Chocolate Labrador on a suburban footpath at dusk wearing a glowing LED collar

Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog? An Aussie Summer Guide

Quick answer: Put the back of your hand on the footpath for seven seconds. If you can't hold it there comfortably, it's too hot for your dog's paws. In an Australian summer, walk at sunrise or after sunset, stick to grass and shade, carry water, and skip the walk altogether on very hot days. Your dog won't mind a day of indoor games instead.

Why the air temperature fools us

You feel the air; your dog feels the ground. Dark surfaces soak up sun and get far hotter than the air above them. Four Paws cites measurements showing that when concrete reaches 40°C, asphalt in the same conditions can hit about 51°C. A pleasant-feeling 25°C afternoon can still mean a footpath hot enough to hurt paw pads, and bitumen that has baked all day can stay hot well into the evening.

The 7-second test

  1. Go to the actual surface your dog will walk on, in the sun.
  2. Press the back of your hand flat on it.
  3. Count to seven. If you have to pull away, it's too hot for paws.

Test the darkest, sunniest part of your route, not just the shady bit outside your gate. Artificial turf, timber decks, sand and metal can get hot too.

The best times to walk in summer

  • Early morning is usually coolest: the ground has had all night to lose its heat.
  • After sunset works too, but test the footpath first. If you're out at dusk, make sure your dog is easy to see (our night-walk guide covers how).
  • Grass and shade are much cooler than bitumen and concrete. Plan routes through parks.
  • On heatwave days, skip it. Missing a walk on an extreme-heat day won't hurt your dog; heatstroke can.

Dogs most at risk

Any dog can overheat, but take extra care with flat-faced breeds (Pugs, French Bulldogs, British Bulldogs), puppies, older dogs, overweight dogs, thick-coated breeds and dogs with heart or breathing problems.

Signs of heatstroke

RSPCA lists signs that can include:

  • Relentless, heavy panting that keeps getting worse
  • Drooling or thick saliva
  • Very red or pale gums, or a bright red tongue
  • Agitation, restlessness, confusion or wobbliness
  • Vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse

What to do if your dog overheats

  1. Stop and move your dog into shade or air-conditioning.
  2. Wet your dog with cool (not ice-cold) water and put them in front of a fan.
  3. Offer small amounts of cool water. Don't force it.
  4. Call your vet straight away, even if your dog seems to recover. Heatstroke is an emergency.

Never leave your dog in the car

RSPCA WA warns that on a mild 22°C day, the inside of a parked car can pass 47°C within minutes, and a dog can die in as little as six minutes. Parking in the shade, tinted windows and a window left down make little difference. If you're stopping somewhere your dog can't come in, leave them at home.

Keep water with you

A general guide is that dogs need around 50 to 60 mL of water per kilogram of body weight a day, and more in heat and after exercise. Carry water on every summer walk and leave a full bowl in the shade at home. For water in the car or at the beach, a no-spill water bowl stops the sloshing.

Too hot outside? Bring the fun inside

On days that are too hot for a proper walk, a sniffing game or a puzzle feeder gives your dog's brain a workout without the heat. We've put together easy indoor games for a bored dog.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature is too hot to walk a dog in Australia?

There's no single number, because the ground can be much hotter than the air. Use the 7-second hand test on your actual route. Be very cautious from the mid-20s, and skip walks on very hot days.

Is it OK to walk my dog at night after a hot day?

Often yes, but footpaths can stay hot for hours after sunset. Test the surface with your hand first and choose grass where you can.

Do dog boots stop paw burns?

They can protect pads, but many dogs need time to get used to them, and boots don't stop heatstroke. Changing the time and route of your walk is the bigger fix.

How do I know if my dog's paws are burnt?

Limping, licking or chewing the paws, refusing to walk, or blisters and red or dark patches on the pads. Cool the paws with water and see your vet.

Can I leave my dog in the car with the air-con running?

It isn't worth the risk: engines and air-conditioning can cut out. Leave your dog at home on warm days.

Sources

Updated October 2026. General information only, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, call your vet.

Back to blog