Imagine running a marathon in a fur coat under the blazing sun – that’s exactly what it’s like for a dog walking in extreme heat.
When the sun’s out and the skies are clear, it’s tempting to grab the leash and head out with your dog. But behind those blue skies lies a serious and potentially deadly risk – and vets are making it crystal clear: walking your dog in warm weather could cost them their life.
Fatal consequences
According to veterinarians, this seemingly harmless activity can quickly turn into a life-threatening ordeal. What feels warm to you can be brutal for your pet, with overheating, burned paws, and heatstroke setting in faster than most owners realize.
Following the UK’s record-breaking heatwave in 2022, a British Veterinary Association survey uncovered a startling reality: 1 in 10 vets had treated a dog suffering from heatstroke after being left in a hot car.
But what’s even more alarming is that walking dogs in hot weather proved to be nearly four times more dangerous. A staggering 38% of vets reported seeing at least one dog affected by heatstroke after being walked on a hot day. The numbers don’t lie – when the sun is blazing, even a short stroll can have devastating consequences for our four-legged friends.
‘If in doubt, don’t go out’
Emily Hall, a leading canine heatstroke researcher and lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College, joined the growing chorus of experts urging dog owners to be proactive. Her advice is direct and potentially lifesaving: “Dogs die in hot cars and on hot walks. Owners must avoid known triggers to heat-related illness – especially during heatwaves; if in doubt, don’t go out.”
Hall adds, “If you spot early signs of your dog overheating, simply stopping exercise may not be enough. Owners need to think ahead and plan how they will cool their dogs in an emergency, especially after exercise or while travelling.”
Golden rule
If your dog does begin to overheat, Hall stresses one golden rule: cool first, transport second.
She reminds pet parents to be proactive and have a plan to cool their dogs quickly, whether that’s finding shade, using cool water, or carrying portable fans during travel.
Time is everything. The longer a dog remains hot, the higher the risk of irreversible damage – or worse.
Risky temperatures
In an interview with Heart UK, Dr. Victoria Giles, a vet in Buckinghamshire, said if it’s too hot for you to stand barefoot on pavement or patio, it is too hot for your dog.
“Anything over 25 degrees Celsius is very risky if people need a number as a benchmark. It also depends on humidity and breeze – or rather lack of.”
Veterinarians at Vets Now say that if it’s 19 degrees Celsius or cooler, you’re generally safe to walk your dog. But the moment that temperature creeps higher, so does the danger. Beyond this threshold, the risk of heatstroke skyrockets – a serious and potentially fatal condition that strikes when a dog’s body can no longer keep himself cool.
Test the pavement
The BVA recommends to “do the 5-sec [tarmac test] before stepping out to make sure the pavement is cool enough.”
The rule is simple: Place your palm flat on the pavement for five seconds – if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s far too hot for your dog’s paws.
Marathon in a fur coat
Meanwhile, on social media, a joint post by Pet Health Club and Bath Vets went viral for its blunt but honest reminder.
“Putting your dog in 25 degrees Celsius heat is equivalent to you running a marathon in a fur coat,” the vet said in the message.
“Dogs can’t sweat to cool off. They overheat fast…Don’t exercise your dog in this heat. We can’t stress this enough, skip the walk.”
Summer walks can wait – just remember, when in doubt, don’t go out!
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