Walking Your Dog in Hot Weather: A Safety Guide
We don't get many scorching days up here in the Highlands — but warm, muggy weather can be more dangerous for dogs than people realise. Heatstroke can come on within minutes, and dogs can't cool themselves down the way we do. The good news is it's almost entirely preventable with a few sensible habits. Here's what every owner should know.
When is it too hot to walk?
Most dogs are comfortable between about 15 and 25°C, but it really depends on their age, breed, size, coat and fitness. Worryingly, dogs have been diagnosed with heatstroke when it was only around 17°C — and most heat-related illness in UK dogs comes from exercise, not from being left somewhere hot. The safest plan on a warm day is simple: walk in the early morning or the cool of the evening, and avoid the midday sun.
The pavement test
Before any warm-weather walk, do the pavement test the Kennel Club recommends: hold the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws — wait until it's cooler, or stick to grass and shade.
Signs of heatstroke to watch for
Get to know the early warning signs:
- Heavy, excessive panting or changes to their breathing
- Lethargy, drowsiness or reluctance to move
- Excessive drooling
- Stumbling, wobbliness or looking uncoordinated
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Collapse, in severe cases
What to do if your dog overheats
Act fast — cool first, then get to the vet. Move your dog into the shade, offer small amounts of cool water to drink, and pour cool (not freezing) water over their body, especially the neck, tummy and inner thighs. Keep the air moving around them. Don't drape them in a wet towel, as it can trap the heat in. Then contact your vet straight away, even if they seem to be recovering. Speed really matters: around 1 in 7 dogs taken to the vet with heatstroke sadly die, but about 98% of those seen early with mild signs pull through.
Dogs most at risk
Take extra care with flat-faced breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs), older dogs and young puppies, overweight dogs, those with thick coats, and any dog with breathing or heart problems. Bulldogs, for example, are many times more likely to suffer heat-related illness than a Labrador.
Simple hot-weather tips
- Always have fresh, cool water available at home and on walks.
- Never leave a dog in a parked car — not even for a few minutes, even with a window open.
- Make sure there's plenty of shade in the garden.
- A paddling pool, damp towel or cooling mat gives a great way to cool off.
- Shift walks to the early morning and late evening on warm days.
- Keep warm-day walks shorter and gentler — don't let an excited dog overdo it.
How Pawkies keeps your dog safe
On warm days we adjust everything around your dog's safety — walking early or late, keeping to shaded routes, carrying water, taking it gently, and watching closely for any sign of overheating. It's all part of our dog walking in Dingwall service. Want a hand on the hot days? book a walk and we'll take care of the rest. 🐾