Daily dog ​​walk is one of the best ways to take care of your pet because it improves their mental and physical health. However, walking your dog in inclement weather conditions can be dangerous and harmful to your pet. This can lead to infections that have the potential to kill your adorable pet, but not walking him at all can make him restless and distressed. Therefore, it is important to understand which temperatures are best for walking your dog. You should also observe certain preventive measures to protect the health of your dog before and after walks. These steps include planning to walk your dog in the evening or early in the morning when the temperatures are cooler and taking good care of him after walks.

Factors that affect the way your dog handles heat

Various factors determine how your dog is affected by different temperatures. Age, race, size and health are some of these factors. Dogs that are too old or too young, sick and obese dogs have a relatively higher risk of heat stroke, as explained below.

Age

Unlike young dogs, many older dogs find it difficult to move around, especially in hot weather. These dogs are likely to have difficulty getting away from the sun, once they find a comfortable spot in the sun they quickly fall asleep and eventually overheat.

Elevate

Different breeds of dogs deal with heat in different ways. Long-nosed breeds effectively cool the air when they breathe, while brachycephalic dogs, short-nosed dogs like boxers and pugs do not cool the air well and find it difficult to breathe at high temperatures. therefore more vulnerable to heat stroke.

When is it too hot for a dog?

The risk of heat stroke in dogs is high in hot weather. However, different ones show varying tolerance to heat. Some can withstand up to 25 degrees Celsius, while others can experience heat stroke up to 16 degrees Celsius, especially obese or flat-faced dogs. The risk of heat damage is lowest between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius for almost all dog breeds, this temperature is safe and pleasant, and dogs can stay outside for as long as they want. Various factors affect the maximum temperature for dog walking, including the intensity of the wind and the humidity of the atmosphere. Check the pavement temperature by placing the back of your hand on the pavement and holding it for 5-10 seconds. Walking your dog on hot pavement for extended periods can damage his paws.

When is it too cold for a dog?

Walking your dog in the cold can also cause potential damage if the temperatures are extremely low. Small and medium dogs are safe up to 4 degrees Celsius, while large dogs can walk up to 1 degree Celsius. Be careful not to keep your dog cold too long, 20 to 30 minutes is enough.

Heat dangers for your dog

Excessively raising your dog’s body temperature can lead to a condition called hyperthermia or heat stroke. Symptoms that your dog may be suffering from heatstroke include intense panting, thick saliva, and dark red gums. Heat stroke can damage your dog’s internal organs, and hot sidewalks can burn your paws.

What to do if your dog is showing signs of heat stroke

If your dog has heat stroke symptoms, move it to a cool place without direct sunlight first and give it drinking water. Run cold water over it or place a damp towel over it. Seek help from a veterinarian immediately.

Safety tips for walking your dog in hot weather

There are certain precautions you can take when walking your dog in the summer to minimize the risk of hyperthermia. They include:

• Don’t leave him in the car. Temperatures can rise to dangerous levels inside a car, which can cause serious organ damage that can potentially kill your pet.
• Monitor humidity levels, not just temperature. Dogs cool down by evaporating moisture from their bodies, which is made difficult in high humidity, which increases their body temperature.
• Shift your dog walking schedule to cooler hours of the day. Temperatures are generally low in the morning and evening due to less direct sunlight, which can be good times to walk your dog.
• Always have a bottle of water when you wake up your dog. High temperatures cause dehydration, and a bottled water can keep your dog rehydrated and make the walk bearable.