Like most dogs, the Shih Tzu loves to eat. You'll want to ensure you purchase a high-quality dog food that provides your pet with the nutritional content he or she needs to stay healthy. It may be tempting for you to feed your pet table food as a treat or even for a meal. However, there are certain types of foods that you should never give to your Shih Tzu. A common mistake many owners make is assuming that dogs can eat anything that humans eat. Unfortunately, there are some foods that -- while safe for you and me -- could be harmful or even fatal to your dog.
Although there are some human foods that Shih Tzus can safely consume, the following foods can prove to be lethal and should never be fed to your pet.
Here is a list of foods that Shih Tzus should not eat:
1. Avocado
Avocado contains a toxin called persin that is found in the pit of the fruit. The toxin may also appear in other parts of the fruit as well. While this fruit is more toxic to birds and larger animals, such as cattle. However, it may have negative impacts on a Shih Tzu, including vomiting and constipation. The bigger risk for avocado is when dogs consume the pit -- this could get stuck in the stomach, intestinal tract, or esophagus of your pet.
2. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts may be good for humans, but they're definitely not a food you should consider for your Shih Tzu. These nuts contain a toxin that can cause such side effects as weakness, tremors, depression, and hyperthermia.
