A Guide to the BEST and WORST Foods to Feed your beloved Maltese Shih Tzu

As with any dog, feeding your Maltese Shih Tzu a balanced and healthy diet is important for their overall health and well-being.  In this article, we discuss some of the best foods to feed your Maltese Shih Tzu and what foods you should avoid feeding them.  But first, let’s understand how our dog’s digestive system has evolved over time and compare it with its ancestral wolf’s diet.

The Evolution of the Canine Digestive System

While it is true that dogs are descended from carnivorous ancestors, it is important to understand that the domesticated dog has been bred to thrive on a balanced diet that includes a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.  Domesticated dogs today are not just pure carnivores – they have evolved to have a more omnivorous diet.

Dogs’ domestication has altered their digestive system and the way they digest food.  Over thousands of years, dogs have evolved from their wild ancestors, the gray wolf, through the process of domestication.  As they became more domesticated, dogs’ digestive system also changed to adapt to the different types of food available in their new environment.

In the wild, dogs would eat mostly meat and some small amounts of fruits and vegetables from the stomachs of their prey.  However, feeding today’s domesticated dogs, a diet consisting solely of raw meat and bones can lack the necessary nutrients that dogs need to maintain good health.  Domesticated dogs have evolved to access a wide range of foods beyond just raw meat.  They also have different activity levels and nutritional requirements than their wild ancestors.

One major difference between wild and domesticated dogs is the variety of food sources available.  Wild dogs have a diet that primarily consists of raw meat, bones, and some vegetation.  In contrast, domesticated dogs are commonly fed commercial dog food or home-cooked meals that are typically a mix of protein, grains, and vegetables.

As a result, the digestive system of domesticated dogs has evolved to better digest and absorb nutrients from these different types of food.  Domesticated dogs have more enzymes in their gut to help digest carbohydrates, and their stomach pH is less acidic than wild dogs to help digest plant-based foods.

However, it’s important to note that dogs still have a carnivorous digestive system and require a diet that is primarily based on animal protein.  Feeding a diet that is too high in carbohydrates can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.

Overall, dogs’ domestication has influenced the evolution of their digestive system to better process the foods they commonly eat in their domesticated environment.  However, it’s still important to provide dogs with a balanced diet that is appropriate for their carnivorous digestive system.

Nowadays, dogs that live in houses and don’t get much exercise will have lower energy requirements than wild dogs that hunt and roam over large territories.  This means that their diet should be adjusted to reflect their lower energy expenditure.  Additionally, modern domesticated dogs often live longer than their wild ancestors, so their nutritional needs will change over time as they age.

Therefore, it is best to feed your Maltese Shih Tzu a nutritionally balanced diet that is specifically formulated for companion dogs like the Maltese Shih Tzu.  This can include high-quality commercial dog foods, which have been formulated to meet the nutritional needs of dogs and approved by veterinarians, or home-cooked meals that are properly balanced with the necessary nutrients designed by pet nutritionists.