If you’ve ever watched a Shih Tzu delicately sniff a treat, turn their head, and prance away, you know the struggle is real. Picky eating in this breed isn’t just an occasional quirk; it’s practically a royal edict. Those little “lion dogs” descend from imperial palaces and still seem to expect their snacks to be prepared by palace chefs. As 2025 rolls around, the market is flooded with “small-breed” labels that shout “Shih Tzu approved,” yet many are still too big, too crunchy, or too forgettable for a dog that weighs less than your throw pillow.
Before you fill another shopping cart with rejected nibbles, take a breath. This walk-through goes far beyond the glossy packaging. You’ll learn how a Shih Tzu’s unique anatomy drives their treat preferences, which nutritional levers bring out the flavor-loving part of their brain, and how to steer clear of the hidden fillers that leave tiny tummies rumbling. Think of the next few minutes as your private consultation with a canine nutritionist who happens to own a spoiled Shih Tzu—or three—at home.
Top 10 Dog Treats For Shih Tzu
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Healthy Breeds Shih Tzu Jerky Bites Chicken & Rice Recipe Dog Treats 5 oz
Overview: Healthy Breeds Jerky Bites deliver a 5-ounce pouch of USDA organic, bite-size chicken-and-rice morsels designed specifically for Shih Tzus, yet suitable for any small breed.
What Makes It Stand Out: Every treat is crafted in small USA batches using non-GMO, wheat-free ingredients with organic chicken as the first component, backed by a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee.
Value for Money: At roughly $3 per ounce you’re paying an artisan price, but the clean ingredient deck and breed-specific sizing justify the premium for owners prioritizing purity and training precision.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: tiny squares are ideal for repetitive rewards, no fillers that trigger allergies, genuine American sourcing. Cons: package is small and disappears quickly during heavy training sessions, cost per treat is higher than mass-produced competitors.
Bottom Line: If organic sourcing and allergy avoidance top your list, these little jerky squares are worth the splurge; just stock up if you plan extended training sessions.
2. Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Chicken Recipe Dog Treats, 25 Ounces (1 Count)
Overview: Milk-Bone’s Soft & Chewy Chicken Recipe is a well-known family favorite: 25 ounces of moist, chicken-breast-rich tidbits enriched with 12 vitamins and minerals.
What Makes It Stand Out: Over a century of brand trust plus a soft texture that appeals to seniors, puppies, and picky eaters alike, all in a recyclable flip-top tub for grab-and-go convenience.
Value for Money: Pricing is currently unavailable on this listing, but historical retail hovers under $0.40 an ounce—exceptional value for a fortified, real-meat chew sold in bulk.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: large volume lasts weeks, fortified nutrition, wide palatability. Cons: does contain corn syrup and is produced in shared facilities with wheat/soy, so extra-sensitive dogs may react.
Bottom Line: A pantry staple for most households—soft, nutritious, and budget-friendly; just verify the ingredient list if your dog has grain issues.
3. Healthy Breeds Shih Tzu Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews 60 Count
Overview: Healthy Breeds Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews offer a 60-count tin shaped like tiny hearts, formulated to deliver broad-spectrum nutrition with breed-specific branding for Shih Tzus.
What Makes It Stand Out: Vet-formulated blend combines vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; the soft texture and palatability rival treats, making pill-time obsolete.
Value for Money: At twenty-five cents per chew—roughly the cost of a decent treat—you’re essentially buying daily health insurance for a quarter a day.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: USA-made/FDA-audited sourcing, covers skin/coat, digestion, and bladder support in one chew; easy dosing. Cons: scent is stronger than plain treats; Amazon reviews note occasional dryness in transit.
Bottom Line: An effortless, tasty way to round out any diet—great for dogs already on Healthy Breeds treats looking for complementary nutrition.
4. Milk-Bone MaroSnacks Small Dog Treats With Bone Marrow, 40 Ounce Container
Overview: Milk-Bone MaroSnacks combine a crunchy biscuit shell with a genuine bone-marrow core, packaged in a generous 40-ounce jug for small to medium-sized dogs.
What Makes It Stand Out: Dual-texture delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a rich meaty center fortified with calcium; natural coloring keeps aesthetics wholesome.
Value for Money: At $0.29 an ounce the jig is economical; you’re essentially getting two treats in one—biscuit and freeze-dried marrow—for under twelve bucks.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: strong scent is a training motivator, calcium support, resealable tub. Cons: calorie-dense (one treat ≈ 21 kcal), wheat flour is main ingredient, making it unsuitable for grain-sensitive pups.
Bottom Line: Ideal for rewarding good behavior in healthy dogs who enjoy crunchy-meaty combos; skip if grain allergies are a concern.
5. Wellness Puppy Treats, Natural, Training Treat, Grain Free, Soft Lamb & Salmon (8 Ounce Bag)
Overview: Wellness Puppy Treats bring an eight-ounce pouch of grain-free, soft rewards made from lamb and salmon, engineered for growing canine minds and bodies.
What Makes It Stand Out: DHA-rich salmon supports brain development, 6-calorie pieces allow generous training repetition, and the single-protein, grain-free formula meets modern dietary sensibilities.
Value for Money: Nearly $20 per pound may seem steep, but bite-size uniformity means you actually yield more rewards per bag than heavier biscuits.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: no corn/wheat/soy, lamb ideal for novel-protein rotation, consistent softness easy to break in half. Cons: salmon scent can be intense, and greasy fingers post-handling prompt a wash.
Bottom Line: A near-perfect training tool for puppies and toy breeds; the added DHA bump is a health bonus that justifies the investment for diligent trainers.
6. Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Reward Mini Dog Treats , 4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Overview: Mini training morsels built around real meat as the first ingredient, manufactured in the USA for easy, distraction-free obedience sessions.
What Makes It Stand Out: Each 4 oz bag packs roughly 200 bite-size pieces—ideal for high-repetition clicker work—while omitting controversial preservatives like BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin.
Value for Money: At ~3¢ per treat and under $6.30 for the bag, it’s one of the most economical high-value rewards on the market pound-for-pound.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: tiny size prevents overfeeding, strong meat aroma keeps attention, resealable-ish pouch slows staleness. Cons: limited to training use (not a chewy reward), poultry flavor only, crumbles if pocket-carried too long.
Bottom Line: A no-nonsense, budget-friendly staple for repetitive training; keep a zipper bag handy so the crumbs don’t decorate your pockets.
7. Healthy Breeds Shih Tzu Jerky Bites Beef Recipe Dog Treats 5 oz
Overview: Organic beef jerky bits crafted specifically for Shih Tzus, baked in micro-batches from USDA-certified, non-GMO ingredients.
What Makes It Stand Out: Single-protein organic beef headline act, zero wheat, corn, or soy, and a company that tailors formulas down to coat type across 200 breeds.
Value for Money: $14.99 for 5 oz feels premium, yet the organic sourcing and small-batch quality provide transparent justification for the spend.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: gentle on allergy-prone pups, breakable squares suit toy mouths, America-made with purity testing. Cons: pricey per ounce, softer texture may bore power chewers, only beef flavor offered in this line.
Bottom Line: Ideal for owners prioritizing organic integrity; tear pieces smaller and the bag lasts longer than it first appears.
8. HealthyBones Chicken Breast Wrapped Natural Dog Treats for Maltese Shih Tzu and Other Small Hybrid Dogs, 9 Count
Overview: Resealable pouch holding nine individually wrapped chicken-breast rolls spiraled around a digestible core, sized for pint-sized companions.
What Makes It Stand Out: Combines 100% natural chicken breast with an inner chew stick—double the engagement—while meeting strict U.S. lab safety protocols.
Value for Money: Roughly $1 per chewy roll positions these as an affordable “weekend bonus” amid cheaper daily kibble.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: real white-meat wrap, resealable bag controls odor, moderately long lasting for tiny jaws. Cons: not calorie-light enough for repetitive training, shred-prone wrapper can leave paper bits, limited 9-count supply.
Bottom Line: Great occasional indulgence—supervise closely, then reseal tightly to deter midnight heists.
9. Breed Essentials Chicken Slims 6 oz – Shih Tzu
Overview: Breed Essentials’ ultra-premium single-ingredient chicken jerky, dehydrated into thin “slims” for Shih Tzus, yet tough enough to clean any canine’s teeth.
What Makes It Stand Out: 100% USA cage-free chicken, grain-free and additive-free, with textural crunch that doubles as a natural toothbrush.
Value for Money: Sticker shock at $82+/lb is real; paying for small-batch, boutique sourcing—cost-per-strip feels more reasonable when broken into reward crumbs.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: pure protein jackpot, crisp crunch maintains dental perks, breaks cleanly. Cons: wallet-draining price, limited stock in small outlets, dehydrate texture can splinter if pup gulps.
Bottom Line: Splurge for allergy sufferers or dental priorities; ration into shards to stretch each pricey strip back into training gold.
10. Nylabone Healthy Edibles Natural Puppy Chews Long Lasting Treats for Puppies, Roast Beef, Apple & Bacon Flavor, X-Small/Petite (3 Count)
Overview: X-Small/Petite three-pack of long-lasting edible puppy bones flavored with roast beef, apple, and bacon—designed to soothe teething mouths.
What Makes It Stand Out: Tailored for puppy digestion, triple flavor variety, and veterinarian-recommended edible construction safe for baby teeth.
Value for Money: $4.46 for three chews (~$1.49 each) lands firmly in impulse-buy territory for any new puppy parent.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Pros: USA-made, no artificial junk, satisfies natural chewing instinct, sized for tiny jaws. Cons: larger breeds demolish in minutes, contains some calorie load, not refillable like rubber Nylabones.
Bottom Line: Stock up for the crate rotation; great starter chews that graduate to tougher nylon once adult molars arrive.
Shih Tzu Palate 101: Why Fussiness Is Breed-Built
Shih Tzus were bred to sit on silken laps, not bolt down kibble like farm dogs. Their short muzzles make prolonged chewing tricky, while their reduced olfactory surface area means aroma has to concentrate fast and hit hard. Combine this with a tendency toward both brachycephalic airway syndrome and sensitive digestion, and you’ve got a pup primed to veto any treat that’s too hard, too scented, or too greasy.
Anatomy Influences Appetite: Mouth Size & Snout Shape Explained
The hallmark brachycephalic face has an undershot jaw—think bulldog in miniature—making large biscuits or thick chews awkward. Gums, not teeth, often become the primary contact point, so the ideal small-sized treat must break apart with minimal leverage. Picture the difference between biting into a cracker versus popping a Skittle in your mouth; your Shih Tzu is pleading for the Skittle scale.
Flavor Mapping: What Tastes Register on Small Tongues
Dogs have roughly one-sixth our taste bud count, but Shih Tzus amp up fat and protein receptors while downgrading bitter and acid profiles. Translation: a slightly higher fat macro (from clean sources like salmon or chicken thigh) feels luxurious, while plant-heavy, sour, or overly medicinal notes cue rejection. Keep the “oomph” in animal-based proteins and light, natural smoke flavorings.
Caloric Density: Keeping Little Waists Trim
Small bodies burn calories fast, yet Shih Tzus can balloon into porky lap-logs if every treat clock in at 10-plus calories. Aim for 3–5 calories per piece in training treats and 8–12 per dental chew. That narrow window means the treat must deliver maximum palatability per milligram—no filler grains waffling around the actual nutrients.
Allergen Sensitivities Common to Shih Tzus
Chicken, wheat, corn, and dairy flare up skin and ear issues remarkably often in this breed. Rotational proteins, novel carbs like chickpea or tapioca, and single-ingredient limited-batch formulas act like food firewalls, letting you spot triggers before full-blown allergic reactions erupt.
Texture Trials: Soft Chews vs Crunchy Tokens
Soft medallions that yield to gentle pressure spare delicate jaws and can be halved effortlessly. That said, a modest crunch encourages gum health and prolongs chew time enough for “mental satiety.” The compromise? Thin, air-dried chips that shatter into micro-crumbles instead of gravel-like bits.
Dental Considerations While Treating
Chronic tooth crowding equals tartar skyscrapers. When you fold treats into the daily ration, prioritize minimal starch (sugar precursor) plus natural enzymes like papain. Safe additions such as ground oyster shell or kelp provide gentle abrasive action without the cement-like hardness of rawhide.
Label Decoding: Ingredients to Embrace and Avoid
Lean into: named muscle proteins, omega-rich fish meals, prebiotic fibers such as pumpkin, and low-ash, low-sodium mineral blends.
Walk away from: meat “by-product meal,” generic “animal fat,” cane sugar, propylene glycol, BHA/BHT, brewers rice, and artificial dyes.
Portion Psychology: Training Without Over-Treating
Shih Tzus respond to fast micro-rewards—think slot-machine psychology. Break every treat into four “acorn bits” and reward with a dramatic “Yes!” within 1.5 seconds. Then, shuffle dry kibble into treat games so each jackpot still counts toward daily caloric ceilings.
Shelf Life & Freshness: The tiny but Critical Difference
Antioxidants like mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract keep flavor robust for 9–12 months if stored below 80 °F. Resealable pouches with one-way degassing valves are more than packaging flair; they prevent rancid fat odor that will turn aristocratic noses skyward.
DIY vs Store-Bought: Striking the Right Balance
Home-dehydrated chicken strips or mini sweet-potato coins allow ingredient control sans preservatives, but managing prep time and food-safety temps can be cumbersome. A hybrid approach—three days of commercial treats for convenience, two days of fresh snacks—often curbs boredom while tightening your budget.
Transitioning Between Treat Brands Safely
Rapid swaps can incite soft stools or “gut storms.” Lean on the 90/10 rule: 90 % of daily calories from their normal diet, 10 % from the new treat, for four consecutive days. Observe stool quality, itching, or ear odor before upping the ratio.
Vet Insights: Micro-Nutrients That Support Coat and Eye Health
Breed-specific tear-stain and dry-coat complaints respond to added lutein, zeaxanthin, and borage or evening-primrose GLA oils. Supplements hidden inside treat matrices rather than squirted from droppers eliminate the daily medicine-drama in 80 % of cases.
Budgeting Your Way to Premium Bites
Divide the bag price by total calories to arrive at cost-per-calorie. Budget options often trade plant proteins for meat, dropping the “wow” factor for Shih Tzu palates—so penny-pinching can ironically increase waste. Instead, subscribe-and-save programs or multi-bundle packs with auto-ship discounts slash per-treat costs by up to 25 % while ensuring freshness.
Buying Online vs In-Person: Avoiding Counterfeit Risks
Third-party marketplaces can harbor knock-off bags with switched expiration stickers. Always verify lot codes on the manufacturer website; domes and QR holograms are bonus authenticity markers. Buying from the brand’s direct storefront or an authorized vet retailer limits exposure to shady substitutions that could trigger a gastric revolt.
Storage Hacks to Preserve Aroma & Texture
Transfer treats to a dark, glass bail jar with a silicone seal and toss in a food-grade silica packet. Avoid plastic bins that leech odors and keep batches under 30 days’ supply. Freezing single-layer medallions on a sheet tray before bagging eliminates clumping for easy portioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many treats per day are safe for my Shih Tzu without causing weight gain?
Keep total treat calories under 10 % of daily intake. For a 10-pound adult, that’s roughly 20–25 calories—usually 4–6 bite-size pieces depending on the brand.
2. Are grain-free treats automatically healthier for Shih Tzus?
Not always. Grain-free doesn’t mean carbohydrate-free; peas and lentils can still spike blood sugar if overused. Focus on ingredient quality rather than the absence of grains alone.
3. My Shih Tzu has tear stains—should I switch fish-based treats?
Fish proteins supply anti-inflammatory omega-3s that often reduce ocular discharge. Combine with filtered water and stainless-steel bowls for a multi-pronged fix.
4. Can I use cat treats in a pinch if I run out of dog treats?
Avoid it. Cat treats run higher in fat and often contain propylene glycol or a taurine spike that Shih Tzu kidneys aren’t optimized to process.
5. What’s the best way to introduce a crunchy dental treat without choking?
Hold the treat, let your dog gnaw under supervision, and remove any fragment smaller than your thumbnail. Alternatively, choose “mini” dental sizes explicitly engineered for toy breeds.
6. My puppy is six months old—do treat needs differ from adults?
Puppies need added DHA and slightly softer textures while teething. Opt for training treats labeled for “growth” and halve the usual serving size due to meal-time kibble calories.
7. How long can I freeze homemade treats while keeping nutrients intact?
Three months max in an airtight container. Vacuum-sealed bags stretch viability to six months, though aroma may decline.
8. Are human-grade ingredients worth the extra price?
Yes, especially if your Shih Tzus battles allergies. Human-grade standards limit rancid fats and cross-contamination with poor-quality meal scraps.
9. What parasite risks come with freeze-dried raw treats?
Commercial freeze-drying kills pathogens via sub-zero dehydration, but always store in a dry, cool cabinet and wash hands after handling, just in case.
10. Should I rotate treat varieties regularly to prevent boredom?
Absolutely. Rotate tri-weekly without exceeding daily calorie budgets. The novelty combats pickiness and can even reveal mild sensitivities early.