10 Best Dog Food Delivery Services for Shih Tzu 2024

Shih Tzus have a long and fascinating history. They were first bred more than 1,000 years ago to be loyal companions for Chinese royalty, which is why today’s descendants are elegant couch potatoes! These small yet spirited dogs don’t require much daily activity, but they can be fussy eaters and are prone to health issues such as tartar buildup, obesity, and allergies.

Thankfully, most Shih Tzu health conditions can be avoided with a nutrient-rich diet, but finding the right food for your pet can be a challenge. So many dog food services promise high-quality, human-grade ingredients – but which ones really deliver? 

I’ve researched and reviewed 10 of the best dog food delivery services for Shih Tzus, all of which bring nutrient-packed meals to your door. The Farmer’s Dog tops my list, thanks to its highly personalized service and well-thought-out recipes, but all the options on this list offer something for every dog and their owner. 

The Best Dog Food Delivery Services for Shih Tzus Reviewed

1. The Farmer’s Dog – Best Overall Dog Food Delivery for Shih Tzus

The Farmer's Dog provides highly customized, pre-portioned meals for pets of all ages. The vet-developed recipes feature only (recognizable) fresh, human-grade ingredients that have been minimally processed and are free from preservatives and anything artificial. 

What’s on Offer?

Choose from up to 4 recipes, including Turkey, Beef, Pork, and Chicken, all packed with whole foods like sweet potato, lentils, carrots, kale, sunflower seeds, fish oils, and more. This is a service that keeps its meals simple – expect lean proteins, produce, and a dog-friendly blend of essential vitamins and minerals in every dish, and that’s it.

The Farmer’s Dog also offers a DIY Nutrient Mix if you prefer to cook your dog’s meals yourself. This supplement is a great way to boost your pet’s health and prevent conditions like immune dysfunction and degenerative muscle diseases. Like the fresh food, the Nutrient Mix will be customized to your pet, with a guide on how much to add to each batch of food. 

What Makes It Special?

When you sign up, you’ll be asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire about your dog’s health, lifestyle, and other factors to enable you to customize your pup’s eating plan. The meals then arrive perfectly portioned based on your Shih Tzu’s caloric needs to prevent overfeeding. You’ll even spot their name on the front of the packet! 

The meals are flash-frozen to ensure they’re at optimal freshness when they reach your door and to preserve the nutrients. You can choose to keep them in the freezer (where they’ll last for 6 months unopened), or you can pop them in the fridge and use them within 4 days. Your dog can enjoy it straight from the thawed packet, or you can add a little hot water if your pet prefers warm meals.   

The service also does its best to offer environmentally friendly packaging. Inside your recyclable cardboard box, you’ll find biodegradable insulation (that can be composted or dissolved down the sink), and a biodegradable food storage container. All the food packs are made from non-toxic BPA-free materials. You can see a full unboxing in my colleague's tested review.

Is It Good Value?

The Farmer's Dog prices start from $2/day, though the total cost will always depend on the size and needs of your pet. Estimated costs for an adult Shih Tzu weighing around 13 lb will cost approximately $28.56 per week if you feed it only fresh food.

In my view, The Farmer's Dog's fresh food recipes and nutrition-oriented formulation make it 1 of the best dog food delivery services for your Shih Tzu on the market. It's a premium product so it is a bit on the pricey side, but you can always mix some of the fresh food with your dog’s current dry food to make it last longer.

2. Ollie – Best Fresh and Baked Food for Shih Tzus

Ollie’s balanced meals are formulated with the help of board-certified vet nutritionists to ensure your pup gets the right type of nutrition in line with AAFCO standards. Its Fresh recipes are packed with human-grade wholefood ingredients that have been slow-cooked for nutrition and flavor—then flash-frozen for freshness.  

What’s on Offer?

Ollie also offers 2 Baked recipes. These bite-sized, kibble-style morsels have been made with the same quality meat and veggies as the Fresh meals but have been gently baked in small batches for maximum nutritional value. You can choose from the Baked Beef and Sweet Potatoes or Baked Chicken and Carrots. 

The meals are free from artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, too. The Fresh recipes include Fresh Beef with Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Turkey with Blueberries, Fresh Chicken with Carrots, and Fresh Lamb with Cranberries. 

Each dish includes high-quality meats and whole veggies, plus a series of canine-friendly supplements that help improve digestion and nutrient absorption.

What Makes It Special?

Ollie’s plans are highly flexible. You can choose from the Full Fresh Plan, a Mixed Plan (combining both Fresh and Baked meals), or a Half Fresh Plan, which delivers half portions to your door for the benefits of fresh food at a lower price. Find out more about what the plans entail in my colleague’s tested review of Ollie.

Just like The Farmer’s Dog, Ollie offers customized meals based on your dog’s needs, taking into account their age, weight, activity level, and any health concerns or goals. To put together your pup’s meal plan, you’ll have to answer a few questions so Ollie can figure out your furry friend’s caloric requirements and preferences. This ensures your pup is getting the right balance of nutrients to support their health and well-being.

Is It Good Value?

Ollie’s prices start from $4-$8 per day. For a 13 lb adult Shih Tzu, you can expect to pay around $27.90 per week on the premium Full Fresh Plan. You can also pick up subscriber-only extras, including treats and supplements, which will bump up the cost of your order total. 

Ollie’s flexible meal plans are both budget-friendly and entertaining for a pup who likes more texture in its food. So, even though the Full Fresh plan is a bit more expensive, your Shih Tzu can still enjoy all the benefits of high-quality ingredients and good formulation.

3. We Feed Raw – Best Raw Food for Shih Tzus

We Feed Raw specializes in providing dogs with a well-balanced raw food diet. And though there is a common misconception that only large breeds can eat raw food, the truth is that high-quality raw meals can be beneficial for all dogs, including smaller breeds like Shih Tzus. It’s particularly great for digestion and nutrient absorption.

What’s on Offer?

The company offers 6 recipes: Chicken, Turkey, Beef, Duck, Lamb, and Venison. Each dish includes USDA-approved, human-grade muscle meat, organ meat, and bone, plus a vitamin and mineral premix that is necessary for your pet’s health. 

The proteins are never cooked or heated, and everything has been formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist and approved by vets. This is why We Feed Raw is 1 of the best dog food delivery services for your Shih Tzus who enjoy raw recipes.

The proteins are also of the highest quality. The pasture-raised, grass-fed lamb and venison are sourced in New Zealand, while everything else is sourced locally from trusted farms in the USA. My colleague’s We Feed Raw review can tell you more about the ingredients and recipe formulas. 

What Makes It Special?

When you sign up, you’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire so you can customize a meal plan for your Shih Tzu. The food then arrives in frozen patties, which will take around 12 hours to thaw in the fridge before serving. 

You’ll always receive guidance to help you avoid over- or under-feeding, and you can always supplement with other types of foods—including kibble—if your pet prefers a mix. 

In addition to subscribing to a plan, you can also order We Feed Raw proteins in bulk. These need to be purchased in 30 lb increments (30 lb, 60 lb, 90 lb, 120 lb, etc.) to fill a box, but they could be a good option if you have other dogs (or cats!) to feed. Just be sure you have the freezer space.

Is It Good Value?

We Feed Raw prices start from $6.59/lb, and for an adult Shih Tzu, you might expect to pay around $24.64 per week. Of course, this depends on your pooch’s appetite and level of activity, but it’s still on the expensive side of things. 

The brand offers flexible feeding options, which allow you to mix We Feed Raw meals with other dog foods. This versatility means your 4-legged friend can still get the benefits of raw food without emptying your wallet.

4. Nom Nom – Best Customizable Meals for Shih Tzus 

Nom Nom offers gently cooked meals formulated by a team of pet health experts, including board-certified veterinary nutritionists. The company only uses high-quality, wholesome ingredients sourced from its trusted local suppliers. The recipes are minimally processed, so the ingredients retain their shape, texture, and individual taste.

What’s on Offer?

Nom Nom’s menu includes 4 recipes: Pork Potluck, Chicken Cuisine, Turkey Fare, and Beef Mash. The quality of proteins and produce is instantly recognizable, and there are never any fillers or preservatives. 

Each recipe also includes a custom mix of vitamin D, vitamin E, and B vitamins, plus iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, choline, and taurine to boost your pet’s overall health. 

The proteins and veggies in each meal are gently cooked and mixed in small batches to seal in the nutrients. The result is a dish that your pooch will likely go crazy over from the moment they get a whiff. 

What Makes It Special?

To help you find the right meals for your Shih Tzu, Nom Nom will ask a few questions regarding your puppy's breed, level of activity, health conditions, current weight, allergies, and more. With the information you provide, Nom Nom will create a profile for your pooch, which will be used to create a customized meal plan. 

Everything is individually portioned based on your dog’s caloric needs, so all you need to do is open the pouch, pour, and serve. You can find out more about this in my colleague’s detailed review.

You can also pick up probiotic supplements. They could prove useful if your pet is suffering from issues like vomiting or itching or if something has changed in their diet. You can also order a sample variety pack if you want to try the meals without committing to a subscription.

Is It Good Value?

Nom Nom’s prices start at $5/day, which puts it at the steeper end of the dog food delivery scale. For an adult 13 lb Shih Tzu, you might expect to pay around $31.25 per week.

While its premium quality and customization come at a higher price point, it’s a worthwhile investment for the health benefits it brings.

5. Spot & Tango – Best for Sensitive Dogs and Picky Eaters

Spot & Tango's meals are formulated by a team of veterinary nutritionists. All of its recipes follow and meet the nutritional levels established by AAFCO for all life stages. 

What’s on Offer?

Spot & Tango keeps things simple with 7 meals made from just 12 ingredients. In each dish, you’ll find a combination of lean protein, high-quality carbs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a mix of vitamins and minerals that will help your dog stay happy and healthy. Plus, all the meals are free of fillers, additives, and preservatives.

Spot & Tango’s Fresh Food menu features 3 recipes – Turkey and Red Quinoa, Beef and Millet, and Lamb and Brown Rice. All the meats used are GMO- and hormone-free, but you can find out more about what’s in each meal in my colleague’s Spot & Tango review.

Additionally, Spot & Tango has a version of dry food called UnKibble. Unlike traditional kibble, these meals are made from fresh, whole ingredients rather than meat meals or powdered mystery meats, and they're not extruded. The recipes include Cod and Salmon, Beef and Barley, Chicken and Brown Rice, and Turkey and Sweet Potato. You’ll even get a personalized scoop for your Shih Tzu. 

What Makes It Special?

To create a customized meal plan, you’ll have to take the quiz. The questions are easy to answer and focus on learning more about your dog’s weight, breed, health, allergies, age, and activity level, among other things. 

By the end, you’ll know your dog’s daily caloric needs and will get a recommendation about which Spot & Tango recipes will work best. However, keep in mind that you can’t mix and match fresh and dry food recipes.

Is It Good Value?

Spot & Tango’s prices start at <$1 per meal, but the final cost depends on whether you choose fresh food or UnKibble. If you choose fresh food, your total will also depend on which meals you select since the 3 recipes are individually priced. As a guide, a Shih Tzu of around 13 lb that only eats fresh food will cost approximately $33.04 per week.

As one of the best dog food delivery services for your Shih Tzu, Spot & Tango can make your life easier due to its versatile menu that combines fresh and dry meals. The company delivers high-quality, personalized nutrition for dogs, tailored to support the health and wellness of dogs at all life stages.

6. The Pets Table – Best for Fussy Shih Tzus

The Pets Table is a HelloFresh company that offers high-quality, human-grade dog food, including fresh and air-dried recipes (but no supplements or treats). The brand offers meal plans that fit the specific dietary needs of each dog based on various factors.

What’s on Offer?

The menu features 3 Fresh and 2 Air-Dried recipes. The fresh food meals are made with human-grade ingredients and are cooked in FDA-inspected facilities. The ingredients are combined, cooked, portioned out, and then flash-frozen to preserve their nutritional value. 

The Air-Dried recipes are a healthier, minimally processed alternative to traditional kibble. They are prepared by gently air-drying the ingredients at low temperatures. This method helps to preserve the essential nutrients while making the food shelf-stable. 

As you can learn from our well-detailed The Pets Table review, the formulations include superfoods, vitamins, minerals, and postbiotics to support overall health and wellness. Ingredients are chosen to provide a complete and balanced diet, supporting gut health, skin and coat health, immunity, and energy levels.

What Makes It Special?

The Pets Table uses high-quality, human-grade ingredients in its recipes with no fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Its recipes are formulated by veterinary nutritionists to meet nutritional standards established by AAFCO for dogs of all life stages.

To avoid overfeeding your Shih Tzu, the company provides customized meal plans based on your dog's breed, age, weight, and activity level. This personalized approach can help prevent obesity issues, which, sadly, are quite common in small breeds.

Is It Good Value?

At $1.59 per meal, The Pets Table is more expensive than some traditional dog foods. However, many owners feel the higher quality ingredients and customized nutrition are worth the cost, especially for a small breed like the Shih Tzu. The air-dried recipes provide a more affordable option as well.

8. JustFoodForDogs – Best Vet-Recommended Fresh Food

JustFoodForDogs (JFFD) is committed to providing pets with the best nutrition and care. The recipes are formulated with the help of veterinarians, nutritionists, and certified whole food formulators to ensure they meet AAFCO guidelines, and the company touts itself as the number-one vet-recommended service for fresh dog food. 

What’s on Offer?

The menu is pretty diverse and includes several categories. You can choose from Fresh-Frozen meals or Pantry Fresh meals (with shelf-stable packaging), as well as DIY Nutrient Blends, which can be added to meals you cook for your pet at home. 

You can also choose from a selection of treats, supplements, and Variety Starter packs. There are bundles, too, which include paired products designed to work together. You might choose something like the Healthy Skin and Coat Supplement or the Joint Support Bundle – there’s even a cute gift option that includes 3 plush toys.

What Makes It Special?

JFFD offers an online feeding calculator to help you figure out your dog’s daily needs. Though there is the option to create a custom diet for your pet, this is more expensive and does involve having to schedule a consultation with a nutrition consultant, which you can do for free via the JFFD site.

The calculator is a great feature for anyone who wants to shop quickly and get speedy advice on how much to feed their dog. Of course, it’s always recommended that you also talk with your vet to ensure the calculations are correct.

To navigate the menu, you can filter by health goal, life stage, needs, and more. And because JFFD isn’t a subscription-based service, you can order as much or as little as you need for your pet. Check out this in-depth review for more information on what signing up includes. 

Is It Good Value?

With JFFD, you can schedule repeat deliveries using the autoship feature. Prices start at $6.45 but will vary depending on the food type and quantity you order.

While JustFoodForDogs is seen as more affordable in comparison to similar brands, it is still pricier than conventional kibble and canned food. Still, its wide range of recipes and meal types, combined with the brand's commitment to affordability and accessibility, make it a great choice.

8. PawFoods – Great for Sensitive Stomachs

PawFoods specializes in making fresh, human-grade meals and treats for dogs using high-quality, natural ingredients like real meat, fruits, and vegetables. The company was founded with the goal of creating the ideal, healthy dog food using premium ingredients.

What’s on Offer?

The menu is quite simple, featuring 3 fresh recipes and 3 organic treats. However, the fresh recipes are gluten-free, which helps remove common allergens from the diet of dogs with sensitivities. Also, the Salmon Recipe is grain-free and fish-based, which helps enhance skin and coat health and can aid in weight loss.

You also don’t have to worry about artificial additives, fillers, and preservatives, which are often culprits in triggering allergies. The treats are made with high-quality, natural, and organic ingredients, which are easier on the digestive system.

What Makes It Special?

All PawFoods recipes are gently steamed to preserve the maximum amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in the ingredients. Steaming helps to remove bacteria while maintaining the natural juices and nutritional values of the food.

Our reviewer learned that the meals are made in small batches, which allows for better quality control and ensures that all ingredients are easily identifiable. This approach avoids the mushy texture often seen in other dog foods.

Additionally, the meals are packaged in convenient patties, making them easy to serve and mess-free. This packaging also allows you to see all the natural ingredients in each meal.

Is It Good Value?

PawFoods uses premium, human-grade ingredients, including real meat, fruits, and vegetables, which are essential for the health and well-being of Shih Tzus. The meals are steam-cooked to preserve nutrients and come in easy-to-serve packaging, which is quite convenient for small breeds.

Still, with pricing starting at $2.86 per meal, PawFoods may not be for every budget.

9. Maev – Best Premium Freeze-Dried Raw Recipes

Maev’s mission is to improve the health and longevity of dogs through proper nutrition and targeted supplements. The main product is human-grade raw dog food formulated by veterinary nutritionists to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs.

What’s on Offer?

Maev uses USDA-certified, human-grade ingredients, including lean meats, organ meats, and fresh vegetables, in both its recipes (Chicken and Beef). Additionally, the menu offers a Chicken Puppy Formula that includes functional supplements such as probiotics for digestive health and bovine colostrum, which supports digestion, bone, and muscle development. 

Maev’s regular recipes are designed to address specific health concerns, such as weight management, skincare, and digestion. These also include functional supplements in their formulations in order to provide targeted health benefits.

In addition to raw food, Maev offers supplement bars and bone broth toppers designed to target specific nutritional needs, such as joint health, digestion, skin/coat, etc. The supplements contain scientifically backed ingredients like probiotics, glucosamine, and omega-3s to support overall dog wellness.

What Makes It Special?

Unlike We Feed Raw, Maev’s method of preparing and delivering its raw food recipes makes it more convenient for serving and storage. The raw ingredients are gently frozen to preserve nutrients and avoid the need to thaw before serving. The packaging is also designed to be easy to handle and store.

According to our review, the company is transparent about its ingredients and sourcing, providing detailed information about the nutritional content and benefits of its food. Plus, the subscription is flexible, allowing pet owners to customize delivery frequency and portion sizes based on their dog's needs.

Is It Good Value?

With costs potentially reaching $143 per bag for a small dog, Maev is considered expensive by some customers. Despite the high price, many users find the quality and convenience worth the expense.

10. Raised Right – Best For Home-Style, Low-Carb Meals

Raised Right offers human-grade meals for your dog. Its recipes have been formulated in collaboration with veterinarians and pet-food formulation experts to make sure they meet AAFCO’s requirements for a complete and balanced diet. 

What’s on Offer?

Raised Right offers 4 fresh food recipes for adult dogs (Turkey, Beef, Pork, and Chicken), 4 pâté formulas (also for adult dogs), and 3 Puppy Growth meals. Each 1 contains familiar whole foods like flaxseed oil, cod liver oil, and organic dried kelp, all of which are super beneficial for your dog’s health and great for the immune system in particular. 

The meals are designed to be high in protein and low in carbs (less than 2%). That’s because the company doesn’t use filler ingredients like potatoes, oats, barley, parsnips, yams, squash, pasta, corn, wheat, or rice. 

Additionally, the vitamins and minerals in each recipe come only from whole foods, with no synthetic elements. Each recipe is lab-tested and lightly cooked to ensure the removal of any pathogens present, then flash-frozen for safe transportation, freshness, and storage. 

What Makes It Special?

You can build a customized meal plan for your pooch according to their weight, level of activity, and age. Based on your answers to a simple questionnaire, Raised Right’s algorithm will suggest the amount to feed every day and offer options for every budget. You can choose between a full fresh menu or combine it with other meal types, like kibble.

Like most fresh food brands on this list, Raised Right sends its meals frozen to lock in nutrients and ensure full freshness. At home, you should store the meals in the freezer until you’re ready to thaw and eat. After thawing in the fridge, they’ll last around 6 days.

Raised Right also offers treats in the form of bites or flakes, available in a variety of liver flavors, such as beef, turkey, pork, or lamb. You can find out more about the complete menu – and what might work for your Shih Tzu – in my colleague’s in-depth review.

Is It Good Value?

Raised Right is on the more expensive side, with prices starting at $9.99/bag. For a 13 lb adult Shih Tzu on a full fresh food diet, the cost would be around $5.61 per day, which can feel a bit steep. 

The subscription service offers 16 bags of food, which can be delivered as frequently as you like for free. Or you can opt for a one-off sample box of 4 bags for a $9.99 shipping fee.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Dog Food Delivery for Your Shih Tzu

Since Shih Tzus can be picky about their food and have specific health concerns, it can be challenging to find a dog food delivery service that meets their needs. To help you out, these are the main features I considered when building this list:

• Read reviews from other users. Check out the reviews from other pet owners who have used the service, particularly those who have Shih Tzus of their own! 

• Pay attention to the quality of the ingredients. All the services on my list offer high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients that are also human-grade. Consider those that will happily reveal the sources of their proteins and look at how the meals are preserved to maintain their freshness. Many – like The Farmer’s Dog – are flash-frozen rather than deep frozen. 

• Look for customizable options. Services like Ollie allow you to design a customizable meal plan for your pooch based on their age, health, activity levels. This can help boost the wellbeing of your pet in the long term. 

• Consider special dietary needs. Perhaps your dog needs grain-free options or meals that are especially high in protein? Make sure the dog food delivery service you choose offers food that meets the needs of your pet’s dietary restrictions. Look for brands like JustFoodForDogs that also offer vet-recommended recipes and pet-specific customization.

FAQ

Which dog food is best for Shih Tzus?

Shih Tzus need a high-quality diet based on lean proteins, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. You should also opt for those services that use human-grade ingredients. The Farmer’s Dog tops my list as the best service for Shih Tzus since it offers vet-approved fresh food and a highly customized service with plans for every kind of dog.

Do Shih Tzus need special food?

Your Shih Tzu requires meals that are high in lean protein, such as turkey and chicken, and healthy fats like salmon, flaxseed, or fish oils. They also need plenty of fiber to keep their digestive system healthy, which is why a combination of fresh meals and kibble-style food, like the ones offered by Spot & Tango, is a great option.

Can Shih Tzus eat raw dog food?

Yes, as long as it’s prepared in a safe environment and includes a high-quality combination of muscle, organ meat, and bone. We Feed Raw is a great option because the meals are balanced, USDA-approved, and only contain human-grade proteins.

Best Dog Food Delivery For Shih Tzu in 2024 — Final Score