Shih Tzu — Adult Care
Care recommendations — Adult stage
In adulthood, the priority for a Shih Tzu shifts toward maintaining an ideal body weight through portion-controlled meals and shorter, gentler walks and low-key play, since Shih Tzus are typically content with a calmer pace. The long, flowing coat mats easily and needs daily brushing unless kept in a shorter trim, along with regular cleaning of the facial folds and eyes. Pairing this with a yearly wellness exam and routine dental checks helps catch subtle changes early, even while the dog seems to be thriving.
⚠️ Watch for
In adult Shih Tzus, it's worth staying alert for early signs such as noisy or labored breathing, snoring, overheating easily, or tiring quickly during activity or an intermittent skipping gait or occasional hind-leg lameness. These can be subtle at first, so raising them during an annual exam rather than waiting for them to worsen is a sensible approach given this breed's health background.
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