Keeping your bully cool and safe in Florida heat
By Nathan Gilmore, December 3, 2021
Florida’s heat and humidity are hard on any dog, and even harder on a muscular, short-muzzled breed like the American Bully. Their thick build holds heat and their shorter airways make panting less efficient at cooling them down. Heat problems can develop quickly and become serious, but they are preventable. This guide covers practical ways to keep your bully comfortable and safe through the hot months.
Plan exercise around the temperature. Walk your dog early in the morning or after sunset when the pavement and air have cooled. Test the pavement with the back of your hand for several seconds, and if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. Keep midday activity indoors and shorten the walks on humid days. Puppies and overweight dogs need extra care, since they tire quickly and overheat sooner.
Provide shade and fresh water everywhere. Whenever your dog is outside, make sure it has deep shade and a large bowl of cool water that cannot be tipped over. Change the water often and add ice on very hot days. Bring a collapsible bowl and water on walks and car rides. A shaded, well-ventilated area is essential, and a dog house does not count as shade in the heat, since it can trap warm air.
Keep your bully indoors during the hottest hours. Most American Bullies do best as house dogs, especially in Florida, where air conditioning is a necessity. If your dog spends time outside, limit it to short periods and check on it often. Fans alone do not cool dogs the way they cool people, so do not rely on them during heat waves.
Never leave a dog in a parked car. The inside of a car can reach dangerous temperatures within minutes, even with the windows cracked and on mild days. It can be deadly. If you cannot bring your dog inside with you, leave it at home. Also avoid hot truck beds and tie-outs on hot ground.
Know the signs of heat stress. Watch for heavy or noisy panting, drooling, bright red gums, weakness, vomiting, stumbling and collapse. If you see any of these, move your dog to a cool place right away, offer small sips of water and wet the body with cool, not ice-cold, water, focusing on the belly, armpits and paws. Then call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately, because heatstroke can cause internal damage even after the dog seems better.
Add cooling tools. Cooling mats, kiddie pools, cooling vests and frozen dog-safe treats can help your bully stay comfortable. Keep the coat clean and well brushed, and keep your dog at a healthy weight, since extra weight makes overheating more likely. Talk to your vet about any breathing or heart concerns that could raise the risk.
With sensible habits, your American Bully can enjoy Florida life safely. If you have questions about caring for a puppy from our program in warm weather, contact us any time, and to see the puppies we have available, visit our puppies page.
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NMG Bullies, licensed American Bully breeder. 7534 Briarcliff Cir, Greenacres, FL 33467. Call or text 561-714-2477. Email nmgbullies@gmail.com. Open anytime by text or call. $1,000 deposit reserves a puppy (Cash App $nmgbullies, PayPal paypal.me/nmgbullies). Prices $4,000–$8,500.