What’s actually in Royal Canin Shih Tzu?
We analyzed Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Shih Tzu Adult dry dog food. The top five ingredients are brewers rice (a beer-brewing by-product), brown rice, chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, and oat groats. Two rice varieties plus oat groats means three grains dominate the formula by weight. Wheat gluten also appears in the ingredient list, adding a fourth grain-derived component. The formula contains no whole meats at any position.
The breed-specific elements include a clover-shaped kibble designed for a Shih Tzu’s flat face and underbite, GLA safflower oil for coat and skin health, L-tyrosine for skin pigmentation, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. Shih Tzus carry a dense double coat that demands nutritional support, and their brachycephalic jaw structure makes kibble shape a genuine functional consideration. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
GLA safflower oil is a strong inclusion for the Shih Tzu coat. Gamma-linolenic acid supports the skin barrier and coat quality — important for a breed with a thick double coat that’s prone to matting, dryness, and skin irritation underneath. Fish oil provides EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids that complement the GLA for comprehensive coat and skin support. L-tyrosine supports healthy skin pigmentation.
Fructooligosaccharides serve as a prebiotic for digestive health. DL-methionine supports urinary tract health, which matters for a small breed susceptible to bladder stones. Glucosamine and chondroitin support joints in a breed that can develop hip dysplasia and patellar luxation despite its small size. Chelated minerals improve absorption. Natural preservation with mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract avoids BHA/BHT.
The not-so-good stuff
Two rice varieties plus oat groats means three grains dominate the top five ingredients. Brewers rice is a beer-brewing by-product — the broken fragments left over after milling — and brown rice, while a better grain than corn, is still a carbohydrate filler occupying the second position ahead of any animal protein. These grains provide calories but not the protein density a small breed needs per bite.
Chicken by-product meal at position three is the only animal protein in the top five. It’s a generic by-product category — heads, feet, intestines — not the same as named chicken meal or whole chicken. Wheat gluten appears further down the list as a cheap plant protein source and binding agent, adding a common allergen to a formula for an allergy-prone breed. Powdered cellulose (wood pulp) is a zero-nutrition filler. No whole meats appear anywhere in the formula, and no probiotics are included despite Shih Tzus being known for digestive sensitivity.
How it compares
At C/58, Royal Canin Shih Tzu outscores the standard Royal Canin (C/58) and the Royal Canin Labrador (C/56), but sits squarely in the average tier. The coat-support supplements provide a slight edge over some other Royal Canin breed formulas, though the underlying grain-and-by-product pattern remains unchanged.
For Shih Tzus specifically, Nutro (B/77) offers chicken and whole grains without wheat gluten or powdered cellulose, plus omega fatty acids for coat health. Wellness Complete Health (B/82) leads with deboned chicken and includes salmon oil, probiotics, and glucosamine — addressing coat, digestive, and joint concerns through better base ingredients. Both deliver significantly more nutritional value per bite for a small breed that eats very little per day.
For better alternatives — brachycephalic-friendly, dental-supporting, eye-healthy — see our full best dog food for Shih Tzus guide.
The bottom line
Royal Canin Shih Tzu earns a C grade (58/100) from KibbleIQ. The GLA safflower oil, fish oil, DL-methionine, and joint supplements are genuinely relevant for a breed that contends with coat demands, eye sensitivities, dental issues, and potential joint problems. But the foundation — brewers rice, brown rice, oat groats, by-product meal, wheat gluten, and powdered cellulose — is the same grain-heavy pattern found across the Royal Canin breed-specific line. Your Shih Tzu will get better overall nutrition from Nutro (B/77) or Wellness Complete Health (B/82) paired with a fish oil supplement for that demanding double coat. Shop on Amazon →