Warm weather brings extra challenges for dog owners with brachycephalic, or pug nose, breeds such as Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus and Pekinese. Due to their short nose and skull shape these breeds have diminished ability to take in air as they breathe, causing them to overheat easily. This extra sensitivity to heat makes them more susceptible to heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke, which can be fatal. Here are some ways to keep your pug nose dog safe and healthy during the hot months of summer.
Keep him inside – When temperatures and humidity are high, keep your dog inside. These breeds are not meant to be outside dogs and can succumb to the elements very quickly if left out in the heat and humidity.
Schedule adjustment – Our Pug, like most, has a tendency to be overweight, so canceling her daily walks during the summer months is not a healthy solution to her heat intolerance. Instead, we walk her in the early mornings or later in the evenings, once the sun has completely gone down. Even when the temperature is mild the sunlight bothers her and she will seek out shaded areas to walk.
Cooling mats – There are several cooling mats for dogs available on the market, or you can make your own by freezing water in a sturdy zipper bag or hot water bottle. Once frozen, wrap it well with a heavy towel and place it in your dog’s bed. Be sure not to let the bag come into direct contact with your dog’s skin.
Air conditioning and fans – My Pug gets overheated instantly when she gets in a hot vehicle. We have to start the car ahead of time and get the air conditioning going before we put her in. When she’s at home in hot weather, we always have a fan going for her so that when (not if) she gets too warm she can retreat to her special area in front of the fan.
Activity cautions – Exercise is good for dogs of all types, but when you have brachycephalic breeds you need to take extra care during warm or humid weather. If your dog begins to breathe heavily or make extra noise while breathing, it’s time to take a break and cool down. Dogs overheat much easier and faster than humans, so pug nose dogs may only be able to tolerate a few minutes of play before becoming stressed by the heat.
Kiddie pools – Many owners of heat-intolerant dogs provide a kiddie pool for their dogs to use when they are outside during hot summer months. If you choose this route, be sure the pool is located in the shade and replace the water often if it gets too warm. Otherwise it is just like a hot bath and will only exacerbate the danger.
Lots of cool drinking water – You should always have fresh, clean water available for your dog, but it becomes even more important for pug nose dogs in the summer. If your dog spends any time at all outside be sure there is water available there as well. Keep it shaded and secured so that it can’t be turned over. Keeping it in a plastic dish will also help keep it cooler than in a metal one.
Heat stroke can cause permanent organ damage and even be fatal in dogs. Because brachycephalic breeds overheat so quickly and have limited means to cool down, prevention is critical to keeping them safe and healthy.
Sources:
“Heat Sensitivity,” TerrificPets.com
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