{"id":13438,"date":"2023-04-25T14:52:26","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T14:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/blog\/uncategorized\/is-it-too-hot-to-walk-my-dog\/"},"modified":"2025-03-05T14:19:01","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T14:19:01","slug":"is-it-too-hot-to-walk-my-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/puppy-health\/new-puppy-health\/is-it-too-hot-to-walk-my-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Too Hot To Walk My Dog?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While we long for days in the sun with our dog, some summer days can really take it too far and can be too hot to walk our dogs safely. Like us, dogs are vulnerable to heat stroke but can\u2019t regulate their body temperature as well as humans…well, some of us also struggle quite a bit with that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the summer coming along, you probably have a couple of questions: when is it too hot to walk your dog? How will you know? What do you do if your dog gets too hot? Do they still need exercise when it\u2019s baking outside?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Take the heat of training with Zigzag! <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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No need to stress. In this article, we\u2019ll tell you all about it. We\u2019ll go over when it\u2019s too hot to walk your dog and how to figure that out, why walking your dog in the heat isn\u2019t a good idea, and what happens to your dog when they get too hot. We\u2019ll also give you tips on things you can do with your dog when it\u2019s too hot to walk outside, and how to keep your dog cool in hot weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


While you\u2019re reading, why not download the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>? You\u2019ll get access to a personalized training program for your pup based on their age and breed. You\u2019ll also have access to a team of professional puppy trainers<\/a> who are more than happy to help you with any of your burning questions. Pun intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Hans Ott<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When is it too hot to walk my dog?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are not suitable for dog walking, and anything above 20 degrees may also be too hot, depending on your dog’s age, breed, health, coat type, and walking location. There\u2019s a lot to think about when working out if it\u2019s too hot to walk your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to location, green, shady spaces like forests with access to rivers and streams are a lot more suitable on a 20 degrees day, rather than an open park without any trees for shade.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n


If you live in a cool climate, and it suddenly gets very warm, your dog won\u2019t have enough time to get used to such extreme weather – it can actually come as a bit of a shock to them. Brachycephalic breeds such as Frenchies<\/a> and Pugs<\/a>, who naturally struggle to breathe, will struggle with extreme heat. Dogs with very thick coats<\/a> or who are bred to live in cold climates like Huskies<\/a> won\u2019t find it easy to adapt either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why can’t I walk my dog in hot temperatures? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking your dog in hot weather can be dangerous as dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke, dehydration, burnt paws<\/a>, and respiratory<\/a> problems. Dogs pant<\/a> to cool themselves down, which is not a very efficient way of regulating their temperature in the first place, and can therefore easily overheat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cool your training with Zigzag! <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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When dogs are hot, they typically slow down and become lethargic<\/a> – think of all the stray and street dogs you see in hot countries. They\u2019re not out playing fetch<\/a> or running around<\/a> are they? They\u2019re often just lying on the street, only raising their heads up occasionally. By taking your dog out for a walk<\/a>, what we\u2019re really asking of them is to exercise when they would ordinarily choose to snooze<\/a> the day away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Gary Sandoz<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What happens if my dog gets too hot? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a dog gets too hot, they will show signs that they are overheating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These signs include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n