You take a look at pictures of Shih Tzus online…
Then, you notice a difference between the pics and your pooch.
The virtual Shih Tzu has such silky hair, you really can tell….
So, how can you make your doggo’s hair have that shine?
Continue reading to discover:
- 7 ways to make Shih Tzu hair silky.
- How much grooming care does a Shih Tzu’s hair needs.
- 3 kinds of oils that can help improve your Shih Tzu’s coat’s appearance.
- And many more…
Table of contents
How to make Shih Tzu hair silky?
To make a Shih Tzu’s hair silky, you have to bathe and brush their hair regularly. You can also add omega-3 fatty acids to their diet. You can do so using fish or olive oil. Moreover, you can also use coconut oil. Then, provide them with a healthy diet and protect them against parasites.
7 ways to make Shih Tzu hair silky
#1: Bathe them regularly
Shih Tzus absolutely steal the show…
When they walk into a room, they bring so much energy.
Then, their coat’s gonna wow you…
And that’s a guaranteed reaction, no matter what their haircut is.
But how about if they don’t extract that reaction from you?
Say that their hair has turned dull and rough…
Oh, how can you make their hair as silky as it was before?
Well, the first way lies in bathing them regularly.
As much as possible, give your Shih Tzu weekly baths.
However, even once or twice a month of bathing would do the trick as well.
Moreover, make sure to use quality dog shampoo and conditioner.
For the best recommendation, you can consult their vet.
Most of all, keep them away from products that are made for humans. So, always use those that are made for dogs.
For further reading: Shih Tzu Hair Not Fluffy: 5 Reasons + 3 Tips
#2: Brush their hair
Regular bathing isn’t the only necessary grooming care…
After bathing your Shih Tzu, there’s still so much that you can do.
And that’s brushing their hair.
Oh, and that isn’t just a practice for every time they take a bath…
Your Shih Tzu’s hair needs daily brushing and combing.
Moreover, make use of a pin brush when doing so. As for the other, any quality dog comb will do.
So, what’s this for?
You see, your Shih Tzu’s hair can get long.
Plus, these dogs are playful and like running around.
With that, their hair is prone to entanglement.
So, you gotta brush and comb their hair if you wanna remove those knots and tangles.
Because if those hairs are left twisted, their coat won’t look silky anymore.
Plus, you might notice the tangles getting bigger and bigger. One moment it’s just in one spot, and the next thing you know…
Uh-oh…
Almost half of their coat is in knots.
Lastly, daily brushing can remove dead and fallen hairs hanging in their undercoat.
And speaking of fallen hair, there might be a question from you…
“Do Shih Tzu’s shed?”
The answer to that isn’t straightforward…
That’s because Shih Tzus still shed a little.
From time to time, their hair falls off.
But when it does, it can get caught in by the second layer of their double-coat.
Moreover, Shih Tzus have hair and not fur.
With that, their hair growth cycle is longer. And that means that their hair continuously grows.
To understand even further, research informs us of the hair growth cycle.
It has 4 phases, and those are:
| Phase | What goes on |
|---|---|
| Anagen | The phase of active growth. |
| Catagen | Where the hair stops growing. |
| Telogen | The phase where the hair rests. |
| Exogen | Where the hair falls out, posing an end to the cycle. |
As I said, a Shih Tzu’s hair grows and grows.
That’s because their anagen phase is the longest of all phases in the cycle.
With that, their hair needs higher maintenance for grooming care. And that includes regular baths and daily brushing.
#3: Coconut oil
Now to the remedies that can make your Shih Tzu’s hair silky…
The first one that I highly recommend is coconut oil…
And a lot of other dog parents will suggest this as well.
Why wouldn’t they recommend it?
Coconut oil has proven a lot of benefits, not just for hair. Regardless, let me focus on that specific one.
First of all, according to research, it’s rich in lauric acid.
What’s that?
It’s a fatty acid that has a high affinity for hair.
With that, it easily lets coconut oil penetrate hair shafts.
Then, that contributes to making the hair healthy inside and out.
Moreover, coconut oil is extremely hydrating.
A study proves that coconut oil helps with moisturizing the skin. But more than that, it hydrated the skin of people with xerosis.
That’s a condition where the skin experiences chronic dryness.
And coconut oil is safe and effective against it.
Moreover, AKC tells us these other benefits of coconut oil in dogs:
- Aiding bites and stings.
- Helps with skin itchiness.
- Eliminates your dog’s odor.
All in all, this sort of holy grail makes your dog’s hair healthy. And as I said it, this oil does so inside and out.
With that, it makes your Shih Tzu’s hair look smooth and silky.
Now, you must be thinking of using this on your dog…
How would you do so?
Putting coconut oil in your dog
Say that you’re going for the topical method…
This is how you’ll do so…
Step #1: Put a reasonable amount of coconut oil in your palms and rub it together.
Step #2: Gently pat your Shih Tzu’s hair with your palms. This is to spread the coconut oil in their hair.
Step #3: Run your fingers through their hair to further scatter the oil.
Step #4: Once the oil is spread out, massage it on the dog’s skin.
Step #5: Let the coconut oil sit on their fur for no more than 5 minutes.
Step #6: You need to rinse off the coconut oil from your dog. You can do so using just using warm water.
But if they’re still greasy, you can use a light shampoo on them.
Continue reading: Does Coconut Oil Really Help With Dog Shedding? The Truth
#4: Fish oil
How about another kind of oil?
This time you’re going to be using fish oil to improve their hair’s appearance.
Yep, fish oil can make your Shih Tzu’s hair look silky…
Moreover, AKC says that this is among the best supplements for Fido.
That’s because it also improves your dog’s heart health.
Then, it also lessens flakes in the skin.
Moreover, it also helps in relieving itchy skin from allergies.
But most of all, it promotes smooth and sleek hair for your pooch.
Now, I did mention that this is gonna be a supplement for your pupper.
With that, the route fish oil has to take is the oral route.
As for the dosage, it’s best to consult a vet for it.
They’ll know how much your dog needs. That’s because the dosage depends on the following factors:
- Size.
- Breed.
- Weight.
- General health condition.
But to manage your expectations, here are some ground rules:
What if you’re using liquid fish oil as a supplement?
Then, you should only give your pooch 1 tablespoon per 20 lbs (9 kg) of their body weight.
Moreover, there are available chewable supplements for fish oil.
And when you’re using that, you must check the labels on the back. It’ll say how much you should give to your pupper depending on their weight.
Warning: Always follow the recommended dosage for your pooch.
Never go above their requirement.
Why?
PetMD tells us that fish oil can be safe. However, it isn’t anymore when you give it in large doses.
Such can result in the following:
- Immune dysfunction.
- Gastrointestinal upset.
- Issues with the blood clotting system.
#5: Olive oil
The answer to your struggles might be lying in your pantry…
So, what are you waiting for?
The olive oil might just be steps away from you…
Yes, you can use such to make your Shih Tzu’s hair look silky smooth.
How so?
Well, olive oil contains the much-needed omega-3 fatty acid.
Note: Fish oil has that as well.
So, what’s that?
According to experts, it’s a nutritional fat. It’s labeled that way as it helps maintain the body’s health.
To be specific, it’s an important component in the cells. That’s because it provides structure to the cell walls.
Moreover, I said that it’s a healthy kind of fat. With that, it’s a good source of nourishing calories for your pooch.
Then, vets say that it has anti-inflammatory properties. So, it also helps with controlling inflammation in the skin and joints.
But most of all, it can help your dog’s hair appear silky smooth.
#6: Protect them against parasites
There’s more to do after regular grooming and providing supplements…
And that’s to make sure that their coat is free from any parasite.
But first, why is this necessary?
That’s because having parasites can make your Shih Tzu’s coat unhealthy.
And with that, their hair becomes dry and dull.
So, protect it as much as possible.
How?
The main method is prevention.
And did you know? Regular baths and daily brushing can prevent parasite infestations.
It’s kind of a circle when it comes to this one…
You see, a healthy and well-maintained coat is a way to prevent parasites.
And to ward off these bloodsuckers, you have to maintain their healthy coat, too.
But don’t worry, this is a possible task.
Moreover, flea and tick medications are the best go-to. And to recommend the best, those that need vet prescription are the ideal choices.
Or, you can also opt for topical treatments. Such can be sprays or even shampoos.
Then, for you to be more sure, you can make them wear a flea collar.
And it doesn’t end there…
This is an active responsibility. You gotta do this all year round.
So make sure that you always check your dog’s coat for parasites.
And you must do this especially after going home from walks with tall grasses or hikes. Those are areas where fleas and ticks thrive.
Lastly, experts say that these are signs that your dog has parasites:
- Hair loss.
- Constant scratching.
- Red bumps on their skin.
- Visible bumps on their coat.
- Black specks on their skin and coat.
In severe cases of infestation, these can occur:
- Fever.
- Lethargy.
- Loss of appetite.
You might also want to know: Why does my dog act like something is biting her?
#7: Provide them with a healthy diet
Now, all those topical or specific products aren’t the only answers…
There’s another method that can also go a long way.
Something that can’t just make their hair look so silky…
But also a way to improve their overall health.
I’m talking about providing them with the best diet that you can give them.
Start by feeding them the highest quality dog food that you can afford.
I recommend those without additives or preservatives.
That’s because those components don’t contribute to your dog’s health.
In fact, that can even pose a danger for your pooch.
Another way to provide them with a healthy diet is to feed them functional foods.
What are those?
Those are the type of food that provide great health benefits. Moreover, your fur baby should consume them regularly.
According to research, it can:
- Improve GI functions.
- Modify brain functions.
- Reduce the risk of diseases.
- Promote positive changes in biochemical processes (ex. metabolism, movement).