Safe Dog Walking Temperatures

Taking our dogs on walkies is one of the most fun things we do in our day-to-day life, but sometimes the weather can put a dampener on things. When the rain is pouring, it’s not enjoyable for anyone to go outside. So you’d think it would be perfect when the sun is beating down, right? Wrong! Sometimes it’s just too hot for a pup’s paws to walk outside, and equally, it can also be too cold during the winter.

Continue reading to discover safe dog walking temperatures and measures you can take to keep your furry friends safe.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• Safe dog walking temperatures

• How to know when it’s too hot

• How to know when it’s too cold

• The best Yappy dog walking gifts

What are safe dog walking temperatures?

We all love our doggies and they adore their walkies, but sometimes it’s just not possible to get out of the house for some exercise. We know most of you dog mums and dads will go out in wind, rain or snow to bond with your paw-some pup, but you probably all definitely breathe a sigh of relief when the weather is clear!

Summer is prime time for dog walking, but be careful in certain temperatures because it can be dangerous. What is a safe dog walking temperature then? Well, anything up to 19°C (68°F) is considered suitable for a lengthy dog walk, with the ideal temperature ranging from 12°C to 15°C.

You may be surprised to know that when the temperature reaches 20°C, there is a danger your dog could experience heat stroke. If your pup gets heat stroke, it means they have a high temperature not caused by a fever. This happens when a dog can no longer self-regulate and keep their temperature at a comfortable level.

Heat stroke in a pup can be fatal in up to 15 minutes. So always be prepared and check the temperature before heading out for walkies.

How to know when it’s too hot

In the summer, temperatures in the UK can occasionally reach 30°C. In the last couple of years, there have been examples of the temperature soaring that high for a few days in the summer. This is obviously far too dangerous a temperature for dogs to go on a walk. If you have a garden, set up a shaded area for them and ensure there is plenty of cold water available for them to drink.

If the temperature isn’t as dangerously high as that and you’re planning on heading outdoors for some dog walking, there is something you can do called the Five Second Test. Before you’ve let your pup know it’s time for walkies, head outside on your own and place the back of your hand on the floor.

The pavement is bound to be hot considering the sunny weather but if the ground feels especially warm and you’re unable to keep your hand there for five seconds without feeling a burning sensation then it’s definitely too hot for your pup’s little paws. This test is designed to make you feel how hot it will feel on their paws for the entirety of the walk. If you couldn’t manage to touch the ground for longer than five seconds, how is your paw-fect little friend meant to for a whole walk?

What is too cold for a dog walk?

When considering safe dog walking temperatures, most people just think about the heat but you should also strongly consider the cold too. After all, if it's cold outside, you can wrap up with a big coat, fluffy scarf, comfortable gloves and thick socks. You can obviously put a coat on your pup but it may still not be enough in certain temperatures.

A safe dog walking temperature in the winter months is above zero degrees celsius. Certain dogs can go out under that temperature but it’s not recommended.

At zero degrees, small breed dogs, dogs with coats, and old, young or sick dogs can be in danger. When the temperature drops to -6.6°C, this can be very dangerous and even life threatening to dogs.

The best way to know if the weather is too cold for your pup is to keep a close eye on them. If they’re shivering, anxious, whining or slowing down you should search for a warm location as soon as possible to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Just as the floor can be too hot in the summer, it can be too cold on their paws in the winter too.

Also, if you’re concerned about walking your dog at night during the winter, here are six things to should consider on night-time walkies.

Grab the best dog walking gifts at Yappy

At Yappy, we have a range of fur-bulous dog collars that are pawfect for your pup! With each collar, you can also grab a matching lead to make your daily walkies as stylish as possible.

Personalise the collar with your dog’s name to make them feel even more special. And while you’re out walking, why not take along some poop bags to collect their doo-doos? 

We also have a brilliant range of walking bags so you can take all of your pup’s essentials out with you, including tasty dog treats for them and a travel mug for you!

If you’d like to know more about what Yappy offers, don’t hesitate to contact us on help@yappy.com.