Having a Shih Tzu can bring great joy to your life. However, Shih Tzu ownership also brings big responsibilities, including looking out for the good health of your pet. Unfortunately, not all Shih Tzu owners know what signs to look for that indicate health issues in their dogs and may be unintentionally shortening their lives. Here is a list of 11 ways that you may be unintentionally damaging the health of your Shih Tzu, and what to do in each situation.

1. Neglecting teeth and gums

Studies show that more than 80% of dogs are suffering from oral health issues. Keep a look out for foul breath, pain when eating, or broken teeth. If any of these signs are observed, you should take your pup to the vet as soon as possible. There are lots of easy ways to help maintain good dental health in your dog, including feeding dry kibble rather than wet (or human) food, encouraging the use of suitable chew toys and even cleaning your dog's tooth with appropriate doggy toothpaste.

2. Allowing the dog to get overweight

Shih Tzus and other small dog breeds are known to gain weight easily, and a considerable percentage of dogs are overweight. Not only is this uncomfortable for the dog, it can also lead to health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and breathing difficulties. It's also pretty painful for such small dogs to carry around excess weight, so it's important that you monitor your pet's weight and keep a close eye on their diet with appropriate food and portion control.

3. Not socializing your dog

Shih Tzus love to socialize with human beings, as well as other dogs. Keeping your dog happy and socialized can contribute to their mental health and can even extend their lifespan. Badly socialized dogs can be difficult to manage, and can become anxious when left alone and even aggressive towards other people and animals. Ensuring your dog is properly socialized is therefore a very important part of pet ownership.

4. Not visiting the vet annually

You should take your Shih Tzu to the vet at least once a year. Even if your dog seems healthy, your pet needs to get regular examinations (and possibly vaccinations). If you can identify potential health issues of your Shih Tzu at an early stage, you will be able to treat them more effectively. It's also important to develop a good relationship with your vet and enable them to build as thorough a medical history of your dog to potentially help diagnose and treat any health issues that come up.

5. Neglecting tick/flea/heartworm prevention

Ticks, fleas, and heartworms have the ability to negatively impact the overall health of your Shih Tzu. You should always make sure to take preventative measures to keep these problems from plaguing your pup. It's relatively easy to keep these problems under control as there are excellent preventative treatments, but they'll be a lot of difficult and expensive to to deal with if you don't take steps to prevent them from occurring the first place, not the mention extremely uncomfortable for your pet.

6. Exposing them to smoke

Everyone knows that secondhand smoke is harmful to humans, so just images what it can do to your dog. Shih Tzus are especially prone to respiratory issues and eye problems, and their delicate eyes and lungs will be seriously irritated by the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke. Make sure to never smoke around your pet, regardless of whether you are indoors or outside.

7. Over-exercising

Regular exercise is definitely beneficial for the overall health of your Shih Tzu, but you need to be careful enough not to exceed the limits. Shih Tzus have lots of energy, but they are small dogs and don't need a huge amount of exercise. A couple of short walks a day, plus regular indoor or outdoor playtime is more than sufficient, so don't expect your Shih Tzu to be able to accompany you on lengthy or difficult hikes or adventure sports – that's a bit too much to expect for such little legs.

8. Not providing both physical and mental exercise

While most owners know that physical exercise is required, it's easy to unintentionally neglect the mental health of your dog. As an owner, you need to create the right balance between these two types of exercise. Shih Tzus are intelligent and inquisitive dogs, and they enjoy being around people, playing games, learning ticks, and seeing new sights and sounds. If they're not able to interact with the world in this way, they can become anxious and depressed, just like humans. So take care to ensure that your pet is being given the mental stimulation it needs to be happy and content.

9. Feeding junk food

Most people know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs, but all kinds of junk food can make your Shih Tzu ill. For example, some foods can trigger cancers and other life-threatening health conditions, while others may be choking hazards for your pet. Even if not life-threatening, junk food can cause a lot of digestive issues and discomfort for you pet. Some owners may be tempted to give junk food as a 'treat', but this is a bad idea. There's a huge range of healthy dog treats available, so owners should select something appropriate for dogs (not people!) and give treats in moderation only.

10. Allowing them to roam free

If you allow your Shih Tzu to roam free, you put your dog at risk. Potential dangers include becoming lost or even getting hit by a vehicle. Not only that, dog-napping is increasingly common, particularly for popular breeds like Shih Tzus. If your dog plays outdoors, ensure that it's always in an enclosed space and visible to you at all times. If you want to be extra careful, it's now possible to purchase GPS trackers for your dog's collar, and of course owners should microchip their pets as an additional security measure. Better safe than sorry!

11. Over-breeding

While a litter or two of pups is fine, over-breeding your female Shih Tzu can lead to health problems and a shortened life. Never use your pet for breeding multiple litters of puppies. If you intend to breed your Shih Tzu, you need to make sure she is in excellent health, both before and after having a litter of puppies. That means regular trips to the vet and a carefully-managed diet to ensure she is in optimal physical condition.