How Much to Feed a Shih Tzu
Bred as a palace companion, the Shih Tzu has modest energy needs and a talent for begging. Using the veterinary RER/MER formula, an adult Shih Tzu of about 12 lbs needs roughly 399 kcal per day — around 105 g (1.1 cups) of typical dry food. The calculator below is pre-set for the Shih Tzu: adjust the weight, life stage and food type to match your dog.
Shih Tzu portion calculator
Veterinary RER/MER formula — daily calories, grams and cups.
RER 249 kcal × 1.6 (adult, neutered/spayed) = 399 kcal, at 380 kcal/100g. Estimates for healthy pets — always confirm with your veterinarian.
Small breeds such as the Shih Tzu sit in an awkward spot: big enough to beg convincingly, small enough that leftovers wreck their calorie budget. At a typical 12 lbs, the full daily allowance is roughly 399 kcal — about 1.1 cups of standard kibble. Split it into 2 meals and re-weigh your dog every couple of months, because a single pound of drift is a big percentage change at this size.
The Shih Tzu typically weighs around 12 lbs (5.4 kg) as a healthy adult. That small body has an RER of 249 kcal; applying the adult, neutered/spayed multiplier of 1.6 gives 399 kcal per day, or about 105 g of dry food. At these quantities a proper gram scale beats measuring cups — cup-level errors of “just a little extra” compound into pounds over a season.
These numbers are a starting point, not a prescription. The calculator supports every life stage (puppy, puppy, adult, neutered/spayed, adult, intact, active / working, senior, weight loss plan) — a puppy can need two to three times the adult allowance, while a senior or a dog on a weight-loss plan needs noticeably less. Recheck the numbers after any change in weight, activity, food brand or neutering status, and always transition between foods gradually over 7–10 days. For medical conditions, pregnancy or lactation, follow your veterinarian's feeding plan instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much food should a Shih Tzu eat per day?
A typical adult Shih Tzu weighing 12 lbs needs about 399 kcal per day (adult, neutered/spayed), which is roughly 105 grams — about 1.1 cups — of standard dry food, split into 2 meals.
How is the Shih Tzu's daily portion calculated?
We use the standard veterinary formula: Resting Energy Requirement (RER) = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor. For a 5.4 kg Shih Tzu, RER is 249 kcal, and the adult, neutered/spayed factor of 1.6 gives 399 kcal per day.
How many times a day should I feed my Shih Tzu?
2 meals per day is the standard recommendation for a adult, neutered/spayed dog — about 200 kcal (53 g of dry food) per meal. Puppies and kittens need 3–4 smaller meals instead.
My Shih Tzu seems hungry after meals — should I feed more?
Begging is not a reliable hunger signal, especially in food-motivated breeds. Judge by body condition instead: you should feel ribs easily under a thin fat layer. If your Shih Tzu is truly losing weight at 399 kcal per day, increase portions by ~10% and re-weigh in two weeks.