What temperature level is harmful for a dog walk?
Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather: A Guide to Keeping Your Canine Companion Safe
As the weather heats up, it's essential to be mindful of our furry friends. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you determine when it's too hot to walk your dog and how to keep them safe during the summer months.
Main Factors Affecting Walking Your Dog in Heat
The main factors to consider when deciding whether it's safe to walk your dog include air temperature, pavement temperature, breed, age, health, coat type, and humidity. Generally, air temperatures above 85°F (29°C) are considered too hot for walking most dogs, as paw pads can burn on pavement that can reach temperatures over 140°F (60°C). Dogs with flat noses (brachycephalic breeds), thick coats, or those who are very young, elderly, overweight, or have health issues are at higher risk in heat and require more caution.
Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs
Recognising the signs of heatstroke in dogs is crucial. Excessive panting and difficulty breathing, bright red or dehydrated gums and tongue, drooling, elevated heart rate, vomiting or diarrhea (sometimes bloody), lethargy or weakness, respiratory issues, including hiccups, are all indicators that it's too hot to walk your dog or they are overheating. If a dog's body temperature exceeds 105°F (40.5°C), this indicates overheating, and temperatures above 108°F (42°C) are critical and risk organ damage, kidney failure, or brain swelling.
Keeping Dogs Safe in Heat
To keep dogs safe in heat, avoid walking during the hottest parts of the day, check pavement temperature with your hand, keep walks short, provide water and shade, and be extra cautious with sensitive breeds. The safest walking temperatures for most dogs are around 45-85°F (7-29°C), ideally cooler, and caution is advised for temperatures as low as 75°F (24°C) depending on the dog.
On days when it's too hot to walk outside, indoor activities, dog puzzle toys, and indoor doggie daycare can help keep dogs active and cool. If your dog is showing signs of heatstroke, move them to a shady area and wet their fur with cool water. Cooling a dog with damp, cool towels and providing small amounts of cool water can help. However, it's important to avoid using a cooling mat for dogs, as it can trap heat.
In Summary
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your dog’s safety and help you recognise if your dog is suffering from heatstroke during hot weather. Remember, if it's too hot for you, it will be too hot for your dog. Always err on the side of caution and prioritise your dog's health and wellbeing.
| Factor | Details | |-----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Safe temperature range | Below ~85°F (29°C) air; pavement can be hotter | | Pavement risk temperature | Asphalt can reach 140°F+ above 85°F air | | Sensitive breeds | Brachycephalic (pugs, boxers), double-coated | | Age and health | Puppies, elderly, overweight, or ill more prone | | Signs of heatstroke | Excessive panting, drooling, red gums, lethargy, vomiting, elevated heart rate, tongue dehydration | | Critical dog body temp | Above 105°F = heat distress; above 108°F = emergency |
- Dog breeds with flat noses or thick coats, as well as puppies, elderly dogs, overweight dogs, and those with health issues, are more susceptible to heat and require extra care.
- If your dog's paw pads can burn on pavement that reaches temperatures greater than 140°F (60°C), it's likely too hot to walk them outside.
- Dog health-and-wellness during hot weather can be ensured by avoiding walks during the hottest parts of the day, checking pavement temperatures, keeping walks short, and providing water and shade.
- Signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, bright red gums and dehydrated tongue, drooling, elevated heart rate, vomiting, lethargy, resistance to movement, and respiratory issues.
- In hot weather, indoor activities, pet puzzle toys, and indoor doggie daycare can help keep dogs active and cool, but if your dog is showing signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a shady area, cool their fur with water, and provide small amounts of cool water.
- The safest temperature range for most dogs during walks is around 45-85°F (7-29°C), but caution is advised even for temperatures as low as 75°F (24°C) depending on the dog's breed, age, health, and coat type.
