When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog Outside in Las Vegas? Las Vegas is a great place to have a dog—but summer changes the rules. When temperatures climb into the 90s, 100s, and beyond, a normal afternoon walk can…
When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog Outside in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is a great place to have a dog—but summer changes the rules.
When temperatures climb into the 90s, 100s, and beyond, a normal afternoon walk can quickly become dangerous. Even when the air temperature doesn't seem unbearable, pavement, concrete, artificial turf, and other surfaces exposed to the desert sun can become much hotter than the surrounding air.
So when is it actually too hot to walk your dog outside in Las Vegas?
The short answer: once temperatures reach around 80°F, start taking additional precautions. When Las Vegas reaches the 90s and 100s, normal daytime walks should generally be moved to the early morning or after sunset.
The City of Las Vegas recommends keeping pets indoors during the hottest hours of the day—especially between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.—and walking pets early in the morning or after sunset. Read the City of Las Vegas extreme heat guidance.
But temperature isn't the only thing you should check before grabbing the leash.
QUICK ANSWER
Under 80°F: Usually comfortable for most healthy dogs.
80–89°F: Use caution and check the pavement.
90–99°F: Avoid long daytime walks. Choose early morning or after sunset.
100°F+: Skip normal daytime walks and exercise indoors instead.
These are general guidelines—not absolute safety guarantees. Your dog's breed, age, health, activity level, sunlight exposure, and pavement temperature all matter.
Las Vegas summers regularly bring temperatures above 100°F, but the number on your weather app doesn't tell the entire story.
Your dog is much closer to the ground than you are.
That means they're exposed to heat radiating from:
Asphalt
Concrete
Artificial turf
Rocks
Gravel
Pool decks
Outdoor patios
Parking lots
The American Animal Hospital Association warns that asphalt, concrete, sand, metal, and artificial turf can all become dangerously hot in direct sunlight. Learn more about protecting your dog's paws from hot pavement.
There isn't one magical temperature at which every dog becomes unsafe.
A healthy young Labrador and an older French Bulldog may respond very differently to the same weather.
However, temperature ranges can help you decide when additional precautions are necessary.
For most healthy dogs, temperatures below 70°F are comfortable for normal walks.
You can usually maintain your regular walking routine without significant heat-related concerns.
You'll still want to consider your dog's individual health, but Las Vegas dog owners generally don't need to worry much about heat at these temperatures.
Most dogs can still comfortably exercise at these temperatures.
However, direct desert sunlight can make surfaces significantly warmer than the surrounding air.
Start paying attention to:
Pavement temperature
Direct sunlight
Length of walk
Your dog's breathing
Access to water
Shade along your route
Once temperatures move into the 80s, heat-related risk begins increasing.
The American Animal Hospital Association recommends considering the possibility of heatstroke whenever temperatures are above 80°F or humidity is high. Read AAHA's heatstroke prevention guidance.
At this point:
Shorten longer walks.
Choose shaded routes.
Bring water.
Check pavement temperature.
Watch your dog closely for overheating.
Dogs at higher risk may already be better off exercising indoors.
When Las Vegas reaches the 90s, the biggest concern isn't simply whether your dog can tolerate the air temperature.
The ground beneath them may be substantially hotter.
Avoid long walks in direct sunlight.
Schedule your dog's main exercise for:
Early morning
or
After sunset
Midday trips should generally be limited to quick bathroom breaks.
Once Las Vegas temperatures reach triple digits, normal daytime walks are simply not worth the risk.
Take your dog outside briefly when necessary, preferably using shaded areas, grass, or other cooler surfaces.
Then bring the exercise indoors.
A missed afternoon walk isn't going to hurt your dog.
Heatstroke can.
One of the easiest mistakes to make is checking your phone, seeing that it's "only" 88°F, and heading out.
The pavement may tell a completely different story.
Surfaces sitting in direct sunlight can become dangerously hot, especially in a desert environment like Las Vegas.
A dog walking barefoot across hot asphalt can experience painful burns to their paw pads.
And it's not just black asphalt.
Be cautious around:
Sidewalks
Artificial grass
Pool decks
Parking lots
Patio pavers
Desert landscaping rocks
Sand
Metal surfaces
Before taking your dog onto a hot surface, place the back of your hand against the pavement for approximately seven seconds.
If you can't comfortably keep your hand there, don't ask your dog to walk across it.
Choose a cooler route or wait until later.
It's not a perfect scientific measurement, but it's a simple habit that can help dog owners recognize dangerously hot surfaces before a walk.
Yes.
Dogs have durable paw pads, but they aren't immune to burns.
Watch for:
Limping
Refusing to continue walking
Frequently lifting a paw
Excessive paw licking
Redness
Blisters
Cracked or damaged pads
Whimpering
Avoiding pressure on a paw
If you believe your dog's paws have been burned, move them away from the hot surface immediately.
Cool the paws gently with cool water rather than ice and contact your veterinarian for guidance.
More significant burns may require veterinary treatment.
During summer, early morning is usually your best option.
The City of Las Vegas recommends keeping pets indoors during the hottest hours, particularly from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m., and walking them early in the morning or after sunset.
This is generally the safest option because the pavement has had several hours to cool overnight.
During the hottest part of summer, consider moving your main walk to shortly after sunrise.
Evening walks are another option, but don't assume that sunset automatically means safe pavement.
Concrete and asphalt can retain heat from the afternoon.
Test the surface before starting your walk.
During extreme heat, save midday trips for bathroom breaks.
Get outside, take care of business, and head back into the air conditioning.
LAS VEGAS TIP
During extreme summer heat, consider making the morning your dog's main exercise period rather than trying to fit in a long evening walk while the pavement is still cooling.
Every dog can suffer from heat-related illness.
Some dogs, however, require considerably more caution.
Breeds with shorter airways may have more difficulty cooling themselves through panting.
Examples include:
French Bulldogs
English Bulldogs
Pugs
Boston Terriers
Boxers
Shih Tzus
Older dogs may have underlying health conditions and may not tolerate heat as effectively as younger dogs.
Puppies may continue playing long after they should take a break.
Excess weight can make physical activity more difficult and increase heat stress.
Dogs bred for colder climates may struggle more in Southern Nevada's extreme temperatures.
Some working and sporting breeds won't voluntarily stop playing simply because they're overheating.
That means you have to make the decision for them.
Heatstroke can progress very quickly.
The American Animal Hospital Association identifies warning signs that include excessive panting or drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, stumbling, collapse, and seizures.
Watch for:
Excessive panting
Heavy drooling
Difficulty breathing
Weakness
Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stumbling
Red or unusually pale gums
Collapse
Seizures
Unresponsiveness
Suspected heatstroke is a veterinary emergency.
Stop exercising immediately.
Move your dog somewhere cool.
Begin cooling them and seek veterinary care immediately.
Do not wait around to see if your dog improves on their own.
Yes—but there's an important distinction.
Dog boots can protect paws from hot pavement. They cannot protect a dog from overheating.
AAHA recommends considering properly fitted boots or paw protection when dealing with hot surfaces.
If you use boots:
Make sure they fit correctly.
Introduce them indoors first.
Check frequently for rubbing.
Remove them after your walk.
Inspect your dog's paws.
Boots shouldn't be used as an excuse to take a dog on a long 105°F afternoon walk.
Skipping an outdoor walk doesn't mean your dog has to spend the entire day bored.
Mental stimulation can be just as important as physical exercise.
Try:
Indoor fetch
Tug
Hide-and-seek
Puzzle feeders
Frozen enrichment toys
Nose work
Scent games
Short training sessions
Practicing obedience
Teaching new tricks
Indoor dog-friendly facilities
AAHA also recommends interactive toys and indoor enrichment as ways to keep pets active when outdoor conditions aren't safe.
Take several small treats and hide them around one room.
Start easy.
Let your dog sniff them out.
As your dog gets better, make the hiding places more difficult.
Ten minutes of focused scent work can provide a surprising amount of mental enrichment.
Instead of trying to keep the same routine all year, change your dog's schedule during summer.
Main walk
Take advantage of cooler temperatures and pavement that has had the night to cool down.
Quick bathroom breaks
Keep trips short and look for shaded or cooler surfaces.
Indoor enrichment
Use training, puzzle toys, scent games, or playtime.
Optional shorter walk
Wait until temperatures fall and check the pavement before leaving.
This gives your dog activity throughout the day without exposing them unnecessarily to extreme heat.
Extreme heat is more than a comfort issue.
Clark County requires additional protections for animals during extreme heat conditions. When an Extreme Heat Warning is issued and temperatures are expected to exceed 105°F, owners are required to provide supplemental cooling such as misters, swamp coolers, fans, or kiddie pools; shade and water alone aren't considered sufficient under those conditions. Read Clark County's extreme heat guidance for pet owners.
Whenever possible during extreme Las Vegas temperatures, bring companion animals into an air-conditioned environment.
Not for five minutes.
Not with the windows cracked.
Not because you're "just running inside."
Clark County warns that animals can suffer severe injury or death within minutes inside hot vehicles, and Nevada law prohibits leaving cats or dogs unattended in vehicles under conditions that endanger their health or safety. Read Clark County's pets-in-hot-cars guidance.
If your dog can't safely come inside with you, leave them home in the air conditioning.
Before grabbing the leash, ask yourself:
1. What's the outside temperature?
2. Has the pavement been sitting in direct sunlight?
3. Can I comfortably keep the back of my hand on the ground?
4. Is there an excessive heat warning?
5. Does my dog have access to water?
6. Is my dog showing normal breathing and energy levels?
7. Could we exercise indoors instead?
If you're questioning whether the walk is safe, skipping it is usually the better decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
For some dogs, 85°F can already present a significant risk—particularly during direct sunlight or strenuous activity.
Short walks may be appropriate for healthy dogs when pavement is cool, but use caution and watch closely for overheating.
At 90°F, avoid long daytime walks.
Las Vegas pavement may be significantly hotter than the air, making early-morning or later-evening walks a safer choice.
Normal daytime walks should generally be avoided at 100°F.
Keep outdoor trips short and use indoor exercise until temperatures fall.
Potentially—but check the ground first.
Pavement that has spent the afternoon absorbing desert heat may remain hot after sunset.
Place the back of your hand against the pavement for approximately seven seconds.
If you can't comfortably leave it there, find a cooler surface or postpone the walk.
Properly fitted dog boots can help protect paw pads.
They do not prevent heatstroke, so outdoor exercise should still be limited during extreme temperatures.
Use indoor enrichment such as training, scent work, fetch, tug, puzzle feeders, frozen enrichment toys, and hide-and-seek.
Keeping Las Vegas Dogs Safe Together
Las Vegas is our home, and learning how to safely live with animals in the desert is part of being a responsible pet owner.
A few simple decisions can make a big difference:
Walk earlier.
Check the pavement.
Bring water.
Know the signs of overheating.
And don't be afraid to skip a walk when conditions aren't safe.
At Lost & Found Animal Foundation, we're committed not only to helping animals find loving homes, but also to giving Las Vegas pet owners the information and resources they need to keep animals safe.
Every animal deserves the opportunity to live a healthy, happy life.
There are plenty of ways to make a difference.
Meet Animals Looking for Homes →
Support Lost & Found Animal Foundation →
City of Las Vegas — Extreme Heat Safety for Pets and People
American Animal Hospital Association — How to Protect Your Dog's Paws From Hot Pavement
American Animal Hospital Association — How Can I Prevent Heatstroke in My Pet?
Clark County — Protecting Animals During Extreme Heat
Clark County — Kids & Pets in Hot Cars
This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you believe your dog is experiencing heatstroke, paw burns, difficulty breathing, collapse, or another emergency, contact a veterinarian immediately.
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