When is it too hot to walk your dog?

Dogs find it difficult to deal with extreme heat, and dehydration and overheating can happen quickly. This can lead to heat stroke, a severe illness that can be fatal. So, when is it too hot to walk your dog?

Is it too hot to walk my dog?

As a general rule, walking your dog at any temperature below 20C is ideal. Most dogs are comfortable at temperatures between 15-25°C, but this is very much dependent on their age, breed, size, coat length, amount of exercise they're engaging in, health and fitness.

The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog.

Some dogs are at higher risk from the heat than others, so be extra careful:

Overweight dogs
Brachycephalic breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs
Older dogs over 8-years-old
Younger dogs under 6-months-old

During the hot summer months, take your dog out before 8am or after 8pm when temperatures cool down. Offer them plenty of fresh water and choose shaded areas if you can.

Why can't I walk my dog in hot weather?

Apart from being very uncomfortable for them, there are some serious reasons why you shouldn't walk your dog in hot weather:

Dogs have hairy coats, even those that have had a recent haircut. Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to walk around with a duvet around your body in the summer. Then, think of your dog.

Dogs don't sweat as we do. They have small sweat glands on the pads of their paws, but this doesn't make a lot of difference when they try to cool off. You may notice them panting. This is another dog cooling technique that can work but is not hugely effective. Dogs are not efficient creatures when it comes to cooling down.

Walking on hot surfaces will cause severe burns to the sensitive skin on the pads of their paws. This will be intensely painful for your dog and leads to open wounds where the skin has burnt and peeled off.

Top Tip: Take off your shoes and stand on the pavement or patio with bare feet. Is it too hot for your feet? If so, it is far too hot for your dog on that surface.

How to tell if your dog is overheating

Any excessive panting is your first warning sign that your dog is overheating. So, if you see this, don’t wait for any more symptoms – get them cooled down immediately.

The quickest and simplest way to do this is to remove them instantly from the source of the heat and into a cool environment. As dogs are unable to cool down by sweating, we can create the effects of sweating for them simply using a tea towel or towel.

Lay the towel over the dog’s body and pour cool (not cold) water over it, allowing the heat from the dog to evaporate the water, which will reduce their temperature. A fan can also be very helpful to speed up the process.