French Bulldogs are prone to overheating in temperatures that are consistently warmer than 85 degrees. Most veterinarians will advise you to keep your French Bulldog inside when it’s this warm because they have a tendency to overheat.
The Summer months are fun for French Bulldog owners. The days are longer which means there’s more time for running around, playing fetch, and frolicking through sprinklers. It’s important to understand that Frenchies are not hot weather dogs and they don’t always do so well when the temperatures are high.
In this quick guide, we want to help you understand what temperatures are good for your French Bulldog and how you can identify some of the dangerous warning signs of heat exhaustion.
Can French Bulldogs Live in Hot Weather?
Your Frenchie can live anywhere but you’ll need to be cautious about what types of temperatures you expose them too. If you live in a hot place like Florida or Arizona, you likely have air conditioning so you’ll want to keep them in the cool as much as possible.
You also want to make sure to limit their walks. Don’t take them out for walks in the middle of the day when it’s super hot. In addition to overheating, you also need to pay attention to the pavement being too hot for their paws. It can even be hot later in the day so getting them a pair of dog booties is not a bad idea.
Signs of Frenchie Overheating
This breed and heat are not the perfect pairing so it’s important to understand the warning signs of overheating. Some of these are:
- Throat noises
- Excessive panting
- Heaving
- Loose and floppy tongue
- Foaming
- Lethargy
If you see any of these signs, you will want to get your French Bulldog out of the heat immediately and take them somewhere to cool down. It can be a scary situation but it’s not usually an emergency unless it accompanies fainting or vomiting.
How to Prevent Your French Bulldog from Overheating
While avoiding the heat all together is the best way to prevent them from overheating, that’s not always a viable option. Some ways to prevent overheating are:
Self-cooling pad – Cooling mats are a great option for a hot Frenchie. Even if they’re not overheating, bring them inside and allow them to relax on this after a long walk on a hot day. It’ll become a routine really quick.
Spread their fur – Spread their fur with your fingers to allow air to hit their body. Their coat is designed to insulate their body and by spreading it, you allow cool air from a fan or air conditioner to penetrate through.
Final Thoughts
Make sure you don’t let your French Bulldog decide for themselves if it’s too hot. A lot of forums and blogs will tell you that your Frenchie will not want to go out if it’s hot and that’s not always true. It’s up to us to do what is in the best interest of our dog and if it’s 85 degrees or warmer outside, it’s best to stay in and walk only when necessary.
