Shih Tzu are adorable dogs, and incredibly popular for their beautiful coats, sparkling personalities, and their perfect size. When it comes to owning a Shih Tzu though, the grooming can feel overwhelming at first. Knowing how to groom your Shih Tzu can take some time to learn, and researching things on the internet can feel overwhelming with article after article, talking about different techniques, grooming schedules, grooming habits, etc.
This blog is going to break down the necessities for grooming your Shih Tzu, from schedules to tools, and everything else in between. I want you to feel confident about taking care of your Shih Tzu grooming needs, so they stay happy, healthy, and beautiful throughout their lives. At Divine Pups, we start the desensitization of grooming, by working with our pups regularly. We encourage new Shih Tzu owners to continue the desensitization process when they take their new pups home.
What should my Shih Tzu grooming habits include?
Shih Tzu do require regular grooming. They should be regularly bathed and regularly brushed and they will need regular visits to a groomer for hair cuts, due to their longer coat of fur. This may sound overwhelming, but when you break it all down into a workable schedule, it is easily managed.
Shih Tzu are long-haired dogs and thus require regular brushing. It is recommended that you brush them every 1-3 days depending on their hair length, to avoid matting in their coats and to keep them free of debris when they go outdoors. When brushing a Shih Tzu, you should be starting at the bottom and working your way up, gently, to not cause your pup any pain. It is important to brush all of them including tails, ears, feet, and legs. Regular brushing will prevent the matting of their fur, and if you prefer your Shih Tzu to have longer hair, brushing it regularly is a top priority.
Bathing habits; like all dogs, Shih Tzu have oils on their skin and fur, which helps keep them clean and keeps their coats soft and shiny. Unless your dog is dirty, muddy, or stinky, they likely do not need a bath more frequently than every 3-4 weeks.
I recommend PawTree’s 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner for bath time. This hypoallergenic formula gently cleanses, deodorizes, and conditions your Shih Tzu’s coat in one easy step. With added vitamins A, D, and E, along with essential fatty acids, this soothing blend replenishes moisture and controls flaking.
Bathing too often can dry out your pup’s skin and make their hair coarser. However, if your Shih Tzu has a skin disorder, more frequent bathing may be required as well as using a special product for skin sensitivities. I love pawTree’s Aloe-Oatmeal-Chamomile Shampoo. The Aloe, Oatmeal & Chamomile Itch-Relief shampoo is the ultimate dog shampoo for itchy, dry, flaky and sensitive skin!
Trimming your Shih Tzu’s hair is recommended. Shih Tzu’s may often need their hair trimmed around their paws, ears, tail, and eyes. If you are not comfortable giving your Shih Tzu a trim, then a trip to the groomer regularly is recommended.
Wiping your Shih Tzu face is a daily task. Shih Tzu have prominent eyes, and because of this eye health and care should be a daily priority to keep dust, debris, and allergens away from their eyes. Wiping their faces daily also prevents tear staining on their faces as well. We recommend using these specific wipes, as they are gentle enough for their faces, while still providing adequate cleaning. I recommend PawTree’s Coconut Aloe Wipes for facial cleanings, due to its soothing aloe properties.
Shih Tzu should also see regular trips to the groomer. Depending on how you prefer your pup’s coat length to be, and the amount of grooming you do at home will help determine how often you should be taking your Shih Tzu to the groomer for regular maintenance.
What tools do I need to take care of my Shih Tzu coat?
Depending on the length of your Shih Tzu coat, there are a few different grooming tools you will need for regular grooming needs. For longer coats, you will need a pin brush, this is used for reaching the smaller areas on your dog such as the armpits and other smaller areas that will need brushing. I recommend using PupWells Fine Tooth Comb.
You will also need a bristle brush, which is used for shorter haircuts on Shih Tzu. A two-level comb is recommended for brushing near the face and eyes of your Shih Tzu. Because of the Shih Tzu longer hair, a dematting tool is also recommended, so that if your Shih Tzu does get a mat, you can brush it out before it gets unmanageable. For a dematting brush, I recommend using PupWells Dematting Comb.
Many groomers will also recommend a leave-in conditioning spritz, to help condition your pup’s coat, and give it that beautiful shine. I recommend using PawTree’s Fresh Spring Petals Deodorizing Mist for Shih Tzu, with its all natural ingredient list, fresh scent, and conditioning properties.
Conclusion
Shih Tzu are beautiful dogs, with gorgeous coats. Because of their coats, regular grooming habits are a necessity with Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu requires daily, weekly, and monthly grooming, to maintain their beautiful coats.
Not only do Shih Tzu require regular grooming at home, but they also need to see a groomer regularly as well for additional coat and hygiene maintenance.
Because of their grooming needs, Shih Tzu will require a variety of grooming tools to be used at home. We know it can be overwhelming to find the right tools for your dog’s needs, which is why we recommend these grooming tools and supplies for Shih Tzu grooming. We have tried many options over the years, and these recommended products have proven to be the best quality. If you are looking to set yourself up with trusted products and tools for grooming your Shih Tzu, I recommend purchasing PupWells Bundle Kit and Essentials, for everything you will need to help keep your Shih Tzu groomed.
