When temperatures rise, walks remain important for your dog's well-being. However, during a heatwave, certain habits can quickly become risky. One mistake, in particular, deserves your full attention: taking your companion out on scorching ground during the hottest hours of the day.<\/p>\n
We often think about the air temperature\u2026 but much less about the ground temperature. Yet, under a blazing sun, asphalt, tarmac, or even sand can become scorching hot. Since your dog walks directly on its paw pads, a few minutes are sometimes enough to cause painful burns. Red, irritated, cracked, or even blistered paw pads are all signs that the ground was far too hot. A walk that should have been pleasant can then turn into a truly unpleasant memory.<\/p>\n
Before heading out, you can do a quick test. Place the back of your hand or your foot on the asphalt for 5 to 7 minutes: if you feel the urge to remove it immediately because it's too hot, your dog will feel the same way\u2026 by walking on it. In this case, it's best to change your route, opting for grass, dirt paths, or shaded areas, or even postpone the walk until a cooler time.<\/p>\n
Of course, it all depends on your surroundings. If you live near a park, a field, or a large grassy area, that's ideal. Your dog can enjoy a more pleasant walk without having to walk on asphalt, especially early in the morning when it's still cool.<\/p>\n
However, in the heart of the city, where concrete is everywhere, one often has to contend with constraints. A dog needs to go outside to relieve itself, and depending on its breed, age, or temperament, it will require several outings throughout the day. The goal is then to adapt these walks.<\/p>\n
Dogs are much less efficient at dissipating heat than we are. They primarily cool down by panting, a system that quickly becomes ineffective in hot weather. Excessive panting, drooling, unusual fatigue, difficulty walking, or any abnormal behavior should immediately alert you. In these cases, stop the walk, move your dog to a cool place, offer them water, and contact a veterinarian promptly if their condition does not improve.<\/p>\n
Not all dogs react the same way to heat. Older dogs, overweight dogs, or those suffering from certain illnesses are more vulnerable. Brachycephalic breeds, recognizable by their very short muzzles and flat faces, also require special attention. French and English Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, Boxers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Dogue de Bordeaux can experience respiratory difficulties as soon as temperatures exceed 15 to 20\u00b0C (59 to 68\u00b0F). For these breeds, walks should be even more carefully planned.<\/p>\n
In summary: in summer, choosing the coolest hours, avoiding hot ground and above all respecting your dog's rhythm will allow him to fully enjoy his outings, even when the mercury soars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When temperatures rise, walks remain important for your dog's well-being. However, during a heatwave, certain habits can quickly...","protected":false},"author":8385,"featured_media":446340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97760],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-446339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-animaux"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Cette-erreur-pendant-les-promenades-dete-peut-mettre-votre-chien-en-danger-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Cette-erreur-pendant-les-promenades-dete-peut-mettre-votre-chien-en-danger-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Cette-erreur-pendant-les-promenades-dete-peut-mettre-votre-chien-en-danger.jpg","author":{"name":"Julia Perez","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/cropped-julia_perez-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":97760,"name":"Animal life","slug":"animaux","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":97932,"taxonomy":"category","description":"
The Animal life section of The Body Optimist covers pets<\/strong> and wildlife with curiosity and care: cat and dog behavior, animal welfare, everyday health and safety, responsible adoption, and the insects and critters in our homes and gardens. Our articles regularly draw on advice from veterinarians and research by scientists to help you understand animals better and live alongside them in harmony.<\/p>\n Several common foods are toxic to dogs and cats, sometimes even in small amounts. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains theobromine, which their bodies struggle to eliminate. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Onions, garlic, shallots and leeks, raw or cooked, damage red blood cells. Xylitol, a sweetener found in some chewing gums and sugar-free products, is extremely dangerous for dogs. Alcohol, caffeine and cooked bones, which can splinter, are also off-limits. For cats, lilies are especially toxic, pollen included. If your pet swallows something harmful, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away.<\/p>\n We see animals as sentient beings, not accessories. We talk about responsible adoption rather than impulse buying, respecting each species' needs rather than following trends, and watching wildlife from a distance, without feeding or disturbing it. Heartwarming stories have their place, alongside practical tips for life with your companion. Our articles do not replace a visit to the vet, the only professional who can make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n The right choice depends more on your time and lifestyle than on square footage. An indoor cat adapts well to apartment life if it has toys, scratching posts and high perches. A dog, whatever its size, needs to go out several times a day. Rabbits and guinea pigs are very social and do best in pairs or groups, with room to run around.<\/p>\n A healthy pet eats and drinks normally, plays, grooms itself and keeps its usual sleep and bathroom habits. Any sudden change should get your attention: loss of appetite, unusual hiding, new aggression, excessive licking, limping or trouble urinating. If you notice any of these signs, see your vet, and don't wait if you're in doubt.<\/p>\n Don't feed it or force it to drink. If you can do so safely, wearing gloves, place it in a ventilated cardboard box in a quiet, dark spot, then quickly contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or a veterinarian. A healthy baby bird that has fallen from its nest is often better left where it is: its parents usually keep feeding it.<\/p>\n Want to go further? Help protect biodiversity every day with the Green<\/a> section, and create a home where people and pets live happily together with the Decor<\/a> section.<\/p>","parent":0,"count":204,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":97760,"category_count":204,"category_description":" The Animal life section of The Body Optimist covers pets<\/strong> and wildlife with curiosity and care: cat and dog behavior, animal welfare, everyday health and safety, responsible adoption, and the insects and critters in our homes and gardens. Our articles regularly draw on advice from veterinarians and research by scientists to help you understand animals better and live alongside them in harmony.<\/p>\n Several common foods are toxic to dogs and cats, sometimes even in small amounts. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains theobromine, which their bodies struggle to eliminate. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. Onions, garlic, shallots and leeks, raw or cooked, damage red blood cells. Xylitol, a sweetener found in some chewing gums and sugar-free products, is extremely dangerous for dogs. Alcohol, caffeine and cooked bones, which can splinter, are also off-limits. For cats, lilies are especially toxic, pollen included. If your pet swallows something harmful, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control service right away.<\/p>\n We see animals as sentient beings, not accessories. We talk about responsible adoption rather than impulse buying, respecting each species' needs rather than following trends, and watching wildlife from a distance, without feeding or disturbing it. Heartwarming stories have their place, alongside practical tips for life with your companion. Our articles do not replace a visit to the vet, the only professional who can make a diagnosis.<\/p>\n The right choice depends more on your time and lifestyle than on square footage. An indoor cat adapts well to apartment life if it has toys, scratching posts and high perches. A dog, whatever its size, needs to go out several times a day. Rabbits and guinea pigs are very social and do best in pairs or groups, with room to run around.<\/p>\n A healthy pet eats and drinks normally, plays, grooms itself and keeps its usual sleep and bathroom habits. Any sudden change should get your attention: loss of appetite, unusual hiding, new aggression, excessive licking, limping or trouble urinating. If you notice any of these signs, see your vet, and don't wait if you're in doubt.<\/p>\n Don't feed it or force it to drink. If you can do so safely, wearing gloves, place it in a ventilated cardboard box in a quiet, dark spot, then quickly contact a wildlife rehabilitation center or a veterinarian. A healthy baby bird that has fallen from its nest is often better left where it is: its parents usually keep feeding it.<\/p>\n Want to go further? Help protect biodiversity every day with the Green<\/a> section, and create a home where people and pets live happily together with the Decor<\/a> section.<\/p>","cat_name":"Animal life","category_nicename":"animaux","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8385"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=446339"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":446357,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446339\/revisions\/446357"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=446339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=446339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=446339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What you'll find in the Animal life section<\/h2>\n
\n
Which everyday foods are dangerous for dogs and cats?<\/h2>\n
Our approach<\/h2>\n
Articles to get you started<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
What's the best pet for apartment living?<\/h3>\n
How can you tell if your cat or dog is healthy?<\/h3>\n
What should you do if you find an injured wild animal?<\/h3>\n
What you'll find in the Animal life section<\/h2>\n
\n
Which everyday foods are dangerous for dogs and cats?<\/h2>\n
Our approach<\/h2>\n
Articles to get you started<\/h2>\n
\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
What's the best pet for apartment living?<\/h3>\n
How can you tell if your cat or dog is healthy?<\/h3>\n
What should you do if you find an injured wild animal?<\/h3>\n