Shih Tzu Feeding Calculator
Get your Shih Tzu's portions right — calculated for their weight, life stage, and the exact food in your bag. Because the chart on the bag doesn't know your dog.
Values auto-fill from the food you pick. Can't find yours? Choose “My food isn't listed” in the search and copy the numbers from the bag's Calorie Content (ME) label — dry foods typically run 3,300–4,200 kcal/kg.
Shih Tzu feeding notes
A grown Shih Tzu eats a surprisingly small amount — a 5 kg neutered adult needs only about 350 kcal per day (RER 220 × 1.6), so one extra handful of kibble or a daily dental chew can quietly push a healthy dog toward obesity. Keep portions weighed and treats under 10% of daily calories; extra weight makes brachycephalic (flat-faced) breathing harder and worsens heat tolerance.
Shih Tzu puppy growth chart — male & female
Healthy weight ranges by age. A puppy slightly lean is healthier than slightly heavy — especially for growing dogs.
♂ Male
| Age | Range (kg) |
|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1.7 – 2.2 |
| 3 mo | 3 – 3.7 |
| 4 mo | 4 – 4.9 |
| 5 mo | 4.7 – 5.7 |
| 6 mo | 5.3 – 6.4 |
| 8 mo | 5.8 – 6.9 |
| 12 mo | 6.2 – 7.3 |
| 18 mo | 4.1 – 7.3 |
♀ Female
| Age | Range (kg) |
|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1.7 – 2.2 |
| 3 mo | 3 – 3.7 |
| 4 mo | 4 – 4.9 |
| 5 mo | 4.7 – 5.7 |
| 6 mo | 5.3 – 6.4 |
| 8 mo | 5.8 – 6.9 |
| 12 mo | 6.2 – 7.3 |
| 18 mo | 4.1 – 7.3 |
Reference: Weight: AKC breed stats (9-16 lb, single range for both sexes, so growthFemale mirrors growth; KC/FCI standard 4-7.5 kg cross-checked via Wikipedia); growth midpoints per small-breed developmental ratios (estimate); BAOS: UFAW; lifespan: McMillan et al. 2024. Always confirm against your vet's assessment — individual lines vary.
Feeding guide by growth stage
Meal frequency and food type for a growing Shih Tzu:
| Age | Meals | Food type | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–12 weeks | 3–4 × daily | puppy formula | Soak kibble warm water 10 min if still soft; weigh weekly. |
| 3–6 months | 3 × daily | puppy formula | Peak growth — feed to the chart, never free-feed; keep puppy lean. |
| 6–12 months | 2 × daily | puppy formula | Growth slows; reduce portions if ribs get hard to feel. |
| → adult (10–12 months) | 2 × daily | adult formula | Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing adult food. |
Shih Tzu milestones
What happens when — eyes, teeth, maturity, and when hard exercise is safe:
Frequently asked questions
How much should a Shih Tzu weigh?
AKC breed stats give 9–16 lb (4.1–7.3 kg) for an adult Shih Tzu — the same range applies to both sexes. If your Shih Tzu weighs over 16 lb and you cannot feel the ribs with light finger pressure, it is likely overweight; the target is a body condition score of 4–5 out of 9.
How many calories does a Shih Tzu need per day?
Not many. Using RER = 70 × kg^0.75, a 5 kg neutered adult needs about 375 kcal per day (RER 234 × 1.6). For a dog this small, a single 30 g dental chew can exceed 10% of daily calories, so every treat has to be counted against the ration.
When is a Shih Tzu fully grown, and when should I switch to adult food?
Shih Tzu puppies reach most of their adult weight by 8–10 months and are essentially mature at 12 months, so switch to adult food at 10–12 months, transitioning over 7–10 days. A small-breed formula with smaller kibble is easier for their short muzzles to pick up and chew.
Is my Shih Tzu overweight, and why does it matter?
Check monthly: ribs palpable with light pressure, a visible waist from above, and a slight tuck from the side. Obesity is especially risky in this breed because the flat face (brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, documented in UFAW breed welfare material) already limits breathing efficiency, and extra fat worsens exercise and heat tolerance.
How long do Shih Tzus live?
A 2024 UK study of companion dogs (McMillan et al., Scientific Reports) found a life expectancy of 12.8 years for the breed — slightly above the all-breed average. Keeping them lean is one of the few proven levers owners have: lean-fed dogs in the Purina lifespan study (Kealy et al., 2002) lived about 1.8 years longer.