Preparing your Home for a French Bulldog – The Basics

We know that receiving a new family member is not an easy task!

You need to take into account many things like if it’s a good neighborhood to raise a French Bulldog (yep, we’re not kidding), bedding, a French Bulldog-Friendly Bowl for water, one for food, maybe some toys, a kennel, some safety measures, maybe a fence, and… Yes, it’s overwhelming.

Moreover, don’t get us started on the food, shampoo, and other essentials. However, you need to be prepared for the new arrival, and you need to start with something. Right?

In this guide you’ll find:

• A guide to knowing all the possible threats that your neighborhood poses to your new French Bulldog and you haven’t noticed!
• All the help you need to organize your buying list.
• And help on the safety measures that need to be applied to your house.

Are you ready to start? Let’s get right into it!

Your French Bulldog puppy is on its way and you don’t know how to prepare your home to receive him?

Whether you have a large family living in one house, or you’re a lone ranger inside of a small apartment, you need to ask yourself this question. Because human houses, apartments, or wherever you live, can be unexpectedly dangerous for French Bulldogs! There are many things inside a house that can harm French Bulldog’s health:

1. Allergies can present a huge threat to French Bulldog’s health. They can be allergic to plastic (which is very present at any home), some fabrics, dust, and more.
2. Possible airway-blockers! These are small pieces of…well, anything a French Bulldog can put its paws on. They can cause choking if swallowed.
3. Household electric cables, outlets, and wires. Electrocution is not funny. They can cause a lot of systematic failures inside French Bulldog’s bodies, leading to unavoidable death.
4. Normal objects like shoes, clothes, caps, mats, and others shouldn’t be within their reach. If chewed, they can be harmful to their teeth. If swallowed, they can be choking devices, or disrupt French Bulldog’s digestive system.
5. Chemicals. Household cleaning products contain many chemicals that are poisonous to dogs. These are present in most cleaning products and can reach your French Bulldog’s system in several ways.

“Every home contains a variety of everyday items and substances that can be dangerous or even fatal if ingested by dogs…”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

All of them pose a real risk for French Bulldogs. And we haven’t even started talking about garden safety for French Bulldogs!

Why do you need to French Bulldog proof your house?

French Bulldogs are playful, smart, and curious. Because of that, they can result fairly adventurous, especially when you have more than one.

• They will team-up and become a storm of chewing little fellas that will bite anything that’s edible (in dog terms, of course).

This is a safety concern that haunts families, mainly because of French Bulldog’s breathing issues. They are slightly more prone to choking than other dogs, which is actually common in small breeds. 

How To Prepare Home for a French Bulldog: Top 5 immediate (And Easy) measures.

These are the things you can change right away or within days:

• Have a massive cleaning-day. Go through each and every dust-accumulating spot of the house. That’s a great way of stopping your French Bulldog from sneezing.
• Pick up everything that might be chewed, choked-on, or swallowed. That includes; shoes, plastic bags, clothes, small decorative objects, cardboard boxes (some love these), pencils, books, chargers, and more. Remember the toilet paper under the bathroom sink? Yep, that one too!
• Tuck cables away, put on outlet protectors when they’re not being used, and make sure that any electric device is above French Bulldog’s height.
• Store their food, daily care products, and more alike away from them. It’s not true they can eat themselves to death, but excessive eating is not healthy and can lead to indirect death. Also, you might find his favorite grooming gloves for French Bulldogs under attack someday!
• Store all the cleaning products away; detergent, bleach, and softeners.

Go through every room in the house and secure them for your French Bulldog. Even the ones he’s not allowed to.

Long term changes to French Bulldog proof your house!

After all these quick changes, there are a few more that you need to apply in order to have a safe home for your French Bulldog always:

• Set rules for everyone (guests included): These are the ultimate tools to French Bulldog proof your house! Rules like no French Bulldogs on top of the sofa, no objects left on the floor, all kid’s toys need to be in their place, don’t ever give the French Bulldog these foods, and more are vital. These need to be applied to literally everybody in the house, including temporary guests. Because they won’t stay forever, but your French Bulldog has nowhere else to go!
• Keep up with a cleaning schedule (these are family-friendly, too): Each and every space of the house needs to be cleaned up at least once every two weeks. If you have a relatively large family, this one can get tricky. Because of French Bulldog’s heavy shedding, this will be needed, too.

Note: You need to teach your children that this is one of the ways of loving French Bulldogs and that not everything is just hugs and kisses.

• Change your cleaning products for pet-friendly products: This one is vital as well, especially because you’ll keeping your house cleaner. There are many products of everyday use that can be harmful to your French Bulldog, including the detergent you use to wash your own clothes.
• Train your French Bulldog! French Bulldogs will never understand their nature, and that’s why you need to teach them the things they can or cannot do. They will not understand why, but they will understand that if they don’t chew anything left behind on the floor, there’s a treat waiting for them!

Note: The most important training tool for this is the “leave it” command or the classic “NO!”. That will teach them to drop anything they’re chewing on and wait for a toy, playing time, or their fave treat.

• Train your family! Living with French Bulldogs is not a matter of them adapting to you, but the opposite. Sure, you can teach them what is good or bad with training. The thing is, does your family understand this? You and your beloved ones need to know why they can’t do or must do certain things in order to love French Bulldogs.
• Succeed, treat, repeat! Consistency is the most important thing you must apply for both French Bulldogs and people so they can learn how to live with each other!

Apply those changes and effectively French Bulldog proof your house!

These small changes will make a huge difference in your French Bulldog’s health and lifestyle. Because of them, you will even save some money avoiding unnecessary vet-trips! We can ensure you that your French Bulldog will be thankful for them and that he will repay you with many snugly moments. Cheers!

How To Know If A Neighborhood Is Safe For Your French Bulldog?

Do you know if your neighborhood is safe for your French Bulldog? Maybe you shouldn’t even go out on walks anymore! Learn here to identify the dangers of your neighborhood.

Why not any neighborhood is safe for your French Bulldog?

The French Bulldog is a small breed of dogs that has, among others, three important personality traits; their friendliness, their protectiveness, and their fearlessness. These traits are expected in a breed that is the perfect companionship! However, they can be dangerous for him and yourself while going out on a walk!

How to know if a neighborhood is safe for your French Bulldog?

Here are some of the known dangers you need to be aware of:

• Traffic: cars, bikes, trucks, and motorcycles are a potential danger for your French Bulldog. Protective French Bulldogs tend to run after anything that seems dangerous for you or “their domain”.
• Your neighbor’s dogs: maybe your neighbors have another French Bulldog, so yours has a playing buddy. On the other hand, maybe your neighbors have a Tibetan Mastiff, so your French Bulldog thinks he has a similarly-sized doggy friend to play with him. No, no, no! Sometimes it’s safe with huge dogs that are trained or accustomed to being around smaller breeds, but, seriously, what are the odds?
• Aggressive dogs or cats: Your French Bulldog might try to protect you from that loud and poorly trained dog that your (probably bad) neighbor has. French Bulldogs don’t recognize their size and are protective (especially female French Bulldogs). This can result in a very hurt (or worse) French Bulldog!
• She-French Bulldogs on their heat cycle: they are a threat for you because other dogs will try to have a flash-date with her. That certainly won’t turn out great.
• Astray dogs: These poor little creatures have taken enough beating already, being on their own outside. Still, they might be dangerous if your French Bulldog tries to approach them; especially if they are hurt, feel cornered, or scared. If you see one, call your local authorities on the matter.
• People: People are nice to French Bulldogs, but some of them are not. If your French Bulldog is friendly, you have to be extra careful. Someone can harm your French Bulldog, or even worse, take it away from you.

“Allowing your dog to interact with other dogs can provide good opportunities for exercise and socialization that can help your dog’s mental and physical well-being.”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

These are some of the dangers. You can rate your neighborhood according to how many of them are present. A lot of them can be present, and maybe even all at the same time.

What can you do if your French Bulldog can’t go for a walk?

Here are the things you can do:

• Play inside: French Bulldog’s exercise requirements can be satisfied indoors. Still, this is not so advisable, unless you want a French Bulldog that’s not sociable.
• Have play-dates with French Bulldog friends: Other French Bulldogs are the perfect playmates for your French Bulldogs, as well as other small breeds. You can join a local French Bulldog club since there’s one in every corner of the world! That way they’ll be sociable, and won’t be amazed by the existence of other dogs.
• Spay and neuter French Bulldogs: They will be calmer among other dogs that way, and French Bulldog-gals won’t be stalked that much by other dogs.
• Identify your French Bulldog: Chips are a very recommended and practical way of identifying and recovering your French Bulldog if he gets lost.

“A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9% of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2% of the time.”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

Along with some extra training sessions, and good neighbors who want to have a pet-friendly community, you can make sure your neighborhood is safe for your French Bulldog.

French Bulldogs In Apartments: How to Prepare mine?

French Bulldogs are the best companionship dogs there are. They are not loud, they don’t require too much exercise, and they don’t grow too much. That’s why they are so perfect for living in apartments! If you already read our tips to dog-proof your house and apply them, this article is the next step! Learn here how to dog-proof your apartment to avoid accidents!

French Bulldogs in apartments: Are they safe for French Bulldogs?

There are many dangers for French Bulldogs in apartments! They are not so different from houses, yet there are some dangers that are unique to apartments:

• Apartments are smaller: How is this a threat? If your apartment is crowded with stuff, there’s less space for French Bulldogs to have fun, explore, and play with you. Even though they don’t need too much space or exercise, they do have playful souls.
• Is there room for his French Bulldog-ness? All dogs like to have their own space, their own sleeping place, their stuff, and maybe some extra space for attending the calls of nature. If your French Bulldog does not have this, that can be dangerous for his mental and physical health. It also can cause you to have some extra cleaning chores.
• Height and unsafe balconies: The risk of a French Bulldog or any dog falling off the balcony can’t haunt us enough.
• Stairs: French Bulldogs can’t exercise much, you know? Stairs qualify as heavy exercise for them! And that can be really bad for them.
• Other apartment pets: These can be your French Bulldog’s playmates or his most hated enemies. If your French Bulldog is the declared enemy of a cat, you need to be extra careful. Remember the beautiful big eyes? These are easily injured, and other pets are threats.

See all the dangers now? Don’t worry, we have some quick solutions for you!

Top 5 easy fixes you can apply now to French Bulldog-proof your apartment!

• Make enough room for your French Bulldog! This will allow him to develop safely in an environment that’s big enough to fit him. Also, if he’s got his own space to be comfy, that will lessen the urge to climb on your couch or bed. This can help you a lot during playtime as well.
• Designate the bath space: For your French Bulldog (and any dog, actually) rules are important. In this case, if he has a designated area for doing his thing, you’ll save a lot of time cleaning up accidents. It’s still recommended that you save some time to take him out for these needs.
• Puppy-proof your balcony: This applies to balconies that aren’t made of a solid wall, and have some space your dog could go through. Use furniture, chew-proof threaded enclosing, or other types of fences.
• Teach your French Bulldog how to deal with stairs! Your French Bulldog shouldn’t use them, yet, he should know how to use them properly. This takes the dangers of falling out of the way.
• Take your dog out more often: A well-exercised and acquainted with the outside world French Bulldog is a relaxed French Bulldog. He won’t rush out every time you open the door! If you can introduce him to other apartment pets that’s a plus!

These tips along with some proper apartment-friendly training will French Bulldog-proof your apartment!

“Provide regular positive and diverse experiences to encourage your dog or cat to enjoy new experiences without becoming fearful or aggressive.”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

Ideal Room Temperature For French Bulldogs

• Are you worried that the temperature inside your house is not ideal for your French Bulldog?
• Do you live with a French Bulldog at a hot place?
• Do you live with a French Bulldog in a cold place?

If these questions are haunting you, don’t worry. Here at FrenchBulldogsClub.org we can help you!

Which is the ideal room temperature for French Bulldogs?

As you might already know if you own a French Bulldog, they are rather delicate creatures. Because of the brachycephalic syndrome, they are severely affected by the temperature. They can’t handle temperature changes, high temperatures, or extremely low ones. Their temperature threshold also changes according to the stage of their lives

In high temperatures:

• They can suffer from heatstrokes.
• They can’t breathe well.
• The risk of dehydration is higher.

In low temperatures:

• Sickness, allergies, hypothermia and more.
• Skin problems, paw problems in French Bulldogs, and more.

So, what is the ideal room temperature for French Bulldogs?

The ideal temperature for French Bulldogs is somewhere between 15°C (59 °F) and  21°C (70°F), being the lowest one the most recommended.

• Any temperature above 26°C (80°F) can be dangerous (potentially deadly) for French Bulldogs due to them being slightly prone to heatstrokes (check French Bulldogs Symptoms here). Check out our Ultimate Guide for French Bulldogs Summer Care!
• On the other hand, anything lower than 7°C (44.6°F) can be dangerous for them. They have a double coating, but still, they are too small to generate the heat they require to be warm on their own.

Actually, anything lower than 10°C (50°F) can make some French Bulldogs uncomfortable!

What can you do to fix low temperatures inside your house?

Winter is coming for your French Bulldog! Keep him warm in winter by:

• Turn on the heating or put the thermostat above 12°C (32°F). That way you can help your French Bulldog and yourself adapt to the cold winter!
• Put his bed in a warm place inside the house.
• It’s always advisable that you buy him a dog sweater.
• French Bulldog shoes can also help him regulate his temperature better. Some socks can also do the trick.
• Dry baths; forget about getting him wet.
• Exercise and play with him to maintain activity levels.

These tips (plus a lot of snuggling) will surely help you keep him warm!

What can you do to fix high temperatures inside the house?

If you live in a hot place, these are the best tips:

• Of course! Air conditioner or a fan at least to keep the house within the recommended temperatures.
• Cool water, maybe with some ice too! French Bulldogs enjoy some ice cream for dogs to handle the heat as well.
• A Cooling Vest for French Bulldogs if you’re going outside or inside if the house is too hot for him. Check out the best ones here!
• Don’t play with him unless you can do it in a cool environment or while he’s wearing a cooling vest.

These temperatures also apply to your garden!

If your garden or any place outside is not within the recommended temperatures (high or low), you can totally forget about going outside for a walk.

Remember that; caring about your French Bulldogs is the right way of loving them!

How To Prepare My Backyard For a French Bulldog?

French Bulldogs are like curious and adventurous toddlers; they love to play outside, especially if you have a garden or backyard at home. If this is the case for you, then you need to ask yourself.  Is your backyard safe for your French Bulldog? Learn here what the threats they present for French Bulldogs are, and how you can French Bulldog-proof your backyard easily!

Is your garden French Bulldog-proof?

When you have a French Bulldog being careful is a rule. You need to follow it religiously, especially if you know the dangers for your French Bulldog that might be present in your garden:

“Flea allergy has been on the rise over the past 10 years, according to the report, with a 12.5 percent increase in dogs…”

Banfield Pet Hospital – State of Pet Health Report.

• Allergies: At least 20% of French Bulldogs are allergic. Plastic products, dust, grass, pollen, and leaves are among the common allergens. If your French Bulldog is in that percentage, just don’t let him go out that much!
• Unfenced gardens: If your garden is open, they are a huge threat to your French Bulldog, especially if your neighborhood isn’t French Bulldog-friendly.
• If it has a fence, is it the right one? Some types of fences aren’t appropriate for French Bulldogs or any dog, like plastic fences, wooden fences treated with certain chemicals (CCA), or fences painted with harmful pigments. Also, fences that aren’t high enough, or have spaces your French Bulldog can go through are a total no-no.
• Plants: Some are harmful, some are not. You probably need to let go of your cactus though. Learn here which plants are bad for French Bulldogs!
• Lawn Chemicals: These can be detrimental to any dog’s health.
• Gardening Tools: We actually meant dangerous “chewing material”.

 So, would you let your French Bulldog run free out in your garden? No, or at least, not yet.

Top 5 tips to French Bulldog-proof your garden!

Just like houses and apartments, gardens can be French Bulldog-proofed with a few changes here and there. Here are the vital ones:

• Important: Allergies are a threat to your French Bulldog’s health and life: Make sure to rule out any allergy that disables him from having fun in your garden (like grass allergy) and follow these tips. If he’s not allergic to any material present in gardens (or if he is to ones you can remove, like plastic decoration), well, let him have his share of clean air for French Bulldog’s sake!
• Make sure that your garden has the right fence! No holes, with a height of at least 4 feet, or even taller if you think your neighborhood isn’t the best.
• Don’t let him go near harmful plants: If you don’t want to have a flowerless or plant-less garden, put them out of his reach. How? With the right chicken wire!
• Put away all the garden tools: just like kid’s toys on the house floor, keep your gardening tools, chemicals, and more alike locked up somewhere out of his reach.
• Use the right materials to work your lawn: Choose French Bulldog-friendly lawn chemicals and tools (fencing, wires, outdoor paint, and more) that you can use to French Bulldog-proof your garden!

Caring for your French Bulldog is the best way of loving him! Get all the information you need to have a healthy always here at FrenchBulldogsClub.org!

Garden Plants That Are Poisonous For French Bulldogs

Some people love their home garden, their flowers, and all the plants that they have there; and think that their French Bulldog will be safe playing and goofing around them. However, many plants are bad for dogs. Learn to identify the garden plants that are poisonous for French Bulldogs!        

Plants that are poisonous for French Bulldogs; are they in your garden?   

If you’ve already made your house and your garden safer, or you’re planning to, you need to consider your beloved plants. We love plants, yet some of them (even those safe for humans) are dangerous for French Bulldog’s health. Here’s our list of poisonous plants for French Bulldogs:

1. Tobacco
2. Caladium
3. English Ivy
4. Locoweed
5. Privet
6. Dieffenbachia
7. Foxglove
8. Amaryllis
9. Yew
10. Toadstool
11. Walnut
12. Andromeda
13. Holly
14. Hydrangea
15. Monkshood
16. Jerusalem Cherry
17. Iris (bulb)
18. Peach
19. Arrowgrass
20. Nightshade
21. Marijuana
22. Daphne
23. Boxwood
24. Narcissus (bulb)
25. Delphinium
26. Mistletoe (berries)
27. Climbing Lilly
28. Chokecherry
29. Castor Bean
30. Elderberry
31. Laburnum
32. Bittersweet
33. Rhubarb
34. Marigold
35. Poison Ivy
36. Mushrooms
37. Hemlock
38. Azalea
39. Apple Seeds (Cyanide)
40. Daffodil (bulb)
41. Tulip (bulb)
42. Crown of Thorns
43. Jimson Weed
44. Oleander (even the smoke from burning this plant is poison)
45. Wisteria
46. Buttercup
47. Japanese Yew Jasmine (berries)
48. Cherry Pits (cyanide)
49. Rhododendron
50. Hyacinth (bulb)
51. Dumb Cane
52. Stinging Nettle
53. Elephant Ear
54. Laurel
55. Avocado
56. Larkspur
57. Snow on the Mountain
58. Philodendron

Concrete Tips to protect French Bulldogs from poisonous plants!

Of course, you want to protect your little buddy from these plants. Follow these 5 tips:

• Eliminate them: It can be a hard decision for some, but you can do it to eliminate the threat completely.
• If you plan to keep them, get them out of his reach: You can do this by using protective fences, elevating the plants above his height, or enclosing them completely. Check out the tools you can use so he doesn’t go near your beautifully deadly plants.
• If you plan to keep them, clean your garden more often: This way you can wipe away any poisonous leaves, pollen, and more before your buddy goes out.
• Don’t let him out unsupervised! If you watch your dog’s every movement or don’t let him out without a companion you can avoid that he goes near harmful plants.
• Change your current plants for dog-friendly ones: Plants like the African Daisy, Bromeliads, Maidenhair, Spider Plant (nope, it doesn’t come with spiders included), and Orchids are safe for French Bulldogs.  Still, it wouldn’t be advisable to let him eat them!
• Have plenty of toys out there: There are many toys that you can safely leave outside. If there are chewy toys out there, he won’t mess with your plants. Get the best ones here! 

Apply those changes and enjoy the happiness of your French Bulldog whenever he’s let loose inside of that adventure-filled world your garden can be!

Frequently Asked Questions – Preparing Home for French Bulldogs

French Bulldog Winter Care – The Basics

Are you looking for Tips on French Bulldog Winter Care? Check them out in less than 5 minutes! The Frenchies are one of the breeds that have the most issues during winter. Not only they will be uncomfortable during this season, but they’re also prone to suffer from winter-related conditions that would worry any doggy parent. If you’re about to face your first wintertime with a Frenchie, then you came to the right place.

In this article you’ll find all the guidelines related to French Bulldog Winter Care:

• All about the risks Frenchies face during winter.
• How to avoid such risks.
• And the most useful preventive measures to take to eliminate them as a possibility.

When you finish reading this article, you’ll know how to fend off cold for your Frenchie, and to eliminate all the possible dangers of winter. Finally, you’ll be able to enjoy the snowy days ahead, without looking back at your poor puppy enclosed inside the house. He’ll be with you wrecking your snowmen. Let’s get started!

“Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

French Bulldog Winter Care: Health Risk for French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs, just like other brachycephalic breeds, and breeds in the non-sporting group, are slightly more prone to suffer during long cold winters. Why? Well, for starters, this time of the year is already scary for most dogs, who can suffer from different issues during winter. The most common ones are:

• Dry skin, nose, paws, and coats: When cold is set free, all the places of a dog’s body that remain rather humid, start suffering from dryness. During winter, the air is cooler yet less humid than during the rest of the year.
• Frostbite: This is what happens when a dog’s body redirects all blood to its core to keep its heart and lungs hot. This leaves their legs, paws, ears, and tails without warm blood to keep them, well, alive. Eventually, if the tissue sustains heavy damage, those parts can even fall off. They can lose legs, paws, and, in Frenchies, their beautiful bat ears!
• Hypothermia: This affects even humans and is possibly fatal for both humans and dogs. In dogs, however, the effects are more common and all of them are more prone to suffer from it because they’re closer to the ground.
• Worsened arthritis.
• Worsened diabetes.

All of these issues are a concern for most dog owners. In the case of French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds, there are added issues directly related to that condition. Sore throats, troubled breathing, allergies, and colds are among them. As you can see, winter wouldn’t be their favorite time of the year!

“If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat. Have several on hand, so you can use a dry sweater or coat each time your dog goes outside. Wet sweaters or coats can make your dog colder. Some pet owners also use booties to protect their dog’s feet; if you choose to use them, make sure they fit properly”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

Tips to save French Bulldogs from Frostbite and Hypothermia

Of the mentioned dangers, hypothermia and frostbite are possibly the most dangerous. Frostbite can lead to amputated body parts, and hypothermia can be fatal. If you suspect your dog is suffering from any of them, take him to the vet immediately! If that’s not an option, here are some of the actions that can save your Frenchie’s life:

• First of all, take him inside. Never leave him outside! Make sure to keep him in a warm room with a humidifier on. Do not elevate the temperature inside nor put them near hot places; this can make the damage worse!
• Check his temperature. If it’s lower than 101 °F (38 °C), you will need to treat his hypothermia by making him recover a normal temperature. This is vital! If he shows signs of frostbite (gray or blueish skin, usually the tips of their ears), don’t treat them immediately; hypothermia is more dangerous.
• Dry him with a towel, and then use a hairdryer just to ensure that he recovers his body temperature. Progress from the lowest heat setting to the highest every 10 minutes between settings. Do so while keeping a distance of 10 inches at least.
• Surround him with dry warm blankets or heat pads. If you don’t have any, some plastic bottles with hot water should do the trick.
• Offer him some warm water. Water that’s not cold can help him recover his temperature. You can also use his favorite salt-less broth (meat, chicken, fish, or vegetable).
• By now, he should be slightly more active. If you check his temperature and it’s within normal levels, then most of the danger is off. If not, and he’s still a little bit sluggish, then maintain the treatment until you can take him to the vet.
• If he’s recovering, you can proceed to warm the frostbite-affected areas. You can use warm water compresses (warmed at 104 °F – 40 °C max). You can also heat water (to the same temperature) and place his paws inside them, while softly massaging them.

All of the mentioned tips can help diminish the damage, but still, getting him checked with a professional is much better. The vet must be your first option in these cases!

mild skin irritation. Too much contact or ingestion could lead to dry, cracked, bleeding, or burned paws, or diarrhea and vomiting" (opens in a new tab)”>”Deicers have the potential to harm pets. Some, like calcium-based products, may be more toxic, while others, like those containing urea, might be less toxic. Most of these products are relatively safe and may cause nothing more than an upset stomach or mild skin irritation. Too much contact or ingestion could lead to dry, cracked, bleeding, or burned paws, or diarrhea and vomiting”

AVMA – American Veterinary Medical Association

French Bulldog Winter Care: Tips to keep them comfortable, happy, and healthy during winter

Wintertime doesn’t have to be painful for Frenchies, and you’re the only one who can fix this for them. Here’s a checklist for French Bulldog Winter Care that you can use to keep them in great shape during winter and in year-round cold places – shoutout to Alaskan Frenchies!

• Make your house a Frenchie haven: If you keep your house comfortable enough so you don’t have to leave, you can do the same for your Frenchie! This includes keeping them warm, of course. You can keep their water, their food, bedding, and warmer, as well as give him a sweater for French Bulldogs to fend off cold. This is especially useful during long winter nights.
• Keep him active inside: If you have a walking machine, a few toys, and some spare time, you can keep any Frenchie fit inside the comfortable palace of your house. This will help them maintain a healthy weight during winter, and also to fend off boredom.
• Hydration is key: You might think that giving them water during cold seasons would be counterproductive. Instead, as we said, winter is dry in comparison to other seasons, so hydration is key. Not only do you have to give him warm water, but also wet food is useful. Using nose balms, paw wax, and skin balms is also a good idea. Check out our selected skin products and shampoos to keep them in great shape. Don’t avoid giving him baths. You must do it, as it’s the best time to check him all around. Make sure to have plenty of warm water though.

Those three tips will help you keep your Frenchie healthy, happy, and comfortable during long winters.

French Bulldog Winter Care: Winter Clothes for French Bulldogs

Even though the tips above are awesome if you don’t plan to leave your house, it’s highly probable that you will have to some time. That’s why it’s important to provide your Frenchie with proper winter clothes for French Bulldogs. We, at FrenchBulldogsClub.org, cannot stress this enough; They need it! Unlike other dogs, they are a short-legged breed, which makes them closer to the ground. Also, they have short coats, so they’re not well prepared to face harsh or mild winters. Here’s what you need:

• Winter coats and jackets for French Bulldogs – snowy outdoors: Thick coats that help them keep their temperature levels during snowy days. They are the most useful to fend off cold but are only made to be outside. Make sure to pick one with a hoodie to diminish the risk of frostbite affecting their ears.
• Winter boots for French Bulldogs – outdoors: Comfortable booties that are made to sustain different terrains. They provide Frenchies with a much better grip and an extra layer of protection against street deicing chemicals and salts. Still, the use of paw balm is necessary.
• Raincoats for French Bulldogs – wet winters without snow: Perfect mild winter apparel with an efficient waterproof design. They focus on winters with rainy days but are not so good at maintaining their temperatures. They’re useful to pair with other types of coats and jackets for extra protection.
• Sweaters for French Bulldogs – Indoors: Only for indoor use and to go out in cars during winter. They are useful to keep them warm at home, as well as comfortable enough for them to sleep wearing it. They’re also fashionable.

From 1 being of utmost importance to 4 being useful, you must select them using the next guidelines:

1. Design and sizing: A coat may have the perfect materials, but if it doesn’t fit your Frenchie, it won’t work at all! This, and comfort, are of the utmost importance when choosing the right French Bulldog booties.
2. Fleece and warming materials inside: The most useful materials to keep Frenchies warm are a must!
3. Waterproof materials outside: If your pup gets wet, risks are multiplied. The warmer, the better!
4. Color and fashion: You must always prefer colorfulness (yellow, orange, and reflective green) as your go-to option. Fashion is not so important concerning your Frenchie’s safety!

“Pets should NEVER be left alone in vehicles. Leaving a pet in a vehicle is always dangerous, and in cold weather, it increases the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning or hypothermia”

ALVMA – Alabama Veterinary Medical Association

French Bulldog Pajamas – Inside the house.

Even though it’s not vital, it’s highly recommended that you get your dog some Pajamas. French Bulldog Pajamas are rather hard to come by, due to the size of their chest and short body.

They are important when:

• You want your dog to be warm at night.
• If your French Bulldog has his covers but still seems chili.
• And if nights are extra cold where you live (is it snowy outside? Your pup needs them!)

It’s fair to say that they are also highly fashionable and cute, though as usual, functionality is more important.

Frequently Asked Questions – French Bulldog Winter Care

Conclusion

Keeping them safe during winter is not an easy task, but it is possible to have good French Bulldog Winter Care. Still, doing it is a pleasure when you truly love this breed and similar ones. It’s vital to keep them warm; there’s no way they can achieve this on their own. They need our help to stay healthy, happy, and comfortable during the coldest days.

We love to see winter as the only way we can get to spend more time close to them; a time that you and your family will certainly enjoy. There’s no reason to be afraid of winter if you’re a Frenchie owner. With our tips, you’re more than prepared to face it.

Just as with other pets, French Bulldogs come with a set of challenges that will test your patience and love for them. And maybe, winter is the ultimate test.

Are you up to the challenge?

French Bulldog Summer Care – The Basics

Summer and most importantly heat is the ultimate enemy of brachycephalic dogs such as our beloved French Bulldogs. It doesn’t matter how healthy they are, all of them are affected by heat. Why? French Bulldogs, like other dogs of the same nature, are not good at regulating their own temperature through panting. So, according to Dr. Aspros (from AVMA-American Veterinary Medical Association), “Both dogs and cats dissipate heat by panting [and] as they get overheated, they pant more quickly trying to maintain a safe internal temperature.”. That, paired with the alarming information from peta.org that states that at least 73 dogs have been reported deceased between 2018 and 2019 due to heat-related causes, is the wake-up call we needed to write this article for you.

We know it’s very important to protect our French Bulldogs with the right measures and products during hot summers, so check out all the right tips to do it properly and avoid the deadly heat we fear the most.

10 Tips to Avoid French Bulldogs’ Summer Issues

Avoiding heat might be difficult for some owners who are accustomed to their daily activities. Still, most of the outdoor activities that are safe the rest of the year, pose a high threat to French Bulldog’s health during summer. Let’s get right into what you can and cannot do!

1. Keep your French Bulldog well-exercised and lean during the rest of the year. An overweight French Bulldog is the go-to victim for the summer heat because they will have more trouble breathing and will get tired faster. Check out our review on the best food for weight management for overweight French Bulldogs.
2. Remember to feed your French Bulldog with the best food for French Bulldog puppies, adult French Bulldogs, and senior French Bulldogs this summer, because they will need plenty of energy to keep themselves at a lower temperature! These are also great for maintaining their lean weight.
3. Avoid sudden environmental changes. If you’re in a winter environment, don’t transition too fast to a summer climate since, according to Iowa Veterinary Specialties, it takes about 10-20 days for French Bulldogs to acclimate to a new environment. If you live in a place like, say, Vancouver, and you move to Miami during summer, your French Bulldog will suffer a worsened version of the effects of summer.
4. Try to practice indoor playtime! French Bulldogs love to play outside, which is actually good for them most of the time. However, we don’t advise this during summer, and we recommend that you stay inside with him for indoor playtime. You can also keep them entertained and active inside using our selection of French Bulldog-friendly toys!
5. Try to avoid especially hot times of the day for walking your French Bulldog! If – and only if – you can’t stay indoors, take your French Bulldog outside at first light, when the sunlight is not as hot.
6. It’s even a better idea to take them out for walks at night since that’s the best way of protecting them from the sun, the hot pavement, and burnt paws.
7. Always keep your French Bulldog on a leash (Or even better, his cooling vest) while taking him for a walk! Summer comes packed with different things that weren’t available for him to smell or taste during other seasons. He’ll be very curious and eager to smell everything.
8. Watch out for ticks, mosquitoes, and other bugs. Ticks are especially dangerous, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, since they can infect both you and your French Bulldog with Lyme disease. Buy here the best methods to avoid harmful insects at any time of the year!
9. If you’re going to play with your French Bulldog during the day, make sure you have your French Bulldog’s cooling products armed and ready to use, some homemade frozen treats or ice cream for dogs, and more.
10. Never ever leave your French Bulldog inside a car! Not even with the AC on or with cracked windows! Why? Because accidents happen, and your car can suddenly turn off and leave your poor French Bulldog inside a death trap.  Temperatures can “rapidly climb to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit”, according to Dr. Aspros from petmd.com. Don’t believe us? Check out the temperature progressions in this table from the American Veterinary Medical Association!

Estimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Time

                               Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

If is not necessary to take him, leave your French Bulldog at home or somewhere else you can trust he’ll be taken care of!

1. Be prepared to roll with your French Bulldog. In case you do need to take your French Bulldog with you inside a car, take some measures first! Turn on the AC so the temperature is not so high once you get him inside. Set up his car seat and secure him so he can look outside the window and get some breeze. Or, if the humidity is too high, leave the AC on. Fill your car with everything your French Bulldog may need to cool down and stay hydrated while on the road. A cooler with some ice will help you keep things chill.
2. Windows are a threat, too. Imagine your French Bulldog on a hot day; he’s tired, he wants some air, he climbs up to the window looking for some relief, and then he slips out. Your French Bulldog just fell off your car and ran away or, even worse, he fell out the window of your department on the 3^rd floor. Yes, according to pubmed.gov, this happens! Keep the windows secured at all times!
3. Have a fan placed to cool off your dog whenever he needs it, or place it in his cooling bed for French Bulldogs to help him cool off while taking a nap.
4. For the long-haired French Bulldog mixes out there, consider shaving their coats this summer. If French Bulldogs with a short coat have a rough time, imagine if they had a medium or long fur coating. Yikes!
5. If you’re going to leave your French Bulldog in the yard for a refreshing playtime, first take a walk inside it to check for plants that may be harmful to him. The list is humongous! Also watch out for those beautiful summer flowers since they can be harmful to your fur buddy, too!
6. If you’re going to a barbecue or are planning to do one at home, set rules to keep the dog safe. “Don’t feed the French Bulldog” and “Don’t give beer to the French Bulldog” are the most important ones.
7. Watch out for celebrations like the 4th of July, where the use of fireworks is common. Fireworks pose a huge threat to scary French Bulldogs because the explosions can cause confusion, loss of hearing, and even heart attacks. Other dangers like outdoor fires are also a threat. Make sure to leave your French Bulldog at home in a sound-proof-like area, so he doesn’t get scared as he would watching the explosions live. Some treat-dispensing toys or toys to battle anxiety are also advised!

Hydration is KEY!!

Hydration is always important for, well, any living being on this planet. For French Bulldogs, it can be a lifesaver. These are the hydration guidelines for French Bulldogs.

A hydrated French Bulldog is less prone to suffer from overheating!

• Make sure to provide your French Bulldog with lots of cool water. If the temperatures are too high, you can put two or three ice cubes in his bowl to keep water at the right temperature for him.
• Also put down more than one bowl at strategic spots around the house. Put one next to the bath, so he stops trying to drink toilet water!
• If your budget doesn’t have space for ice cream for dogs, another great idea to keep your French Bulldog chill is to make him a pup-sickle with his favorite natural flavors; banana and watermelon are our go-to optionss!
• Some ice can help, too! Some people say that giving your pup ice is a bad idea, but we strongly disagree. An ice cube or two can help cool off your French Bulldog, but do not give out the whole tray!
• If you’re going out, make sure to pack some extra cold water for your dog and the Outward Hound’s Bowl for travel. It’s the best way of keeping your French Bulldog hydrated while on the road!

Cooling and Summer Products for French Bulldogs

We always recommend that you’re prepared at home with your French Bulldog’s favorite cooling and summer products. They are great to avoid overheating and to decrease the risk of heatstroke. If you use more than one at the time, the results are much better.

• French Bulldog-Friendly Pool: The most useful one is certainly a simple pool. French Bulldogs love to swim, but they are not so good at it. That’s why you can narrow down the risk by letting them play in a pool where the water level doesn’t cover them. If you already have a pool at home, don’t forget to suit up your French Bulldog with a buoyant safety jacket.
• Cooling Vests for French Bulldogs: Pair the pool with your pup’s favorite one and pump up the protection. These are easy to use and highly effective.
• Bandana: The All for Paws Cooling one is another customer’s favorite. It covers the most important areas (neck, nape, and part of the chest) and provides them with a cooling relief that works great for most French Bulldogs.
• Cooling Beds for French Bulldogs: For the lazy French Bulldogs that want to sleep the summer away, a Cooling Bed will be the most comfortable place to do so. There are beds for indoors and outdoors.
• Cooling Pet Cot for French Bulldogs: If your French Bulldog loves to be outside and have sunbaths, the K&H Manufacturing one is the most comfortable and safe solution you can offer him. With its own shade for outdoors. It’s also great for traveling. This one is best used along with other cooling products.
• Protect the paws from hot surfaces with some good ol’ Musher’s Secret.
• If the pavement gets too hot, put on some Dog Shoes!
• If you’re hitting the beach, make sure to pack your French Bulldogs’ sunscreens as well. This is the best way of protecting that cutie French bulldog face.

All of these will be of great help during the summertime!

Heatstroke Symptoms in French Bulldogs

Heatstroke is what happens when your French Bulldog’s body is not able to maintain its temperature through cooling and heat dissipation. That means that your French Bulldog’s temperature will take a leap from 101 F° Summer and French Bulldogs Can Get Along. to a max of 109.4 F°. It might not seem like a lot, but according to a retrospective study from pubmed.gov, heatstrokes are accompanied by a mortality rate of at least 50%.

Reduce the risk of heatstroke for your French Bulldog!

French Bulldogs are sadly the perfect target for this issue. Their predisposition relies on their brachycephalic nature, which worsens with obesity, lack of acclimatization and their age (older French Bulldogs are more prone to the issue).

Symptoms in French Bulldogs.

Most dogs present the same symptoms. You’ll need to keep an eye out for:

• Racing heart.
• Heavy panting.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Collapse.

If you see any of these symptoms, start treating your dog immediately!

Practical (and Easy) Steps to React to a Heatstroke in French Bulldogs

This issue can be deadly and that’s why French Bulldog owners need to know how to react quickly to avoid it. Still, you will need to react in a calm and efficient way, so be mentally prepared for this! If your French Bulldog suffers from heatstroke this is what you need to do:

1. Retrieve him from the heat. Take him to a cool place with AC or at least a fan.
2. Use water at room temperature to wet his coat thoroughly and keep him in a relaxed state. You can also make him sit inside a small French Bulldog-friendly pool with a water level that covers his body.
3.  Another alternative is to soak a towel with cool water and put it on top of him. After five minutes, empty a glass of water on the towel and repeat.
4. Don’t force him to drink water or feed him ice. Instead, leave a water bowl in front of him with just a little bit of water at the time. Replenish it once he drinks it and repeat this process.
5.  You need to take him to the vet, so it’s advisable that you turn on your car and leave the AC on or call for a ride while he recovers.
6. Use a cooling vest for French Bulldogs or a cooling bandana straight from the freezer to help him cool off faster. His temperature must drop below 39.4 C° for him to be safe.
7. Take him to the vet As Soon As Possible. Don’t forget to take a bottle of cool water with you and to turn on the AC.

You must take your French Bulldog to the vet even if he looks ok after following these steps. Why? Because the systemic damage is already done, and you must take him to the vet to ensure that there’s no further damage to his organs. It’s also known that even if you treated him correctly and in a short period of time, according to pubmed.gov, complications and fatality rates after the heatstroke are high.

Frequently Asked Questions – French Bulldogs’ Summer Care

Conclusion – Summer and French Bulldogs Can Get Along

Summer doesn’t need to be a threat to your French Bulldog every single time if you’re a prepared owner. You can have a blast taking your whole family – French Bulldog included – to the beach, the park, or to a barbecue. This is not easy to do though, and you will need some preparation to do it properly. That’s why we recommend that you follow our tips to keep your French Bulldog off the heat, to avoid heatstroke, and to react quickly if it happens.

Quick Checklist During Summer!

• Proper hydration.
• Keep cooling gear at hand.
• Don’t leave your French Bulldog unsupervised.
• Be cautious during playtime.
• Prefer Indoors playtime during summer.
• Watch out for overheating and heatstroke symptoms.
• Be ready and quick to act against them!
• Be informed with the best first aid techniques according to avma.org!

 These tips can save your French Bulldog’s life!