Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food - Nutrition Built Specifically for the Breed's Short Muzzle, Long Coat, and Sensitive Digestion

Shih Tzus aren't just small dogs - they're a very specific kind of small dog, with a short muzzle and underbite that make standard kibble genuinely awkward to pick up and chew, a long, continuously growing coat that needs targeted nutritional support from puppyhood, and a digestive system that benefits from highly digestible protein during the early months. A generic small breed puppy formula covers the basics. It doesn't address any of this.

Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy food is a breed-specific dry dog food developed for purebred Shih Tzu puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months of age. The kibble shape and texture are exclusively designed for the Shih Tzu's short muzzle and underbite, making it genuinely easier for puppies to pick up and chew. The formula includes an exclusive skin barrier complex with EPA, DHA, and Vitamin A to support coat growth from the start, plus highly digestible L.I.P. protein and prebiotics to support a developing digestive system and good stool quality.

Manufactured by Royal Canin South Africa, Epson Avenue, North Riding, Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Imported and marketed in India by Royal Canin India Private Limited, Lotus Corporate Park, Western Express Highway, Goregaon (East), Mumbai - 400063.

Available in three pack sizes:

Pack Size	Price	Price per 100g
1.5 kg	₹1,830	₹122
3 kg (2 x 1.5 kg)	₹3,660	₹122
4.5 kg (3 x 1.5 kg)	₹5,491	₹122

Key nutritional profile: Crude Protein - 28.0% | Crude Fat - 18.0% | Crude Fibre - 1.5% | Crude Ash - 7.6% | EPA + DHA - 3.0g per kg.

What Are the Uses and Benefits of Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food?

• This breed-specific puppy formula addresses the three things that genuinely set Shih Tzu nutrition apart from generic small breed feeding.
• An exclusively shaped kibble designed for the Shih Tzu's short muzzle and underbite is the most immediately practical feature. Standard round kibble is awkward for a Shih Tzu puppy to pick up and chew given their unique jaw structure - this formula's kibble shape and texture are specifically engineered to make eating easier and more comfortable from the very first meals on solid food.
• Skin barrier support and coat growth through an exclusive nutrient complex including EPA, DHA, and Vitamin A - plus borage oil - helps reinforce the skin's natural barrier function and supports the development of the Shih Tzu's signature long, flowing coat from puppyhood. Coat condition is one of the clearest external signs of a Shih Tzu's overall health, and this formula is built to support it from the start rather than waiting until coat problems appear.
• Immune system support during the growth window is addressed through a patented antioxidant complex including Vitamin E. The period between the decline of maternal antibody protection and full vaccination coverage is a vulnerable stretch for any puppy, and this formula's antioxidant blend is specifically included to help support the puppy's developing natural defences through it.
• Digestive health and stool quality benefit from highly digestible L.I.P. protein (protein selected specifically for its very high digestibility) combined with prebiotics (FOS) that support a balanced intestinal flora. For a small breed puppy with a developing digestive system, this combination reduces the risk of loose stools and supports more consistent digestion during the transition to solid food.
• Once your Shih Tzu puppy passes 10 months of age, the natural next step is Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Dry Dog Food, which continues the same breed-specific approach into adulthood.

How Should You Feed Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food?

• Feed according to your puppy's current weight and age, divided across 3-4 meals per day for very young puppies, gradually reducing to 2 meals per day as your puppy approaches 10 months. Always keep fresh, clean water available.
• When switching from a different puppy food, transition gradually over at least 7 days: start with 75% of the old food and 25% of the new food on day 1-2, moving to 50/50, then 75% new food, and finally 100% Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy by the end of the week. This gradual approach significantly reduces the risk of digestive upset during the switch.
• For very young puppies just starting solid food, softening the kibble slightly with warm water can make the transition from milk easier - gradually reduce the added water as your puppy's chewing ability develops.
• Always check the feeding chart on the packaging for the precise daily amount based on your puppy's current weight, and adjust as your puppy grows - Shih Tzu puppies, like all small breeds, reach their adult size relatively quickly, typically by around 9-10 months.

What Are the Key Ingredients in Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food?

• Chicken by-product meal, Brewers rice, Corn, Chicken fat, Wheat gluten, Dried plain beet pulp, Natural flavours, Fish oil, Vegetable oil, Sodium silico aluminate, Monocalcium phosphate, Potassium chloride, Calcium carbonate, Fructooligosaccharides, Sodium tripolyphosphate, Vitamins, Salt, Hydrolyzed yeast, Choline chloride, L-lysine, L-tyrosine, Marigold extract, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Trace minerals, Yucca schidigera extract, L-Carnitine, Rosemary extract.
• Chicken by-product meal and Brewers rice form the digestible protein and carbohydrate base. Chicken fat and Fish oil supply the fatty acid profile, including the EPA and DHA central to the formula's coat and skin support. Fructooligosaccharides act as a prebiotic fibre supporting healthy gut bacteria. Marigold extract is included as a natural source of antioxidant compounds supporting the immune complex. Taurine and L-Carnitine support cardiac and metabolic health. Hydrolyzed yeast is included as a source of beta-glucans, which support immune function. The full vitamin and trace mineral blend covers bone development, skin health, and overall growth requirements.

What Should You Know Before Feeding Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food?

• This formula is specifically intended for purebred Shih Tzu puppies between 8 weeks and 10 months of age. After 10 months, transition to Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult food for continued breed-specific nutrition appropriate to their adult life stage.
• Always transition gradually from a previous food over at least 7 days to minimise digestive upset.
• Store in a cool, dry place, and seal the bag tightly after opening to maintain freshness - small breed formulas with smaller bag sizes are still best protected from humidity and air exposure between feedings.
• Fresh, clean drinking water must always be available alongside dry food.

What If You Need to Adjust Portions as Your Puppy Grows?

• Shih Tzu puppies grow quickly relative to large breeds and typically reach close to their adult size by 9-10 months - reassess your puppy's weight and adjust the daily feeding amount every few weeks during this period, referencing the feeding chart on the packaging.
• If your puppy skips a meal occasionally, simply continue with the next scheduled feeding - don't double up. If a Shih Tzu puppy refuses food for more than 24 hours or shows reduced appetite alongside other symptoms, contact your vet promptly, since small breed puppies can be more vulnerable to rapid energy depletion than larger breeds.

What Are Some Similar Small Breed Puppy Foods Available on Supertails?

If Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy food is unavailable or you'd like to compare other small breed and Shih Tzu-suitable options, here are alternatives on Supertails:

Product	Notes
Royal Canin Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food	General small breed puppy formula, suitable for Shih Tzus under 10kg adult weight
Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult Dog Dry Food	The adult formula to transition to after 10 months
Royal Canin Mini Adult Dog Dry Food	General small breed adult option

What Are Some Quick Tips for Feeding Your Shih Tzu Puppy?

• Watch the kibble size and shape when introducing this food for the first time - the breed-specific kibble is genuinely designed for the Shih Tzu jaw structure, so most puppies take to it more easily than a generic round kibble, but give your puppy a few meals to adjust to anything new.
• Keep an eye on tear staining and coat condition over the first few weeks. The EPA, DHA, and Vitamin A in this formula are specifically included to support skin barrier function and coat health - visible improvement in coat shine and texture typically becomes noticeable within a few weeks of consistent feeding.
• Brush your Shih Tzu puppy's coat regularly alongside good nutrition. Diet supports the coat from the inside, but the Shih Tzu's long hair still needs daily brushing to prevent matting, regardless of how good the food is.
• Reassess portions every 2-3 weeks during the growth period. Shih Tzu puppies gain weight relatively quickly in the early months, and the feeding amount needs to track that change rather than staying fixed.
• Plan the transition to adult food around the 10-month mark, not before. Switching to an adult formula too early can shortchange a still-growing puppy on the nutrients this puppy-specific formula is designed to provide.

You Might Also Be Interested In...

• The full Shih Tzu food collection on Supertails brings together dry kibble, wet food, and treats specifically suited to the breed, across multiple brands.
• The Royal Canin dog food collection has the complete Royal Canin range - from breed-specific formulas to life-stage and prescription diets - for browsing alongside this product.
• The dog puppy food collection covers puppy formulas across all breed sizes and brands for comparison.
• For coat and skin support beyond diet, the skin and coat supplements collection has additional Omega-based options worth discussing with your vet, particularly useful for Shih Tzus prone to tear staining or skin sensitivity.

Nutrition That Understands What Makes a Shih Tzu a Shih Tzu

A Shih Tzu puppy's short muzzle, growing coat, and developing digestion aren't generic small-dog traits - they're specific, breed-defining characteristics that deserve food formulated around them, not just sized for them. Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy food was built with exactly this precision: a kibble shape made for that underbite, a skin and coat complex made for that signature long hair, and digestible protein made for a puppy's still-developing gut.

Available in 1.5 kg, 3 kg, and 4.5 kg packs. Shop Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Food on Supertails and get it delivered to your door.

FAQs

Is Royal Canin good for Shih Tzu puppies?

Yes - Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy is specifically formulated for purebred Shih Tzu puppies between 8 weeks and 10 months of age, addressing the breed's distinct jaw structure, coat development needs, and digestive sensitivity. The breed-specific kibble shape, EPA/DHA-enriched skin barrier complex, and highly digestible L.I.P. protein make it one of the most precisely targeted puppy foods available for this breed in India.

Which brand of dog food is the healthiest for a Shih Tzu?

Royal Canin is the most consistently recommended brand by veterinarians for Shih Tzus in India, largely because of its breed-specific formulation approach rather than generic small-breed feeding. The Shih Tzu Puppy and Shih Tzu Adult formulas are designed around the breed's actual physical characteristics - the underbite-adapted kibble shape, coat-support nutrients, and digestive health focus - rather than simply being a small-kibble version of a general dog food.

How much Royal Canin should I feed my Shih Tzu puppy?

The exact daily amount depends on your puppy's current weight and age, detailed in the feeding chart on the packaging. As a general approach, divide the total daily amount across 3-4 smaller meals for puppies under 4 months, reducing to 2 meals per day as they approach 10 months. Reassess the amount every 2-3 weeks as your puppy grows, since Shih Tzus reach close to adult size relatively quickly.

Why choose Royal Canin for my Shih Tzu?

Royal Canin's Shih Tzu formula is built specifically around three breed-defining traits: the short muzzle and underbite (addressed through an exclusively shaped kibble), the long, continuously growing coat (supported through an EPA, DHA, and Vitamin A skin barrier complex), and digestive sensitivity common in toy breeds (managed through highly digestible L.I.P. protein and prebiotics). This level of breed-specific precision is harder to find in generic small breed puppy foods, which is why it's the most widely vet-recommended choice for this breed in India.