5 Best Wet Dog Foods For Shih Tzu in 2026 (All Life Stages)
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Pick by your dog
Swipe ›Our picks
| Pick | Best for | Buy |
|---|---|---|
 Top pickCanidae Premium Wet Dog Food | Best Value | Check price |
 Wellness Canned Dog Food | Best Overall | Check price |
 Weruva Classic Wet Dog Food | Poultry free | Check price |
| Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food | Veterinarian recommended | Check price |
 Royal Canin Canine Health Nutrition | Reputable company | Check price |
The best wet dog food for most Shih Tzus is Wellness Canned Dog Food, a complete and balanced food with real protein and omega fatty acids from salmon oil for skin and coat. Canidae All Life Stages is our best-value pick and suits puppies, adults and seniors, while Weruva Classic is a good choice for Shih Tzus that can't eat chicken.
Shih Tzus can be a bit high-maintenance when it comes to their diet. In this blog post, we list five wet dog foods that we think are great for Shih Tzus, all made with quality ingredients that help keep your Shih Tzu’s coat healthy and shiny (for the grooming side, see our Shih Tzu teddy bear cut vs puppy cut comparison). So, if you’re looking for a new food to try for your furry friend, be sure to check out our list below!
What is the best wet dog food for Shih Tzu?
A Shih Tzu’s diet should consist of high-quality proteins, fats, and carbs, in a food labeled "complete and balanced" for your dog's life stage. Wet dog food is a great option for Shih Tzus because it is tasty, easy to eat for their small, flat-faced mouths, and adds extra moisture to their diet. If you are looking for the best wet dog food for shih tzu, we recommend trying one of the following brands:
1Canidae Premium Wet Dog Food
Canidae All Life Stages Premium Wet Dog Food is a great choice for your furry friend. This food contains chicken and grains, simmered in broth to create a delicious mealtime experience.
Additionally, the antioxidant and probiotic blend help support healthy digestion and immunity. Plus, an added mix of vitamins and minerals helps keep joints, skin, and coat healthy.
We love that this food is made without fillers and that it is complete and balanced goodness for all breeds and sizes. If you are looking for a wet dog food that is packed with nutrients and flavor, we highly recommend trying Canidae All Life Stages Premium Wet Dog Food for your Shih Tzu!
Pros
- Contains chicken and grains
- Added antioxidants and probiotics
- No fillers
- Complete and balanced goodness
Cons
- Food can be a bit more dense than others
2Wellness Canned Dog Food
Another great wet food for Shih Tzus is Wellness Canned Dog Food. This food is grain-free and packed with real protein and vegetables for a complete and balanced meal. We love that this food is also packed with antioxidants to support your dog’s immune health, and that it contains Omega fatty acids from Salmon Oil for a healthy skin and coat.
Additionally, this wet food is made without poultry by-products. If you are looking for wet food that is packed with all-natural ingredients, we highly recommend trying Wellness Canned Dog Food for your Shih Tzu!
Pros
- Grain-free
- Real protein and vegetables
- Antioxidants and Omega fatty acids
- No poultry by-products
Cons
- Some dogs may not like the chunky texture
3Weruva Classic Wet Dog Food
Third, on our list is Weruva Classic Wet Dog Food. If your Shih Tzu has chicken allergies then this is the food for you! This wet food is chicken-free and features sustainably sourced lamb, beef, tuna, and mackerel.
We love that this food is grain-free and packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. Additionally, it is produced in human food facilities and that meets strict standards so that you can be sure your Shih Tzu is getting a quality meal.
Pros
- Poultry and grain free
- Sustainably sourced lamb, beef, tuna, and mackerel
- No corn, wheat or soy
- Balanced diet for adult maintenance
Cons
- A bit more expensive
4Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food is a fantastic option for high-quality wet dog food. This food has top-notch protein to help your adult Shih Tzu develop and maintain muscle mass. It’s also made with easy-to-digest ingredients. You can serve it as a tasty topper on dry food or as a complete meal.
We all know Hill’s is a trusted name in dog food, and we love that this food is made in the USA with global ingredients you can trust. It is also veterinarian recommended. So, if you are looking for quality wet dog food for your Shih Tzu, we recommend Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food!
Pros
- High-quality protein
- Easily digestible ingredients
- Can be served as a topper on kibble
- Made with natural ingredients
- Veterinarian recommended
Cons
- A bit more expensive
5Royal Canin Canine Health Nutrition
We all know Royal Canin is a go-to brand when it comes to dog food. Specifically designed with a balance of nutrients, this diet is perfect for dogs regardless of weight or life stage.
Like any wet food, it provides extra hydration. Keep in mind that wet food doesn't have even the slight teeth-brushing effect of kibble, so regular brushing matters, especially for a breed as prone to dental problems as the Shih Tzu. Plus, different size dogs have different nutritional needs, so it’s good to see a brand that caters to those.
This food can get a bit pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of quality.
Pros
- Precisely balanced nutrients
- Caters to different sizes' nutritional needs
- Provides hydration
- Reputable company
Cons
- A bit pricey
What to look for in wet food for a Shih Tzu
- Complete and balanced: Check the label says the food is complete and balanced for your dog's life stage. Puppies need a puppy or "all life stages" food.
- Right portions: Shih Tzus are small and prone to weight gain, and wet food is easy to overfeed. Use the feeding guide on the can as a starting point, adjust to keep your dog lean, and reduce kibble if you mix the two.
- Dental care: Small, crowded Shih Tzu mouths are prone to tartar, so brush their teeth regularly whatever food you choose.
- Grain-free isn't automatically better: The FDA has been investigating a possible link between some grain-free diets and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). No definite cause has been found, but unless your dog has a diagnosed grain allergy, ask your vet whether grain-free is the right choice.
Switch foods gradually over about a week to avoid an upset stomach, and talk to your vet if your Shih Tzu has ongoing itching, ear infections, vomiting or diarrhea, which can point to a food sensitivity.
Which wet dog food should you choose for your Shih Tzu?
If you are looking for a quality wet food that is packed with all-natural ingredients, we highly recommend trying Wellness Canned Dog Food or Weruva Classic Wet Dog Food. If you are looking for a trusted brand that has veterinarian-recommended wet dog food, we recommend Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food or Royal Canin Canine Health Nutrition.
No matter which wet dog food you choose, be sure to test it out with your Shih Tzu to see which he or she likes best!
Final thoughts – Best wet dog food for Shih Tzu
We hope you enjoyed reading our article on the best wet dog food for Shih Tzus! Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to look for when choosing a wet food for your Shih Tzu. Be sure to test out different flavors and brands to see which your Shih Tzu likes best. Thank you for reading!
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