- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You might look forward to long summer days, but your dog may not enjoy the summer weather as much as you do. In fact, warm temperatures can quickly get too hot to walk a dog.
Heat-related illnesses can be very dangerous for dogs. Dogs are less resilient to high temperatures and humidity than people. They can have a harder time regulating their body temperature, resulting in overheating, dehydration, or heatstroke. If your dog spends too long on the pavement outside, they may also burn their paw pads.
We interviewed veterinary experts to when it’s too hot for a dog walk and how to keep your dog exercised during a heat wave.
What Temperature Is Too Hot for a Dog Walk?
Once the temperature rises above 85°F (29°C), it’s best to limit your walk to about 10-15 minutes. “Temperatures above 90°F (about 32°C) are generally considered the cutoff for walking dogs safely outside,” says Dr. Courtney Pierce, canine pain medical lead at Zoetis.
She adds that for some dogs with a certain build, the cutoff is even lower. “Brachycephalic breeds with flat-faces like pugs, boxers, and bulldogs, are at greater risk.” These dogs have shorter airways, which makes panting and breathing harder. Consider keeping high-risk dogs inside when temperatures are above about 80°F, only taking them for a short potty break.
Dr. Elena Shirley, lead veterinarian and partner at CityVet, also recommends using cooling vests or bandanas to help regulate your dog’s body temperature, plus booties to protect paw pads from hot pavements. Dogs who walk on hot pavement can get blisters or burns on their paw pads.
Don’t forget to pay attention to rising humidity levels
High humidity interferes with dogs’ ability to cool down through panting and makes it harder for them to regulate their body temperature, explains Dr. Shirley.
How Long Can a Dog Exercise In the Heat?
Research has found that exercise is the biggest trigger for heat-related illness in dogs. Use this chart to check whether it’s safe to walk your dog and how long they can stay outside.
| Outdoor temperature °F | Outdoor temperature °C | Risk level | Recommended time limit |
| 70°F-75°F | 21°C-24°C | Low | Safe for usual activities |
| 75°F-80°F | 24°C-27°C | Low to moderate | 20-30 minutes |
| 80°F-85°F | 27°C-29°C | Moderate | 15-20 minutes. |
| 85°F-90°F | 29°C-32°C | Moderate to high | 10-15 minutes. Potty breaks only for high-risk dogs. |
| 90°F-100°F | 32°C-38°C | High | 5 minutes. Potty breaks only for high-risk dogs. |
| 100°F-110°F and up | 38°C-43°C | Extremely high | Stay indoors. |
When taking your dog outside in the summer, keep these tips in mind to help your dog stay cool:
- Bring water
- Use dog booties
- Use dog sunscreen
- Take frequent breaks and shorter walks
- Choose shady routes
- Avoid strenuous exercise, like running
- Walk on grass instead of pavement
- Walk in the early morning or evening when it’s cooler
Understanding Pavement and Ground Temperatures
Dark ground surfaces, like asphalt, absorb heat—and they can get much hotter than the temperature of the air.
“It doesn’t have to be very hot for asphalt to be too hot,” says Dr. Dawn Filos, veterinarian and author of Tales of a Pet Vet: Stories from the Clinic and House Calls.
Here’s how hot common outdoor surfaces get:
- Asphalt: 50°F-70°F (10°C-21°C) higher than the surrounding air temperature.
- Concrete: 20°F-30°F (6°C-10°C) higher than the surrounding air temperature.
- Sand: 10°F-20°F (6°C-10°C) higher than the surrounding air temperature.
- Artificial grass: 20°F-30°F (6°C-10°C) higher than the surrounding air temperature.
- Grass: Typically stays close to air temperature.
Another way to check the ground is too hot for your dog is to place your hand on the surface. “If it’s too hot to keep your hand on for a few seconds, it’s too hot for delicate paws and footpads of dogs,” Dr. Filos says.
What Makes a Dog Feel Hot?
Some dogs have a harder time in hot weather than others.
A few different things can affect how well your dog handles warm weather:
- Breed: Flat-faced breeds like Pugs and Bulldogs don’t cope well with high temperatures. During hot weather, limit their time outdoors and keep them cool inside!
- Age: Puppies and senior dogs can’t regulate body temperature as well as healthy adult dogs. Limit exercise and provide plenty of cool water for older and younger dogs.
- Size: Large breeds can struggle to cool down. Avoid exercising them outside when it’s hot and offer somewhere cool to rest instead.
- Fur type: Dogs with double coats or dark hair retain heat more than dogs with thinner or lighter coats, and they can overheat more easily. Regular grooming helps remove excess hair, but it’s also important to make sure your dog has cool places to rest!
- Environmental factors: Dogs who spend time outside with no shade, don’t have enough drinking water, or travel in a hot car can quickly overheat.
- Health conditions: Heart disease, obesity, and respiratory issues can make it harder for dogs to handle hot weather. Your vet can provide tailored advice for your dog’s specific situation.
- Medications: Some medications can affect how your dog’s ability to cope with the heat. If your dog is on medication, ask your vet for advice.
How To Cool a Dog After a Walk
Once you get home from your walk, offer your dog plenty of cool water and a cool space where they can stretch out.
Fans and cool water can help dogs stay cool, Dr. Shirley says.
It’s also important to monitor your dog after a walk to make sure they didn’t overheat. Signs of overheating include:
- Increased panting
- Not wanting to move
- Color changes in your dog’s gums, eyelids, or inner ears.
If you notice any of these, try to gradually cool your dog down by:
- Moving them somewhere cool and shady
- Sponging or pouring cool water (59°F-60°F or 15°C-16°C) over their body
- Encouraging them to lie down on a cool floor
- Placing a fan in front of them
- Offering them a small amount of cool water
- Partially immersing them in cool water
Teaching your dog to dunk their head in cool water is the most effective way to cool them down, but you’ll have to teach them this trick ahead of time!
When it’s very hot, avoid car journeys if at all possible. If you do need to travel, run air conditioning in your car and carry plenty of water. Use a cooling mat and sunshades to block direct sunlight.
Experts recommend never leaving a dog in a car, according to Dr. Filas. “At higher temperatures, it’s not safe to leave your dog in a car for any amount of time, especially if the level of humidity is high and the car is in direct sun, as opposed to shaded under a tree,” Dr. Filas says.
How To Exercise Dogs in Hot Weather
Most dogs still need regular exercise, even in hot weather.
Try indoor games and activities
When the weather gets too hot, it’s OK to skip your dog’s walk. Indoor games can help your dog burn off some energy while staying cool.
If it’s cool enough inside, try these indoor games to keep your dog entertained and exercised:
- Hide frozen toys and treats for your dog to find.
- Play water games.
- Put ice cubes in a bowl of water.
- Give your dog a puzzle toy.
- Try teaching your dog a new trick.
- Play games like hide and seek or fetch.
- Visit an indoor dog pool.
Just keep in mind that some dogs may still be at risk of overheating indoors if you don’t have air conditioning. If the indoor temperature rises above 80°F (27°C), you may want to move to a cooler space.
Choosing an air-conditioned doggy day care is another great way to help your dog get mental and physical stimulation in a temperature-controlled environment.
When To Call a Vet
Sometimes, overheating can develop into heatstroke. This is a potentially fatal condition that needs urgent veterinary attention.
Signs of heatstroke include:
- Increased breathing rate
- Dry gums that are either very pale or bright red
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
If you’re worried your dog has overheated or developed heatstroke, contact your vet right away, or take your dog to the emergency vet.
