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Allergies

Shih Tzu Allergy Information

Shih Tzu allergy pic, outside with grasses and weeds

Overview

Allergies are fairly common with Shih Tzu dogs, affecting about 20% of them, often with significant impact. Identifying triggers can be challenging, and treatments may only be partially effective or temporary. However, with dedication to resolving your Shih Tzu's allergies, you can achieve fast and lasting relief. This guide will cover everything about Shih Tzu allergies, including signs, types, diagnosis, and a three-step approach for resolution, offering step-by-step guidance to improve your little guy or gal's well-being.

Please note: AllShihTzu is reader-supported. Some links below are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission on products through these, at no extra cost to you.

Also please note: It is highly recommended to read all of the details regarding symptoms, steps to reduce or eliminate triggers, and possible veterinary diagnosis and treatment. However, if you are just looking for topical treatments to provide immediate help, you may wish to jump ahead to 'Step #2: Allergy Treatments to Resolve Symptoms: Recommended At-home Treatment'.

Symptoms

Signs that your Shih Tzu has allergies can be very varied. Your puppy or dog may have one, some, or all of the following. In addition, these symptoms can come and go over time. This includes:

Excessive dry skin
Itching
Rash
Skin sores
Hot spots
Thinning hair
Chronic ear infections
Eye discharge
Bloodshot eyes
Wheezing
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Exercise intolerance due to breathing issues; can include wheezing, difficult catching breath when exercising
Stomach upset and/or vomiting (if seen, will most likely be due to food allergies)
Behavior due to intense itching; includes scratching, licking or chewing (often the paws) and/or rubbing the body against surfaces

Types of Allergies

A Shih Tzu can be allergic to a wide range of allergens. However, these can be placed into 3 main categories:

1. Food Allergies - Many dog food brands contain additives like chemical preservatives, artificial dyes, or flavorings that can cause allergies. Other triggers are high-gluten ingredients like wheat and its by-products, and in rare cases, dogs may be allergic to eggs or specific proteins like chicken.

2. Environmental Allergies - Airborne allergens such as pollen, weeds, and grasses impact Shih Tzu dogs throughout the year, with spring and autumn having specific triggers like ragweed. Dust mites and their droppings are constant allergens, with significant quantities in household dust. Common items like cleaners and air fresheners can also trigger allergies.

3. Contact Allergies - Contact allergies in dogs, arising from contact with items like plastic bowls, carpeting, fabrics, detergents, and certain toys, can cause localized skin reactions or full body rashes, depending on the allergen source.

Diagnosing Your Shih Tzu's Allergies

Testing at the veterinarian's: We certainly encourage you to take your Shih Tzu to the veterinarian for help with allergies. Severe reactions warrant a vet visit for prescriptions like antihistamines and anti-inflammatories. However, do know that testing canines for allergies is not without their drawbacks.

Blood testing - The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) blood test, commonly used to detect dog allergies, checks for antigen-induced antibodies and is more accurate for food allergies than environmental or contact ones. Originally designed for humans, it's less precise for canines and can produce false positives, potentially leading to incorrect conclusions.

Intradermal skin testing – This is more reliable than blood tests for dog allergies, and involves shaving a small area and injecting common allergens under the skin. Downsides include the need for sedation and withholding antihistamines and allergy medications for 1 to 3 months prior for accurate results. Results are accurate about 75% of the time, limited by subjective interpretation of skin reactions by vets and the availability of only a limited number of allergens.

Home testing involves eliminating common triggers to identify what alleviates your Shih Tzu's allergy symptoms, though improvements, particularly in food allergies, may take up to 12 weeks.

A combination of vet consultation and at-home actions is recommended for optimal results.

The 3 Steps to Resolve Allergies Effectively and Permanently

Shortcuts in allergy treatment often lead to limited or temporary success, as dogs can be allergic to multiple triggers. Incomplete removal of allergens or skipping steps in the treatment process can result in continued exposure and ineffective relief for your Shih Tzu.

So, to truly fix allergies forever, there are 3 steps that you'll want to follow:

#1 Significantly reduce or completely eliminate the triggers.

#2 Use the right allergy treatments to resolve symptoms.

#3 Continued avoidance of allergens and good care management to help prevent re-occurrence.

Now, let's go into the details of these 3 steps, so that your Shih Tzu can start to finally find some relief.

Step #1: Significantly Reduce or Completely Eliminate Allergens

Since allergies fall into three categories - food, environmental, and contact - we'll address them separately. Don't dismiss any category, as your Shih Tzu may have multiple allergies, like a sensitivity to synthetic preservatives in food and a reaction to dust mites in the environment.

1) Food Allergens

Both main meals and all snacks should be assessed.

You'll want to offer wholesome, quality food that has zero wheat, chemical preservatives (a blend of vitamins should naturally preserve the food), coloring dyes, or artificial flavoring. Steer clear of generic meats and by-products as well.

The kibble should be made in the USA and be properly sized for your Shih Tzu.

Meals: There are countless inferior brands, and only a few superior ones that truly do not add in any fillers or additives. Our top recommended kibble for Shih Tzu with food allergies is Wellness CORE Natural Grain-Free for Small Breeds. This is a chicken and turkey recipe, which is normally very easy on the stomach and very well-tolerated.

CORE dog food offers notable benefits like omega-3 fatty acids from salmon for dry or itchy skin and glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, crucial for Shih Tzu dogs prone to hip issues. While grain-free isn't essential for all dogs, consider options for those sensitive to gluten. Rice and quinoa are naturally gluten-free, while oatmeal and barley are low-gluten alternatives.

So, you may want to consider Merrick Classic Small Breed Recipe which does have brown rice, oats, and barley, but zero wheat and of course zero artificial additives.

If you suspect your Shih Tzu is allergic to its current protein source, like chicken, try alternative proteins such as turkey, lamb, beef, bison, duck, rabbit, or fish.

Snacks and treats: Here, again, you'll want to look for something that is wholesome and 100% all-natural, without ANY additives.

Keep in mind that there are two types of snacks/treats: those given as reward and those given to satiate a dog in between meals.

For reward training treats, you'll want something that is moist and chewy (not dry or crunchy), small (so that it does not interfere with appetite) and bursting with flavor (so that it is seen as high-value). For this, a great all-natural choice is Full Moon Organic Training Treats.

For snacks to hand out in between meals, you'll want something that is dry (often labeled as 'baked' or crunchy') and a bit more substantial in size. A favorite all-natural choice is Fruitables All Natural Baked Dog Treats which pairs pumpkin along with blueberry, apple, cranberry, and banana.

Water should be assessed:

Offering unfiltered tap water to your Shih Tzu could trigger allergies, as US tap water contains various toxins and contaminants, including chlorine, which poses health risks. Over 100 contaminants are regulated by the EPA, and the carcinogen chromium-6 affects over 200 million Americans. To ensure clean, chemical-free water for your dog, consider using bottled spring water, installing a kitchen tap filter, or utilizing a filtering water pitcher.

If you're thinking of using a pitcher, choose wisely; some do not trap all that much. However, an extremely effective one is the Aquagear Water Filter Pitcher, which removes 2000% more contaminants than a Brita, including chromium-6.

2) Environmental Allergens

This includes pollen, grasses, weeds, mold, dust mites, and chemical cleaning products. Since these particles are minute yet powerful, just missing one of these steps to rid the house and your Shih Tzu of these triggers may allow allergies to continue. So, you'll want to follow as many of these steps as you can:

1. Vacuum all rooms of the house, no matter the type, with a vacuum cleaner that has HEPA filtration. A certified HEPA will trap 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3-micron (0.000012-inch) which includes pollen and other allergens that pass right by other non-HEPA vacuums. Using something like the Shark Navigator with HEPA Filter and Anti-Allergy Seal will remove these elements from the floor and also can help to clear the air to some extent as it cycles through the machine.

2. Filter the air. If you have a central air system, run it (just the fan setting is okay if you don't need the AC) while using either HEPA filters with a MERV rating of at least 9, or a filter with an FPR of at least 9. These will filter out pollen, mold, dust mites, and other microscopic allergens.

If you do not have central air, consider obtaining free-standing purifier like the LEVOIT Air Purifier with True HEPA Filter for your home.

3. Wet-dust the house often to combat dust mites, a major cause of year-round allergies for both dogs and people. Dust at least once a week using a damp cloth or an all-surface dusting spray, as dry dusting just moves the mites around without removing them.

4. Routinely wash bed linens, pillow covers, toss pillows, throw rugs, and other washables in hot water (at least 130°F) to kill dust mites that burrow in fabrics. Consider discarding old pillows, mattresses, or other unnecessary items.

5. Keep windows closed so that pollen and other airborne allergens cannot re-enter the home.

6. Have everyone remove shoes before they enter the home. Keep these up and away from your Shih Tzu's reach.

7. Keep track of high pollen-count days. You can see this information alongside most local weather reports. The best time for daily walks on these days is early in the morning and then again later in the evening. This is because pollen usually reaches its peak right around noontime.

8. Wipe your Shih Tzu down every time they re-enter the home, whether after a brief bathroom trip or a longer walk. The coat picks up outdoor allergens like pollen, which need to be removed to prevent spreading them to bedding and resting areas. Something like Earthbath All Natural Hypo-Allergenic Grooming Wipes is ideal; keep these right by the door.

9. Routinely apply paw wax to your Shih Tzu's paws to repel contact allergens and create a barrier against irritants like lawn care products. A quality paw wax also helps heal irritated paw skin and related allergy issues.. A recommended wax which is Musher's Secret Paw Protection Wax which is very effective and absorbs quickly.

10. Rinse off your Shih Tzu's paws after coming back inside; the kitchen sink is often the most convenient method. Don't worry about the paw wax, water will not remove it; it takes about 1 week for the wax to slowly wear away.

11. Brush your Shih Tzu often. Regardless of whether your Shih Tzu has a short, medium, or long coat, brush the entire body 3 to 5 times per week.

12. Limit the use of chemical cleaners including air freshener sprays and carpet deodorizing powders. When you are using strong cleaners, such as when scrubbing the bathtub, keep your dog away from the area.

3) Contact Allergens

For this, you'll want to rule out certain items and elements that your Shih Tzu may be coming into contact with that may be causing issues. This includes:

Bowls - Plastic bowls, even BPA-free ones, are common allergens for dogs, often due to heavy color dyes or the plastic itself. Dogs can also experience a reaction where prolonged use leads to loss of nose pigmentation. A Shih Tzu's black nose turning lighter or pink might be linked to these bowls, sometimes accompanied by a mouth rash.

What to do: Stainless steel is the #1 choice for dog bowls, as this this is allergen-free. It also resists scratching, is of a good weight, and is easy to clean. An alternative choice is ceramic; however, it is not as durable and can crack or shatter.

If your Shih Tzu does not have stainless steel bowls yet, you may want to look into a cute yet efficient set that sits into a molded base to keep things nice and tidy, like Kek's Stainless Steel Bowl Set with Non-Skid & No Spill Base.

Carpeting - Certain carpet fibers can cause allergic reactions, and rough texture just adds to the problem. What to do: If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, and suspect this to be one of the culprits, encourage your Shih Tzu to rest and sleep in his bed and/or place down small blankets that have been washed in hypo-allergenic detergent.

Detergent - Anything that's been washed in heavily perfumed detergent may cause a reaction; this includes soft stuffed toys, blankets, and pillow cases. What to do: Always use a hypo-allergenic detergent that is free of perfumes or dyes.

Toys - Certain toys, and particularly inexpensive ones that one can get at dollar stores, may be made from cheap rubbers or plastics, and often heavy coloring dyes. What to do: It's always a good idea to routinely check your Shih Tzu's toy supply and do a 'keep, don't keep'. Remove suspect toys.

To Summarize Step #1:

Take the time to reassess what you're feeding for meals, snacks, and training treats
Follow the 12 steps to reduce environmental allergens
And take a look at what can be changed in regard to contact allergens

Remember that doing just a few of these things may not give your Shih Tzu any relief. It is by implementing most if not all of these elements that a dog may finally be free from itching and other allergic reactions.

Now, let's move onto Step #2, which is to treat symptoms (like itching) and includes specific recommendations including allergy shampoos and topical sprays under 'Recommended At-home Treatment'.

Step #2: Allergy Treatments to Resolve Symptoms

Possible Prescribed Medications and Treatments:

While many pet parents prefer home treatments for their Shih Tzu's allergies, moderate to severe cases often require a vet visit. This is due to the need for strong medications like hydroxyzine (Atarax) or prednisone, which is safe only short-term and can cause changes in thirst, appetite, and increased infection risk. Severely dry and cracked skin may also necessitate antibacterial ointment.

Treatments to be Wary Of:

Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, involves giving a dog small amounts of allergens to build tolerance but has limitations and risks:

Ineffective for food allergies and requires identification of specific allergens.
Daily (oral) or weekly (injected) administration, with potential symptom worsening initially.
Takes years to be effective, possibly needed lifelong (though less frequently).
Only about 75% effective with serious side effects like hives, breathing difficulties, and anaphylactic shock.

OTC antihistamines like Benadryl can be given to Shih Tzus, but with caution due to three reasons:

Breathing issues in brachycephalic breeds like Shih Tzus are exacerbated by allergies, requiring veterinary diagnosis and treatment for symptoms like wheezing or severe coughing.
Precise dosing is crucial, at 1 mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times daily; an overdose is risky in toy breeds.
These medications may only provide limited relief for about 30% of dogs and don't resolve severe skin issues or cure allergies. It's better to eliminate triggers and use effective treatments for itching relief.

Recommended At-home Treatment:

Sprays

Why these are great: Sprays can effectively treat a Shih Tzu's allergy symptoms like dermatitis, severe itch, hot spots, and rashes, especially when used alongside allergy shampoos. They provide targeted relief to specific sore, itchy, or sensitive areas, offering immediate comfort and continuing to soothe and heal the skin.

Types: There two main types: medicated and non-medicated all-natural. The one that is best for your Shih Tzu will depend on your puppy or dog's exact symptoms. So, let's look at these sprays, and how they can help:

Antiseptic & Antifungal Spray: This is for two specific, severe allergy issues:

1) Atopic dermatitis which is an inflammatory, chronic skin disease that is linked to allergies. Signs include scaly patches and/or severely red irritated skin (which may appear moist). Dermatitis is typically seen on certain parts of the body including: the ears, ankles, muzzle, underarms, groin area, between the toes, and/or around the eyes. It may also be seen on the chest or upper back.

2) Pyoderma, which essentially means that there are lesions with pus.

Our top recommended Antiseptic & Antifungal Spray for atopic dermatitis or pyoderma is Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic and Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo. The active ingredients are coal tar (to help shed dead skin and reduce skin scaling), salicylic acid (to exfoliate and soften skin) and micronized sulfer (to soothe and reduce excess oil).

Anti-itch medicated spray: This will be one of the most useful products you can have for your Shih Tzu, since itching is the most common symptom of allergies with dogs.

If your Shih Tzu is licking at or chewing at himself to a serious degree, if there is an extreme, uncomfortable itchy rash, and/or if the skin is inflamed, a spray that contains hydrocortisone and lidocaine or just hydrocortisone can be of great help.

Note: This type of spray should NOT be used if there are open sores OR if the areas of concern are those that your Shih Tzu licks at unless you will be using an Elizabethan collar or other method to stop your dog from licking the medication.

A combination of hydrocortisone and lidocaine will work for itching, inflammation, and pain. If your Shih Tzu does not appear to need a topical anesthetic (numbing agent), one with just hydrocortisone for itching and/or inflammation is the right choice.

Our top recommended allergy spray with both hydrocortisone and lidocaine topical spray is SynergyLabs Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Medicated Spray. This works well to quickly offer relief.

And, if you believe that your Shih Tzu only needs one with hydrocortisone, we recommend Pet King's Zymox Spray with Hydrocortisone.

Lotion/cream

Lotion, like spray, provides targeted relief for a dog's skin issues. If a Shih Tzu is itching all over, lotion might be more practical than spraying the entire body. However, applying lotion involves touching your dog, so if your Shih Tzu's skin is too sensitive for massaging in lotion, a spray may be a better option.

Our top recommended lotion is ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment and this works for itching, rash, and/or hot spots. And, this can even promote hair growth after follicles have been affected by poor skin health and the coat has thinned.

This is a top-end product that contains a super-soothing and restorative blend of Manuka honey, aloe vera, coconut, hemp seed oil, olive oil, shea butter, and vitamins A, B, C, and E. This can be used everywhere, including a dog's paws.

Allergy Shampoo

Why these are great: Giving a full bath with the right product is your opportunity to thoroughly saturate your puppy or dog with healing ingredients, reaching every single area of the body. So, whether you use a spray or a lotion, you'll also want to have a superior allergy shampoo.

Please note: There are some medicated shampoos are meant for skin infections, mange, and other types of serious skin conditions. Those will have very strong ingredients that can severely irritate or damage sensitive skin and should not be confused with allergy shampoo.

Our top recommended allergy shampoo for Shih Tzu puppies and dogs is Earthbath Hot Spot Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Shampoo. It works for hot spots, itching, rash, irritated skin and/or severe dry skin. It's a cocount-based cleaser and the tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, and aloe is very soothing.

Saturate your Shih Tzu with this 2 to 3 times per week. Once it is gently massaged in, allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse it out well with luke-warm water. Follow with a good wash-out conditioner like Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Conditioner.

When you take your little guy or gal out of the tub, pat the coat dry (do not rub).

Omega 3 Fish Oil

Omega 3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are beneficial for dogs with allergies, but shouldn't be the sole treatment. They improve skin moisture, resilience, and coat health, and can promote hair growth. DHA and EPA, found mainly in fish, shellfish, and to a lesser extent, algae, are more potent than alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from flaxseed. Omega 3s are best used as a supplement to other allergy treatments.

If you are considering using an omega 3 fish oil as part of your plan to completely cure your Shih Tzu of allergies, be sure that you choose one that is sourced from wild fish. This is because farmed fish can contain up to 15% vegetable oil, and this can lower the actual value of the omega.

The one that we recommend is Zesty Paw's Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil; this is a liquid fish oil made from wild Alaskan salmon and it comes in an easy-to-use pump; you just add 1/2 to 1 pump (based on your dog's exact weight) each day to one meal. Note that you'll want to mix this in very well, so that your Shih Tzu does not pick and choose just the kibble bits that have the taste of fish on them.

Recap of Steps #1 and #2:

So far, we've discussed reducing or eliminating triggers and treatment choices for your Shih Tzu's allergies. Key steps include:

Identifying and minimizing food, environmental, or contact allergens, which might involve changing foods or enhancing grooming routines.
Using sprays or lotions for immediate relief and allergy shampoos for skin reactions.
Considering omega supplements for additional benefits.

A veterinarian can assist with diagnosis and treatment. Next, we'll cover the final part: Maintaining an allergy-free life for your Shih Tzu through ongoing allergen avoidance and effective care management.

Step # 3: Continued Avoidance and Good Care Management

Once your Shih Tzu is no longer suffering from allergies, and symptoms have cleared up, you'll want to do all you can to avoid future problems. There are just a few things to keep in mind:

1. Canines can grow in and out of allergies, and allergens can change all throughout the year (for example, pollen in the summer, and ragweed in the fall), so always be on guard.

2. Consistently maintain an allergen-free environment for your house and Shih Tzu. It's easy to start strong in removing allergens when your dog is suffering, but as they improve, it's common to relax efforts. Avoid lapses like delayed vacuuming, overdue filter changes in purifiers, or running out of grooming wipes. Maintain a schedule and involve other household members if necessary.

3. When a dog's skin, coat, paws, and nose are in tiptop shape, these areas will be less prone to issues. Bathe your Shih Tzu on time (every 3 weeks), use quality shampoos and coat products that have ingredients like aloe and oatmeal but do not contain harmful additives like parabens or sulfates, follow important weather-related care guidelines for the summer season when it's hot and sunny, and if you live in an area that experiences cold winters be sure to prep well in advance for winter care.

I'm Allergic to My Shih Tzu - Despite popular belief, it is possible to be allergic to a Shih Tzu. Though this breed has hair, not fur, there can be allergy issues due to dander, saliva, and even urine on the coat. Learn what to do to decrease or resolve issues.

Shih Tzu Stung by Bee and Allergic - Even if a dog never had a bad reaction in the past, an allergic reaction to bee, hornet, wasp or yellow jacket stings can occur. With multiple stings, toxic build-up is another concern.