How Long Does a Shih Tzu Live: 8 Factors To Consider

Shih Tzus are among the long-living dogs so, how long does a Shih Tzu live, let’s find out together.

There are a lot of factors that influence how long a Shih Tzu can live some of which are under human control.

These factors and ways to help Shih Tzus live longer are what we will be discussing in this post, so let’s discuss them.

How Long Does a Shih Tzu Live

A healthy Shih Tzu may live for 12 to 16 years or longer with regular medical exams, proper food, and basic care, all of which have an impact on how long a Shih Tzu lives.

Even though Shih Tzus have a wide variety of lifespans, their owners can have an impact on how long they live.

How to help Shih Tzus live longer

Here are some common ways to help a Shih Tzu live longer:

1. Provide high-quality dog food for your Shih Tzu

Providing high-quality food to Shih Tzus is a simple method to help them live longer lives.

Because poor nutrition is one of the leading causes of health problems in dogs, providing your Shih Tzu with nutritional food is essential.

Ascertain that they eat a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. You can always contact your veterinarian for the right food at any age.

You may feed your Shih Tzu both dry and wet food because they are both nutritious.

2. Get your Shih Tzu from a reputable breeder

By purchasing your Shih Tzu from a reputable breeder, you may prevent the majority of the difficulties that might arise from acquiring a mixed breed Shih Tzu.

If you get a purebred Shih Tzu from a reputable breeder, you will prevent avoidable health issues.

When compared to when you acquire a mixed breed Shih Tzu, this might help you get a healthy Shih Tzu that will live longer than predicted.

Don’t choose a breeder that hasn’t been breeding for a long time and can’t be trusted with his or her breeding technique.

You can also go for a test to make sure you got a purebred Shih Tzu and not a mixed breed.

3. Take your Shih Tzu for regular medical check-ups

Make sure your Shih Tzu has received all of the needed immunizations and is up to date when you first acquired him.

Make yearly checkups for your pet a top priority. This assists in the early detection of potential issues as well as the provision of preventative therapy.

Taking your Shih Tzu to the veterinarian for frequent checkups is the greatest way to be informed about her health.

Regular medical check-ups will aid in the early discovery of any health concerns, allowing your Shih Tzu to live a longer life.

4. Don’t feed your Shih Tzu with human foods

Shih Tzu owners frequently feed their dogs from their own plates without even realizing it.

While it’s a kind gesture, not all foods are suitable for your Shih Tzus.

Excessive human food consumption might cause stomach issues in your Shih Tzu, shortening its lifespan.

Follow the diet regimen laid out for you by a skilled veterinarian to the letter.

Regular grooming and well-balanced food are essential for your Shih Tzu.

If you realize your Shih Tzu has a health problem, take care of it right away.

Here is a list of foods that are safe for Shih Tzus to eat, and also a list of foods you shouldn’t feed your Shih Tzu.

5. Keep your Shih Tzu away from stress or anxiety

Shih Tzus are affectionate dogs who like spending time with their owners.

Shih Tzus, on the other hand, may become depressed if they are left alone for an extended amount of time.

Your Shih Tzu’s lifetime may be shortened as a result of stress and sadness.

As a consequence, you may be able to extend the life of your Shih Tzu by using these simple measures.

To keep your dogs happy and active, always remember to love and care for them.

You can help your Shih Tzu live longer by providing them with adequate care and attention.

Here are signs of stress in Shih Tzus you should keep a tab on.

6. Provide fresh water and avoid dehydration

Dehydration can limit the lifespan of your Shih Tzu by producing health issues that can be avoided.

Place a clean water fountain where your Shih Tzu can see it to ensure that he or she has access to it.

Dehydration causes a variety of preventable health problems, including shedding, internal organ damage, and dry skin.

7. Keep your Shih Tzu space clean

The environment your Shih Tzu live in contributes greatly to the sort of diseases he gets.

Pest or worms that will affect the health of your Shih Tzu can be transferred if you keep an unclean environment.

For example, your Shih Tzu can get worms from infected mosquito bites, this mosquito can breed on stalled or potted water logs around your house.

To help your Shih Tzu live longer by giving your Shih Tzu a healthy and hygienic environment and hygienic practices.

8. Look out for early sick symptoms

Shih Tzus are prone to a variety of illnesses, many of which have early warning signs. Hip dysplasia is common in Shih Tzus, for example.

Jumping fear, limping, and other signs and symptoms are common.

So, if your Shih Tzu cat starts acting strangely, take him to the doctor right once.

Keeping an eye on your sick symptoms will help you spot any possible concerns.

If dictate an illness in your Shih Tzu on time by paying attention to your Shih Tzu you can manage such illness before it becomes late.

Recommended post: 10 Most Common Shih Tzu Old Age Problems & Helpful Tips.

Factors that affect the life span of Shih Tzus

The following are some of the most common variables that affect a Shih Tzu’s life expectancy:

1. Environmental conditions of your home

Stray Shih Tzus are at more risk than Shih Tzus kept in their homes.

There are several reasons why you should not leave your Shih Tzu unsupervised outside.

The threats they face on the outside, like as automobile accidents, pollution, infections, and animal assaults, have an impact on how long they live.

Allowing your Shih Tzu to spend too much time outside might put him or her in danger.

They might be bitten by dogs or other animals, swallow poison or contract other diseases.

2. Poor nutrition

A bad diet has a considerable impact on the lifespan of a Shih Tzu.

As a result, we recommend communicating with your veterinarian in order to provide you with the right nutrition.

Remember that the food you give your Shih Tzu pups is not the same as the diet you feed an adult or senior cat.

Every stage of life necessitates the selection of the appropriate diet, which should be prescribed by a licensed veterinarian.

In truth, a poor diet causes Shih Tzu to develop unwanted health issues, which may shorten their lives.

3. Genetic variations

Like all living animals, Shih Tzu’s lifetime is partly controlled by heredity.

If the Shih Tzu’s parents survive to be elderly, the puppy will most likely live to be old as well.

Diseases like heart disease and asthma, as well as genetics, can, unfortunately, be passed down to puppies.

These ailments, which are handed down from parents to puppies, have a substantial impact on Shih Tzu’s lifetime.

This is why we recommend either buying or adopting a Shih Tzu from a reputable breeder.

4. Hormonal changes

A neutered Shih Tzu is more likely to live a healthy and happy life, which may lead to longer longevity.

Because a non-neutered Shih Tzu undergoes greater hormonal fluctuations than a neutered Shih Tzu, this is accurate.

The reproductive desire of a Shih Tzu is handled by neutering them, and any problems associated with reproduction that may shorten their lifespan are avoided.

5. Challenges associated with health care

A Shih Tzu’s health is extremely important. If you don’t take care of a little injury, it might turn into a much worse problem.

Because you allow your Shih Tzu spends most of their time outside and is rarely in direct touch with humans, health problems may go unnoticed or develop before they are recognized.

If left untreated, even a flea or tick illness can be fatal to Shih Tzu.

It’s not just a simple question of keeping Shih Tzu clean and well-groomed to avoid mats, loose hair, and foreign items being caught in the skin or paws; 

It’s also a matter of keeping them clean and well-groomed to avoid mats, loose hair, and foreign objects becoming stuck in the skin or paws.

6. Level of stress, depression, or anxiety

Shih Tzus have a lot of anxiety, and they don’t perform well when they’re anxious or depressed.

Loud sounds, other animals, humans they loathe, and other factors can all contribute to this.

While it may not be realistic to take your Shih Tzu to fully stress-free environments, you can train them to cope with their anxiety.

Give them toys, make sure they get adequate sleep and be present in situations when they are likely to be worried.

When people are pleased or relaxed, positive hormones are released, and these hormones help people live longer.

7. Lack of medical check-ups

Shih Tzus are unable to communicate when they are unwell. Shih Tzus, on the other hand, are famed for their ability to hide their unpleasant emotions.

When a Shih Tzu owner notices something is wrong with their dog, it is sometimes too late to help them.

Shih Tzus, in particular, require regular visits to the veterinarian.

This gives you the best opportunity of catching any issues early enough to fix them appropriately.

Make sure your Shih Tzu has had all of the necessary vaccinations and is up to date.

Make yearly checkups for your pet a top priority. This assists in the early detection of potential issues as well as the provision of preventative therapy.

8. Illnesses

Shih Tzus are known to suffer a variety of health problems, the majority of which will shorten their lives.

Progressive retinal atrophy, urinary tract infections, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and other health issues are the most common.

GI and neoplastic disorders, urinary tract disease, and gum disease are just a few of the health issues that this breed faces.

I hope your question How Long Does a Shih Tzu Live was answered with the information provided on this page!