Senior Shih Tzu Care Guide

Shih Tzus were bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, and after thousands of years, they still excel at their original purpose: providing unwavering love and companionship. With their flowing coats, expressive faces, and affectionate personalities, Shih Tzus bring warmth to every home they grace. As these little lions (the name means "lion dog") enter their senior years, their distinctive flat faces, prominent eyes, and luxurious coats all present breed-specific care needs that differ from those of other toy breeds. This guide helps you understand and address every aspect of senior Shih Tzu care.

When Is a Shih Tzu Considered Senior?

Shih Tzus are generally considered senior between 9 and 12 years of age. Their average lifespan of 10-18 years is impressive, and many well-cared-for Shih Tzus live happily into their mid-to-late teens. This means the senior phase can extend over many years, potentially becoming the longest chapter of your Shih Tzu's life. Long-term, sustainable care routines are essential.

Begin twice-yearly senior wellness exams by age 9-10, with particular attention to eye health, dental condition, respiratory function, and kidney and liver values via blood testing. Shih Tzus are generally a healthy breed, but the conditions they are prone to require consistent monitoring.

Eye Problems: Protecting Those Expressive Eyes

The Shih Tzu's large, prominent eyes are one of the breed's most endearing features, but they are also one of the most vulnerable. The shallow eye sockets that give Shih Tzus their characteristic wide-eyed expression provide less protection than deeper-set eyes, making the breed prone to a host of ocular conditions:

Common Eye Conditions in Senior Shih Tzus

• Corneal ulcers: Prominent eyes are more exposed to injury from scratches, dry conditions, and irritants. Even mild contact with a rough surface can cause a painful corneal ulcer.
• Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca): Inadequate tear production leads to chronic irritation and potential corneal damage. Requires lifelong treatment with tear-stimulating drops.
• Cataracts: Lens clouding that impairs vision. May be surgically correctable.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): Gradual genetic vision loss that can lead to blindness.
• Excessive tearing (epiphora): Chronic tear overflow causing staining and moisture around the eyes, which can lead to skin irritation and infection.
• Proptosis: Due to shallow sockets, the eye can be displaced from the socket by trauma or even rough play. This is a veterinary emergency.

Daily Eye Care Routine

Every Shih Tzu owner should establish a daily eye care routine:

1. Gently clean around both eyes with a soft, damp cloth or veterinary eye wipe to remove discharge and tear stains
2. Check for redness, cloudiness, squinting, or excessive tearing
3. Keep facial hair trimmed away from the eyes or secured with a topknot
4. Apply artificial tears or lubricant drops as directed by your veterinarian
5. Dry the area around the eyes to prevent moisture-related skin irritation

Dental Disease

Like many small breeds, Shih Tzus are highly susceptible to dental disease. Their small, sometimes slightly undershot jaws result in crowded or misaligned teeth that trap food particles and bacteria. By the senior years, periodontal disease is almost universal in Shih Tzus without a rigorous dental care history.

Advanced dental disease causes pain, tooth loss, and allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver. This is particularly concerning because Shih Tzus are also prone to kidney disease as they age.

Dental Care Priorities

• Brush teeth daily with enzymatic canine toothpaste; use a finger brush for easier access in small mouths
• Provide appropriately sized dental chews (look for the VOHC seal)
• Use dental water additives as supplementary care
• Schedule professional dental cleanings as recommended (typically every 6-12 months for this breed)
• If multiple teeth have been lost, transition to soft or wet food that does not require chewing

Breathing and Brachycephalic Considerations

Shih Tzus are a brachycephalic breed with a flat face that can compromise breathing to varying degrees. While Shih Tzus are generally less severely affected than breeds like English Bulldogs or Pugs, their shortened airways do become more problematic in the senior years as tissues lose elasticity and overall fitness declines.

• Avoid excessive heat and humidity; use cooling mats during warm months
• Keep your Shih Tzu at a lean body weight to minimize respiratory effort
• Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid throat pressure
• Be alert to changes in breathing sounds, especially increased snoring, snorting, or labored breathing
• Keep exercise moderate and avoid overexertion

If your senior Shih Tzu develops noticeably worsened breathing, consult your veterinarian. Some brachycephalic airway corrections (such as widening stenotic nares) can be performed even in senior dogs if the benefit outweighs the anesthetic risk.

Grooming Your Senior Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu's coat is one of the breed's defining features, but it demands consistent care throughout life. In the senior years, grooming adjustments help keep your Shih Tzu comfortable:

• Consider a puppy cut: A shorter, all-over clip (1-2 inches) is far easier to maintain and more comfortable for a senior dog who may not tolerate long grooming sessions.
• Brush daily or every other day: Even in a shorter clip, Shih Tzu hair mats easily. Regular brushing prevents discomfort and allows skin inspection.
• Clean facial folds: The area around the nose, eyes, and mouth should be cleaned daily to prevent moisture-related irritation and infection.
• Shorten grooming sessions: Older dogs with arthritis may find standing for long periods uncomfortable. Break grooming into shorter sessions or have your Shih Tzu lie down on a comfortable surface during brushing.
• Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks: A skilled groomer familiar with the breed can maintain coat health and perform thorough nail trims, ear cleaning, and sanitary clips.

Joint Health and Mobility

While Shih Tzus are not as predisposed to joint disease as larger breeds, they can develop luxating patella, age-related arthritis, and hip dysplasia. Their compact build and relatively low center of gravity provide some protection, but aging joints still need support.

Provide ramps or pet stairs for furniture access, non-slip surfaces on smooth floors, and a comfortable orthopedic bed. Joint supplements appropriate for small breeds help maintain cartilage health. Keep your Shih Tzu active with gentle daily walks and indoor play to maintain muscle tone.

Kidney Health

Shih Tzus are somewhat predisposed to kidney problems, including renal dysplasia (a developmental condition) and age-related chronic kidney disease. Regular blood panels monitoring kidney values (BUN, creatinine, SDMA) should be part of your senior Shih Tzu's wellness care. Early detection of declining kidney function allows dietary modification and supportive care that can significantly slow disease progression. Visit our kidney disease in senior dogs guide for comprehensive information.