Updated 16/11/2023
Brachycephalic dogs (also known as flat faced dogs) and their pet parents will know these breeds often come with a list of extensive health conditions. These include breathing difficulties, eye problems, and issues with their tear production, to name a few. Although this rarely affects the beautiful nature of these dogs, it does mean dog owners of smushed faced dogs need to be extra vigilant during certain times of the year.
Summer is arguably every dog’s favorite time of year. Regardless of breed, our pooch pals love to soak up the sun and extra freedom that accompanies the warm weather and longer days. Of course, all canine carers will be keeping watch over their fur friend to make sure they’re drinking enough water and staying safe if they decide to take a swim. For those dog owners who parent brachycephalic dogs, extra precautions will be needed to keep them happy in the heat.
To make sure you and your precious pup can enjoy the hot weather as much as possible, we have some top tier tips on how to care for brachycephalic dog breeds in hot weather.
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Looking out for flat faced dogs in summer
What are the brachycephalic dog breeds? If we’re being scientific, we would say a dog with a shortened nose or muzzle. Others may simply refer to these pooches as the squishy faced dog breeds. These breeds include the Shih Tzu, the French Bulldog, the Chow Chow, the Pug, and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to name a few. Basically, if your fur-baby has a short nose or cute, squashed face, you are the owner of a brachycephalic dog.
So, what’s the big deal? Why all the fuss about brachycephalic dogs and our recent burst of sunshine? Well, flat faced dogs find it harder to regulate their body temperature compared to other dog breeds.
Medical Writer and Veterinary Surgeon, Dr Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS, gives us the lowdown on brachycephalic dogs in the heat:
“Dogs don’t sweat in the same way as we humans do to cool down. Dogs pant to regulate their body temperature, moving hot, moist air across the mucous membranes in their nose, mouth and lungs. The effect of panting leads to evaporation of moisture in the air creating a cooling effect. Dogs with shorter noses have a shorter surface area for this process and so it is less efficient, making it more difficult for them to cool down. This coupled with often narrowed nostrils and long soft palates that limit breathing efficiency and airflow to the nose and lungs, really does make staying safe in hot weather a challenge for these breeds. We should take particular care with our brachycephalic pets as they are more prone to overheating, even in mild heat.”
So, as protective pet parents to our smushed faced dogs, what can we do to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible whilst it’s hot?
Top tips on keeping brachycephalic dogs chilled in the heat
Right, so we know that our short snout snuffles are heat sensitive, but let’s talk about how we can help them. Below are some brief brachycephalic breed tips on caring for your fluffy flat faced friend.
Tip 1: Time their walkies just right
You don’t need to be a scientist to know the hottest time of day is around lunchtime. To make sure your furry friend can enjoy their daily walks, choose to take them out either early morning or evening. Use your own body temperature as a guide: If it’s too hot for you to walk barefoot on the ground, it’s too hot for your pooch pad about.
Tip 2: Keep car time cool
All dog owners know to never leave their biscuit babies in a hot car. However, with flat face dog breeds you need to be extra careful. Avoid leaving them alone in a car at all costs. Even with the windows open on mildly hot days, the environment of a car can be very risky for our squishy-faced breeds so it is not worth the risk even for a short amount of time. Heat stroke can occur quicker than you’d expect in breeds like these which can quickly become life-threatening.
Additional tip here - Actively cool your flat faced pooch
On particularly hot days, ensure the curtains are closed and windows open creating as much flow through air as possible. Consider the addition of fans to help your struggling squishy-faced pooches keep cool. Active cooling is important to prevent heat stroke in these breeds rather than reacting once it’s already a problem.
Tip 3: Chill out on some cooling mats or jazzy jackets
Cooling jackets and mats are a cheap but effective method for keeping your canine creature chilled. They can be as cheap as $20 on Amazon, and come in a range of sizes for all doggos. Pets should be supervised when using cooling mats to make sure they don’t become damaged or nibbled as the inside contents of the mats can be toxic if eaten. Cooling jackets should be monitored and changed regularly. As the jackets warm up, the cooling effect is lost and they become just like a regular jacket preventing heat loss as warm air becomes trapped against the body. Both cooling jackets and matts can be a great tool to help your pet keep cool if monitored and used properly.
Additional tip here - Tasty icy treats to help your pooch keep cool
Tasty icy treats can be a fun way to keep our pooches cool, there is no reason our flat-faced breeds can’t join in on this one. Freezing their normal food in a puzzle feeder or providing some veg such as frozen carrots or green beans are a fun treat. Consider the addition of ice to their water bowl, it offers a fun game but also keeps their water cooler for longer.
Tip 4: Cool water, not cold water
If you think your pup pal is overheating, take them indoors or to a shady area and pour over cool water. As tempting as it may be, don’t put them in an ice bath or cover them in ice cubes. Frozen water can cause more harm than good as the sudden temperature change could shock your dog, or even cause ice burns. A garden hose, kids paddling pool, or large bucket is the perfect way to cool down your fur baby.
When to be concerned about your flat faced dog
If you notice your pooch behaving out of character - if they’re lethargic, refusing to eat, or overly panting - don’t hesitate to contact your local vet, as Dr Lily Richard can confirm:
“Heatstroke is an emergency situation, if you suspect your dog is struggling, move your dog somewhere cool, pour cool but not cold or icy water over them, ensure they have access to cool water to drink and contact your vets immediately for further advice and support.”
Meet our veterinary expert, Lily
This article has been checked by veterinarian Lily Richards BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lily qualified from Liverpool University in 2011 and spent 5 years as a veterinarian working in mixed animal practice. As Lily’s passion for exotics and exploring more complicated small animal medical cases developed, she stepped into small animal-only practice. By 2018 Lily was leading a busy branch of a large hospital practice with a fantastic team, enjoying working on both surgical and medical cases. Since falling poorly in 2021 Lily has found a new passion in medical writing. Sharing medical knowledge and writing for the public is a particular passion.
If you’re worried about overheating your hound, you can speak to a pet professional, use our 24/7 vet advice line for information and help. If you’re keen to find a new friend for your furry family, you can find a host of new local dog sitters near you.
