Known as little “lion dogs” of Tibetan origin formerly beloved by Chinese emperors, Shih Tzus are sweet, perky dogs with lush hair and a penchant for mischief.
These lively little stunners may carry an air of regal elegance that can charm the pants off of any dog lover, but what truly makes them tick is their need for love and companionship.
Shih Tzus are at their happiest when they’re warming the laps of their owners and hogging all their attention. Friendly and affectionate by nature, they also get along well with children and enjoy doing both indoor and outdoor activities with their humans, making them perfect family dogs and lifelong companions.
While they’re perfect as cuddly canines, Shih Tzus are not averse to playing fun games and showing off their skills for their owners!
So if you have a Shih Tzu of your own, it’s important to make sure he has toys that will not only entertain him but also encourage him to play with you—or stay active even when he’s on his own. To help you make the right purchase, we’ve come up with a quick list of the 5 best dog toys for Shih Tzus.
1. KONG Classic Dog Toy: All-in-One Toy
KONG has long held a reputation for manufacturing high-quality, durable dog toys, and the KONG Classic Dog Toy certainly doesn’t disappoint. Its tough material and impressive versatility allow it to function as a treat-dispensing toy, a fetch toy, and a chew toy all rolled into one.
This toy is built to outlast regular chewing sessions, so you can simply leave it with your pup for fun chewing. You can also stuff it with kibble or peanut butter and challenge your pup to get to all those tasty treats. Best of all, it bounces! This means you can use it as a fun fetch toy when you’re ready to play with your Shih Tzu.
- Provides mental stimulation with its treat-dispensing feature
- Outlasts regular use and daily chewing sessions
- Bounces high and encourages Shih Tzus to play fetch
2. ZippyPaws Interactive Hide-and-Seek Dog Toy: Offers a Fun & Challenging Hide-and-Seek Game
Satisfy your Shih Tzu’s love of digging with the ZippyPaws Interactive Hide-and-Seek Dog Toy! This burrow toy features three monkeys with high-quality squeakers and a plush banana: all you have to do is stuff the monkeys into the banana and watch your pup try to dig them all out.
Not only will this hide-and-seek game keep your Shih Tzu entertained and prevent boredom when you’re too busy to play with him, but it’ll also encourage independent play and keep him active at home. It’s the ideal size and design for Shih Tzus, made with quality fabric and guaranteed to offer hours of fun.
- Helps prevent boredom with an exciting, mentally stimulating hide-and-seek game
- Comes with 3 squeaky monkeys that encourage healthy playtime
- Satisfies your Shih Tzu’s urge to dig
3. SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy: Offers Warmth & Comfort in Times of Stress
It’s no secret that Shih Tzus tend to be clingy, and your fur baby may experience separation anxiety when you go to work or spend time out of the house. The SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy is designed to give your pup comfort and help relieve feelings of anxiety and loneliness when this happens.
With a soft, fluffy exterior, a built-in pulsing heartbeat, and an easily accessible slot for a heat pack, this snuggle toy helps your pup feel warm and at ease when you’re away. It can also help calm him down when he’s stressed from fireworks, thunderstorms, crate training, or moving home. Plus, it’s the perfect cuddle buddy for naps or bedtime!
- Provides comfort and relieves separation anxiety when you’re not at home
- Makes pups feel at ease with its design and built-in features
- Ideal for crate training or other stressful situations
4. Outward Hound Nina Ottoson Interactive Puzzle Toy: Hones Mental Skills & Slows Down Eating
Want to sharpen your Shih Tzu’s mental prowess and problem-solving skills? The Outward Hound Nina Ottoson Interactive Puzzle Toy is perfect for the job! This dog puzzle puts your Shih Tzu’s mind to the test, giving him exciting, reward-based brain teasers that provide mental stimulation.
With 9 hidden compartments for treats, your Shih Tzu will be occupied for hours trying to paw or nudge at the toy to gain his rewards. This game will exercise his brain and also help slow down his rapid eating pace. Once your Shih Tzu has the puzzle down pat, you can level up the difficulty by tilting the bones hiding the compartments at an angle.
- Provides mental stimulation with a reward-based puzzle
- Helps prevent choking or overeating
- Adjustable level of difficulty; opt for the Level 2 or Level 3 option for more of a challenge
5. Mammoth Flossy Chew Rope Toy: Perfect for Independent & Interactive Play
Shih Tzus are generally not the most aggressive chewers, but they still need a durable chew toy for healthy, non-destructive playtime. The Mammoth Flossy Chew Rope Toy is made with extra-tough natural cotton, enticing your pup to chew on it instead of taking out his urge to chew on your valuable items. Its fibers also help clean your pup’s teeth as he chews.
Better yet, it can be used as a tug toy! This rope toy comes with 2 sturdy knots that give you a firm and easy grip when you play tug-of-war, ensuring hours of fun without breaking or wearing you out. You can also toss this toy for fun fetch games!
- Encourages healthy chewing and independent play
- Cleans your dog’s teeth while he chews
- Features 2 knots that make tug-of-war games longer and more fun
How to Keep Your Shih Tzu Active
With his sweet eyes and natural charm, it’s impossible to resist spoiling your Shih Tzu! But feeding him one too many treats or putting off walking in favor of cuddling on the couch “just this one time” can lead to obesity, which can then result in other weight-related issues. So it’s important to make sure your Shih Tzu gets daily physical activity in order to stay fit and healthy.
Here are a few of the best ways to keep your Shih Tzu active:
Exercise your Shih Tzu for at least 1 hour every day
Shih Tzus may not enjoy or even outright dislike long walks, so it’s best to split this hour of exercise into 1 to 2 walks per day. If you’re an avid fan of jogging or running, you might find that your Shih Tzu is not quite suited to these activities; stick to brisk walks or even take him on a bicycle ride.
Play games with your Shih Tzu and give him interactive toys
Shih Tzus aren’t averse to physical activity, but they become much more energized when they play with their humans! Set aside time in your daily schedule to play with your Shih Tzu, whether it’s an indoor tug-of-war game or an outdoor fetch game.
There are bound to be days when you’re too busy to play with your pup, so make sure to fill up his toy box with chew toys, puzzles, and plushies that will keep him entertained while encouraging independent play and physical activity.
Train your Shih Tzu and involve him in dog sports
Training a Shih Tzu can prove to be a challenge, especially since these pups know they can get away with practically anything using their charm. It’s important to be firm and consistent with training not only to make sure your pup gets more physical activity but also to help him get fully housebroken. Remember to use a positive reinforcement approach for best results.
Shih Tzus also excel at dog sports: in fact, this breed dominates agility competitions. They also historically perform well at rally obedience and lure coursing.
In Closing
While Shih Tzus make excellent lap dogs, they also need to engage in healthy playtime to maintain optimal physical fitness and keep their minds sharp as well. If you feel the need to spoil your Shih Tzu, go for toys instead of treats! Any of the 5 toys we’ve listed above are sure to excite your little lion, encourage him to get active, hone his cognitive skills, and—most importantly—spend precious moments bonding with you.