Avoid walking on hot days. Temperatures below 25 degrees are optimum. Also, beware of the hot pavement so you don't burn their paws.
The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog. As the temperature increases, even by just 1C, the risk to your dog increases too. Any temperature over 25C is a definite NO when it comes to walking! Stick to the rule of walking below 20C to be safe.
Most healthy medium or large dogs with thick coats can take a 30-minute walk when temperatures are above 20°F. Small dogs or dogs with thin coats start to become uncomfortable in temperatures below 45°F. Consider limiting walks to 15 minutes for these dogs when temps fall below freezing.
It's generally safe in temperatures of up to 19°C (68°F) but be careful when the mercury rises above this. Even at temperatures as low as 20°C (70°F) dogs are at risk of heat stroke. Heat stroke in dogs is essentially a high temperature not caused by a fever.
Experts agree that it is generally safe to take your canine pal for a walk in temperatures of up to 68F, while anything over 77F is considered very risky. This is because even at temperatures as low as 70F dogs can be at risk of developing heatstroke, a high temperature that isn't caused by a fever.
Burns Can Happen Fast:
It only takes 60 seconds on the pavement which is 125℉, for a dog's pads to burn. This means that the pavement could be potentially dangerous when the air temperature is 77℉.
Scorching surfaces are especially damaging to puppies with sensitive young paws. So how hot is too hot for a dog's sensitive paw pads? “If the temperature is 85 degrees or over without the chance for the pavement to cool down, the ground may be too hot for safely walking a dog,” says Klein.
Simply touch the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds. If you can't hold out for the full seven seconds because the surface is too hot, then it's also too hot for your dog's paws.
Merocrine sweat glands function similarly to human sweat glands. Located in your dog's paw pads, these glands activate when your pet is hot to cool them down. This is why you might notice damp paw prints on the ground during particularly hot days.
Yes, even on warm days, in certain conditions, pavements can become hot enough to cause pain, discomfort and even burn your dog's paws. Although you may think your dog's paw pads are quite tough, it's important to remember that they are still made of skin and can be just as sensitive as the bottom of your feet.
Check the pavement before your walk.
Place your hand or bare foot on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for your skin, then it's most likely too hot for your pet.
Avoid walking on hot days.
During the summer months, walk your dog in the morning or evening when temperatures are lower. Temperatures below 25 degrees are optimum. Also, beware of the hot pavement so you don't burn their paws.
As a general rule of thumb: at 45°F (7°C) and below, most dogs will dogs will start to become uncomfortable. at 32°F (0°C) and below, small, thin-coated, young, old and sick dogs should not be left outside for long. at 20°F (-7°C) and below, dogs become vulnerable to hypothermia and frostbite.
Top tips for staying safe in hot weather
Plan your walkies –Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This will reduce their risk of heatstroke. Be particularly careful if your dog is old, overweight or suffers from breathing difficulties.
In Vets Now's assessment of temperatures for walking your dog, they state that between 20 and 23 degrees has a six out of 10 risk rating and that rigorous exercise in this heat could lead to heatstroke. An eight out of ten rating is given for 24-27 degrees celsius and they advise that extreme caution must be taken.
In cold temperatures 20 degrees and above: Large dogs (50-80 pounds) should be outside no more than one minute per degree. Medium dogs (25-50 pounds) can be outside for 30 seconds per degree.
Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.
50-60 degrees and higher are safe temperatures for your dog. 85+ degree temperatures are a different beast in itself, but we're just talking about cool to cold temperatures here. 45 degrees or so are generally acceptable, but you'll still want to keep an eye on how your dog is handling itself in these temperatures.
While small pups can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60ºF and 90ºF, keep outings in temperatures below 32ºF and above 90ºF to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. Wooten.
Medium dogs weigh between 20 and 60 pounds. Their height ranges between eight inches and 27 inches.
Most healthy medium or large dogs can walk for 30-minutes if the temperature is above 20 degrees F. Smaller dogs should limit the walk to 15 or 20 minutes if temps are between 20 to 32 degrees F. If it's below 0 degrees, no dog should be out for a walk.
How long should dogs be out in the cold? Large breeds can walk in -6°C for about 30 minutes, while smaller breeds should be limited to walks of fewer than 20 minutes in freezing temperatures. Dogs should never be left outdoors when the weather drops below 10°C.
Unlike humans, dogs can't sweat through their skin and so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool. Imagine wearing a thick winter coat on a hot summer's day and you'll understand why dogs succumb to heatstroke so easily.