Staying Cool with My Senior Shih Tzu, Yeoreum
Hello, everyone! 😊
It has been incredibly hot lately. Even stepping outside for a few minutes can make you feel like the heat is taking your breath away. 🥵
If the weather feels exhausting for us, I often wonder how hot it must feel for our dogs who are covered in fur.
My 10-year-old Shih Tzu, Yeoreum, seems to feel it too. On especially hot days, we go out early in the morning for a short potty walk and then quickly head back home. 🙂↔️
Interestingly, Yeoreum became part of our family during the summer, which is how he got his name. But somehow, he seems to struggle with the summer heat more than anyone else in our family. 🥹
So lately, I have been paying a little more attention to how he spends his days during hot weather.
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🌞 Why Do Dogs Need Extra Care in Hot Weather?
Dogs do not cool themselves in exactly the same way humans do.
They mainly regulate their body temperature through panting, so prolonged exposure to high temperatures can make them tired and uncomfortable.
Some dogs may need even more careful attention during hot weather. Short-nosed breeds, senior dogs, and dogs with certain health conditions can be more vulnerable to heat.
Since Yeoreum is a senior Shih Tzu, I try not to push him too much when the weather is particularly hot.
I have learned that small changes in our daily routine can make a surprisingly big difference.
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🚶♀️ We Changed Our Walk Schedule
We used to go for our evening walk as soon as the day started to cool down.
These days, I pay more attention to the weather and the temperature of the ground before taking Yeoreum outside.
One simple thing I do is check the pavement with the back of my hand. If the surface feels too hot for me, I don’t want Yeoreum’s paws spending much time on it either.
Whenever possible, we choose:
🌅 Early morning
or
🌙 After sunset, when the temperature has dropped
Our walks are also a little shorter on extremely hot days.
For Yeoreum, a comfortable and safe walk is much more important than getting a certain number of steps.
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💧 Keeping Fresh Water Nearby
Water is always available at home, but I pay even more attention to it during summer.
I keep a couple of water bowls in places Yeoreum regularly visits so that he can easily find water throughout the day.
After our morning walk, I also make sure fresh water is ready when we come home.
It is such a small habit, but I feel better knowing that Yeoreum can drink whenever he wants. ☺️
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🍽️ What If My Dog Has Less Appetite in Summer?
Just like people, dogs may sometimes eat differently when the weather is very hot.
Even though Yeoreum is usually a good eater, there are days when he eats more slowly or leaves some of his food behind.
When that happens, I don’t try to force him to finish everything.
Instead, I prepare a lighter homemade meal in a smaller portion and pay attention to how he is feeling that day.
For me, the important thing is not simply how much he eats, but his overall condition.
If his appetite changes noticeably or he seems unwell, I believe it is important to monitor him closely and consult a veterinarian when necessary.
After all, every dog is different. ❤️
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❤️ Let’s Have a Healthy and Cool Summer Together
The hardest part about caring for a dog in hot weather is that they cannot simply tell us,
“I’m too hot.” 😢
Instead, they communicate through their behavior.
If Yeoreum seems to be panting much more than usual, unusually tired, weak, or uncomfortable, I give him time to rest and pay close attention to how he is doing.
This summer has been especially hot, so I am trying to make small changes wherever I can.
An earlier walk.
A shorter walk.
Fresh water nearby.
A comfortable place to rest.
None of these things are complicated, but together they can make summer a little easier for our dogs. 🐾
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🐶 Life with Yeoreum
Living with a senior dog has taught me that caring for a pet is often about noticing the little things.
I am not a veterinarian, and everything I share on this blog comes from my own experience, research, and everyday life with Yeoreum. What works for him may not necessarily be right for every dog.
As Yeoreum gets older, I find myself paying more attention to his food, health, walks, and everyday habits.
I’ll continue sharing our experiences, including homemade dog food, senior dog care, allergy-friendly meals, pet products, and our everyday life together.
Hopefully, some of our experiences will be helpful to other pet parents too. 😊
Wishing you and your furry family members a safe, healthy, and refreshing summer!
Stay cool, everyone. 🐶💕🐾
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