Texas summers are no joke. Here in Frisco, we often see triple-digit highs from June through September, and dogs feel the heat a lot harder than we do.
Last summer, a family that recently moved to Frisco took their dog out for a quick afternoon walk. The air felt hot but manageable to them. Within ten minutes, their dog was panting hard, stumbling, and lagging behind. Realizing something was wrong, they rushed him to our clinic. He was fine, thankfully, but it was a close call and a good reminder that knowing when it’s too hot outside for dogs could save your pet’s life.
Why Heat Hits Dogs So Hard
Dogs can’t sweat the way we can. They cool themselves mostly by panting, which isn’t nearly as efficient. When the air around them is already hot and humid, panting doesn’t do much. Their body temperature can climb fast, and once it gets above 104 degrees, they’re in serious trouble.
Flat-faced breeds like bulldogs and pugs are especially vulnerable to hot weather. So are older dogs, overweight dogs, and puppies. But any dog can overheat if conditions are bad enough, and heat stroke can be deadly.
The Pavement Problem
Temperature alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Pavement holds heat in a way that air doesn’t. When air temperatures hit 86º, the surface temperature of asphalt can be as high as 135º. Sidewalks, driveways, gravel, and dirt paths can also get hot enough to burn a dog’s paws.
Here’s a simple test: place your hand flat on the pavement. If you can’t hold it there comfortably for at least ten seconds, your dog shouldn’t be walking on it.
Safety Tips for Walking Dogs in Hot Summer Weather
Hot weather doesn’t mean you have to skip going for a walk entirely. Sometimes it just means shifting your schedule. A 6am walk after the pavement has cooled overnight is a completely different experience than a walk at 11am or 3pm in the heat of the sun.
On the worst days, skip the long walk and give your dog some exercise indoors instead. Puzzle toys, training games, and short bursts of activity in an air-conditioned space can meet their needs without putting them at risk.
Here are our best tips for walking your dog in the summer:
- Walk early in the morning or after sunset.
- Stick to grassy areas and shaded trails when you can.
- Bring water and a drinking bowl for your dog.
- Take breaks in the shade on longer outings.
- Keep walks short when it’s more than 85 degrees.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion like heavy panting, drooling, stumbling, or bright red gums.
Too Hot in Frisco for Your Dog? Here’s When to Call Us
Knowing when it’s too hot outside for dogs keeps your pup safe all summer long. When in doubt, stay inside.
And remember: if your dog shows any signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, you need to get to a vet right away. Move your dog somewhere cool, offer them some water, and give us a call at LazyPaw Animal Hospital in Frisco.
Photo by Jacob Van Blarcom on Unsplash with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 6/14/26.