08/07/2026
We recently got a lot of good information from our vet about how the heat affects our bullies and how to help them, so I wanted to share!!
☀️ Why American Bullies Overheat More Easily Than Many Other Dogs ☀️
American Bullies, especially those with shorter muzzles, can overheat much faster than other breeds. Their unique anatomy makes it harder for them to cool themselves efficiently.
🐶 Why does this happen?
Dogs don’t sweat like people do—they cool themselves primarily by panting. Many Bullies have a shorter airway, narrowed nostrils, and a thicker or elongated soft palate. When they’re get hot, excited, or exercise too hard, these features can make it much harder for air to move through their airway. As they continue to pant harder, the tissues in the throat can swell, making breathing even more difficult. This creates a dangerous cycle where they struggle to cool themselves, causing their body temperature to continue rising.
⚠️ Signs of heat exhaustion:
• Excessive or frantic panting
• Thick drool
• Bright red or pale gums
• Weakness or stumbling
• Vomiting
• Glassy eyes
• Collapse or inability to stand
🧊 What to do immediately:
✔️ Move your dog into the shade or an air-conditioned area.
✔️ Stay calm and help your dog relax. The more excited or anxious they become, the harder they have to work to breathe.
✔️ Place cool, wet towels on their belly, paw pads, and groin area. These areas have many blood vessels close to the surface, so cooling them helps lower the temperature of the blood as it circulates through the body.
✔️ If possible, place them in your vehicle with the air conditioning on full blast. The cool, dry air helps lower their core body temperature much faster than warm outdoor air and reduces the amount of effort they need to breathe. As their body begins to cool, swelling in the airway may also start to decrease, making it easier for them to breathe.
✔️ Offer small amounts of cool water if they’re alert and willing to drink.
✔️ If they don’t improve quickly, seem disoriented, or collapse, head to an emergency veterinarian immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can become life-threatening within minutes.
❤️ Prevention is always better than treatment:
• Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
• Always provide shade and fresh water.
• Watch for signs of overheating, especially on hot, humid days.
• Never leave your Bully in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Our Bullies have huge hearts and will often keep playing long after they should stop. They don’t always know when to quit, so it’s our job to recognize the warning signs before it’s too late.
Stay safe this summer and keep those Bullies cool! 🐾💙
