Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather: UK Safety Guide

When it's hot, walk your dog in the early morning or late evening, never in the midday heat, and always do the pavement test first. As a rough UK guide, above 20C take care, and above 24C many dogs are safer staying home. Heatstroke in dogs is an emergency, so prevention matters far more than sticking to a routine.

Is it too hot to walk your dog?

There's no single magic number, because it depends on the dog. But sensible UK rules of thumb help:

• Up to around 19C: generally fine for most dogs.
• 20 to 23C: walk with care, keep it shorter, stick to shade.
• 24C and above: risky for many dogs; consider skipping the walk.
• 27C and above: avoid walking; this is dangerous territory.

These are guides, not guarantees. Flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, very young, very old, dark-coated and thick-coated dogs all overheat faster and need a lower threshold. When in doubt, don't.

The pavement test that takes five seconds

Tarmac and paving slabs absorb heat all day and can reach temperatures that scald paws long after the air has cooled. The test is simple: press the back of your hand firmly to the pavement for seven seconds.

If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for paws. Burned pads are painful and slow to heal, and you often won't see the damage until later.

On hot days, walk on grass where you can, stick to shaded routes, and if you must cross hot ground, dog boots give a layer of protection. Our winter and summer boot guide covers fit and when they help.

Plan the walk around the heat

Timing is everything in summer. Aim for before about 8am or after the sun has dropped in the evening, when both air and ground have cooled.

A few habits make hot-weather walks safer:

• Keep it short and slow. A heatwave is not the day for a long run.
• Carry water and offer it regularly; our dog water bottles make this easy on the move.
• Stick to shade and grass, avoiding open tarmac and sun traps.
• Skip the ball games. Hard exercise generates a lot of internal heat.
• Never leave a dog in a parked car, not even for a minute, not even with windows cracked.

A dog cooling vest can take the edge off on warmer days, working by evaporation as your dog moves. Our cooling vest guide explains how to get the most from one.

Keeping dogs cool at home

Most of a heatwave is spent indoors, so set the house up well. Keep curtains drawn on the sunny side, provide constant fresh water, and offer a cool place to lie such as a tiled floor or a cooling pet mat.

Frozen treats, a paddling pool in the garden and a fan all help. The goal is to let your dog regulate their own temperature by moving to wherever feels coolest.

Spotting heatstroke, and what to do

Know the warning signs, because heatstroke escalates fast: heavy relentless panting, drooling, a bright red tongue or gums, wobbliness, vomiting, or collapse.

If you suspect heatstroke, act immediately. Move your dog into shade, offer small amounts of water, and cool them gradually by pouring cool (not ice-cold) water over the body and getting air moving. Then phone your vet straight away, heatstroke is a genuine emergency and any of these signs needs veterinary help fast, not a wait-and-see.

The message running through all of this is simple: a missed walk never hurt a dog, but a hot one can. For more seasonal advice, see the Dog Walking & Travel hub, our note on whether dogs need boots in winter, and the full walk and travel shop.