Snow can be great fun for a French Bulldog, but winter is hard on a short-coated, flat-faced dog. The French Bull Dog Club of America (FBDCA) says Frenchies do best in moderate temperatures and need careful supervision in both heat and cold. Small and short-haired dogs, puppies and seniors also struggle to regulate their body temperature, so a Frenchie ticks more than one box.

1. Protect their paws before you go out

Road salt and grit can irritate your dog’s paws, and cold, dry weather can crack paw pads. Before a walk, massage petroleum jelly or another vet-approved paw protectant into the pads to shield them from salt and chemicals (ASPCA). A thin layer of paw butter also helps stop pads from cracking.

Dog booties protect even more, and they keep sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes. Not every dog takes to them straight away, but patience and time can help.

2. Wash their paws after every walk

When you get home, wash and dry your Frenchie’s feet and belly to get rid of ice, salt and chemicals. Warm water works well. Dogs lick de-icing products off their paws and fur, and grit and rock salt are poisonous to dogs.

How serious that is depends on how much your dog swallows. Signs of salt poisoning can appear after a dog eats 2 to 3 grams of salt per kilogram of body weight, and about 4 g/kg can be fatal (Merck Veterinary Manual). For a 25-pound Frenchie, that means signs could start after about 23 to 34 grams, or roughly an ounce. Vomiting usually begins within several hours of eating too much salt, and it can progress to weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors and seizures.

Small amounts of rock salt usually just upset the stomach, while large amounts can push sodium to dangerous levels. Other ice melt ingredients, such as calcium salts, can irritate the skin and paws (Pet Poison Helpline).

“Pet-safe” ice melts aren’t risk-free either. Even non-toxic products shouldn’t be eaten, and some contain urea, which can cause drooling or vomiting. If your dog eats ice melt or seems unwell after a winter walk, call your vet.

3. Watch for ice balls between the toes

Snow can clump into painful ice balls in the fur between your dog’s toes. A Frenchie’s short coat makes this less of a problem than it is for long-haired dogs, but it’s still worth checking. Keeping the hair between the pads trimmed gives snow less to cling to. If snow does build up, soak it off in warm water rather than pulling the lumps out.

4. Check their paws, and take extra care with puppies

Once your dog’s feet are clean and dry, look over the pads and the skin between the toes for cracks, cuts or redness. A paw balm or moisturizer helps with dry pads. If your Frenchie enjoys it, a gentle paw rub while you check is a nice way to end a walk, and it gets them used to having their feet handled.

Puppies need extra care. They struggle to regulate their body temperature, and a Frenchie puppy’s belly is very close to the snow. Keep snowy trips outside short, and bring your puppy in before they get cold.

5. Stay off frozen ponds and lakes

However tempting it looks, keep your Frenchie off frozen water. Ice on ponds and lakes can be thin and may not hold your dog’s weight (RSPCA), so keep your dog on a leash near it.

A French Bulldog who falls through is in serious trouble. The FBDCA says they’re poor swimmers who can easily drown because of their front-heavy build. Frozen sidewalks are slippery too, so take those slowly.

6. Keep your French Bulldog warm and dry

A coat or sweater helps a short-haired dog hold onto their warmth. Look for one with a high collar or turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of the tail to the belly (ASPCA). On walks, keep moving rather than standing around in the cold, and shorten walks on very cold days.

Snow and slush soak a dog quickly, and a wet coat can lead to hypothermia. If your Frenchie gets wet, dry them thoroughly when you get home, and swap a damp coat or sweater for a dry one before the next walk.

Signs your dog is too cold

Shivering is the first sign of mild hypothermia. As it becomes more severe, a dog may get drowsy, confused or clumsy, have pale gums, or collapse and lose consciousness (PDSA). A dog with severe hypothermia may stop shivering altogether, so don’t take a lack of shivering as a sign they’re fine.

If you think your dog has hypothermia, dry them with a towel if they’re wet, warm them up gradually with blankets underneath and over them, and take them to the vet to be checked, even if they seem okay.

At home, give your Frenchie a warm bed away from drafts; our guide to French Bulldog beds can help you choose one. Bathe as little as possible during cold spells, too. Washing too often strips natural oils and can leave skin dry and flaky.

7. Make sure you can both be seen

Winter days are short, so plenty of walks happen in the dark. Stick to lit paths, and use reflective or LED gear on both yourself and your dog so drivers can see you. LED collars, high-visibility leashes and coats and a flashlight all help, and it’s safest to keep your dog on a leash after dark.

8. Don’t leave your Frenchie in the car

Most people know a hot car can kill a dog, but a cold car is dangerous too. In cold weather, a car holds in the cold like a refrigerator, and animals left inside can freeze to death (ASPCA). A dog who’s still wet from the snow is at even greater risk, so never leave your Frenchie alone in the car in winter.

More winter hazards to watch for

Antifreeze is extremely toxic to dogs. Its active ingredient, ethylene glycol, causes kidney failure and death, and as little as a teaspoon can cause kidney failure (AKC). Clean up spills right away, and call your vet immediately if you think your dog has licked some.

Don’t let your Frenchie eat snow or slush from roads, sidewalks or driveways either, since it can contain rock salt, ice melt or antifreeze.

If your French Bulldog shows any of the signs above after a winter walk, call your vet. For getting out safely in other seasons, see our guide to taking French Bulldogs on long walks.