On a hot day, the safest plan is often to skip the walk. But a dog that loses its walk still needs to sniff, chew and think. The trick is to move enrichment into the cool parts of the day and the coolest spots in your home.
This guide is written for Australian summers, but it works anywhere it gets hot.
When is it too hot to walk?
There's no single safe temperature: humidity, shade, your dog's breed, age, coat, weight and fitness all matter. Flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs, thick-coated breeds like Huskies, and older or overweight dogs are at higher risk. As a rule of thumb:
- Walk early or late, when it is coolest, and keep it short and slow on hot days.
- Do the hand test: if you can't hold the back of your hand on the footpath for five seconds, it's too hot for paws.
- Skip it on very hot days. A day of indoor enrichment is far safer than a walk in the heat.
Cooling enrichment ideas
| Idea | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen stuffed toy | Soaked kibble packed into a rubber toy and frozen overnight | 20 to 40 min |
| Frozen lick mat | Wet food or yoghurt spread thinly, frozen flat | 15 to 30 min |
| Ice block hunt | Freeze kibble and a toy in a container of water or onion-free broth, then let them work at it on a towel or in the shade | 20 min |
| Paddling pool forage | Float a few treats or a toy in a shallow, shaded clam-shell pool | 10 min |
| Sprinkler play | For dogs that enjoy it, in the early morning | 10 min |
Indoor games for hot days
Keep these in the coolest room, on cool tiles or with a fan running, and keep sessions short:
- Indoor scent games: sniffing is tiring but low-effort.
- Snuffle mat or scatter feeding on a cool floor.
- DIY puzzles like the muffin-tin game.
- Five-minute trick sessions, like "touch", "spin" or "find your bed".
- Cardboard box shredding with treats inside.
For a full list, see our 15 indoor ideas for rainy days. They work just as well when it's too hot to go out.
A hot-day routine
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Early morning | A short, slow sniff walk while it is cool, or sprinkler play |
| Breakfast | Scatter feeding on a cool floor |
| Midday heat | Rest in the coolest room, with a frozen stuffed toy |
| Afternoon | Five minutes of indoor scent games or tricks |
| Evening | A short walk once the footpath has cooled, then a frozen lick mat |
Signs of heatstroke
Everyday summer safety
- Always leave shade and plenty of fresh water, and check both before you go out.
- Never leave a dog in a parked car, even with the windows down.
- Avoid hot sand, footpaths and car tops, which can burn paws.
- Check water for blue-green algae warnings before swimming.
- Ask your vet before clipping a double-coated breed: the coat helps them regulate temperature.
Sources and further reading
Nikola lives with Henry, a Hungarian Vizsla, and wrote his weekly enrichment plan by hand for months before turning it into this app. Not a vet or a qualified behaviourist: the guides draw on everyday experience with a high-drive gundog and on published guidance from animal welfare organisations, which is linked where it is used.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep my dog entertained when it's too hot to walk?+
Move enrichment inside to the coolest room: frozen stuffed toys, lick mats, scent games, snuffle mats and short trick sessions. Sniffing and licking tire a dog without overheating them.
What temperature is too hot to walk a dog?+
It depends on humidity, shade and your dog. Flat-faced, thick-coated, older and overweight dogs are at higher risk. Use the five-second hand test on the footpath, walk early or late, and skip walks on very hot days.
Are ice cubes safe for dogs?+
For most dogs, yes. Supervise, and choose larger frozen treats for dogs that gulp. If your dog has dental problems, ask your vet.
What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs?+
Heavy panting, drooling, a red or dark tongue, weakness, vomiting or collapse. Cool them with cool water and call a vet immediately.
