Is it too hot or too cold to walk my dog today?

Hot days: test the ground, not just the air

Pavement, asphalt and sand in full sun get much hotter than the air, and your dog walks on them with bare paws. A quick check: press the back of your hand on the ground for about five to seven seconds. If you can't keep it there comfortably, it's too hot for paws.

Ground stays hot for a while after the sun goes down, so an evening walk is cooler for paws a little later than for you. Grass and shaded paths are kinder than dark asphalt.

Which dogs struggle most in the heat

Dogs cool down mostly by panting, which works less well when the air is hot and humid. Vets and animal charities such as the RSPCA advise extra care for:

• Flat-faced breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs.
• Older dogs, puppies and dogs that are overweight.
• Dogs with thick or dark coats, and dogs with heart or breathing problems.

Many vets suggest taking extra care from around 20 °C (68 °F), and keeping walks short and early or late once it passes about 25 °C (77 °F). On the hottest days, a short sniff around a shady area or some games indoors can replace the walk.

Signs your dog is getting too hot

• Heavy, fast panting that doesn't settle in the shade.
• Slowing down, lying down or refusing to walk on.
• Drooling a lot, a very red tongue or gums, or seeming confused.

Heatstroke is an emergency. Move your dog somewhere cool, offer small sips of water, cool them with cool (not ice-cold) water, and call a vet straight away.

Cold days: who needs a shorter walk or a coat

Most healthy dogs cope with a brisk winter walk, but small dogs, short-coated breeds such as greyhounds and whippets, puppies and older dogs lose heat faster. Shivering, lifting paws off the ground, or slowing right down are signs it's time to head home.

• Wind makes cold feel worse. Check the feels-like temperature, not just the air temperature.
• Salt and grit on winter roads can sting paws. Wipe your dog's feet after the walk.
• Keep away from frozen ponds and lakes, and keep your dog visible on dark winter evenings with a light or reflective collar.

The best time to walk your dog today

• In summer, early morning is usually best, before the sun heats the ground. Late evening comes second, once paths have had time to cool.
• In winter, the warmest and brightest part of the day is usually late morning to early afternoon.
• On any day, look at the hours you're actually free and pick the most comfortable one, rather than walking at the same clock time no matter the weather.

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell, old or has a health condition, ask your vet what is safe.

Let WalkiNova find the hour for you

WalkiNova scores every hour of your local forecast out of 100 for comfort, from feels-like temperature (best around 19 °C), chance of rain, wind and sky. It then marks the best 30-minute to 2-hour window inside the hours you set. Hours that are too hot or too cold lose points, so the window it picks avoids both.

It can't measure the ground under your dog's paws, so still do the hand test on sunny days. When you head out, WalkiNova can track the walk with GPS.