Shih Tzus are some of the most likeable dog breeds in the world. They have a long, silky coat and a cute face which makes it easy to win any heart. However, when you are an owner of a Shih Tzu, you have heard one thing and that is that their coat is beautiful which must be taken care of accordingly.
The Shih Tzu
is extremely sensitive to the kind of shampoo used. An inappropriate shampoo
may lead to the skin and scalp irritation, and hair loss. It is all even more
significant when we refer to the Shih Tzu puppies since their skin is more
sensitive compared to that of adult dogs.
I will discuss how to select the most suitable
shampoo in both adults and puppies of Shih Tzu and provide some tips of my own
experience in grooming in this article.
Why Shih Tzu need Special Shampoo.
Shih Tzus are sensitive skinned with a double coating. Their hair is very long, and it is likely to gather the dust, dirt, and oil easily. When you put normal human shampoo or rough dog shampoo on their hair it may harm their hair.
A good
shampoo should:
- Keep the coat soft and shiny
- Prevent skin irritation
- Reduce tangles and matting
- Keep natural oils within the skin.
My initial
mistake was when I purchased my Shih Tzu and decided to use a regular dog
organic shampoo available in the local outlet. In two weeks his jacket was hard
and brittle. The difference became very evident after changing the grooming
shampoo to a soft one. His hair became soft again.
Therefore it
does make a difference when it comes to selecting the appropriate shampoo.
Best Shampoo for Shih Tzu Puppies.
The puppies
of the Shih Tzu are sensitive-skinned. Their shampoo needs to be tear free and
exceptionally tender.
The
following are some of the characteristics to consider:
1.
Tear-Free Formula
When the
puppies are being bathed, they are found running about. Occasionally, the
elements of the shampoo may get at their eyes. The tear-free formula will
ensure the puppy is comfortable since it will not be irritated.
2. Mild
Ingredients
Find natural ingredients such as:
- Aloe vera
- Oatmeal
- Coconut oil
- Chamomile
The
ingredients assist in calming down the skin.
3. No
Harsh Chemicals
Avoid
shampoos with:
- Parabens
- Sulphates
- Artificial dyes
These
substances are degrading to a puppy.
4. Light
Fragrance
Perfumes can be of strong nature and lead to
allergy. Any light perfume is more appropriate.
The Best Shampoo for Adult Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu
adult dogs need shampoo which emphasizes on the health of the coats and
grooming.
Their long
coat requires it to get wet and dry.
These are
the most significant things to look at:
1. Moisturising Formula
The hair on
Shih Tzu dries up easily. To stay soft, a moisturising shampoo is used.
Such
ingredients as argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter are highly handy.
2.
Anti-Tangle Properties
Long Shih Tzu hair is typically tied up. When
there is a great shampoo, it becomes easy to brush hair and to untangle it.
3. Skin Protection
Itching or dryness is developed by some Shih
Tzus. Oatmeal and aloe vera shampoos are used to calm down the skin.
4. Coat
Brightening
When your
Shih Tzu is coloured black light, then a brightening shampoo will keep the
colour reminded.
Famous
Shampoo types for Shih Tzu.
Different
dogs do not necessarily require the same shampoo. Types of dogs can be used
depending on the skin and coat condition of your dog.
Puppy
Shampoo
Best for dogs under 6 months. Very gentle and
tear-free.
Hypoallergenic
Shampoo
Best used on
dogs which have sensitive skins or allergies.
Medicated
Shampoo
Applied in
the case of skin problems prescribed by a vet.
Conditioning Shampoo
Includes an inbuilt conditioner in order to
soften tangles.
How
frequently are you supposed to bathe a shih tzu?
This is what
begs first-time pet owners.
In general:
- Puppies: once every 3–4 weeks
- Adult Shih Tzu: after every 2-3
weeks.
They should
not wash the skin too frequently as it may take away the natural oils. This may
cause dryness.
When your
dog gets messy, you do not have to give it a bath but can clean their paws in
water or wipe the hair with a wet cloth.
Basic
Bathing wear tips of the Shih Tzu.
In some
cases bathroom time, particularly with the puppies can be a challenge. It can
be simplified by using the following tips.
Brush Before
Bathing
Brush the coat before bathing always. This
eliminates knots and strands of hair.
Use Lukewarm
Water
Hot or very
cold water is irritating to the skin.
Dilute the
Shampoo
When
applying apply a small amount of shampoo mixed with water. This is evenly
spread on the coat.
Rinse
Properly
Remaining
shampoos may result in itchiness. Always rinse thoroughly.
Dry
Carefully
A soft towel
is needed, followed by a low heat dryer (when necessary).
I also have
a small treat when I am bathing my Shih Tzu. It will render the entire process
much simpler since he will think of bath time as something positive.
Indications You Are Washing Your Hair with the
Wrong Shampoo.
In other occasions the owners of the dogs may
not notice that the shampoo is the problem.
Watch for
these signs:
- Excess scratching
- Dry skin or flakes
- Dull coat
- Hair fall
- Red patches on skin
In case they
happen to you, then discontinue the use of the shampoo and use a softer one.
Grooming:
It is More than Just Shampoo.
Shih Tzu
grooming does not comprise of just shampoo.
You should also ensure that you:
- Brush the coat daily
- Trim hair regularly
- Clean the ears weekly
- Wipe the eyes gently
Frequent grooming may avoid the possibility of tangles as well as keep your Shih Tzu in a comfortable state.
Final Thoughts❤
The selection of the ideal shampoo to use in Shih Tzu dog and puppies is not tricky, though it needs some effort. The choice of shampoo should be a natural, dog-specific and gentle product all the time.
An excellent shampoo will help to maintain the
coat of your Shih Tzu soft, shiny and healthy. More to the point, it will save
their sensitive skin.
The personal
experience has shown that it becomes a lot easier and fun to keep a Shih Tzu
when you have discovered a proper grooming program that you would enjoy.
With a clean
furry friend that is comfortable and of course cute, you will be staying the
same.
You should
do share this article on social media with friends and other dog lovers to help
them enjoy this article as you did. It can assist one in taking a good care of
their Shih Tzu.
Moreover, do
not forget to follow our blog, where you are likely to find some useful guides,
tips, and interesting technological-related literature soon.
Thanks for reading! 🐶

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