Chew toys for Shih Tzu overgrooming from boredom

So your vet has connected the overgrooming to boredom — that's actually a really useful diagnosis, because it gives you something concrete to work with. Chew enrichment can genuinely redirect that anxious, repetitive behaviour, but for a nine-year-old Shih Tzu the toy needs to be engaging without being punishing on older teeth and jaws. The right chew toy for a serious chewer needs to be durable enough to last but not so hard it risks cracking teeth — and the right choice depends significantly on the dog's chewing style and jaw strength. Can you tell me a bit more: is your Shih Tzu a gentle nibbler or does she actually go at things with some intent? And has she shown any interest in chew toys before, or is this completely new territory?

That makes complete sense. What you're dealing with isn't a power chewer problem — it's a dog who needs oral occupation and mental engagement rather than something to demolish. The licking and chewing at herself is essentially her self-soothing, so you want to redirect that impulse onto something that gives her a similar slow, rhythmic satisfaction. Does she have any food motivation? The reason I ask is that stuffable toys work significantly better for this kind of boredom-driven behaviour than plain rubber — the food element keeps them engaged for longer.

Perfect — that's exactly what you need. My clear recommendation is the Kong Classic in Small. It's the right size for a Shih Tzu, the rubber is soft enough that it won't stress ageing teeth, and stuffed with something like peanut butter or a soft paste and then frozen, it gives her twenty to thirty minutes of that slow, focused licking and chewing — which directly mirrors the self-grooming behaviour she's been using to cope. Freezing it is key: it slows her down and extends the session, which is when the calming effect really kicks in. Kong is well-stocked on Amazon UK and widely available — look for the red Classic Small. Start with just peanut butter smeared inside, then once she's hooked you can try proper stuffing with wet food or banana. One session a day, ideally at the time she tends to groom most — often late afternoon or evening.

Good question to flag. Small amounts of plain peanut butter — a teaspoon or so — are fine daily for most dogs, but the critical thing is checking the label for xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and sneaks into some reduced-sugar versions. Meridian or Whole Earth natural peanut butter are both safe bets. If you'd rather avoid it altogether, a thin spread of cream cheese or mashed banana works just as well and she'll be equally happy. At nine she doesn't need huge quantities of anything — the goal is just enough to keep her interested and working at the Kong.

You really do — and it's a solid one backed by the vet's instinct. Give it a week of daily sessions before you judge whether it's making a dent in the overgrooming; behaviour habits take a little time to redirect. If after two or three weeks she's engaging well with the Kong but you want to add variety, a licki mat does a very similar job and some dogs prefer the flat surface. But start with the Kong, get her into the routine, and you'll have a good sense of whether the enrichment is landing.