Heatstroke Emergency Checklist for French Bulldogs

Protect your French Bulldog from the dangers of overheating with these lifesaving steps. Read below.

French Bulldogs are an adorable, flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed—but that same cute, compact face puts them at a high risk for heatstroke. As a Frenchie owner or breeder, you need to be prepared for hot weather emergencies. This emergency checklist gives you the exact steps to spot, treat, and prevent heatstroke in French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs.

🔥 Early Signs of Heatstroke in French Bulldogs

Be on the lookout for these symptoms, especially during summer months or after exertion:

• Excessive panting (not calming down in cool air)

• Red or purple gums or tongue

• White foam from the mouth (can block airways!)

• Weakness or wobbly walking

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Seizures or unresponsiveness

• Body temperature above 104ºF

🚨 Emergency Steps to Treat French Bulldog Heatstroke

Step-by-Step Treatment Plan:

1.  Move your Frenchie to a shaded, cool area or into air conditioning.

2.  Pull their tongue forward to help open the airway.

3.  Squirt lemon juice into their mouth.

   • 💡 Breaks up foam and mucus that can block airways.

Squirt lemon juice into their mouth. I recommend this product.

4.  Apply rubbing alcohol to key areas:

   • Armpits

   • Belly

   • Paw pads

   • 💡 Draws heat from the body quickly.

Apply rubbing alcohol to important areas. I recommend this product.

5.  Cool down using lukewarm (not ice cold) water.

   • Hose, bath, or soaked towels

   • 💡 Focus on belly, chest, and inner thighs.

6.  Rub ice on their tongue (only if temp is 105ºF+).

   • 💡 Apply for 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off.

7.  Offer Pedialyte or unflavored electrolyte solution.

   • 💡 Helps rehydrate and stabilize your dog.

 Offer Pedialyte or an unflavored electrolyte solution.

8.  Take their rectal temperature if possible.

   • Stop cooling at 103ºF

9.  Head to your emergency vet immediately.

   • 💡 Even if your dog improves, they need medical attention!

   
   
   
   

🧊 How to Prevent Heatstroke in French Bulldogs

• ✅ Never leave your Bulldog in a parked car—even for 5 minutes.

• ✅ Avoid hot pavement—it burns paws and overheats the body.

• ✅ Walk early morning or evening, when it’s cooler outside.

• ✅ Use cooling gear:

  • Cooling collars

  • Spray bottles

  • Cooling vests

  • Frozen water bottles in crates

• ✅ Provide cool, clean water all day long.

• ✅ Stay in shaded or air-conditioned spaces.

• ✅ Limit playtime outdoors on hot days.

• ✅ Watch for early signs of overheating and anxiety.

📦 Summer Bulldog First Aid Kit Checklist

Keep these on hand for any heat emergency:

• Lemon juice

• Rubbing alcohol

• Unflavored Pedialyte

• Digital thermometer (for rectal temp)

• Spray bottle with cool water

• Cooling coat or collar

• Emergency vet contact saved in phone

🐶 Heat Safety is Bulldog Safety

At Hot Stuff Frenchies, we’ve raised and cared for Bulldogs for over 21 years. We’ve seen how heatstroke can strike suddenly, but also how easy it is to prevent with the right tools, knowledge, and quick action.

Educate yourself. Share this checklist with your family. Post it on your fridge. Every second matters when it comes to overheating in French Bulldogs.

📍 Hot Stuff Frenchies

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