Shih Tzu Supplies: Must Have New Puppy Supply Checklist

by Janice Jones     |Last Updated November 2025

Bringing a Shih Tzu into your life means filling your home with love, laughter, and a few well-chosen essentials. Because this small, affectionate breed has unique grooming, feeding, and comfort needs, choosing the right supplies matters.

In this guide, you’ll find my favorite Shih Tzu-approved essentials, from bowls and harnesses to beds, brushes, and toys.  I've hand-picked all of them for their quality, safety, and perfect fit for your little companion.

FTC Disclosure:  If you purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!

Need a Printable Store List

Here's a quick List to get you started (PDF)

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Shih Tzu Supplies:  Food and Water Bowls

Dogs need bowls that are easy to wash and sanitize.  Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are the best choice for food and water.  You can get very classy when picking out bowls for your new puppy. 

Many people with small breed dogs prefer to use dog water bottles rather than bowls.  Water bottles such as those sold for use with rabbits or guinea pigs work very well. 

Please keep your dog's bowls as clean as you would your own, which means daily cleaning with dish detergent or placing them in the dishwasher to sanitize.

My pick for stainless steel bowls is PEGYY11 Nonslip Stainless Steel Dog Cat Bowls, and my favorite ceramic bowls are the Ceramic Bowls set of 2.

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Shih Tzu Supplies:  Food and Treats

Dog Food

Dogs need food appropriate to their size and developmental stage. But more importantly, they need a high-quality diet that provides all the nutrients required for growth and maintenance. 

Since Shih Tzu dogs do not eat large quantities of food, many owners prefer to find the highest-quality food their budget allows.

Puppy foods are designed to provide adequate nutrition during the rapid growth phase without overdoing the calorie count.

It is essential to continue feeding your dog or puppy the same food they have been eating, gradually replacing it with the food of your choice.  Here are some links to additional information on dog food.

Know the Nutritional Needs of Your Tzu

Food for your Shih Tzu

Feeding Your Shih Tzu

What We Feed Here at Miracle Shih Tzu

Dog Treats

If you want to begin training, you will need Dog treats to help make it easier. Plus, everyone loves to provide a treat now and again.

Training involves a positive reinforcement approach where dog treats serve as the reinforcement. 

Because it’s easy to overdo, make sure dog treats provide a tiny bit of flavor, not a meal replacement. Most importantly, treats need to be healthy. 

Don't make the mistake of purchasing a quality dog food only to pick a cheap treat that provides little if any nutritional value.  Finding good healthy treats that your dog will love is often as difficult as finding the perfect food.

Read more about Healthy Shih Tzu Treats

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Shih Tzu Supplies:  Favorite Tzu Toys and Chews

Some Shih Tzu dogs are crazy about their toys -- the more the better.  You will find these dogs carrying around toys, burying toys, and hoarding them from other dogs.  Some Tzus enjoy the occasional bone but have little interest in toys. They are all different, just like children.

The vast majority of Shih Tzu dogs are somewhere in the middle.  Puppies, on the other hand, love their toys:  Chews, Ropes, Balls, Soft toys, Hard toys, toys that make a lot of noise, toys that are comfort items.

The trick with toys is not to provide all the fun at once.  Offer a few choice toys and keep the rest hidden away.  Rotate frequently to keep your dog interested.

Chew toys are a MUST if you are getting a puppy, and adult dogs love them too.  Puppies love to chew, so a wide assortment of things that are appropriate for them to chew will help keep your shoes and furniture looking new for a while longer. 

AND not to mention – your fingers!!

There are plenty of age-appropriate and size-recommended dog chew toys on the market. 

Remember, small dogs have small mouths, so forget those large balls and opt for a smaller tennis ball. 

For small breed dogs, the chew toys need to be small and ones that they can sink their teeth into easily.

Love those soft plush toys?  Our dogs sure do.  I buy them in two sizes: small ones that puppies and adult dogs can carry around in their mouths, and extra-large ones that serve as pillows.

When I say large, I mean large--three-foot stuffed or stuffless snakes. Often, soft toys without stuffing are better choices.

Dogs especially love the different sounds that soft toys make, such as squeakers or crinkly material. Some puppies will use their stuffed toys as a pillow, so make sure you have some comfortable ones as well as ones that squeak or make other sounds. Here are a few of my favorites, and the puppies around here would agree.

• Tiny Balls
• Rope toys
• Chew toys such as Nylabone
• A puzzle toy, such as a Kong toy
• Soft toy with a squeaker or different sounds (Lamb Chop)

Check availability and price on Amazon

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Shih Tzu Supplies:  Bedding

Dogs need a safe, comfortable, clean spot to sleep, even if you insist your small breed dog share your pillow.

Many owners find crate training an indispensable tool in the house training process, and this answers the question of where to encourage your dog’s slumber spot.

An appropriately sized crate with a soft cozy crate pad is just what the puppy needs for a secure place to lay his sleepy body.  You can also place a dog bed inside the crate for extra comfort.

What’s an appropriate crate size for a small breed dog?  If you plan to purchase one crate for a puppy and an adult dog, opt for the larger size that the puppy can grow into.  The larger size can be reduced by adding a wire divider. 

All dogs should be able to stand up, turn around, and stretch out comfortably in a crate.  A typically good size for the Shih Tzu breed is an 18 x 24-inch crate.  It will seem extra large for a small puppy, but you can make it smaller by dividing it into a bed and a bathroom area by placing a small dog bed on one side and a pee pad on the other side.

If crate training is not on your list, consider a soft bed placed in an area close to you. Small dogs will sleep anywhere near you, but they definitely prefer plush, soft, cozy places.

Dog Bed         Dog Crate (comes in blue or pink)

Shih Tzu Supplies:  Cleaning Supplies

Anyone who questions the need of this item has never had a dog.  Puppies and even adult dogs will have accidents, especially small-breed dogs.  A good supply of cleaning supplies is indispensable.

I recommend purchasing some enzymatic cleaner for accidents, puppy pads, poop bags, and scoops for outdoor cleanup.

Enzymatic Cleaners

Enzymatic cleaners, which break down proteins such as the ones found in urine, are very helpful for those house training incidences. 

Cleansers designated “pet safe” are a good way to ensure your tiny dog won’t get sick even if they try to sample the cleaner.  Stock up on paper towels, unless you love to do laundry.

I've probably tried every brand, but I keep coming back to Nature's Miracle.  As you might imagine, I buy it by the gallon or larger and use the gallon size containers to fill up smaller spray bottles.

I've used all of these cleaners and they all work fairly well.

Wee Wee Pee Pads

While purchasing those enzymatic cleaners, decide whether you will need pee pads. 

If you plan to confine your puppy or dog while you work, you might want to consider what would happen if they must relieve themselves before you return. 

They are scented to encourage use and have a plastic backing to prevent accidental seepage.

You can purchase durable, washable pads or disposable paper pads.  While the disposable ones look like the easiest to use, many puppies prefer to shred them rather than urinate on them.

Disposable Pee-Pads       Reusable Pads

Yard Cleanup and Poop Bags

Don’t forget yard clean-up.  If you plan on walking your dog outdoors, you will need small poop bags and/or a pooper scooper.

Poop Bags     Pooper Scooper

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Shih Tzu Supplies:  Grooming Tools and Accessories

While cleaning supplies are fresh on our mind, don’t forget keeping that tiny fur ball clean as well.  We'll let you forgo the curlers, (at least for now!)  No, really I've never met anyone who wanted their Shih Tzu coat to be curly!

Here we’re really talking about shampoos and conditioners, combs, brushes, nail clippers, tooth brush & paste, and any extras that might appeal to you.

At the very least you will need a brush and a good quality dog shampoo. Human shampoos should not be used on dogs.  If you intend to have your dog professionally groomed, your list of supplies will be less.  For those do-it-yourself folks, a good list of grooming supplies can be found here.

Grooming Supplies You Will Need

• Comb and Brush
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Nail Clippers
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Optional but nice-to-have supplies: Small Scissors, clippers, tweezers, cotton pads, dematting combs, detangling spray.
  

Learn More About Shih Tzu Grooming Supplies

These are my favorites, and I've used them for years.

Pin Brush (this one is a little pricy but will last a lifetime)

Metal Comb

Nail Clippers (Use human nail clippers on puppies initially)

Puppy Shampoo 

Toothbrush and toothpaste, Dental Wipes or gauze squares 

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Shih Tzu Supplies:  Leash & Collar/Harness

Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk on a leash. Training them to get used to a leash and collar or harness should be on the top of your to-do list. 

For young dogs still learning manners, make sure your leash is short enough that they will be in your control and save the long leashes for when they are a bit older.

A four foot leash works well, but if you want to purchase one that you will be able to use into adulthood, consider a 6 foot leash.  Tiny puppies tolerate small, light leashes best and they are usually four feet long and ¼ inch thick. 

• Leash       Harness        Collar

Harness verses Collar?

A harness works exceptionally well for small Shih Tzu dogs and should be used for initial leash training unless you can't find one small enough.  You will still need a collar because you won’t be able to add tags to a harness. 

A harness should not be used on a long-haired breed dog because it seems to encourage mats to form under the harness.  

Harnesses come in xxxs, xxs, xs, s, etc, with the average adult Shih Tzu needing a S or M.  Puppies on the other hand may need an XXS, or XS.  Measure your puppy before you purchase the harness.  Better yet, take your puppy to a brick and mortar pet store and try on the harness.

Collars should be snug enough that a dog can’t back out of them, but large enough for one or two fingers to slip comfortably underneath. Remember, you will likely need to replace the collar at least once as your puppy grows.

Collars

Shih Tzu Supplies:  Dog Identification

Your puppy will receive a rabies tag from your veterinarian, but there are other ways to ensure your dog can be identified in the case of an emergency. 

A dog tag can be purchased inexpensively that includes the dog’s name, your name, and telephone number.  The best way to ensure your dog is identifiable is to microchip them.

• Rabies Tag
• Dog ID Tag
• Microchip

Miscellaneous Shih Tzu Supplies

•  Baby Gates
•  X-pens
• Bitter Apple to deter chewing on furniture or other objects
• First Aid Supplies
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Preparing for life with a Shih Tzu is easier when you have the right tools and gear. Whether you’re welcoming a new puppy or upgrading your seasoned companion’s setup, the products above can help keep your dog comfortable, healthy, and happy.

Bookmark this list or download the printable checklist so you’ll always have a quick reminder of what your Shih Tzu needs. Please check back often, as I update this page with my newest recommendations for 2025.