Pugs, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs do not tolerate hot weather and need accommodations if you live in a warm climate. The flat shape of their noses and faces is the main factor that makes hot summers challenging for these pets. Temperatures up to about 85°F (30°C) are fine for a brief walk but you should know the signs of heatstroke and what to do if your pet overheats.
There are some general principles of temperature regulation in dogs to keep in mind.
How Do Dogs Regulate Temperature?
The average body temperature for the majority of dogs is 101.5 °F (38.5°C). These animals are capable of regulating their temperature to an extent but their physiological adaptations are limited.
Individual characteristics, such as weight, age, general health and conditioning, the quality of the dog’s fur, and the type of his head and nose are all factors in the animal’ s ability to self-regulate body temperature.
The range of ambient temperatures at which dogs do not spend any energy to maintain the body temperature at baseline is called the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). The thermoneutral range for most breeds of dogs is 68°F to 85°F (20° to 30° C), according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. If the air temperature is above the TNZ, the dog regulates to keep her body temperature within the normal range but that requires some energy. Overheating follows when the dog is no longer able to regulate.
Flat-Faced Dogs And Hot Weather
Severely brachycephalic dogs, including pugs, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs, could tolerate days as warm as 85°F (30°C).
However, if your pet is joining you for a hike or some other intense adventure outdoors, temperatures over 75°F (24°C) could be too much to tolerate for these heat-sensitive pups. A day that is not warmer than 70°F (21°C) is optimal but even then, observe your dog and adjust your activities as needed.
Your dog’s ability to cool down through sweating is insignificant, and that is true for any canine. Only the nose and paws can produce sweat. So, the only way for the dog to lower the body temperature is by panting. That is why dogs in general and pugs, in particular, could develop heatstroke very rapidly.
Dogs of brachycephalic breeds are not particularly athletic, so even a dog that is in prime health is likely to have limited reserve and stamina. What complicates matters even further is the breed’s strongly pronounced brachycephalic features.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Pugs, French and English bulldogs are brachycephalic, which means that they have flat faces and peculiarly shaped heads. Being a flat-faced breed is a major factor that puts them at risk for overheating. The following features make it more difficult to breathe and, hence, to cool down through panting:
- Narrow nostrils impair air circulation and any congestion exacerbates the problem
- A narrow trachea makes panting less efficient
- The long palate leads to respiratory problems
- Pouches of laryngeal tissue often obstruct the airway and sometimes even require surgical intervention
The brachycephalic airway syndrome is more pronounced in French and English bulldogs, and pugs than in some other flat-faced breeds and it significantly affects these dogs’ ability to breathe, tolerate activity, and regulate temperature.
Individual Risk Factors
The dog’s traits can significantly affect its ability to tolerate temperature extremes and cool down:
- Very young age, younger than about one year old
- Old age
- Any acute or chronic health issue, cardiovascular and respiratory health problems are especially impactful
- Excessive weight
- Dehydration
- Lack of appropriate acclimation if the dog is new to a particular climate zone
In addition to the dog’s characteristics, high air humidity outdoors and poor air circulation indoors further contribute to the risk of overheating.
Signs Of Dehydration
Dehydration is a risk factor for overheating and a dangerous condition on its own. These are the signs of dehydration in your dog:
- Dry pale nose and mouth
- Fast heart rate
- Sunken eyes
- The dog is not urinating
- Decreased skin elasticity
To check the elasticity of the skin on a dog, use the skin on its belly. Gently pinch and pull back a little bit of her skin. If it does not spring back to its place right away, the dog could be dehydrated.
Dehydration is very dangerous to all animals. If the condition is not corrected quickly, the affected animal could become unable to walk and drink water and could progress to developing seizures and cardiovascular shock.
Signs Of Overheating
If the pug’s body temperature reaches 104° F (40° C), the dog is at risk of deteriorating quickly. These changes herald impending and dangerous heatstroke in dogs:
- Heavy drooling
- Heavy panting
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Disorientation and poor balance
- Purple gums
- The dog feels hot to the touch, high body temperature
What To Do If Your Pet Overheated
Overheating is extremely dangerous to any dog. Pugs and bulldogs, in general, are among the most vulnerable and their status could change in minutes. There are steps you should take immediately if you believe your pet is too hot:
- Move the dog to a shaded area
- Give it cool water
- If your pet is unable to drink independently, avoid forcing him or her but try to wet its tongue, instead
- Do NOT give your dog ice or put ice on its body
- Put cool wet towels all over your dog
- Don’t leave your dog alone. Keep assessing your pet’s behavior until the animal appears to be back to normal
If your pet is unable to drink water or walk independently, it might be necessary to take your dog to a veterinarian to save its life. Your pet might need intravenous hydration and nutrition, and those interventions can be promptly initiated at a veterinarian’s office.
How To Keep Your Dog Cool In Hot Weather
Flat-faced dogs do not do well in a hot climate but there are precautions you can take if your pet is exposed to high temperatures regularly or occasionally:
1. Brush Your Dog Regularly
Brush your pet’s coat regularly to improve air circulation on the skin. Most brachycephalic breeds do not have thick or long coats but shedding old loose fur could still be helpful.
2. Provide Access To Cool Water
Make sure your dog always has access to plenty of cool clean water. Keep several bowls of water in different areas of your home to remind the animal to drink water.
When your pet joins you for a walk or a hike, bring some water for your dog, and a foldable water bottle.
3. Avoid Walking The Dog On Asphalt Trails
Walk your dog on grass or ground rather than asphalt. Asphalt trails get really hot in the summer and increase the risk of overheating. In addition, the dog’s paws could get burned by the hot surface of the heated asphalt.
4. Protect The Dog’s Paws
You could put on some protective dog booties on your pet to prevent a burn or other injuries to the paws but many dogs dislike the idea.
Dog boots are the best physical barrier to protect the paws but certified organic paw balm, or wax is the next best option. Beeswax and paraffin are the core ingredients of paw butter products. These products are designed to seal off the paw from damage.
Purified petroleum-based products are also safe to use on pet paws and could be a cheaper alternative to paw balm products, with similar protective value. The most popular products are Vaseline and Aquaphor.
5. Avoid The Hottest Part Of The Day
Try to walk your pet in the morning or in the evening to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Woods and forests are ideal for walks and hikes in the summer because they stay cool better than open areas. An easy hike can be appropriate for a flat-faced dog, especially in a shaded area.
6. Provide Rest Periods, Look For Shade
Provide rest periods in the shade when out during the day. Of course, if a shaded trail is available, that would be a safer, preferred option.
7. Consider Water Activities
If it is an option, aquatic activities could be a nice way to cool down in summer. Most brachycephalic dogs are not fond of swimming per se but the dog could still enjoy the cool air by the water.
A doggy pool on your patio or your balcony is a good alternative to a lake or river. Most dogs enjoy splashing their paws.
8. Purchase A Cooling Mat
If you don’t have an air conditioner indoors, consider getting a non-toxic cooling mat for your pet if your home gets too warm. Cooling mats are great for cars, too, when your pet joins you on a trip.
9. Invest In A Good Cooling Vest
If you are out and about with your dog, a cooling collar could provide some relief. A cooling vest might be a good investment if you go hiking with your dog or spend a lot of time outdoors in warm weather with your pet. Many flat-faced pooches have chubby torsos and necks, so some of them do not do well with vests, either regular or cooling ones.
It is important to measure your dog’s chest circumference and use the size chart provided by the manufacturer because your dog won’t like a vest with a flawed fit. Your pet should wear the vest at home for a little to get used to the way it feels.
10. Read Your Dog’s Cues
And, finally, you know your pet better than anyone else and you are likely to notice subtle changes in your dog’s behavior.
Many flat-faced dogs are typically very mellow dogs but they love running and playing outdoor games. Dogs sometimes do not realize that they are dehydrated and hot, so you need to assess your pup closely and moderate the dog’s activity depending on its tolerance.
