When is it too hot to walk your dog?
How to keep your dog safe on hot summer days
As a dog owner, you probably know that it's better not to go for a walk in the middle of the day during hot weather. I certainly never do that with River and Charlie. We leave early in the morning or later in the evening, and I try to avoid hot asphalt as much as possible.
Nevertheless, last week I was confronted with the facts.
It was still relatively early in the morning when I walked barefoot through our backyard. The stones felt so hot that I immediately lifted my feet. To be honest, I hadn't expected that. Of course, I knew that pavement could get quite hot, but I had underestimated that it could be so hot so early in the day.
Later that day, I came across a police post on Instagram with an overview of the asphalt temperature during these hot days. At an outdoor temperature of 23°C, asphalt can already reach 51°C. If it's 30°C outside, the asphalt can rise to 57°C. And at 31°C, it even goes up to 62.7°C!
From what temperature should you be careful?
There is no fixed temperature at which every dog is immediately in danger. This depends on various factors, such as humidity, the amount of sun, your dog's condition, age, and the type of surface you are walking on.
As a general guideline, you can assume the following:
| Outdoor temperature | Advice |
|---|---|
| Up to 20°C | Usually fine for a normal walk. |
| 20–24°C | Choose shade more often and keep the walk shorter. |
| 25–29°C | Preferably walk early in the morning or later in the evening. |
| 30°C or warmer | Limit yourself to short potty breaks and avoid exertion. |
Always use your common sense. Does the pavement or asphalt feel hot? Then choose a route over grass, through the forest, or in the shade. If you're in doubt, use the 5-second rule: place the back of your hand on the asphalt for five seconds. If it's not comfortable, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
How to recognize when your dog is getting too hot?
Dogs are much less able to dissipate body heat than humans. Therefore, it's important to pay close attention to their behavior on hot days.
Pay attention to:
- Excessive panting
- Heavy drooling
- Lethargy
- Dark red tongue or dark gums
- Wobbly gait
- Vomiting or diarrhea
If you suspect your dog is overheating, stop walking immediately, find a cool spot, offer fresh drinking water, and contact a vet if symptoms persist or worsen.
How we make our summer walks a bit more pleasant
During hot days, we always adjust our walks a bit. We leave early in the morning or later in the evening, seek out as much shade as possible, and always bring water.
River and Charlie aren't big fans of water, by the way. While many dogs dive straight into a ditch for cooling, ours prefer to walk around it in a wide arc. 😂 Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to keep them comfortable on hot days.
After a walk, I also find it convenient if a collar or leash is easy to clean. Especially in summer, they encounter more dust, sand, and mud. Our Biothane Collection is ideal for this; you can clean it in just a few seconds, and it looks brand new again.
If you only remember one thing from this article...
The temperature on your phone only tells part of the story. The ground surface can become surprisingly hot, even early in the day.
Therefore, plan your walk at a cool time, choose grass or shade where possible, and listen carefully to your dog. Ultimately, summer isn't about long walks, but about enjoying time together. Sometimes a quiet sniff in the early morning is exactly enough.
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