How Hot is Too Hot for a Dog Walk?

We might still be trying to stay home and practice “social distancing,” but that hasn’t changed the fact that the weather is about to get hot here in South Texas–real hot! 

Since walking our dogs has become all the rage during this pandemic, it stands to reason that in the coming months, getting outside to walk our pets will continue to offer us all some much-needed time outside. Don’t let the rising temperatures thwart your plans to take Fido on an outdoor adventure though!

Here are a few tips for gauging your pet’s level of comfort when the weather is unbearably hot. 

Pay Attention to Your Own Levels of Comfort

Dogs are ten times more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion than people so if you are super hot, your dog is even hotter.

Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Body Cues

Dogs can only sweat through their mouth, feet, and ears which means they can’t dissipate heat like you, who can sweat all over. (If overheated, get them wet to speed the cooling process.)

Made in the Shade

Try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun when on a walk. Make sure you choose walking areas that offer a good mix of shade and sun. Dogs need shade and water as much as possible on hot walks.

Don’t Push Your Dog to Exertion 

You might be trying to emerge from quarantine more fit, but if you’re jogging with your dog and he looks hot, react by decreasing their activity and get them to a cooler spot, pronto! 

Test the Road Temperature

If you walk your dog in the afternoons, chances are, the pavement will be very hot. You can test the temperature of the road by placing the back of your hand on it. If it’s uncomfortable for your hand, then it’s too hot for your dog’s feet. Morning tends to be the coolest time to be on pavement, so switch the routine up to morning walks or look for grassy walking paths instead. 

Did you know that your pooch lagging behind on a walk is about the most important indicator that your dog is too hot on a walk? If you see this happening, seek shade, water, and slow down. So, endure these months of oppressively hot dog walks and then soon we’ll be back to picture-perfect weather (and maybe even relaxed social distancing guidelines) which both you and your dog will appreciate. 

Continue Reading:

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Author: Jenny Jurica

Jenny is a married mother of two humans, one rescued Weimaraner, and four (yes, four) rescued cats. She is a native Texan who is a columnist/contributor for several publications and enjoys spending her free time curled up on the couch with a dog and a couple of cats. Much like the poet Sylvia Plath, Jenny often finds that she, “likes people too much or not at all,” but has never met an animal that she didn’t instantly adore (except for maybe the Komodo dragon at the zoo).