Hot weather can change whether it’s safe to walk your dog, how you should exercise them and whether the ground is safe for their paws.
Use these guides to decide whether conditions are suitable for a walk, make safer choices when temperatures rise and understand the risks from hot pavements and other surfaces.
Should You Walk Your Dog?
When temperatures rise, the first question is whether a walk is appropriate at all. The answer depends on more than air temperature, including your dog, the conditions, the ground and the type of exercise you’re planning.
Is It Too Hot to Walk My Dog? (Complete Guide)
Start here if you’re unsure whether conditions are suitable for a walk. This guide explains the factors that affect heat risk and helps you decide when changing or skipping a walk is the safer choice.
Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather Safely
Learn how to adapt your dog’s walks in hot weather, including choosing cooler routes, reducing exercise, avoiding hot surfaces and knowing when to stop.
What Pavement Temperature Is Too Hot for Dogs?
Understand how hot pavements can affect your dog’s paws, what influences surface temperature and how to decide when the ground may be unsafe for walking.
Dog Pavement Temperature Chart (°C & °F)
Check pavement temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit, understand why surfaces can be much hotter than the air, and learn how to assess the ground before a walk.
The Best Time of Day to Walk Your Dog in Hot Weather
Find out why early morning is usually the best choice, when an evening walk may be suitable, and why the actual conditions matter more than the time on the clock.
How to Exercise Your Dog Safely in Hot Weather
Learn how to adapt your dog’s activity when normal walks need to be shortened, made gentler or skipped altogether.