Your “little lion”, shih tzu – is sweet, playful and courageous – according by nature it is a guard dog. Do you want your the four-legged friend lived a long and healthy life. He can to live relatively long if you provide him with a good diet, regular exercise and proper oral care. The average life span of the breed is from 12 to 16 years old, but there are many reports when a dog thanks proper care has lived for over 20 years.
Life expectancy
Small breeds of dogs usually survive large ones. Most A common way to compare a dog’s age with a person is multiply it by 8 for a large dog, or by 6 for a small dog. If your Shih Tzu is 15 years old, then his age is equivalent to a person, who is 90 years old. Knowing how old your dog is compared with a person, you will better understand the aging process and better get ready to care for her. With age, her needs will be change.
Oral hygiene
your shih tzu is prone to tartar accumulation and some other dental problems because in its relatively small mouth space it has a lot of teeth. Puppy milk teeth can also limit the space for molars, causing them to bend and additional chewing problems. Your A veterinarian may advise you to remove baby teeth.
Dental diseases usually begin with the accumulation of tartar and progress to gums where bacteria gather. In the end, bacteria through the gums enter the bloodstream, often affecting such organs like kidneys, liver and heart. Tooth problems reduce Shih Tzu’s potential lifespan. To support healthy oral hygiene brush your dog’s teeth 2-3 times a week and visit the veterinary clinic regularly for an examination teeth.
Physical activity
Heart disease affects many Shih Tzu. Most heart diseases (more than 75%) are the result of poor performance heart valve. Shih Tzu exercise should be short enough, especially in warm weather, because they overheat pretty quickly. Daily exercises also necessary to prevent your pet from accumulating excess weight. Two short walks or an active game in the house for 20 minutes in day – all your dog’s sporting needs will be completely satisfied. As the dog ages, the duration of its walks follows smoothly reduce.
Diet
Dry food is best for a puppy, in order to remove plaque, which can subsequently lead to dental plaque to stone. You must adjust the diet to avoid in the dog obesity, so every day measure the amount of feed that you give her.
Use quality feed recommended by veterinarians. Avoid dog foods containing corn, soy or wheat – they can cause allergic reactions in some dogs and are difficult for digestion. Shih Tzu is relatively often allergic to food. For older dogs, food is recommended. which contains more calcium.
Tips & Tricks
Some shih tzu are prone to hay fever that begins around the age of 2 years and may worsen with the age of the dog. Your veterinarian should help you choose treatment options. Problems with backs are also common in the breed. Regularly watch the dog and its back, it may be hunched over and the dog will be unable to jump and will drag her hind legs. Besides, At each visit to the veterinarian, it is recommended to check the eyes. Keeping a dog healthy will extend it significantly life span. For Shih Tzu over 10 years old, veterinarians recommend visiting a veterinarian at least 2 times a year.
