Shih Tzu November Guide:

Cozy Care for Cool Days

Overview

When you have a Shih Tzu, November is a month to really take note of.

A lot shifts at once in November. The light fades earlier, the air turns crisp, and even the house feels different. Outside, the season has a few surprises of its own.

A Shih Tzu was bred for one job: being your company. So whatever November brings, your little guy or gal is right in the middle of it.

Let’s see what this month has in store, and how to get all your ducks in a row before December rolls in.

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Short Days, Long Evenings: How Your Shih Tzu's Body Clock Copes

Your Shih Tzu notices when the days get shorter.

A Clock Set by Light

Every dog runs on a 24-hour internal clock, set mainly by the rhythm of light and dark. When the sun rises later and sets earlier, that clock feels the change, and sleep, hormones and energy levels can all shift along with it.

A Routine Your Shih Tzu Knows by Heart

A Shih Tzu is also highly attuned to your actions. When the lights go on, dinner gets made, or the walk begins at a time that doesn’t feel quite right, your little guy or gal takes note.

When the Clocks Fall Back

Then comes the clock change, and the puzzle gets bigger.

Vets often recommend shifting mealtime slowly, by 10 to 15 minutes a day around a time change. That way the tummy clock doesn’t take a sudden one-hour shock.

Here’s how it plays out in the fall:

The clocks fall back, so 7:00 PM becomes 6:00 PM. If your Shih Tzu normally eats dinner at 7:00 PM, that belly now expects it at 6:00 PM. It’s a long hour to wait.



To ease the move, serve dinner at 6:15, then 6:30, then 6:45, and finally 7:00.

Walks Follow the Same Plan

Slide walks later by 10 to 15 minutes each day too, and in about four to six days the whole schedule lines up with the new hour. Your sweetie settles in without any fuss.

Brisk Air, Early Dusk: Keeping Walks Cozy and Safe

Dusk now arrives early, and the air has a brisk bite. The walk is still the best part of your Shih Tzu’s day, so a few small changes keep every outing comfortable and safe.

#1 Be Seen

As darkness arrives sooner, a small dog is easy to miss, especially at street crossings. A reflective harness or clip-on lights make your little guy or gal easy for drivers and cyclists to spot.

If your trails wind through the woods during hunting season, a blaze orange vest or harness cover helps hunters see your sweetie from far away. Bright orange stands out against the browns of a November forest.

#2 Stay Warm

Many Shih Tzus wear a short puppy cut, and on mild November days most are comfortable without extra layers.

Every Shih Tzu has their own tolerance level.

Between 45 and 55 degrees F (7 and 13 degrees C), it’s usually time for a sweater, jacket or coat. This is especially true for Shih Tzus with short puppy cuts that hold in less warmth. A layer can make the walk more pleasant. 

If the sweater has no opening for the leash ring, wear it under the harness. A heavier jacket or coat should have its D-ring between the back shoulders.

#3 Dry Off

Wet leaves and damp grass leave paws, legs and belly damp, so towel your Shih Tzu off when you get home.

Then give the face a little attention. Wipe it gently and dry inside any skin folds around the nose and eyes. Moisture left there can irritate the skin.

#4 Know the Signal

A Shih Tzu is a brachycephalic breed, and cold, dry air plus effort can make breathing harder. If your sweetie’s breathing turns heavy or louder than usual, end the outing and head home.

And as always, use a harness, never a collar, so nothing presses on the throat.

November Through a Shih Tzu's Nose: 5 Smells Worth the Stop

Fall air is a treat for noses. Cool, damp air keeps scent molecules heavy and close to the ground, so everything down there smells stronger and lingers longer.

A flat-faced breed has fewer scent receptors than a long-nosed one, so a Shih Tzu sniffs a little less powerfully than its canine counterparts. It never slows the enthusiasm.

If your sweetie is sniffing more than usual lately, here are some reasons why.

#1 Damp Leaves

Soggy leaves hold smells the way a sponge holds water. Every pile is a long story, and your little guy or gal will want to read it from the first page to the last.

#2 Busy Critters

Squirrels and chipmunks are stocking up for winter, and rabbits are out foraging. Together they leave trails crisscrossing the yard. Expect plenty of stops while your sweetie follows them.

#3 Deer

November is peak season for deer in most of the country, and bucks rub trees to leave their scent behind. If you walk near the woods, those trunks are big news.

#4 Birds

Geese, ducks and sparrows are on the move, and some stop to rest in yards and fields along the way. They fly on, but the scent they leave behind can linger.

#5 Neighborhood Gossip

Other dogs have walked the same route, and they leave updates on every post and bush. Your Shih Tzu reads every one, then adds a reply.

Sounding the Squirrel Alarm: Why Shih Tzus Bark and How to Calm Them

A Shih Tzu was never bred to hunt, but a squirrel doesn’t need to be prey to be exciting.

It darts. It freezes. It chatters from a branch, all right where your sweetie can see. For a companion who loves to watch the world, that’s sometimes a show worth barking about.

Fun bonus: squirrels are famously forgetful. They lose track of a good share of the nuts they bury, and many of those turn into trees. So, the squirrel your Shih Tzu is complaining about may be planting next year’s forest.

If your little guy or gal gets riled up and vocal, a few small habits may help on walks, and a few more help at home.

Out and About:

#1 Use a Standard Leash

A standard leash gives you more control than a retractable one if your sweetie lunges. Clip it to the harness, never a collar, so the pull lands on the chest and not the throat.

#2 Play “Look at That”

The moment your Shih Tzu spots a squirrel, before any barking starts, say “yes” and offer a treat. That can teach your sweetie that noticing a squirrel quietly pays off.

#3 Try “Find It”

When a squirrel appears, scatter a few treats on the ground and say “Find it!” Sniffing them out gives your little guy or gal a job, and a busy nose is a quiet mouth.

At Home:

#1 Teach Quiet

The moment the barking stops, even for a second, say “quiet” and give a treat. That pairs the word with the calm. Repeat it often, and your Shih Tzu starts to connect the word with the pause.

#2 Block the View

If the barking gets out of hand, it may be time to block the view, at least during busy seasons like autumn. When the window is the trouble spot, close the blinds or cover the lower part of the glass with a removable frosted film.

Squirrels you can’t see are much easier to ignore.

Look Down, Look Twice: 4 November Finds Underfoot

November leaves a lot lying around, and a Shih Tzu with a nose to the ground will find all of it. Four things are worth knowing about.

#1 Black Walnuts

Many dogs are drawn to the scent and oils of nuts, and black walnuts are the one to look out for. Fallen ones turn moldy fast, and the mold can cause tremors and even seizures if eaten. The hard husks are a choking risk, too.

#2 Acorns

Acorns may seem like an unlikely snack, but many dogs find them surprisingly appealing in the fall. They have a nutty, earthy aroma, and one rolling along in the wind is hard to ignore.

Acorns contain tannins that upset the stomach, and eating them again and again can harm the kidneys. The hard shells can cause choking or a blockage, and a small breed like a Shih Tzu is at higher risk.

#3 Mushrooms

Mushrooms pop up overnight after rain, so a clear lawn in the evening can look very different by morning.

Treat any unknown mushroom your sweetie eats as urgent. Take a photo of it if you can, then call your vet right away. In the US, you can also reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.

#4 Leaf Piles

A leaf pile is hard to resist, but ticks can hide in it, and adult deer ticks stay active whenever the temperature is above freezing. After a romp, check the ears, armpits, belly and between the toes.



Scratches from dry leaves, bare twigs and brush are another concern for this breed. A Shih Tzu’s prominent eyes are easy to scratch when nosing around outside.

Squinting, redness or lots of blinking means a same-day call to your vet, because a scratch on the surface of the eye can worsen fast.

Sweet Smells, Sneaky Dangers: 4 Hazards Inside the House

Inside, November chores bring a few new hazards into play. And even if your own home is clear of them, the homes you visit may not be. Here are four to keep out of reach.

#1 Mouse Bait

November is prime time for mice to make their way indoors, which means more bait is being put out. It is made to smell good, so it tempts pets too.

The color and shape of the pellets don’t tell you which poison is inside, so any bait your Shih Tzu gets into requires a call to your vet. Keep all pest control products out of reach.

#2 De-icer and Antifreeze

Antifreeze has a sweet taste that makes it tempting, and even a small amount can be fatal. Some de-icers contain similar toxic ingredients, so treat both the same way.

Signs like staggering and vomiting can start within 30 minutes, and treatment usually has to begin within about 8 hours to work. If your sweetie may have tasted either one, call your vet right away.

Wipe up any spill in the garage or driveway right away, and consider an antifreeze made with propylene glycol, which is a bit safer for dogs.

#3 Mums

Mums are a fall favorite on porches and tables, but they are toxic to dogs. Eating them can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and wobbliness, and the sap can irritate the skin. Set them somewhere your little guy or gal can’t reach.

#4 Candles

Pumpkin, apple and cinnamon candles smell wonderful to a Shih Tzu too, and a candle on a low table sits right at nose height. Move them higher, and never leave one burning when you’re out of the room.

Soft Skin, Happy Paws: 5 Steps for November

A Shih Tzu can have delicate skin that is sensitive to seasonal changes. November is when crisp air outside and heated air inside start to dry it out, and dry skin left alone can lead to bigger issues down the line. A little prevention now goes a long way.

Here are five things to take note of.

#1 The Air

Moisture is the first thing the season takes, so a humidifier is a great way to head off dry skin before it starts. It works best within 4 to 5 feet of your Shih Tzu’s resting area, close enough to help and far enough that the mist doesn’t dampen the bed.

Something like the Dreo Humidifier runs for quite a while without a refill and has a very soft hum, so a sleeping sweetie isn’t disturbed.

#2 Bathing Products

Preventative and restorative bath products like Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo and Conditioner are fantastic. They have plant-based cleansers instead of detergents, soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, and a pH suited to a little dog’s skin.

That last part matters. Human shampoo is too acidic for dogs and can strip away their natural oils.

#3 Food Toppings

If your Shih Tzu's dry skin tops your list of concerns, a quality fish oil is a great way to help get things back on track. For this, we love Zesty Paws Wild Salmon Oil. It’s made from wild-caught salmon with zero additives, and a little goes a long way.

Fish oil works from the inside, so give it time. The full effect can take one to three months. Follow the label for your Shih Tzu’s weight (usually 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per day).

As an added bonus, fish oil helps support joint function (so important for the Shih Tzu breed) and promotes heart health.

#4 Paws

Cold ground, rough pavement and winter grit are hard on paw pads. If you’re not already using a paw wax, November is the time to start, because it adds a protective layer before every walk.

For this, it’s hard to beat the effectiveness of Musher’s Secret Paw Wax.

#5 The Nose

A Shih Tzu’s nose can feel tight and irritated long before a pet parent notices. Dry, cold wind plus licking can lead to a chapped snout. A quick, easy way to prevent or treat it is a nose balm like the Natural Dog Company Snout Soother.

Senior Shih Tzus in November: Cozy Comfort and a Case for Adoption

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, a good reminder that older dogs have plenty of affection left to give.

Shih Tzus often live into their teens, so lots of pet parents are sharing a home with a gray-muzzled sweetheart right now. Cold, damp weather and long, dark evenings are harder on an older Shih Tzu, and a few small changes make the month much easier.

#1 A Cushy Bed Away from Drafts

Cold and damp can make achy joints feel stiffer, and sore knees and arthritis are common in older Shih Tzus. A thick, supportive bed set away from doors and windows lets your little guy or gal rest comfortably on frosty nights.

After about 3 years, the filling inside a dog bed becomes less supportive, so if your Shih Tzu’s bed is older than that, it’s time to give it a good look over.

#2 Indoor Night-Lights for Dark Evenings

Eyesight often fades with age, and low light is usually where it shows first. Shih Tzus are also more prone to eye trouble than many breeds, so this matters a little extra.

Now that the clocks have changed and the dark comes early, plug-in night-lights along the hallways and near the water bowl make it easier for your sweetie to find the way.

#3 Midday Walks at an Easy Pace

Midday is the warmest, brightest part of a November day, which makes it the kindest time to walk an older Shih Tzu. Let your little guy or gal set the pace. Shorter outings with plenty of stops are still good exercise for the body and a nice change of scene.

A harness is the right choice at every age, and especially now. A collapsing windpipe shows up in middle-aged and senior Shih Tzus, and a harness keeps pressure off the throat.

#4 A Senior Check-Up Before Winter Settles In

November is a good time to book a visit, because cold weather is when achy joints and fading eyesight tend to show. Many vets recommend exams every six months for senior dogs. Six months in an older dog is roughly two to three years in a person, so changes can happen quickly.

#5 Why a Senior Shih Tzu Is a Lovely Match

Thinking about adopting? Shih Tzus are a companion breed, and an older one is usually happiest right beside you. Older dogs are also often calm and already house trained, so you skip the puppy chaos and get a lap-ready friend for the cozy months ahead.

#6 What to Know About Cost and Where to Start

Many shelters lower or even waive fees for senior pets in November, and the amounts vary, so a quick call to your local shelter is worth it. Most shelters also spay or neuter, vaccinate and microchip before adoption, so much of the early vet bill is already handled.

Shih Tzu rescue groups are a great place to start, since many keep their dogs in foster homes and can tell you about each one’s personality and history.

A Final Thought

November can be a joyful month, with cool air, leaves to crunch through and cozy evenings on the sofa with your Shih Tzu beside you.

A few simple things keep the month safe and comfortable for your little guy or gal. Once those are in place, all that’s left is enjoying the season together.

Lists to Love: Treat Edition

Best Treats for Shih Tzus with Sensitive Stomachs - The top soothing snacks, ingredients that calm tummy troubles and feeding tips. Covers all ages, puppies, adults and seniors.

Lip-Smacking Cheese Treats for a Shih Tzu - Is your Shih Tzu a true cheese connoisseur or a doggo that wants to be, but struggles with dairy? See these tummy-friendly options, including one long-lasting lactose-free chew that’s safe to savor and loved by even the pickiest pups.

Fantastic Fish Treats for Shih Tzus - Don't let your Shih Tzu miss out on the powerful benefits of omega-3s. These wholesome fish snacks support healthy skin, a glossy coat, and smooth digestion, making them a smart addition to a Shih Tzu’s diet. 

Lists to Love: Carefully Chosen

Best Gadgets for a Shih Tzu - These cool devices, tools and other care items can make life so much easier for both you and your little cutie-pie. You'll wish you found them sooner.

Top 10 Care Items Under 10 - If you're looking for high quality, helpful care items while staying on a tight budget, this list is for you. Updated regularly and something for all ages.

List of Flower-Themed Items for a Shih Tzu - Explore some wonderful flower-themed care items for your Shih Tzu. From floral snuffle toys to adorable flower-patterned shirts, these colorful and charming picks are sure to delight your sweetie and brighten their day.

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