NEED TO KNOW
- With extreme temperatures spanning the globe, experts have compiled a list of tips for dog owners
- When it comes to walking your dog outside in the summer months, avoid the outdoors if the temperature exceeds 90°F
- Even in the lower temperature ranges, there are certain considerations pet owners should make to ensure their dog’s safety
They might be man’s best friend, but your dog won’t thank you for walking them in extreme temperatures.
With heatwaves setting record temperatures across the globe this summer, it’s hard to know when conditions are safe to take your dog for a walk or a drive in an enclosed vehicle.
Though some breeds need regular exercise, owners will still want to avoid walking their dogs when the temperatures are too high for their own health and safety.
Certified Woofz by nove8 dog trainer Karen Piwinski compiled a list of tips for walking your pooch in the summertime and how to tell that your pet might be overheating.
“When talking about what temperature is considered dangerous for a canine outside, it’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ situation,” Karen explains. “We must consider a range of factors that affect how hot your pet feels, including the dog’s breed, coat length and density, age and weight.”
Pet owners should also take into account “environmental factors,” Piwinski says, such as, “temperature of the pavement, the humidity level and the intensity of physical exercise to which you expose your furry friend.”
What Temperature Is Too Hot?
If the heat has reached 90°F or above, you should avoid walking outdoors all together, opting instead to keep your dog in a ventilated indoor area. It’s important to factor in humidity. Take the outside temperature and the humidity and if those numbers combined are higher than 150, it’s not safe for your pet to go outside.
However, if the temperature ranges between 81 and 85°F, a “very short” walk can be permitted if “absolutely necessary.” What constitutes “very short?” Piwinski says that up to 20 minutes would be the maximum walk time in these conditions.
Notably, even indoors, heat can be too extreme for dogs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Welfare Act states that dogs should not be left for more than four hours in temperatures of 85°F or above, even if indoors.
It’s still “risky” for many dogs when the temperature’s between 77 and 81°F, Piwinski says. Dogs with thick coats or chronic heart conditions can especially be impacted. Outdoor time should be limited to 30 minutes or less with plenty of cold water given to your dog throughout.
Once temperatures get down to 68 to 75°F, it’s safer to take shorter walks while still monitoring your dog closely. Even in the cooler temperatures, try to stay in the shade and keep your dog hydrated.
What Surfaces Should We Walk On?
Not all walking paths are created equally when it comes to heat. Woofz notes that asphalt or concrete surfaces can burn the skin on canines’ paw pads in excessive heat.
One way to tell if a surface is too hot for your dog is to place your own palm on the ground for about seven seconds. If the surface is too hot for you to handle that, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.
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What’s the Ideal Temperature for Walking a Dog?
If you want a worry-free walk, take your furry friend out when it’s between 45 and 66°F. Piwinski says you can safely walk at this temperature with “no time limit.”
Signs Your Dog Is Overheating
Worried you might have pushed your pup too far? There are several warning signs to look out for that could indicate your dog is too hot.
- Excessive panting and drooling
- Their gums turn bright red or blue or appear bruised
- Their gum tissue is dry
- If they vomit or have a seizure
- If they seem weak, lethargic or disoriented
- If their rectal body temperature is over 104°F
If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, they could be having heat stress or a heat stroke. If they are experiencing a heat stroke, it’s important to get them immediate veterinary attention.
Tips for Walking Your Dog in the Summer
There are still ways to get outside with your dog in the hotter months. Try adjusting the timing of your walk to go early in the morning before the main heat of the day hits.
Be sure to walk in areas with grass or lots of shade to help protect your pet’s paws. If you can’t avoid asphalt or concrete, consider investing in booties for your dog’s paws.
Always bring lots of water and a way for your dog to drink it so they don’t get dehydrated during the walk.
And never leave your dog in an enclosed hot space with no ventilated air like a car, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
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