Have you ever been eating a banana only for your Shih Tzu to look at you expecting a piece?
Have you ever fed your Shih Tzu a banana, and is it good for them?
In this article, we tell you if it’s ok to feed your Shih Tzu a banana and some other nutritional options.
Can Shih Tzu Eat Bananas?
There are numerous reasons why every dog owner should be aware of the fruits that your Shih Tzu pup can digest.
Also, fruits are just as important in a canine’s diet as they are for human beings.
Fruits are supplements full of vitamins and antioxidants.
Fruits are also a low-calorie food, which makes them an amazing addition as well as value to the meals.
They also have the ability to be taken in instead of other high-calorie items. The ingredients in a fruit-rich diet will boost the level of energy that your little friend has.
Fruits are a rich source of fiber as well. Glucose can be extremely harmful if taken in large quantities. The best course of certain sugars, such as fructose, is fruits. They have exhibited no attributed increase in weight.
Keeping all of this in mind, we might feel fruits are the way to go in any situation.
However, we have to know which are the fruits that carry the most benefits for Shih Tzus and which you should not include in their diets.
The best serving size for bananas to a Shih Tzu is normally ⅓ of a banana.
This piece of fruit will amount to 35 calories in total. You can mash it up and mix it in with the kibble. It is a trick that works well with Shih Tzus, who are picky eaters. The bananas can be cut into slices and served as well.
A handy tip when it comes to wasting the rest of the banana is to peel only as much as you have to give to the Shih Tzu. Leave the rest unpeeled and use it later.
Health Benefits Of Eating A Banana
There are multiple nutritious benefits associated with eating bananas. The health benefits of making this particular fruit a part of your Shih Tzu diet plan are immense.
Bananas are a great choice when it comes to adding fruit to your little canine’s meals. Bananas can even be given to a Shih Tzu as a snack.
They are packed with vitamin C, which is essential to keep the bones strong. Furthermore, bananas are high in vitamin B-6, magnesium, and potassium.
All of these sources combined make for a vital mix of essential supplements. Potassium, in particular, has a key role to play in numerous areas of the body. It helps make your Shih Tzu’s health better in the following ways:
- Enhances the proper functioning of the kidneys
- Works on improving nerve function
- Improves control of the muscles
- Supports the heart
Bananas also tend to be an amazing source of circumventing bladder infections in the Shih Tzu. They are great for your dog as they will boost their immune systems, which will help them fight infections meaning your dog will not get sick as often.
Furthermore, bananas also help Shih Tzus with proper bone formation in younger puppies.
Bananas are also a fruit that is quite low in sodium content. Generally, all fruits fall into this group.
With them being high in antioxidants, they can be very useful in preventing a few sorts of cancers as well.
Not only are bananas good for the internal systems of the Shih Tzu. They will also help make the little dog’s coat silky and shiny.
Fruits are actually recommended by professionals instead of fatty, salty treats. If your Shih Tzu ever has any gastrointestinal issues, this fruit is also high in fiber, which will help them relieve the problem.
The Ideal Diet For A Shih Tzu
A healthy diet is a crucial way of prolonging the life of your Shih Tzu. this is why you should gain some insights into the best forms of dog food. Also, the dietary requirements may vary for the Shih Tzu as they age.
A few of the most recommended foods that you should make a part of your dog’s diet are:
- Organs (liver, heart)
- Fish
- White chicken meat
- Lamb
- Blueberries
- Sweet potato
- Green beans
- Sweet peas
As a dog owner, you should be aware of which foods to feed at certain age levels. The diet plan that you follow for your canine should contain a mix of meats, vegetables, beans, and fruit.
A hidden benefit of integrating fruits into your Shih Tzus diet is that you can put in certain fruits if it is a picky eater. It will push the puppy or an older dog to finish their food.
The best diet for a Shih Tzu is one that is made with regard to the physique of the dog in mind. The amount of food that you should give to a Shih Tzu is dependent on some factors, such as:
- Their Age
- Their Activity Level
- Their metabolism
- Their build
A core factor that we need to balance with the quality of the meal is how much food the dog is eating. The suggested amount of food for a Shih Tzu every day is ½ cup to 1 cup of good standard dry food. Another factor is the difference in the calorie counts of various foods you give to your dog.
Normally you should provide your puppy with an ounce of food per pound of their body weight.
An adult Shih Tzu, however, must be given ½ ounce of food for every pound of their body weight. It is the main reason attributing to why puppies with a higher activity level require more calories to grow.
Feeding Tips For Shih Tzu Dogs
As Shih Tzus are on the smaller side of their category, it creates doubts in their owners’ minds about what to feed them. Also, this dog has an unpredictable streak of eating behavior.
This pattern makes it challenging to narrow down any one specific diet plan.
In comparison to the other toy breeds, the Shih Tzu breed eats a vast amount of food. Shih Tzus have erratic behavior when it comes to accepting food. Some might be finicky, but some will eat with an open heart.
It is extremely important to provide your dogs with quality meals. It will not only make sure your dog remains healthy but also that they stay in shape.
Another core tip you must follow is consistently checking your dog’s weight. A healthy and normal Shih Tzu dog has a weight between the range of 10-16 pounds. You can also take your dog to the vet and have them correctly weigh them.
Also, when purchasing food for your dog, read and evaluate the ingredients. Make sure you are careful about the portion size that is being given to the dog. This amount has to be calculated based on the weight of the animal.
Things Never To Feed A Shih Tzu Dog
There is a list of items that your dog should never ever taste in their life, as human beings are highly cognizant of what we put into our bodies.
We know exactly what it is that we should eat in order to remain healthy. And, we should follow the same level of commitment and show just as much concern for our dogs.
We have the liberty to choose what we eat, but our dogs do not have this option. As a pet owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your dog’s health is protected.
Alongside a healthy and balanced diet routine, you also face the accountability for ensuring that you do not ingest the wrong things.
A common misconception for us is that we think that all the food that is healthy for us must be healthy for a dog as well. That is different in many scenarios. It is why we need to arm ourselves with knowledge of the food items that are beneficial for our dogs and what are not.
There are some food items that are on the no-no list for dogs. These products could potentially be life-threatening for these animals. Some of the core foods that should be avoided at all costs include the following ones:
- Chocolate
- Avocados
- Onions and Garlic
- Grapes and Raisins
- Milk and other Dairy Products
- Macadamia Nuts
- Sugary foods and drinks
- Caffeine
- Yeast Dough
- Salt
When you have this list in mind, you should be able to look out for the foods that have the ability to make your little puppy sick.
Although keep in mind that just as some foods have different effects on different people, this could be the scenario with dogs as well.
Conclusion: What To Feed Your Shih Tzu
You have heard how an excess of anything is bad. Even though the general outlook of bananas is that they contain all healthy elements, however, be cautious when you start to feed your dog the banana. It is possible they might be allergic to the fruit.
Arm yourself with the knowledge of the signs of an allergic reaction and look out for them when you start to include this fruit in your Shih Tzu diet. A key point to note is that you should not feeds your Shih Tzu dogs a large quantity of food with potassium for kidney diseases.
There are many foods that can make your dog sick. Be aware of the telltale signs of allergic reactions as well to ensure no emergency situations happen. Signs of a poisonous or allergic reaction in dogs include the following:
- Vomiting
- Muscle shakes
- Fever
- Intense scratching
- Weakness in the limbs
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
- Sluggishness
If your Shih Tzu starts to show any of these signs, the best course of action is to consult with a veterinarian as soon as possible. When you put your dog on a balanced diet and take in food that is good for its immune system, you will physically see how happy they are.
By avoiding such food items, your dog will immediately be content. Your tiny little friend is bound to shower you with love and affection when they follow an overall healthy diet and exercise regimen.
A Shih Tzu is a very affectionate and loving dog. They tend to be extremely loyal companions to their owners front their entire life. Shih Tzus love spending time in their owners’ laps and running around outside. Their infectious energy will light up every corner of your house.
