British summers can catch owners out precisely because hot spells are relatively rare here — we do not always have the habits that owners in consistently hot climates take for granted. Two separate risks are worth thinking about on a warm day: burnt paws from hot surfaces, and heatstroke from exertion and heat overall. Our tool at /is-it-too-hot-to-walk-my-dog brings both together so you can make a quick, sensible call before heading out.
The 7-second hand test
The simplest, most reliable check for pavement heat needs no equipment at all: place the back of your hand flat on the pavement or tarmac and hold it there. If you cannot comfortably keep it there for seven seconds, it is too hot for your dog's paws too. Paw pads are tougher than human skin but not immune to burns, and dogs cannot tell you a surface is uncomfortable until real damage has already been done.
Pavement heat versus air temperature
This is the detail that catches people out: dark tarmac and paving can be dramatically hotter than the air temperature suggests, because direct sun heats these surfaces far more than it heats the surrounding air. On a still, sunny day with an air temperature of around 25°C, tarmac in direct sun can reach 50°C or more — hot enough to burn skin within about a minute of contact. This means a day that does not feel unbearably hot to you can still be dangerous underfoot for your dog.
- Around 25°C air temperature: tarmac can reach roughly 52°C — burn risk within about a minute.
- Around 31°C air temperature: tarmac can reach roughly 62°C — burn risk within seconds.
- Around 36°C air temperature: tarmac can reach roughly 70°C or more — near-instant burn risk.
- Grass and shaded ground stay considerably cooler and are always a better choice on warm days.
Heatstroke is a separate risk
Even where paws are protected, walking in warm weather still carries a heatstroke risk, particularly with exertion. Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, which is far less efficient than human sweating, so they overheat more easily than we do, especially during exercise. This risk exists on humid, overcast warm days too, not just bright sunny ones — humidity makes panting less effective at shedding heat.
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs and bulldogs are at significantly higher risk of heatstroke because their airway shape already restricts airflow, making panting less effective even in normal conditions. Dogs with heavy or dense coats, those who are overweight, elderly, very young, or who have underlying heart or respiratory conditions are also at increased risk and need extra caution in warm weather.
Better times to walk
On warm days, walking early in the morning or later in the evening, once the sun is lower and surfaces have had a chance to cool, is far safer than a midday walk. If a walk at a cooler time is not possible, shorten the walk considerably, stick to grass and shaded routes, and watch your dog closely rather than pushing on for the usual distance or duration.
Cooling first aid, done correctly
If a dog does become overheated, the instinct to reach for the coldest water available is understandable but wrong: very cold or ice water can cause blood vessels near the skin to constrict, which actually traps heat inside the body rather than releasing it. Cool (not ice-cold) water poured over the body, particularly the belly, groin and paws, along with moving to shade and offering small amounts of water to drink, is the safer first response while you get your dog to a vet.
Recognising heatstroke
Watch for heavy or excessive panting that does not settle, bright red or very pale gums, drooling, vomiting, lethargy, wobbliness or collapse, and in severe cases seizures. Heatstroke is a genuine emergency: it can cause organ damage and can be fatal, and it can progress quickly. If you suspect heatstroke, begin gentle cooling as above and get your dog to a vet immediately — call ahead so the practice can be ready for you.
Hot cars: never, even for a few minutes
A car parked in warm weather heats up dramatically within minutes, even with a window cracked open and even if it feels only mildly warm outside. Temperatures inside a car can become fatal to a dog in well under fifteen minutes on a day that would not seem extreme to a person. Our /hot-car-dog-temperature tool shows just how quickly this happens across different outside temperatures — it is genuinely eye-opening, and the only safe rule is never to leave a dog alone in a car in warm weather, however briefly.
What the numbers mean
The temperatures and timings above are estimates based on published surface temperature and heatstroke research, and real conditions vary with direct sunlight, wind, surface colour and humidity. Treat them as a guide for erring on the side of caution rather than an exact threshold — when in doubt, the seven-second hand test and common sense about your individual dog's risk factors are your best tools.
When to speak to your vet
Any suspected heatstroke needs immediate veterinary attention — this is an emergency, not a wait-and-see situation. For burnt paws, limping, blistering or licking at the paws after a walk in warm weather, contact your vet the same day. And if you are unsure whether your individual dog's breed, age or health conditions mean they need extra caution in warm weather, your vet is always the best person to ask; any guide like this one is a starting point, not a substitute for their advice.