Top 5 Essential Tips to Keep Your Bulldog Safe From Heatstroke This Summer

Summer is the season for sunshine, play, and poolside fun. But for bulldogs and other short-nosed breeds, hot weather brings serious risks that quite simply are no laughing matter.

Their adorable faces may melt hearts, but their anatomy also makes them dangerously vulnerable to heat, breathing difficulties, and several warm-weather hazards.

This guide will help you understand how to protect your bulldog breed so that they stay safe, cool, and healthy all summer long.

Why Bulldogs Need Extra Care in the Heat

Dogs do not sweat. They lose heat by panting to expel hot air, and have moisture evaporated from their tongues. 

Bulldog breeds are brachycephalic, meaning they have shortened noses, narrow nostrils, and compact airways. These features make panting a whole lot less effective than it ought to be.

Even mild heat can overwhelm them, and when the temperature climbs, their risk of heatstroke rises dramatically. Heatstroke is fast, dangerous, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Early signs include:

• Heavy panting
• Bright red gums
• Drooling
• Restlessness
• Vomiting
• Lethargy or collapse
• Difficulty breathing

If your flat-faced friend shows any of these symptoms, treat it as an emergency. Getting help quickly can save their life.

1. Avoid the Heat: Timing Matters Most

Your bulldog should never exercise during the hottest parts of the day. From sunrise to sunset, the risk of overheating is extremely high, even on breezy or overcast days.

Instead, schedule walks during early mornings or late evenings, if there’s been a cool change. Be wary of pavements and asphalt, which may still be roaring hot.

Indoors, keep them in well-ventilated spaces with air conditioning to help them maintain a safe body temperature. Fans are simply not effective for this purpose in dogs.

2. Hydration: Their First Line of Defence

Hydration is vital for bulldogs. Offer cool, fresh water at all times and encourage frequent drinking.

Bring portable water bowls on walks or outings, and consider adding ice cubes to their water to keep it refreshing.

3. Protect Those Paws and Their Skin

Hot pavements can burn your bulldog’s paw pads in seconds. Test the ground with your hand before walking — if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.

Choose grassy areas or shaded spots, or use protective booties if necessary.

Bulldogs also have exposed skin areas that are prone to sunburn easily. Apply pet-safe sunscreen to their ears, nose, and any lightly-haired patches.

Never use human sunscreen, particularly those with zinc oxide or PABA, as these are toxic to pets if ingested.

4. Cooling Products to Keep Them Comfortable

Cooling vests, collars, raised cooling beds, or battery-powered fans can help prevent overheating. These tools reduce body temperature and provide extra comfort when the weather warms up.

But remember: cooling gear should support prevention — not replace supervision or safe summer habits.

5. Other Summer Hazards to Watch Out For

Summer brings more than heat risks. Bulldogs also face:

• Sunburn: Protect exposed skin with dog-safe sunscreen.
• Dog Bite Wounds: Social outings increase contact with unfamiliar dogs. Supervise closely.
• Snake Encounters: In bushy or grassy areas, keep them leashed and avoid tall grass.
• Ticks and Parasites: Warm climates boost tick and parasite activity. Maintain year-round preventatives.

Bulldogs often mask discomfort until they’re struggling, so careful observation is essential. If anything feels “not quite right,” don’t wait. Seek veterinary assistance immediately.

Keep Your Bulldog Safe All Summer Long

With the right precautions, your bulldog can stay cool, comfortable, and protected all season. Plan activities for cooler hours, prioritise hydration, and watch closely for early heat-stress signs.

If you need guidance, a summer checkup, or parasite protection, our Vetland Hospital & Emergency team is here every day of the year.

If your bulldog has not had their airway assessed, this is one of the most important ways we can buy them some time and relief. Not all bulldog breeds require airway surgery—but many of them do—and it’s life-changing.

Read more about brachycephalic airway surgery here.

Your bulldog relies on you — and with the right care, this can be their safest summer yet.