This Temperature Is Too Hot To Walk Your Dog In
It is generally too hot to walk a dog when the air temperature is higher than 25°C or 77°F. When walking in temperatures that are reaching these heights, owners should take extra care to reduce the risk of heat stroke such as walking in the shade on grass, wearing a cooling vest and providing plenty of water for their dog. These temperatures may not seem that hot for humans however we need to remember that dogs are covered in fur, do not have the same capability to sweat and also walk with bare paws.
Table of Contents
Outdoor Temperatures And Corresponding Heat Stroke Risk For Dogs
| Outdoor Temperature | Heat Stroke Risk For Dogs |
| 12-15°C | No risk |
| 16-19°C | Generally safe |
| 20-23°C | Risk of heat stroke if exercised too vigorously or has breathing difficulties |
| 24-27°C | Caution should be taken |
| 28-31°C | Dangerous for all breeds, specifically puppies, large breeds and flat-faced breeds |
| 32+°C | Major risk regardless of dog breed |
How To Know When The Pavement Is Too Hot To Walk Your Dog
A great way to test to see if the pavement is too hot to walk your dog is to use the hand touch test. It is very simple all you need to do is:
- Touch the pavement with the back of your bare hand
- Hold your hand on the pavement for at least 7 seconds
- If you can hold your hand there for 7 or more second, the pavement should be cool enough for your dog to walk on
- If you can not hold your hand on the pavement for 7 seconds, the pavement is too hot to walk on.
The air temperature where the pavement becomes too hot to walk on for a dog is around 25°C or 77°F. The corresponding asphalt temperature for an air temperature is 52°C/125F! Skin damage can occur in under one minute on your dog’s paw pads. As you can see these temperatures are way too hot to walk a dog and you should stay inside.
Read Also: How To Protect Your Dog’s Paws
Protective Measures You Can Take When The Temperatures Are Nearly Too Hot To Walk Your Dog
When the temperature is under but nearing 25°C/77°F, you should still be able to take your dog out on a walk however it will still be very hot and caution should be taken. You know that you should be wearing protective clothing such as a hat, long sleeved shirts, sunglasses and also apply sunscreen. But do you know how to protect your dog in the heat? Here’s how:
1. Use Paw Wax
Dog paw wax such as Musher’s Secret is a substance that you can apply to the pad’s of your dog paws before heading out for a walk. The wax creates a barrier between your dog’s paw and outside elements such as dirt, rough surfaces, snow and in this case the heat. It is one way that many dog owners reduce the risk of their dog’s paws getting burned.
This Dog Paw Wax Is Very Popular…
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. Put A Cooling Vest On Your Dog
When the temperature is nearly too hot to take your dog on a walk, he/she is at a high risk of suffering from heat stroke. One way to reduce the risk is to put a cooling vest on your dog. A cooling vest is usually made from a lightweight and absorbent material that you make damp before putting it onto your dog. The damp fabric on your dog’s fur works to keep him/her cool with the evaporative cooling principle.
This Is A Good Quality Dog Cooling Vest…
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
3. Bring A Dog Travel Water Bottle
While it is hot outside, your dog is going to dehydrate at a much faster rate than on a normal day. That is why it is vital that you carry around a dog travel bottle so you can offer your dog water along the way.
This Dog Travel Bottle Is A Best Seller…
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
Read Also: How To Bring Water For Your Dog On A Walk
4. Walk On Grass
Instead of walking on pavement which can be burning hot, walk on grass. Even better, try to walk on grass that is in the shade. The reason why grass is cooler than concrete is because grass has a lower solar reflectance than grass meaning less heat is reflected onto it. Also grass absorbs heat from the sun during photosynthesis meaning that it stays cooler.
5. Wear Dog Booties
The final way that you can protect your dog while on a walk during hot weather is to put dog booties on their paws. This is not the best solution for all dogs as many will find dog boots uncomfortable however dogs with a more relaxed personality generally will be happy to wear them. Dog boots can protect your dog’s paws from pavement burns as they add an extra layer of plastic material between the two. This plastic generally has gripping on it as well which makes them great for hiking!
Get A Pair Of Highly Rated Dog Boots Like These Ones…
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
What To Do When It Is Too Hot To Walk Your Dog
The best thing to do when it is too hot to walk your dog is stay inside and play some fun games with your dog. Here are some great ideas:
1. Play With Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are a fantastic brain stimulating activity for dogs to do. There are many dog puzzle toys that you can find online or in pet stores. Alternatively you can create your own.
This Interactive Puzzle Toy Allows You To Put Heaps Of Treats Inside Which Will Keep Your Dog Entertained For Hours…
Find Out The Current Price On Amazon Here
2. Teach Your Dog New Tricks
Another great activity to pass time inside your home is to teach your dog some new tricks. Some challenging ones are to teach your dog how to handshake or roll over. Already knows how to do these? Teach your dog to put their toys away into a container. To find instructions on how to do these, search up some videos on YouTube. Remember to reward your dog with lots of treats!
3. Play The Cup Game
The cup game is a problem solving game. To take part get three cups and some treats. While your dog is watching you place a treat under one of the cups. Shuffle the cups around and then encourage your dog to find the treat.
5. Let Your Dog Chase Bubbles
If you have a large room and don’t mind some soapy bubbles on your furniture, this is a really fun game to play with your dog. Most dogs have never seen bubbles before so he/she will be super fascinated and mentally stimulated.
The majority of these activities involves some kind of indoor exercise but it is still best practice to take your dog out for his/her daily walk. On days when the temperatures are predicted to be super high you should plan ahead and take your dog on an early morning walk or one later at night.
Further Reading
What's Your Reaction?
