s Easier than you think!

Dog Grooming Products

Andis Pulse ZR II 5-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper

Andis Pulse ZR II 5-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper

Most Popular

How Long Does it Take for a Dog to Digest and Absorb a Heartworm Pill?

Is It Okay To Bathe My Dog In The Afternoon?

Dog Food

A Detailed Guide To Understand Everything About Dry Dog Food

Why Is My Dog Suddenly Suspicious Of Its Food?

8 Week Old Puppy Always Hungry

Pet Safety & Training

why does my dog kick his back legs?

Why is my Dog So Cuddly All Of A Sudden?

  • About The Shih Tzu Expert and the Team!
  • Contact us
  • Terms of Services
  • Privacy Policy
  • How We Review
  • Dog Clippers
  • Wireless Dog Fences

This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to
Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

Privacy Policy

You can contact me at adam@shihtzuexpert.com

Disclaimer

We  shihtzuexpert.com do not intend to provide veterinary advice!.Even in our veterinary approved articles! Our comprehensive and well researched articles are for information purposes only.  Please always seek advice from your own veterinarian for any medical, health issues etc

 

Copyright © 2022 · ShihTzuExpert.com, All Rights Reserved. DMCA.com Protection Status