Wildlife Wise

Is it too hot to walk my dog?

Right now in Suffolk, the answer is...

Checking the weather
Hang on a moment, asking the sky.
Air temperature
°C
The shade temperature where you are. Most vets suggest temperatures below 23°C are generally comfortable for dogs, 24 to 27°C can be riskier for many dogs, especially puppies, older dogs, and flat-faced breeds, and 28°C and over is the danger zone.
Pavement temperature
°C
Estimated temp of tarmac in direct sun. Above 50°C a dog's pads can burn in under a minute. Grass and light concrete usually stay much cooler.
UV index
Wind speed
mph
Next 24 hours
Fine Care Wait Danger
Reading the forecast...

How this works

We pull the live air temperature, wind speed, cloud cover and solar radiation for your spot from Open-Meteo, then estimate how hot a dark tarmac pavement in direct sun is likely to be. Pavement can sit 20 to 30°C above air temperature on a sunny, still day, which is why a 25°C afternoon can feel grim underfoot for a dog.

The verdict combines both numbers against guidance from the RSPCA, the Royal Kennel Club and several UK vet practices.

This is an estimate, not a measurement. Local conditions vary, shaded grass is always cooler, and a light concrete path is kinder than dark asphalt. If in doubt, walk at dawn or dusk, or skip a walk altogether. No dog ever died from missing one.