Breed-specific kibble gets a lot of eye-rolls online, and some of that skepticism is fair. But the Shih Tzu is one of the few cases where the design choices are physically obvious the second you pour a cup: a wedge-shaped, easy-to-grab kibble built for an undershot jaw and a flat muzzle. Right now that bag sits at $28.11, down from $38.99 — a 28% discount on the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Adult chicken formula. Below we break down whether the price cut is worth stocking up on, and which alternatives from our dry dog food shelves make more sense for certain Shih Tzus.
Our top picks at a glance
For an adult Shih Tzu weighing 4–7.5 kg (roughly 9–16 lb), four options cover almost every situation we see at the counter: a breed-shaped kibble, a general small-breed kibble, a skin-and-coat formula, and an air-dried topper for fussy eaters.
- Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult (Chicken) — Best for dogs 10 months and older who struggle to pick up round kibble, and owners who want coat-focused fatty acids in the base diet. Currently $28.11 (reg. $38.99).
- Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult — Best for the Shih Tzu who does fine with standard small kibble and whose owner wants a family-run Wisconsin recipe with moderate calorie density.
- Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care — Best for dry, flaky skin and dull coats; a Canadian-made formula built around omega-3 and omega-6 balance.
- ZIWI Peak air-dried — Best as a 10–20% topper for the picky Shih Tzu who walks away from plain kibble. Browse the air-dried dog food range.
How to choose a dry food for an adult Shih Tzu
Four criteria matter more than marketing language: kibble geometry, calorie density, protein and fat percentages, and coat-supporting fats. A 6 kg Shih Tzu needs roughly 350–450 kcal per day depending on activity, so portion precision matters far more than it does for a Labrador.
Does the kibble shape actually matter for a flat-faced breed?
Yes. Shih Tzus are brachycephalic and often have an undershot (prognathic) jaw, which makes scooping small round pellets awkward. Wedge or clover-shaped kibble with a wide base gives the lower incisors something to press against. In our store we see owners bring in half-full bags of round kibble their dog kept dropping — the shape change alone often fixes it.
Calorie density and portion size
Small breeds have a higher metabolic rate per kilogram than large breeds, but tiny stomachs. Most premium small-breed kibbles land between 350 and 420 kcal per cup, which means a 6 kg dog is eating between ¾ and 1 cup per day. Weigh it. A kitchen scale beats a scoop, because a 10-gram overpour daily adds up to real weight gain on a dog this size — the American Veterinary Medical Association flags overfeeding as the leading driver of canine obesity.
Protein content, fat content and the guaranteed analysis
Check the guaranteed analysis panel, not the front of the bag. Under AAFCO standards, adult maintenance foods must supply a minimum of 18% crude protein and 5.5% crude fat on a dry-matter basis; growth formulas require 22.5% protein. The Royal Canin Shih Tzu formula sits comfortably above the adult minimum in the mid-20s for protein, with fat content in the mid-teens — read the panel on your specific bag, since manufacturers revise formulas.
Coat and skin support
Shih Tzus grow a continuously lengthening double coat, so dietary fat quality drives coat quality. Look for named omega-3 sources (fish oil, salmon oil, flax) and adequate omega-6 from poultry fat. Fiber content in the 2–4% range helps stool quality for a breed prone to soft stools when fed too rich a diet.
Pick 1: Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Adult (Chicken) — the deal itself
At $28.11 down from $38.99, this is a 28% reduction on a breed-formulated kibble that rarely discounts. It's formulated for Shih Tzus 10 months and older, uses chicken as the primary animal protein, and pairs an exclusive wedge kibble shape with EPA/DHA and biotin for coat support.
What stands out in practice is palatability and stool consistency. Royal Canin builds its recipes around a fixed nutrient profile rather than a fixed ingredient list, which is why the guaranteed analysis stays consistent bag to bag — useful if your dog reacts to formula drift. The protein content lands in the mid-20s percent range with fat content in the mid-teens, and the kibble is small enough that a 5 kg dog isn't wrestling with it. Fiber blends including beet pulp and psyllium help firm up the loose stools that plague some Shih Tzus.
Who should buy it: owners of adult Shih Tzus (or similar flat-faced small breeds like Lhasa Apsos) who want a consistent, vet-clinic-familiar diet and whose dog has shown trouble picking up conventional kibble. Sale prices shift, so confirm today's figure on the product page before you plan a stock-up.
Cost math, using the sale price: if your bag yields 11 cups of kibble and your dog eats ¾ cup daily, $28.11 covers about 14–15 days of feeding — roughly $1.90 per day, versus about $2.65 at the regular price. Divide the price by your bag's cup yield and then by your daily portion to get your own number.
Pick 2: Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult — the conventional alternative
Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult is the pick for Shih Tzus who have no trouble with standard kibble and whose owners prefer a multi-protein recipe. Fromm has been family-operated since 1904 and uses duck, chicken, lamb and eggs across its Gold line, with probiotics added for digestive support.
The trade-off versus Royal Canin is kibble design. Fromm's small-breed pellets are small and round rather than shaped for an undershot bite. For a Shih Tzu with a normal-ish jaw alignment, that's a non-issue; for a dog with significant prognathism, it can mean kibble scattered across your kitchen floor. Fromm's calorie density runs slightly higher than many small-breed foods, so cut the portion by 5–10% when you switch and monitor body condition score over three weeks.
| Feature | Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult | Fromm Gold Small Breed Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Flat-faced dogs, undershot jaws, coat focus | Small breeds with normal bite, multi-protein preference |
| Protein source | Chicken by-product meal, chicken fat | Duck, chicken meal, lamb, eggs |
| Kibble shape | Breed-specific wedge | Small round pellet |
| Notable additions | EPA/DHA, biotin, mixed fibre blend | Probiotics, salmon oil |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Available at Ashario | Shop Royal Canin Shih Tzu | Shop small-breed dry food |
Pick 3: Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care — for the itchy, flaky Shih Tzu
If your dog's coat looks dull between grooms or you're seeing dandruff along the spine, a skin-and-coat formulation is the smarter buy. Go! Solutions Skin + Coat Care is made in Canada and built around salmon and salmon oil, delivering a fatty-acid ratio aimed at barrier function rather than just calories.
Our nutrition experts at the North York store reach for this one when a customer describes a dog that's fine on weight but scratching after grooming appointments. Give any diet change 8–12 weeks before you judge coat results — hair grows slowly, and research indexed on PubMed on omega-3 supplementation in dogs generally uses study windows of that length. If itching is severe, localized, or comes with ear inflammation, see your veterinarian first; food alone won't resolve an infection. You can also pair the diet with items from our dog grooming selection to reduce coat matting between visits.
Pick 4: ZIWI Peak air-dried — the topper for the dog who won't eat
Air-dried food is the highest-value fix for a picky Shih Tzu, because you only need a small amount. Adding 10–20% of daily calories as ZIWI Peak air-dried — roughly 35–70 kcal for a 6 kg dog — is usually enough to get a reluctant eater cleaning the bowl without unbalancing the base diet.
Pet owners tell us this is the trick that finally ended the standoff at dinner. ZIWI uses New Zealand meat, organs and green-lipped mussel, which supplies naturally occurring glucosamine — a small bonus for a breed that can develop patellar and spinal issues. Keep the total intake honest: if you add 50 kcal of topper, remove about an eighth of a cup of kibble. Browse the full dog food range if you'd rather switch the base diet entirely than top it.
The buying mistake we see most often with sale kibble
The most common mistake is buying more bags than the dog can finish within 6 weeks of opening. Dry kibble oxidizes once air hits it, and the fats that carry omega-3 and omega-6 degrade first — which is exactly the nutrient class you bought the food for.
When a customer comes in wanting four bags because the discount is good, we ask one question: how many cups does your dog eat per day? A 6 kg Shih Tzu eating ¾ cup daily works through roughly 5.5 cups a week. Do the arithmetic before you fill the cart. Store the bag rolled and clipped inside a bin rather than dumping loose kibble into plastic, because the bag's inner liner is a fat barrier and the bin usually isn't.
The second mistake is switching cold. Transition over 7–10 days: 25% new food for three days, 50% for three days, 75% for two days, then full. Shih Tzus have sensitive digestion and an abrupt change is the fastest route to a week of soft stools. If you've been following our other deal breakdowns — like the Farmina Digestion Lamb & Quinoa dental treats review or the Kettle Craft venison small-bite treats review — the same rule applies to treats: they should stay under 10% of daily calories, which for a Shih Tzu is only 35–45 kcal.
One local note: the winter salt on the paths around G. Ross Lord Park is rough on small dogs' feet and skin, and dogs who lick their paws afterward can look like they have a food reaction when they don't. Rinse the paws before you start blaming the kibble.
We're at 1111A Finch Ave W, Unit 2, North York, ON M3J 2P7, open 7 AM to 11 PM daily, and we deliver around the GTA via Instacart and other services. Our staff can weigh out a portion plan with you if you bring your dog's current weight.
Key takeaway: At $28.11 down from $38.99, the Royal Canin Shih Tzu Adult chicken formula is a genuinely good buy for flat-faced small dogs who struggle with round kibble, offering mid-20s protein content and coat-supporting EPA/DHA. Buy only what your dog will finish in six weeks, transition over 7–10 days, and confirm the current price on the product page since sale figures change.
Shop the Brands Mentioned in This Article
Find Royal Canin, Fromm, and other premium pet supplies in-store or Browse dry dog food online →.
Questions we get about this Royal Canin deal
Is the Royal Canin chicken sale price good compared to normal pricing?
Yes. A 28% reduction — $28.11 versus the $38.99 regular price — is a steeper cut than breed-specific Royal Canin formulas typically see, since they hold price better than mass-market kibble. Sale prices can change without notice, so check the live product page before ordering, and compare against our price match guarantee.
Can I feed Shih Tzu formula to a different small breed?
Yes, with one caveat. The formula meets AAFCO adult maintenance requirements, so it's nutritionally appropriate for any adult small dog of similar size. The wedge kibble and coat-focused fatty acids simply won't add value for a short-coated breed with a normal bite — a general small-breed recipe from our specific-needs food selection may suit better.
How much should I feed a 6 kg adult Shih Tzu per day?
Most 6 kg adult Shih Tzus need roughly 350–420 kcal daily, which works out to about ¾ to 1 cup of a typical small-breed kibble split into two meals. Start at the bag's stated amount for your dog's weight, weigh the portion on a scale, and reassess body condition after three weeks. Spayed, neutered or senior dogs often need 10–20% less. Your veterinarian can set a target weight if you're unsure.
Should I buy the chicken formula if my dog has had food sensitivities?
Not without guidance. Chicken is one of the more commonly reported protein sensitivities in dogs, and if your Shih Tzu has a documented reaction, a limited ingredient or novel-protein diet is the better route — the American Kennel Club notes true food allergies are less common than owners assume, so confirm with your vet before restricting proteins. Our dog wellness resources and dog health and wellness products cover supplement options alongside diet changes, and you can always contact our team to talk through alternatives.
