Bulldog Heat Exhaustion: Your French Bulldog and the Risk of Overheating

Too many dogs die every year when the summer season hits due to carelessness on the part of their owner. Leaving them outside in the heat too long or even worse in the car, can pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of your canine companion. While it is not yet common knowledge, dogs can contract heat exhaustion very quickly, much more quickly than any human being you will ever encounter.  You need to be on the watch for bulldog heat exhaustion as the days get warmer.

Why Do Dogs Overheat So Quickly?

Humans are able to cool their bodies off naturally when placed in an extremely hot environment by sweating. Unfortunately, dogs lack this built-in air conditioner and so they must cool down through panting. This is not nearly as effective of a cooling method as sweating is for people, and so it causes dogs to overheat much faster than any person ever would.

Dangerous Situations

There are two situations that are extremely dangerous for your pet, and are bound to cause heat exhaustion if you don't exercise proper caution and take the precautions necessary to make the environment safe and livable for your dog.

Having Your Dog Outdoors in Extreme Heat

There are many circumstances that a dog could be placed in that would cause them to experience heat exhaustion. Never leave your dog tied up outside for extended periods of time, especially in heat that you would hardly be able to stand. If you must leave your dog outside during the hot summer months, give them multiple ways to cool off and make sure that they stay hydrated as much as possible.

Be sure to provide your dog with shade while outside, at all times of the day (remember, the sun moves and in turn, so does the shade). Having a child's wading pool is a good idea for some dogs that are inclined to the water, as this gives them an excellent means of cooling their body temperature when it gets too high.

Also, remember that dogs are notorious for knocking over their water dishespecially when they need it the most. Get a heavy water dish that they won't be able to turn over, or be sure to check on them frequently throughout the day to provide them with cool, clean water.

Having Your Dog in the Hot Car

Even with the windows cracked, it only takes a few minutes for the temperature in a parked car to reach more than 150 degrees if the car is sitting in the sun. These are deathly temperatures, and it will not take any dog long to reach a dangerous temperature when under these circumstances. Never leave your dog in the car for more than a minute, even with the windows rolled down.

What to Do If Your Dog Overheats

Some symptoms of heat exhaustion in your dog are:         

If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, do your best to cool them off with cool, wet rags or a fan or air conditioner, and seek medical attention as soon as humanly possible! Your dog's life may depend on it.