Natural dog treats contain no added chemical preservatives or fillers, leaving your dog with straight nutritional value, nothing more. Natural treats also use the highest grade of edible products and processing techniques to ensure they’re even fit for human consumption – which who knows, might help if you ever get stuck in a survival situation with your dog! Let's examine a few commercially-available natural dog treats, and then a few treats you might stumble across in your own back yard.

Commercial Natural Dog Treats

As odd as they sound on first blush, pig ears are a natural favorite for many of our furry friends. They contain a reasonable amount of fat, and dogs find the flavor irresistible (much like some humans and pork rinds). Pig ear treats should be baked instead of chemically processed, and should have no added preservatives or coloring agents. Check your package label carefully.

Greenies are another favorite Shih Tzu treat — a unique variety that uses chlorophyll to naturally freshen your dog's breath. Greenies contain no preservatives, artificial flavors or extra coloring. Surprisingly enough, dogs love them, and owners swear by them when it comes to sweetening the breath in a safe and healthy way. Chewing these treats has the added benefit of helping to clean your Shih Tzu's teeth.

Mother Nature's Own Natural Dog Treats

You might be surprised to realize that natural Shih Tzu treats exist right in your refrigerator, or in your garden. Carrots, apple slices, and celery are all terrific natural dog treats, providing vitamins without added chemical enhancers. Just give these treats a wash before giving them to your Shih Tzu. For an extra-special treat, chop up your fruits or veggies, and mix with a dab of peanut butter and a teaspoon or two of raw oatmeal.

Whether commercially manufactured or straight from the garden, natural dog treats are a great way to give your Shih Tzu a dash of extra nutrition without any mysterious extras.
 

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For example, it helps the two of you to bond.  And, it allows for you to catch diseases or other health problems that can affect your pet. 

Can’t get your Shih Tzu to sit still long enough?  Then, do a small portion of her each day.  Eventually she will enjoy it and allow you to do it easily.

Shih Tzus use licking, shaking and scratching to stay clean.  If you brush them, you can help the fur to stay clean and unmated. 

Some Shih Tzus that have longer hair will require this attention daily.  Others who have shorter hair can be brushed just once a week.  Most Shih Tzus will enjoy the brushing.  Others will not right off the bat.  In order to help this process, use the brush in a small amount while talking soothingly to her.  Afterwards, give her a treat for being good.  Add a little more time on each time. 

Dark specs on the skin can be fleas.  In order to check for these types of problems, run your hands down her coat as you brush her.  If you see quite a bit of black flecks, which are flea dropping, then you need to seek help for your animal right away. 

You may also notice rice like debris near her tail.  These are a sign that your Shih Tzu has worms.  Again, you need to take your pet to the vet in this case as they will need treatment.

Just like you, your Shih Tzu needs her teeth brushed daily.  You can do this using a child sized toothbrush or just a finger toothbrush that is designed for your pet. 

The paste that you use should be one designed for dogs only.  Your toothpaste can seriously make your Shih Tzu ill.  To help keep Shih Tzu’s teeth in tip top shape, give them rawhide chews to gnaw on.  This helps keep teeth as well as gums healthy.

You’ll need to do other types of grooming as well, but not as frequently. 

You should check ears and nails weekly or monthly. Look into your dog’s ears.  If you see small, black/brown specks, this can be ear mites. 

For nails, walks that are given on sidewalks as well as in the driveway can help to wear them down. 

Make sure, though, that the nails are not too long.  You can learn from your vet the proper way to trim them to help your Shih Tzu to stay healthy and to walk correctly.  You should not trim them without getting some training though.

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If buying from a breeder, you will want to be sure you choose a responsible Shih Tzu breeder versus a backyard breeder (those who are only breeding for financial benefits).

When shopping for your new Shih Tzu, there are things you need to expect from your breeder as well as some things the breeder will expect from you.

If you have found a responsible Shih Tzu breeder—which can be done through references—he or she may come across as a very nosey person. This is okay, considering that the nosier breeder, the better!

From a responsible Shih Tzu breeder you can expect to be asked such things as your work schedule, who lives in the house with you, what your yard layout is like and the kind of friends you have that may be visiting you in your home.

Although these seem like personal questions, the breeder cares what kind of home their puppy may be going to. A breeder who asks no questions and is just looking for the sale won’t be able to offer you the same quality of Shih Tzu puppies as the responsible breeder will.

Another perk to buying a Shih Tzu from a responsible breeder is that you will be told the lineage that the puppy came from. In other words, you’ll be privy to the father’s as well as the mother’s heritage, and will be given the papers to prove it.

This can be an important aspect of buying a puppy because personalities, as well as health issues, are generally hereditary, and it’s nice to be certain that your Shih Tzu is from good stock.

Most of the time, a backyard breeder or pet store simply won’t offer this type of information. In addition, pet store puppies usually come from a puppy mill—a relative breeding farm—and they are sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Questions aren’t asked of the buyer and no attention is paid to the puppy’s welfare.

A responsible breeder will also expect the buyer to have questions and concerns of their own. A buyer should not be afraid to ask questions about this new life you will be taking into your home. Here are a few things you should ask your Shih Tzu breeder about as well as some expectations that you should have:

• Is there a signed veterinary health certificate, plus a written health guarantee from the breeder, including one against congenital defects?

• Are ACVO eye screening and OFA or Penn Hip certificates completed, to avoid any future problems with the puppies?

• Does the breeder have a written contract available for you to sign, specifying the rights of the seller and also the breeder’s rights?

• Is all health information available and up to date?

• Can the breeder provide AKC or CKC registration papers on the puppy?

• What is the lineage of the puppies? A responsible breeder should be able to tell you lineage from generations back, as well as giving you a family tree of the puppy.

Responsible Shih Tzu breeders will be able to help you find the puppy that is right for you and will be happy to give you tips on raising and caring for your new bundle of joy. As long as you find a responsible breeder, it’s a sure thing that you’ll find the perfect Shih Tzu for your family.