Factors that adversely affect the health of a shih tzu's skin are genetics, the immune system, nutrition, hygiene, bugs, and hormones.

Nutrition is the key to good skin health. If your shih tzu is prone to skin disease first check with a holistic practitioner or a conventional vet to see if he/she can recommend a nutritional program specifically for your particular shih tzu.

There is no single diet that can suit all the needs of all dogs, whether it be shih tzu or bulldog. Every dog is different. One dog might be deficient in one vitamin whereas another dog might be just fine. This is why the HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance's formulator formulated a daily supplement to pick up the slack where the food leaves off. One of my recommendations would be to use HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance dog food and the daily supplement. HealthyPetNet also produces a skin and coat supplement that can be added if your shih tzu still has skin problems. HealthyPetNet also produces a daily skin and coat health bar you can add to your dog's daily menu.

Whatever diet you provide, it needs to be hypo-allergenic for your individual dog. Adding supplements such as vitamin A, C and E and antioxidants especially the Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial and can all be found in the HealthyPetNet line of products.

Herbal remedies may be helpful. Herbal remedies can enhance the immune system, provide a rich source of antioxidants and other nutrients and relieve itchiness.

An accurate professional diagnosis is necessary to adequately treat skin problems. A professional holistic or conventional vet can provide several different types of tests to determine the cause of your shih tzu's skin conditions. You must also realize the skin is an extremely complex organ system that requires an approach to treatment that is oftentimes multi-faceted, requiring the use of many different disciplines of knowledge. So the first step in accurately treating your shih tzu's skin problem would be a visit to your holistic or conventional vet. If the recommendation on nutrition is something other than the HealthyPetNet Life's Abundance Nutritional System, and you continue to experience problems inspite of all you try, then it certainly would not hurt to present the idea to your vet of changing over to the HealthyPetNet System of Nutrition, or just make the changeover yourself to see if this helps your problem.

Honestly, I have fed no other food that has provided my shih tzu with better nutrition for their skin and just in general good health. I know they have more energy, their eyes are brighter and the hair is shinier with no flakey skin. I think the food gives their immune system an extra boost. I also use the HealthyPetNet shampoos.

However, in all honesty, you need to follow the advice of your own vet when you are trying to solve any kind of a health problem with your shih tzu, as I would do the same. Presently, I am experiencing no particular health or skin problems in my shih tzu, especially since making the switch over to this new dog food and shampoos.

I think the air in an environment also affects the skin and coat of dogs. I would recommend anyone having pets in their home to have a good air cleaner. I like the systems produced by EcoQuest, and have found them to be better at odor reducing. I suffer from allergies myself and have at times been without medicine, but with the air cleaners, and I feel like this is what kept me free of symptoms for so long. I eventually went back on my medicine, because there were days when I had increased symptoms, but I truly think, without the air cleaners I use, I could have not survived one day without my Allegra D. So I think it is important to have an adequate air cleaner in everyone's home, but especially the homes you share with pets to improve the health of both you and your pets as well as your hair and skin.