Should I walk my dog when it's hot out

The morning sun is already blazing as you grab the leash, your pup bouncing excitedly at the door. The weather app reads 88°F (31°C), and you pause—you know hot days can be tough, but your dog needs their daily walk. For new dog owners in the US and Europe, this dilemma is common: can you safely walk your dog when it’s hot, or should you skip it altogether? The answer lies in understanding the risks and planning smartly.

Dogs handle heat differently than humans, which is why even “mild” heat can be dangerous. They cool down mainly by panting, with a little help from sweat glands in their paw pads—nowhere near as efficient as our full-body sweating. What makes walks risky isn’t just the air temperature, but the ground they walk on. Asphalt soaks up sunlight like a sponge: on a 90°F (32°C) day, pavement can hit 140°F (60°C) in an hour. At that heat, your dog’s paw pads—tough but sensitive—can blister or burn in seconds. Breeds with short snouts, like Bulldogs or Shih Tzus, struggle even more; their compressed airways make panting less effective, so they overheat faster than longer-nosed dogs like Labradors.

So when is it safe to walk? If the air temperature is below 80°F (27°C), you’re probably good, but always check the pavement first. Use the “5-second test”: press your palm firmly against the ground for 5 seconds. If you pull away because it’s too hot, your dog will too—skip the walk or head to grassy areas instead. The best times are early mornings (before 8 AM) or evenings (after 7 PM), when the sun is low and pavement cools to 70-75°F (21-24°C). Keep walks shorter than usual—15-20 minutes instead of 30—and bring water for both of you. Watch for red flags: heavy panting, drooling, or your dog slowing down suddenly—these mean it’s time to head home immediately.

Staying safe also means respecting local laws and culture. Legally, your dog must have up-to-date rabies vaccines—mandatory in all 50 US states and most EU countries, with fines for lapsed records. Even in heat, always carry poop bags; cities like Atlanta or Lisbon fine owners $150+ for leaving waste, which attracts pests in warm weather. If you live in an apartment, stick to your building’s quiet hours for walks to avoid disturbing neighbors, and never leave your dog in a parked car—temperatures can spike 20°F in 10 minutes, even with windows cracked.

Culturally, patience matters more than sticking to a schedule. Never scold your dog for hesitating on hot pavement—they’re protecting themselves. Instead, reward calm behavior during walks with a cool treat afterward, using positive reinforcement to make safe habits stick. Remember: a skipped walk on a scorching day is better than risking heat stroke. With a little planning, you and your pup can enjoy summer safely.