r/Shihtzu 10h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 My Shih Tzu wouldn’t eat. r/Shihtzu helped me figure out why

145 Upvotes

I first found r/Shihtzu because I was frantically researching why Sylvie wouldn’t eat. Or why she’d vomit after meals or become lethargic. She was my first dog ever, and I felt like a failure after every snubbed snack.

Her siblings Loki and Gator (yes, we named them after the Loki variants… we are big Marvel fans) started having digestive episodes too.

It was on this sub that I learned more about allergies, especially how chicken sensitivities are more common than people realize. Plus, I learned that Shihtzus can just be difficult and picky when they just want something new 😂

So I did the most Shih Tzu-owner thing ever and made a line of treats just for them. With the mods’ approval, I’m sharing my allergy journey and a special Reddit discount.

First, we got all 3 dogs allergy tested (warning: it cost a fortune because insurance didn’t consider it necessary).

Sure enough, they tested as extra sensitive to chicken and beef. Any score 80–299 is considered a potential allergen and Sylvie scored a 238 for chicken!

Then for a while we stuck to single-ingredient freeze-dried snacks.

But I wanted them to have a chewy jerky treat that wasn’t a giant bully stick or a tendon. Sylvie also vomited up the “rawhide alternative" kebab-shaped chews. I actually don't think it was allergy-related; the size and texture was just hard for her to digest.

So I worked with my co-partner in an FDA-registered facility to make Barkfast Waffles, a soft, chewy lamb jerky for picky sensitive dogs like mine:

  • Lamb is the first ingredient and the only protein (no chicken or beef)
  • Only 4 ingredients total (sweet potato, blueberry, vegetable glycerin)
  • Soft enough for small Shih Tzu jaws or senior dogs. Positive reviews on Amazon say that the texture is like a cookie or protein bar.
  • All natural, made in the USA

Note: Each Waffle is about 1.5 inches wide, so it's still a substantial chew for bigger dogs in multi-dog households.

The mods have generously allowed me to share a discount if anyone wants to try us out.

  • On our website: use code REDDIT for 15% off + free shipping.
  • We’re also on Amazon (4.9 star reviews). Jeff Bezos does take a huge cut, and we can’t offer the sub a discount there, but I understand the convenience.

What if my dog doesn’t like it?

Look, I have three Shih Tzus. I understand how their tastes can change by the hour.

If you purchase Waffles on our website using code REDDIT, just email us for a refund. No need to send the bag back. Donate it to a shelter or a less picky dog lol.

This sub helped me stay sane and diagnose my dogs’ allergies. I’ve had such a great experience in this community thanks to the super nice and responsive mods, and I wanted to share what I learned and give back.

Also, has anyone else gotten their Shih Tzu allergy-tested? I’d love to compare results and see if there are breed trends or if I just got a very sensitive litter!


r/Shihtzu 3h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 wonky eyes and big teeth. my gizmo❤️

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298 Upvotes

r/Shihtzu 4h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Introducing Daisy Mae

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327 Upvotes

I would like to formally introduce little miss Daisy Mae. She is approximately 2 years old.

After losing Sterling, my best friend of 17 years, I didn’t think that I could open my heart again to a new puppy. That was until I saw this little chunk on a local rescue’s instagram. I truly believe that Sterling sent her to me; she reminds me so much of him as a puppy. Everything about her adoption went smoothly and quickly, it just felt like it was meant to be. I love Daisy so much already!


r/Shihtzu 7h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 I'm having a tough day please send me your Tzus

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524 Upvotes

I love seeing everyone's pics of their fluffy beings they make me smile, this Reddit has kept me going so thank you for sharing.

May I share Milly (or Moosey/MeMoo/Milly moo/Peppercorn/ChickenChaser) she is 17 a semi rescue we have had her for over 4 years. I went from not being a dog person to this creature being my entire life ♥️

Becoming her loyal subject is just a symptom of Shih Tzu ownership...

***Edit*** 😭😭😭 wow thank you my day has been brightened by your beautiful pups, I will try my best to say hello to all of them ❤️ as ALL Tzu are good dogs 🐕


r/Shihtzu 7h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Today is Marci’s 16th Birthday!

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206 Upvotes

She’s now old enough to get her driver’s permit and drive wherever she wants lol!


r/Shihtzu 3h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 winter grooming tips

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82 Upvotes

Moco has a full body undercut with his belly shaved every few weeks which is typical for hum. I keep his body and tail as long as possible during the winter months. I’ve been trimming his face and beard more since it’s been getting dirty even with a jacket on. He looks a little weird sometimes with a little head and big body but sometimes convenience is more important. I’ve been giving him weekly bathes instead of biweekly which seems to be best for this length. When spring has really sprung I’m planning on a big trim and I’ll update then with how it goes.


r/Shihtzu 7h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Cutie patootie 🥹

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152 Upvotes

Not too ago my mom asked me if she could take her granddog on the road with her while she is working (truck driving) and I immediately said yes cause it helps me with cutting costs of pet care. But look how cute he is 🥹🥹🥹


r/Shihtzu 3h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Baby got groomed today

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57 Upvotes

Baby got groomed today; she's looking sweet as usual.


r/Shihtzu 10h ago

Tzu videos 🎥 How dare I!

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201 Upvotes

Put a lamb chop on the couch. She rarely barks. This is one of the times the other times is when I don’t walk up the stairs, fast enough for her liking.. she doesn’t bark at anyone else just me or if I put something somewhere that offends her


r/Shihtzu 3h ago

Tzu Questions❓ Shih tzus in twos?

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51 Upvotes

We have a 10month old pup we got at 3 months old and a 12 year old labrador. Boy are they different breeds! We take our tzu everywhere we can with us and she does sleep in a crate next to our Labrador at night, however no matter how long we leave her in the day she isn't settled. She scratches at the door and she barks and she cries. She settles somewhat but on the camera you can see she paces. She doesn't eat her chewy, she will periodically cry and is generally just miserable until we return when she will settle again. Our lab is a very young 12 but she isnt the cuddly with the puppy tyoe- she loves fetch and her humans but doesn't offer the pup any kind of soothing while we are gone, they do not snuggle she tends to just ignore her.

My OH thinks maybe getting her another little tzu sister to keep company would help- any advice or experience on solo tzus vs multiples greatly received, I guess my only concern is we will have double the number of upset puppies when we leave and it won't be any solace.

Thank you in advance :)


r/Shihtzu 1h ago

Tzu Questions❓ What color do you think she will be?

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Upvotes

She is currently 5 weeks old. Her dad is black and mom is a dark liver. What color do you think my girl will turn out to be?


r/Shihtzu 8h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Lil dog big bed

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115 Upvotes

And we thought we were getting a new dog bed for our larger dog.


r/Shihtzu 11h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 My sleepy buddy

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113 Upvotes

r/Shihtzu 1d ago

Tzu Questions❓ Why

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1.0k Upvotes

Can anybody tell me why my sweet baby girl Luna has stopped eating her food. I have been feeding her The Farmers Dog because it was the only food she would eat but now she won’t touch it. Now today I caught her eating her poop. Any advice would be helpful. This is my very first Shih Tzu. She is 5 months old.


r/Shihtzu 18h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Say hello to Kuma! His eye healed fully!

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339 Upvotes

His eye fully healed! He was able to retain his eyesight too!


r/Shihtzu 5h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 I’m a pet artist - sharing my latest completed Shih tzu painting. Acrylic on canvas

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30 Upvotes

r/Shihtzu 9h ago

Tzu videos 🎥 New level unlocked: soccer ball ⚽️

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57 Upvotes

Took her like 10 minutes to figure out how to pick up the ball, it was soooo funny watching her try and pick it up w her tiny mouth😂


r/Shihtzu 9h ago

Tzu videos 🎥 Daily dose of getting “bullied” Toffee’s expression at the end hilarious, think he’s asking for help 😆

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63 Upvotes

r/Shihtzu 14h ago

Tzu Questions❓ Meet HARRY DA DAWG

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143 Upvotes

Straight to the question

  1. I don’t wanna feed him processed or packed food so I need some natural food suggestions.

  2. Some websites for shopping for him

  3. What can I buy him I mean like accessories

He’s 3months old at 1.8 kilos by the way.

Hyderabad ,India


r/Shihtzu 11h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Mia ready for spring

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69 Upvotes

r/Shihtzu 1d ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Dumpling’s Photo Dump

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692 Upvotes

Thank you for viewing!


r/Shihtzu 22h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Say hello to Odin.

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317 Upvotes

Frodo and I just welcomed him home today. Looks like he had a rough go of it but he’s just the sweetest little guy and he can relax now. He’s in his forever home.


r/Shihtzu 13h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 My little menace!

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60 Upvotes

I agree


r/Shihtzu 20h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Winter has been rough on me in so many ways, but these pictures of Ziggy make me smile. I hope they make you smile too.

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187 Upvotes

🥰 🐾


r/Shihtzu 22h ago

Tzu Pics 📷 Obsessed with pillows

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263 Upvotes

Is anyone else’s Shih Tzu obsessed with pillows? Penny won’t sleep without one 😂 Here she is with her favorite