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Many Shih Tzu dad and mom are turning to one of the best uncooked pet food manufacturers for Shih Tzus for his or her pet’s dietary wants. Kibble may be the handy choice, however it usually lacks the protein and vitamins that canines profit from. Uncooked pet food is a weight loss plan that may assist preserve your Shih Tzu in form whereas additionally interesting to choosy eaters.
Nevertheless, switching to uncooked pet food requires some analysis to ensure you select a recipe that’s ultimate in your Shih Tzu’s wants. Take into account your Shih Tzu’s weight, well being circumstances, allergy symptoms, and preferences when deciding what sort of uncooked meals to get them.
What’s Uncooked Canine Meals?
“Uncooked pet food” normally describes any kind of pet food that makes use of uncooked, raw substances, akin to meat, organs, bones, fruits, and greens. It’s designed to imitate the high-protein diets of your Shih Tzu’s ancestors.
Within the wild, it’s widespread for canines to eat entire animals after searching them, bones and all. So, your Shih Tzu’s ancestors ate meals that was excessive in protein with minimal carbohydrates. Canines have modified lots since their time within the wild, however they nonetheless profit from a weight loss plan that accommodates a lot of actual meat.
Most Shih Tzu dad and mom feed their canines dry meals, which is excessive in carbohydrates to offer it a crunchy texture and enhance its shelf life. Kibble usually has extra carbs than canines are supposed to ingest, which may result in weight acquire and different well being issues in some circumstances. Thus, many Shih Tzu dad and mom are actually attempting uncooked pet food to offer their pups meals which can be larger in actual, nutritious animal merchandise.
Uncooked pet food is normally served in frozen or freeze-dried varieties.
Uncooked Canine Meals vs. Contemporary Canine Meals
Contemporary pet food is one other kind of pet food that’s rising in reputation on account of its excessive protein and high quality substances. Each uncooked and contemporary meals include entire substances, together with meat, fruits, and greens. Nevertheless, the principle distinction is that contemporary meals goes by means of a cooking course of whereas uncooked meals doesn’t.
In case you’d relatively serve your Shih Tzu contemporary meals as a substitute of uncooked meals, take a look at the finest contemporary pet food manufacturers.
Can You Make Your Personal Uncooked Canine Meals Recipes?
Sure, many Shih Tzu dad and mom select to create their very own uncooked pet food recipes versus shopping for a model. Nevertheless, this may be dangerous in case you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll want to make sure your Shih Tzu will get a correct stability of protein, fats, carbs, and vitamins. In case you’re not assured you possibly can put together that in your canine, you possibly can speak to a vet or canine nutritionist for recommendation.
Despite the fact that creating uncooked pet food recipes is hard for newcomers, it could possibly assist you to really feel extra assured about your Shih Tzu’s well being in the long term. You’ll know precisely what’s going into your Shih Tzu’s meals, so you possibly can cater these substances to suit your canine’s wants, akin to together with their favourite meals and excluding their allergy symptoms.
Nevertheless, uncooked pet food manufacturers are usually safer and extra handy for Shih Tzu dad and mom utilizing uncooked meals for the primary time. They’ll already present a nutritionally-balanced meal in your furry pal, so there are much less dangers concerned.
Uncooked Canine Meals for Shih Tzus: Execs and Cons
Like all varieties of pet food, there are advantages and disadvantages to uncooked pet food. Listed here are some professionals and cons to think about.
Advantages of Uncooked Canine Meals for Shih Tzus
- Makes use of restricted, high-quality substances
- Appeals to choosy eaters
- Improves digestion
- Reduces allergy signs
- Improves pores and skin and coat well being
- Results in firmer stools
- Assists with weight administration
- Will increase vitality ranges
Downsides of Uncooked Canine Meals for Shih Tzus
- It’s costly
- Has the next danger of spreading micro organism
- Could be more durable to retailer
- Takes extra time to arrange and serve
Greatest Uncooked Canine Meals Manufacturers for Shih Tzus
Beneath are a number of the finest uncooked pet food manufacturers for Shih Tzus available on the market that will help you determine which one is the only option in your furry pal.
1. Darwin’s Pure Pet Merchandise
Darwin’s is a subscription-based uncooked pet food model for Shih Tzus, making it top-of-the-line uncooked pet food supply companies. Prospects begin by filling out a questionnaire about their Shih Tzu, after which, the corporate will counsel one of the best uncooked meals to suit their pup’s wants. The meals is auto-shipped to your door frozen for no further price. So, you’ll have to thaw it within the fridge in a single day earlier than serving it to your canine.
There are three important varieties of uncooked formulation: Pure Picks, BioLogics, and Clever Design. Pure Picks are made utilizing free-range meats and natural greens whereas BioLogic makes use of conventionally-sourced substances at a extra inexpensive value. Then, Clever Design has formulation catered to particular well being circumstances. There are lots of protein choices obtainable, together with rooster, duck, turkey, beef, and lamb. Canine nutritionists helped formulate the recipes.
All of Darwin’s meals is excessive in animal protein, with over 70% protein in every meal. This meals can ship nationwide in america, however you gained’t discover it in any pet shops. Many Shih Tzu dad and mom love this model as a result of it provides balanced uncooked diets in easy-to-open packages. The one draw back is that this meals is pricier than different standard uncooked meals manufacturers.
Advantages:
- Presents personalised feeding plans
- Number of meal choices
- You’ll be able to select between completely different ingredient-sourcing choices
- Free delivery to your door
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- Recipes formulated with the assistance of canine nutritionists
2. We Feed Uncooked
We Feed Uncooked is one other pet food firm that creates meal plans that cater to your Shih Tzu’s wants. All you must do is reply some questions on your Shih Tzu, after which the corporate will counsel the best meals for them. Through the questionnaire, the corporate takes into consideration your Shih Tzu’s age, weight, breed, allergy symptoms, and present weight loss plan.
This firm provides uncooked pet food in a number of proteins, together with rooster, beef, turkey, duck, lamb, and venison. All of the formulation are created by a PhD animal nutritionist who has over 30 years of expertise within the business. The meals is all the time excessive in protein, so the primary 4 to 5 substances come from actual animal merchandise. All of the meat comes from animals raised on farms in america and New Zealand.
This firm solely makes use of USDA-certified and human-grade meats for its merchandise. The meals is shipped to your door at no further price. It may be shipped to any of the 48 contiguous states. The meals ships chilly, and it could possibly keep contemporary within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Within the freezer, it could possibly final for as much as six months.
Advantages:
- Presents personalised feeding plans
- Free delivery to your door
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- Solely makes use of human-grade meats
- Formulated by PhD animal nutritionist
- iHeartDogs Supply: Save 20% in your first order
3. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Uncooked Dinner Patties
In case you’re not trying to decide to a questionnaire or subscription to get uncooked Shih Tzu meals, Stella & Chewy’s is a extra handy choice. Their uncooked meals comes within the type of freeze dried uncooked patties, which helps give it an extended shelf life whereas nonetheless preserving the vitamins of uncooked meals. The corporate provides all kinds of protein choices, together with rooster, lamb, pork, rabbit, beef, turkey, and venison.
Because the meals is in patties, it’s straightforward to portion out your Shih Tzu’s meals. You’ll be able to serve the freeze dried patties as-is, however Stella & Chewy’s recommends rehydrating them to offer your canine some added moisture. To rehydrate, you possibly can crumble the meals and add a 1/4 cup of water for each two patties. These patties can be utilized as full meals, however many pet dad and mom use them as meals toppers as a substitute.
95% of the method consists of meat, organs, and bones. The recipes even have natural vegetables and fruit in them. The substances used can profit pores and skin and coat well being, coronary heart well being, and digestion. The patties are additionally grain-free to cater to Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms. This firm’s merchandise are offered in pet provide shops throughout america, and the meals is formulated in USA amenities.
Advantages:
- Straightforward to portion
- Straightforward to retailer
- A number of methods to serve
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- Number of choices
4. Intuition Freeze Dried Uncooked Meals
Intuition provides one other top-of-the-line uncooked freeze dried Shih Tzu meals on account of its comfort. It is available in small, freeze dried pellets which can be concerning the measurement of kibble items. You’ll be able to feed the items as-is or you possibly can combine them with heat water, which is good for ensuring your pup will get sufficient moisture. These freeze dried items could be served as full meals or meals toppers.
85% of the method consists of meat, organs, and bones. Then, the remainder accommodates non-GMO fruits, greens, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. Regardless of wanting like kibble, this Shih Tzu meals has by no means been cooked and it’s minimally processed to protect the vitamins. All of the pet food is made in USA kitchens. This meals comes with both beef, rooster, or lamb as the first protein.
The freeze dried uncooked meals are the extra standard selection, however there are additionally frozen uncooked meals obtainable. In case you’re not prepared to change utterly to uncooked, Intuition additionally provides “Uncooked Enhance” recipes, that are kibble combined with freeze dried uncooked items.
Advantages:
- Handy to retailer
- A number of methods to serve
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- Different varieties of uncooked meals are additionally obtainable
5. Open Farm Freeze Dried Uncooked
Open Farm provides all kinds of Shih Tzu meals, together with dry, moist, contemporary, and uncooked. Their uncooked pet food is freeze dried to make it simpler to retailer and serve to your pup. Like different freeze dried choices, it may be used as a full meal or a topper. Freeze dried uncooked meals could be pricy, so many pet dad and mom get monetary savings by mixing it’ll kibble.
The freeze dried items are concerning the measurement of kibble, in order that they’re able to serve once you pour them out of the bag. In case you’re apprehensive your Shih Tzu isn’t ingesting sufficient liquid, you possibly can combine heat water with the meals. In any other case, be sure clear water is accessible to your canine whereas they’re consuming.
There are six formulation obtainable: surf & turf, grass-fed beef, pasture-raised lamb, homestead turkey, harvest rooster, and farmer’s desk pork. Every recipe accommodates meat from humanely-raised animals, together with natural vegetables and fruit. On Open Farm’s web site, the supply of each ingredient is listed.
Advantages:
- Handy to retailer
- Could be served in a number of methods
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- Numerous protein choices
- Lists ingredient sourcing on the web site
6. Sojos Freeze Dried Uncooked Canine Meals
Sojos’ uncooked pet food is designed to supply full uncooked meals in a handy kind. Their recipes are perfect for Shih Tzus of all ages, sizes, and breeds. They presently have 5 formulation: turkey, beef, lamb, rooster, and senior turkey & salmon. In addition they have “Combine-a-Meal” recipes which can be uncooked pet food toppers.
To serve this meals, you should combine and measure the correct quantity of meals and water as directed on the bag. Then, you’ll let the meals soak within the water for quarter-hour earlier than feeding it to your Shih Tzu. The preparation time is a bit longer than it’s for different manufacturers, however the additional soaking helps activate the vitamins and enzymes within the meals. Each pound of Sojos pet food makes as much as 5 kilos of meals when rehydrated.
Sojos makes use of ingredient lists which can be “brief and candy” to keep away from allergic reactions in canines. The USDA-approved animal protein is paired with human-grade, air-dried vegetables and fruit. All of the formulation are made in kitchens in america.
Advantages:
- Makes use of USDA-approved and human-grade substances
- Rehydrating prompts the vitamins
- Number of choices
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- Straightforward to retailer
7. Wysong Uncooked Canine Meals
Wysong provides just a few several types of uncooked Shih Tzu meals diets. Their unique uncooked weight loss plan known as Archetype, which is a bag of freeze dried uncooked pet food that must be rehydrated earlier than serving. Some recipes of the Archetype meals additionally come within the type of burgers for purchasers that need bigger portions. In addition they promote “UnCanny” moist meals recipes, that are designed to be combined with the Archetype formulation.
This model’s uncooked meals is available in rooster, rabbit, quail, and beef. All choices are excessive in pure protein and fats. In addition they include plant vitamins, prebiotics, probiotics, nutritional vitamins, and minerals. These “Non-Thermal” uncooked pet food choices are designed to imitate your Shih Tzu’s ancestral weight loss plan by specializing in excessive protein. The meals is simply offered in small packages that protect vitamins, so it could possibly make an important meals topper in case you don’t wish to use it as a meal.
In case you like this model, however your Shih Tzu isn’t a fan of their uncooked meals, in addition they have dry and moist meals formulation. All of the merchandise could be ordered on-line or bought at choose pet provide shops.
Advantages:
- A wide range of uncooked pet food choices
- Comprises a lot of vitamins
- Packaging preserves vitamins
- Good for Shih Tzus with allergy symptoms
- A number of methods to serve it
- iHeartDogs Supply: 10% off wholesome meals with the code 10OFFWYSONG
8. Primal Freeze Dried Uncooked Nuggets
Primal’s freeze dried uncooked pet food comes within the type of tender nuggets. The nuggets make it straightforward to portion out meals in your Shih Tzu primarily based on their weight. To show the freeze dried items into wholesome meals, you possibly can crumble up the nuggets as soon as they’re portioned and add heat water, broth, or goat milk to it. You’ll combine the chosen liquid with the meals to rehydrate it, making it extra nutritious and flavorful in your Shih Tzu.
These freeze dried nuggets make nice full meals or meals toppers. They arrive in quite a lot of protein choices, together with beef, lamb, pork, duck, venison, and rabbit. This firm additionally provides some frozen uncooked choices.
All of the substances utilized in primal meals are sourced from sustainable ranchers and inspected by the USDA. Along with high quality animal protein, in addition they have natural vegetables and fruit, together with non-synthetic nutritional vitamins and minerals. Total, this can be a handy selection for Shih Tzu dad and mom who’re new to uncooked pet food. Nevertheless, some prospects complained that the nuggets have been crumbled once they obtained them.
Advantages:
- Is available in quite a lot of proteins
- Straightforward to portion
- Could be served in a number of methods
- Filled with vitamins
- Straightforward to retailer and journey with
9. Uncooked Wild LLC
Uncooked Wild is a web based uncooked pet food subscription service. The meals will ship to your door in a Styrofoam cooler, and it ought to be saved within the freezer to protect its freshness. When making ready to serve the meals to your Shih Tzu, you need to thaw it within the fridge in a single day. You may get a reduction in case you order the trial for the primary time.
All of Uncooked Wild’s meals is made out of wild elk and deer. Over 99% of the meals consists of meat and bones from wild animals. The corporate selected to not embrace organs as a result of they didn’t wish to add organs that would doubtlessly contaminate the wild meals. The remainder of the meals is made up of important nutritional vitamins and minerals.
Uncooked Wild is a bit pricier than many different uncooked pet food manufacturers as a result of they’ve a restricted inventory since all of the meat comes from wild animals. They hand-pack and hand-inspect each product to make sure it’s the best high quality. All of the merchandise meet AAFCO requirements, and the meat is processed in a facility that additionally processes elk and deer for human consumption. So, the requirements and stage of high quality are all the time excessive with this model.
Advantages:
- Solely makes use of meat from wild animals
- Over 99% of the meals is meat and bones
- Avoids organs to cut back the chance of contamination
- Subscription ships to your door
- Makes use of uncommon varieties of human-grade meat
10. Halo Meal Bites Freeze Dried Uncooked
Halo Freeze Dried Uncooked Meal Bites was once known as TruDog Feed Me Freeze Dried Canine Meals. The branding modified in July 2022. Despite the fact that the identify and packaging are completely different, the meals nonetheless has the identical nice recipe and style. The corporate freeze-dries uncooked substances into crunchy pellets to lock within the pure vitamins and flavors.
The meals could be served as-is, however the firm recommends rehydrating it to offer your Shih Tzu additional moisture. In case you don’t rehydrate the meals, be sure your pup has entry to scrub water. The primary a number of substances of the meals are animal meat and organs, together with nutritional vitamins and vitamins. Trying on the ingredient checklist won’t sound interesting to you, however it’s wholesome and mouth-watering for Shih Tzus.
You’ll be able to select between beef, turkey, whitefish, or turkey & duck recipes. Some Shih Tzu dad and mom aren’t keen on this meals as a result of it has robust odors, however that signifies that it normally pursuits choosy eaters.
Advantages:
- Handy to retailer
- Locks in pure vitamins and flavors
- A number of methods to serve
- Appeals to choosy canines
- Good for canines with delicate stomachs
11. Uncooked Paws Pet Meals
Uncooked Paws has one of the best selection in terms of uncooked pet food. They provide uncooked meals recipes in patties or ground-up. They’ve merchandise with and with out vegetables and fruit, and so they even supply uncooked meat by itself. So, you possibly can both order pre-made uncooked recipes or you possibly can order easier merchandise and add substances to them to create customizable meals in your Shih Tzu.
They provide rooster, beef, turkey, salmon, lamb, goat, and venison merchandise. So, there are many merchandise to select from no matter your Shih Tzu’s preferences. Many of the meals must be saved within the freezer, after which you possibly can thaw it within the fridge once you put together in your canine’s upcoming meals. There are a number of uncooked deal with choices too. The meals can all be ordered on-line and shipped to your door. It’s not obtainable in any pet provide shops.
The extensive choice of uncooked pet food merchandise could be overwhelming for brand new prospects, however it means that you can select the one that’s finest in your Shih Tzu. All of the merchandise use substances sourced from “accountable and moral farms.” Probably the greatest components of this firm is that they ship the merchandise shortly in order that they don’t thaw throughout delivery. US orders positioned on weekdays ship out on the identical day, and weekend orders ship out the next Monday.
Advantages:
- Extensive number of merchandise can be found
- Quick delivery
- Full meals, components of uncooked meals, and treats obtainable
- Good for choosy eaters
- Presents free meal plans
Transitioning Your Shih Tzu to Uncooked Canine Meals
It’s all the time a good suggestion to do a gradual transition when switching your Shih Tzu to a brand new meals as a result of it helps stop tummy troubles. Transitioning is particularly necessary when there’s a drastic change in weight loss plan, akin to from kibble to uncooked pet food.
Right here’s our beneficial transitioning course of:
- Days 1 to three: Serve 80% previous meals with 20% new uncooked meals
- Days 4 to 7: Serve 50% previous meals with 50% new meals
- Days 7 to 14: Serve 20% previous meals with 80% new meals
- Day 15: 100% new meals
Since uncooked meals is way completely different than dry pet food, it’s finest to have a sluggish transition. It ought to take no less than one to 2 weeks earlier than you feed your Shih Tzu a 100% uncooked weight loss plan. If you understand your canine is delicate to new meals, you might wish to make the transition much more gradual. It’s higher to be protected than sorry in terms of your Shih Tzu’s well being.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Beneath are some widespread questions canine dad and mom switching to uncooked meals ask.
Are Uncooked Canine Meals Diets for Shih Tzus Secure?
Sure, uncooked diets are protected for Shih Tzus, so long as they supply a balanced weight loss plan. Shih Tzus have shorter digestive tracts and better acidity of their digestive programs, permitting them to tolerate micro organism higher than people. So, so long as you select a model with a super stability of substances and comply with by means of with a gradual transition, your Shih Tzu shall be unlikely to face points.
How Will Uncooked Meals Change My Shih Tzu’s Stool?
As soon as a Shih Tzu will get used to a uncooked weight loss plan, their stool will doubtless be smaller and firmer. Nevertheless, in the course of the transition interval, you might discover free stool as their physique adjusts to the brand new weight loss plan.
Can Shih Tzus Get Salmonella From Uncooked Hen?
Sure, canines can get Salmonella from uncooked meals, however canines can deal with the next stage of micro organism than people can. So, uncooked pet food poses an even bigger danger for people than it does for Shih Tzus. To stop the unfold of micro organism, all the time wash your arms and the rest the uncooked meals touched after making ready your canine’s meals.
Are Bones in Uncooked Canine Meals Harmful?
No, uncooked bones are useful in your Shih Tzu’s well being. They don’t splinter the best way cooked bones do, in order that they’re safer to eat. Nevertheless, uncooked bones aren’t beneficial for puppies below six months as a result of their enamel aren’t robust sufficient to chew them.
Can Canines With Allergy symptoms Eat Uncooked Meals?
Sure, uncooked pet food is usually higher for canines with allergy symptoms as a result of it has fewer substances. So, it’s simpler to maintain observe of what substances your Shih Tzu is consuming so you possibly can keep away from potential allergens.
Can You Swap Between Meat Sources When Serving Uncooked Canine Meals?
Sure, as soon as your canine has transitioned to a uncooked weight loss plan, you possibly can swap between meat sources commonly. Utilizing quite a lot of meat sources is nice in your Shih Tzu’s well being and retains them within the meals, so long as you don’t use meat they’re allergic to.
Why Isn’t Uncooked Canine Meals for Shih Tzus Extra In style?
The variety of Shih Tzu dad and mom utilizing uncooked diets is rising, however it’s not highly regarded for just a few causes. The most important motive is price. A whole lot of Shih Tzu dad and mom aren’t in a position to commit additional time and cash to making ready pet food, so sticking to kibble is the better selection. Additionally, many pet dad and mom are unaware of the advantages and the number of choices in terms of uncooked pet food.
Shih Tzu dad and mom trying to attempt uncooked meals with out wanting to change the meal completely can attempt uncooked meals toppers.
Is Uncooked Canine Meals Proper for Your Shih Tzu?
In case you’re searching for a more healthy weight loss plan in your Shih Tzu, one of the best uncooked pet food manufacturers ought to be thought of. Uncooked pet food could be nice for choosy eaters or canines who aren’t getting sufficient vitamins of their present diets. Nevertheless, uncooked meals could be pricy and will take extra time to arrange in your canine, so it’s not for everybody. In case you don’t wish to should preserve your canine’s meals chilly, you possibly can go for a few of one of the best dehydrated uncooked pet food for simpler storage.
It doesn’t matter what model you select, one of the best uncooked pet food weight loss plan will help your Shih Tzu have a more healthy life-style. Any of the manufacturers on this checklist are nice choices to change to, so long as you present a gradual transition.
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