Walking your dog? – Careful does it

This summer is going to be a scorcher! If you and your Bulldog love your walks, please bear in mind that your Bully struggles to vent himself and the heat can possibly be deadly. But don’t give up the walks just yet, here are a few tips to ensure your bully is safe while you are out and about.

1. Don’t walk on the tar road, if you place your hand on the tar for 10 seconds and it’s hot to the touch, bear in mind it will be hot for your Bully’s paws as well. Walk him on the sidewalk where there is grass or take him to the dog park where there is lots of trees. Hot tar roads can leave your dog’s paw pads injured and painful.
2. Take some water along. Just like you need a drink along the way, so does your dog. Not only will it help quench his thirst, but it will help to keep him nice and cool. For bulldogs it can even be helpful if they suffer from heatstroke and you wet their body with nice cool (not freezing cold) water, to help bring their body temp down. Water is a definite must!
3. Walk early morning or early evening, this way you avoid the hottest part of the day, and your dog is less likely to overheat.
4. Always keep your phone with you, this is important as you will need to be able to call transport and a vet should your dog develop heat stress.
5. Keep walks short and easy. Taking long walks with many uphill stretches can be very hard on a dog that struggles to regulate his own body temperature. Short walks around the block or up the street and back is often enough for a bulldog. This way he gets exercise and gets rid of some excess energy, but doesn’t overexert himself and run the risk of heat stroke

This summer is going to be a scorcher! If you and your Bulldog love your walks, please bear in mind that your Bully struggles to vent himself and the heat can possibly be deadly. But don’t give up the walks just yet, here are a few tips to ensure your bully is safe while you are out and about.  

If you notice your dog isn’t feeling well, end your walk immediately and get to the vet. Try and keep your dog as cool as you can while on your way there. Heatstroke is life threatening, the sooner a vet can stabilize him, the better. 

Source: English & French Bulldog Rescue SA

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Disclaimer: The information produced by Infurmation is provided for general and educational purposes only and does not constitute any legal, medical or other professional advice on any subject matter. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Always seek the advice of your vet or other qualified health care provider prior to starting any new diet or treatment and with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you suspect that your pet has a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.