How to Know When It’s Too Hot to Walk Your Dog This Summer

It might feel great outside to you, but here's how to make sure it's safe for your dog.

Summertime and the living is easy ... and hot.

I'm that type of person where I get hot very easily, but my dog on the other hand could lay in the sun for hours on end just panting away. That's why as a dog owner you have to make sure that your dog stays safe in the summer, no matter how much they love the heat.

Something to be very cautious of during the summer is taking your dog for a walk. Sure it might seem like a nice summer day to go for a walk, but then there's the pavement. Remember when you were a little kid and you'd walk on asphalt in your bare feet and it would seriously burn? That's basically what happens to your dogs paw pads when it's too hot out.

There's an easy way to prevent your dogs paws from getting burned. Before taking your dog out, use "The 5 Second Rule". Put the back of your hand on the sidewalk, and if you can’t hold it there for five seconds, then it would be a sign that it is too hot to walk your dog. So how hot is too hot? Vets-now says -

Planning on walking dogs in hot weather? It’s generally safe in temperatures of up to 19°C (68°F) but be careful when the mercury rises above this. Even at temperatures as low as 20°C (70°F) dogs are at risk of heat stroke.

For example, if it's 77 degrees out, the pavement can reach up to 125 degrees. But that's when you use "The Five Second Rule" to use your best judgement.

On top of the pavement being hot, there's always the possibility of your dog over heating or becoming dehydrated.

Just prepare your dog for a walk the same way you'd prepare yourself.

• Make sure it isn't too hot
• Bring enough water
• Don't over work yourself

Make sure you and your pup stay safe this summer.