27 Best Shih Tzu Dog Food to Manage Allergies (in 2023)

Shih-Tzu dogs are just one of many breeds prone to allergies.

Unfortunately, allergies can really diminish quality of life over time.

Excessive itching in one spot can cause the skin to crack and break open leaving the dog vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections.

Dogs with food allergies can feel it in their skin and through the gastrointestinal system. What you’re left with is a miserable dog and worried pet owners. 

Every dog breed has unique nutritional needs that a one-size-fits-all diet cannot address. This post is designed to help you narrow down the best Shih Tzu dog foods to manage allergies.

Some of the food choices are designed specifically for small or toy breeds of all types and some may specifically be recommended for the Shih Tzu.

If you have trouble finding food specifically made for Shih Tzus, the next best option is to target brands designed for toy breed dogs.

Why Dogs Develop Allergies

It’s easy to find lists of dog breeds most likely to develop allergies, but the reality is allergies can affect any dog. The most common types of allergies in dogs are:

• Flea allergy
• Canine atopic dermatitis,
• Specific foods (soy, wheat, dairy, beef, and sometimes poultry)
• Environmental irritants (pollen, dust, mold, grass)

Allergies occur in dogs for the same reason they occur in people. It’s a dysfunctional immune response where the body misreads the substance as an intruder. 

When the allergen enters the dog’s body (through the nose, digestive system, or through touch) it triggers an antibody response. The antibodies attach themselves to mast cells which then release excessive histamine. 

Unfortunately, histamines cause the symptoms of allergies we’re all familiar with. This includes sneezing, itchy eyes, itchy skin, difficulty breathing, and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Signs & Symptoms of Shih Tzu Allergies

Allergies in dogs tend to present through the skin (dermatitis) or through the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting and diarrhea).

Signs of Allergies in Dogs Include:

• Itching around the ears and paws
• Extreme itch at the base of the tail
• Red, inflamed skin
• Scabs on the skin
• Red, itchy eyes
• Facial swelling
• Excessive licking 
• Chewing on parts of the body
• Frequent sneezing or wheezing
• Hair Loss
• Swelling or lumps
• Hot spots (areas where the itching is extreme)
• Hives
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• In severe cases anaphylaxis can occur

Detecting and Diagnosing Allergies in Dog

Identifying allergies in dogs is easier than determining the cause(s) of those allergies. 

Identifying the cause of an allergy can seem like a moving target because most dogs with allergies are allergic to more than one thing. Allergens are complex and change as the dog’s environment changes.

Testing a Shih Tzu for Allergies

It’s important to bring your little Shih Tzu to a licensed veterinarian for an appropriate diagnosis before assuming he/she has a food allergy. 

There are a number of ways a veterinarian can check for allergies including:

RAST (radioallergosorbent) Testing

This type of blood test is used primarily in humans, but can be used in pets to determine allergies. This particular test looks for antigen-induced antibodies in the dog’s blood. 

Blood is tested for a reaction to pollen, dust, molds, etc. They can also test for reactions against specific foods and contact allergies. Unfortunately, there are many false positives with this kind of testing. For that reason, it’s not entirely reliable.

ELISA Blood Testing

The ELISA test is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that is very similar to the RAST test. For this, a small amount of antigen is injected into the skin. The area is then observed for signs of reaction. 

These tests were designed for use on humans and have been found not to be entirely accurate in pets.

Intradermal Allergy Test

This usually involves shaving a patch of fur and administering an injection of small amounts of potential allergens. 

The veterinarian will likely do a physical examination while checking for secondary skin infections. He/she will want to rule out other possibilities for the symptoms including:

Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear canal. The ear canal is the perfect place to trap moisture, and that is where bacteria thrive.

Yeast Infections in Dogs 

Yeast is a naturally occurring substance on the skin, but sometimes (for reasons unknown) the skin produces too much yeast. At this point, the skin can become itchy and smelly. 

This condition is also known as yeast dermatitis or Malassezia dermatitis and is very common in dogs. Clinical signs of A yeast infection in dogs include:

• Itchy and red skin
• Musty odor on the skin
• Crusty, flaky skin
• Thickening of the skin
• Dark pigmentation
• Chronic ear infections

Fleas/Mites

Fleas and mites are two different things, but they both cause excessive itching. The more your dog itches, the worse the skin becomes. If you have a Shih Tzu with fleas, you’re probably going to notice long before you bring him/her to the veterinarian.

Mites, however, can’t be seen by the naked eye. Mites are microscopic spider-like parasites that can wreak havoc on the skin. Shih Tzu puppies who haven’t built a strong immune system are more likely to succumb to mites.

The treatment for mites is usually a combination of cleaning and medication. Your veterinarian may recommend a medicated rinse and an antiparasitic ointment.

Fleas are a little more difficult to get rid of and involve ongoing treatment (for example, a topical monthly application) that eventually stops the entire flea cycle. Flea larvae cannot be killed. However, once they hatch and move from the pupae to adult stage, medicine will kill them off.

For this reason, it’s important to continue monthly flea protection through the year.

Ringworms

Ringworms in the Shih Tzu aren’t likely unless your dog has been in contact with other humans or animals with the same condition.

Oral or topical medication is usually the solution.

How to Do An Elimination Diet 

The trick to a successful elimination diet is duration. You can expect at least a 90% success rate if you extend the diet for at least 8 weeks. 

Before getting started, there are a few things to consider when using commercial diets to narrow down specific food allergies. 

Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

When shopping for dog food, look for products specifically designed for dogs with allergies. Some brands of dog food (although perfectly acceptable for most dogs) should have only one novel type of protein and one novel carbohydrate. 

Always check the ingredients for any additional ingredients. Anything “extra” won’t be appropriate for an elimination diet.

Remove Other Sources of Dog Food

Elimination diets have to be strictly followed in order to produce the results you want. Well-meaning people may want to offer your dog a treat but don’t let them. This also means no table-scraps or food toppers.

Research the Dog Food Company

It only takes a few minutes to do a quick online search to find out whether a company certifies their dog food is 100% hypoallergenic. Keep in mind that many commercial plants process a variety of foods that are not all designed for dogs with allergies. 

You may only get trace amounts of cross-contamination but, depending on your dog’s sensitivities, it could impact the overall results of the elimination diet.

Some dogs are allergic to proteins found in dog food. The most common food sources known to cause skin reactions in dogs:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Soy
• Eggs
• Dairy

Best Dog Food For Shih Tzu Allergies

The following list was chosen from a variety of manufacturers. Every effort was made to choose dog foods specific to toy breeds or small breeds like the Shih Tzu, Yorkie, etc.

Trying new food can require some trial and error. It’s always a good idea to gradually add new food to the dog’s diet. However, if your dog has severe allergies, your veterinarian may suggest an alternative.

Have a look at these top-rated food choices, read the ingredients, and decide which one you think will most suit your dog’s needs.

1. Raw Wild Dog Food

2. Darwin’s Intelligent Design Dog Food For Special Diets

3. Carna4 Easy Chew Small Breed Fish Grain Free Dry Dog Food

4. Fromm Pate Grain Free Lamb and Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food

5. RAWZ Chicken Dog Food

6. ORIJEN High-Protein, Grain-Free Premium Quality Meat, Dry Dog Food

7. Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Dry Dog Food

8. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Small & Mini Breeds, Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe

9. Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food with a Trio of Proteins from Chicken

10. NutriSource Small and Medium Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula

11. FROMM Gold Small Breed Adult

12. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food, Grain Free

13. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Small Paws for Small Breeds

14. Instinct Small Breed Dog Food, Original Recipe Grain Free Wet Dog Food Canned

15. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food, Chicken

16. IAMS Proactive Health Puppy Dry Dog Food

17. Zignature Limited Ingredient Lamb Formula Dry Dog Food

18. Diamond Naturals Lamb & Rice Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

19. Purina ONE SmartBlend Natural Sensitive Systems, Limited Ingredient Formulas

20. ACANA Limited Ingredient Diet Singles with High Protein, Complete Nutrition, Digestive Health

21. Gentle Snackers Dog Treats – Can Be Given to Dogs with Food Allergies

22. Wellness Simple limited ingredient diet grain-free small breed salmon and potato formula

23. Honest Kitchen Proper Toppers Grain Free Fish

24. Fromm Four Star Nutritionals Salmon Tunalini Dog Food

25. Royal Canin Shih Tzu Puppy Breed Specific Dry Dog Food, 2.5 Pounds Bag

26. FROMM Digestive Support Whitefish Formula for Dogs

27. AvoDerm Small Breed

Making the Best Food Choice For Your Shih Tzu

At the end of the day, it’s about finding the right food for your dog. Just like people, dog’s have complicated needs. Pet owners who own Shih Tzu dogs with allergies report using various options with good results.

It may take a little trial-and-error to find the perfect food for your little dog. Make sure to ask a veterinarian for suggestions. They know your dog and may be able to get your allergic dog on the right track in no time.

Thank you for reading this post. I hope you were able to find what you needed. Please take a second to share!

Sources:

ALLERGY.org.au

Lisa Theriault