🤎Yeori Day 🤎

Hi everyone! 🤎

If you’ve been following Life of Yeoreum, you already know my little guy, Yeoreum. He’s a 10-year-old Shih Tzu, and living with him has taught me that getting older doesn’t happen all at once.

Sometimes, the changes are so small that we barely notice them.

A little more sleep.
A slightly slower walk.
Taking a little longer to get up.

But these little changes can tell us a lot about our senior dogs. 🐾

So today, I wanted to share a simple senior dog health checklist based on things I pay attention to with Yeoreum.

💡 This post is based on my personal experience as a dog family member, not veterinary advice. If you notice sudden or significant changes in your dog, please consult your veterinarian.

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🦷 1. Teeth & Gum Health

Dental health becomes even more important as dogs get older.

Bad breath, tartar buildup, red or swollen gums, difficulty chewing, or suddenly avoiding hard food can all be signs that something needs attention.

I try to check Yeoreum’s mouth regularly, even if it’s just for a quick look.

Small changes are much easier to notice when you make checking part of your routine. 🤎

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👀 2. Changes in Vision

Have you noticed your senior dog bumping into things or hesitating before going up or down stairs?

Changes in vision can happen gradually.

Watch for things like:

• Bumping into furniture
• Hesitating in unfamiliar places
• Difficulty finding toys
• Being more cautious in low light
• Changes in the appearance of the eyes

Because dogs can adapt surprisingly well, gradual vision changes aren’t always obvious at first.

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👂 3. Hearing Changes

Some senior dogs become less responsive to sounds they used to react to.

If your dog doesn’t turn around when you call, doesn’t react to familiar noises, or seems startled when you approach from behind, it may be worth paying closer attention.

Sometimes what looks like “ignoring me” might simply be a change in hearing. 😆

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🐾 4. Walking & Mobility

This is one of the biggest things I watch with Yeoreum.

Does he still enjoy going for walks?

Does he walk at the same pace?

Does he hesitate before jumping onto something?

Does he take longer to stand up after resting?

Senior dogs don’t necessarily need to stop being active. They may simply need a slower and more comfortable pace.

I think the goal isn’t always to walk farther.

Sometimes it’s simply to enjoy the walk together. 🤎

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⚖️ 5. Weight Changes

Even small changes in body weight can be worth noticing in a senior dog.

A decrease in appetite, difficulty eating, changes in activity, or other health issues can affect weight.

Instead of relying only on how your dog looks, regular weight checks can help you notice gradual changes earlier.

For a small dog like Yeoreum, even a relatively small change can be noticeable.

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💧 6. Drinking & Urination

Pay attention to changes in how much your dog drinks or how frequently he urinates.

For example:

• Suddenly drinking much more water
• Urinating more frequently
• Having accidents indoors
• Waking up at night to urinate

These changes don’t necessarily mean something serious, but they are worth discussing with your veterinarian if they are new or persistent.

This is especially important for senior dogs because their health needs can become more complex with age.

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🍽️ 7. Appetite & Eating Habits

A senior dog suddenly refusing food is something I wouldn’t simply ignore.

But appetite isn’t the only thing to watch.

Also notice:

• Eating more slowly
• Dropping food
• Difficulty chewing
• Becoming picky about foods they previously enjoyed
• Changes in the amount they eat

Yeoreum eats homemade meals along with his regular diet, so I naturally pay close attention to what he eats and how much he enjoys his meals.

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😴 8. Sleeping Patterns

Senior dogs often sleep more than they did when they were younger.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing. 💤

The important part is noticing changes from your dog’s normal routine.

If your dog suddenly sleeps much more, seems unusually tired, or has trouble settling down at night, it’s worth keeping an eye on.

I think knowing your dog’s usual habits is one of the most useful things you can do as a family member.

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🧠 9. Behavior & Personality Changes

Sometimes the first sign that something has changed isn’t physical at all.

Your dog may:

• Become more anxious
• Seem confused
• Wander around at night
• Become unusually clingy
• React differently to familiar situations
• Lose interest in things they used to enjoy

Of course, dogs can have mood changes for many different reasons.

But when a senior dog’s behavior changes noticeably, I think it’s worth paying attention rather than simply saying, “He’s getting old.”

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❤️ 10. Regular Veterinary Checkups

And finally, regular veterinary care becomes increasingly important as our dogs get older.

Even when Yeoreum seems perfectly fine, I try not to rely only on what I can see at home.

Senior dogs can sometimes have health changes that aren’t obvious from their behavior alone.

As Yeoreum has gotten older, I’ve become much more aware of how important regular monitoring and keeping track of small changes can be.

He also has Cushing’s disease, which has made me even more careful about watching his everyday condition.

I’ll talk more about our experience with Cushing’s disease in a future post. 🤎

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🐶 My Senior Dog Checklist

For me, taking care of a senior dog isn’t about constantly worrying.

It’s about knowing what is normal for him.

When you know your dog’s usual appetite, walking speed, sleeping habits, bathroom routine, and personality, even small changes become easier to recognize.

And sometimes, those little observations are the most valuable things we can give our dogs.

Yeoreum may be getting older, but he still has plenty of walks to take, meals to enjoy, and naps to conquer. 😆🤎

Growing older just means I get to love him a little more carefully.

And honestly?

I’m happy to do that every day.🤎

Until next time, everypawdy! 🐾 Have a happy Yeori Friday! 🤎