Short answer: on hot days, walk your senior or stiff dog early in the morning or late in the evening, keep walks shorter and slower, and test the ground with the back of your hand before you set out. Older dogs are more at risk in the heat, so plan for shade, water and rest stops, and skip the walk altogether on the hottest days.
Key takeaways
- Walk in the cool of the early morning or evening.
- Test the pavement: if you cannot hold the back of your hand on it for five seconds, it is too hot.
- Very old dogs are at higher risk of heat stress.
- Shorter, slower walks on soft ground are kinder to stiff joints.
- On very hot days, swap the walk for gentle play indoors or in the shade.
Why summer is harder for older and stiff dogs
Dogs do not sweat the way we do. They cool down mainly by panting, which takes effort. RSPCA Australia lists very old dogs, very young dogs, dogs with heart or breathing problems, thick-coated dogs and flat-faced breeds among those most at risk in hot weather (RSPCA Australia).
A stiff or senior dog also tends to move more slowly, so a walk takes longer and they spend more time out in the heat. That is why summer walks need a little more planning.
1. Pick the coolest time of day
Walk your dog early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler (RSPCA Australia). In many parts of Australia, the ground stays hot well after the sun goes down, so evening walks may need to be later than you think.
2. Do the five-second hand test
Place the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog (RSPCA Australia). Paw pads can burn on hot asphalt, sand and metal surfaces, and an older dog may not move off a hot surface as quickly.
3. Make the walk shorter and gentler
- Two short walks beat one long one. Split the daily walk into shorter outings at cool times.
- Choose soft, shaded ground. Grass and shaded paths are cooler and easier on stiff joints than hot concrete.
- Let your dog set the pace. Stop for sniff breaks and turn home earlier if they slow down.
- Bring water. Offer a drink during the walk and when you get home.
4. Know when to skip the walk
On very hot days, it is fine to stay home. Keep your dog moving with gentle activities instead: a short sniff game in the shade, a few minutes of easy play inside, or lying in a shallow paddling pool. Missing a walk on a hot day will not undo your dog's routine.
Watch for signs your dog is too hot
Stop, move into the shade and offer water if your dog is panting heavily, lagging behind, lying down and refusing to move, or seems wobbly or confused. Heatstroke can be life-threatening, so if your dog seems unwell after being in the heat, call your vet straight away.
Keep the joint routine going all year
Hot weather often means less exercise, and less movement can leave a stiff dog even stiffer. Gentle daily movement, a healthy weight and a steady joint care routine all help. Read more in Senior dog slowing down on walks? and how to support joint comfort in ageing dogs.
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Shop SUKOFLEX® CANINEFrequently asked questions
Can I walk my senior dog in summer?
Yes, as long as you walk at cool times of day, keep it short and gentle, and check the ground first. On very hot days, skip the walk.
What temperature is too hot to walk a dog?
There is no single number for every dog. Use the five-second hand test on the ground, and be extra careful with older dogs, flat-faced breeds and thick-coated dogs.
Is swimming good for stiff dogs in summer?
Many dogs enjoy a cool paddle, and water takes weight off the joints. Keep it short, supervise closely and ask your vet first if your dog has a health condition.
The takeaway
Summer does not have to stop your senior dog from enjoying their walks. Go early or late, keep it short and soft underfoot, carry water, and know when to stay home. A cool, steady routine is the best way to keep an older dog comfortable and moving.