Is it safe to walk my dog on a sandy beach?

Yes, but keep it shorter than a normal walk. Walking on sand takes around twice as much effort as walking on a hard surface, because the sand shifts underfoot and your dog sinks slightly with every step. That extra effort goes through their muscles and joints, and the uneven surface makes slips and twists more likely. Let them enjoy it, then build in plenty of rest.

How can I tell if the ground is too hot for my dog's paws?

Place the back of your hand flat on the surface for seven seconds. If you cannot hold it there comfortably, it is too hot for your dog. Pavements, sand, decking and artificial grass all retain heat far longer than the air does, so a surface can still be too hot well into the evening.

Does hot weather make dogs stiff?

Hot weather itself is not usually the issue. What tends to matter is what comes with it: longer days out, harder ground, more activity than usual, and less water than your dog actually needs. Any of these can leave a dog feeling stiffer than normal the following day, and older dogs tend to notice it sooner.

How much water should my dog drink in hot weather?

As a general guide, a dog needs around 50ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, and more than that in hot weather or after exercise. That is roughly 500ml a day for a 10kg dog and 1.5 litres for a 30kg dog. Many dogs drink less than they need when it is warm. A water fountain, ice cubes to play with, or adding a little water to their food all help encourage them.

What time of day is best to walk a dog in summer?

Early morning is usually the coolest part of the day and the ground has had all night to cool down. Late evening is the next best option, though the ground may still be holding heat from the afternoon. Avoid the middle of the day entirely during a hot spell.

Should I still walk my dog every day in a heatwave?

No. In a heatwave it is better to skip the walk than to try to work around it. Long walks and exercise in high temperatures are not recommended for any dog, and missing a walk costs your dog nothing. On cooler days within a hot spell, two short walks at the very start or end of the day are enough. Otherwise, replace the walk with scent games, a puzzle feeder or a short training session indoors.

How hot is too hot to walk a dog?

Above roughly 24C, walks and exercise are best avoided altogether, and that threshold drops in direct sun or high humidity. Flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, puppies, senior dogs and dogs with heart or breathing conditions feel the heat sooner and should stay in well below that. Always check the ground as well as the air: if you cannot hold the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds, it is too hot regardless of the temperature reading.

Summer Walks and Your Dog's Joints: What to Watch For This Season

By Antinol Team

This summer is already turning out to be a gorgeous, long, hot season. Brilliant for summer fun and dog-friendly holidays, but it might not be all summer lovin’ for your dog.

So, why might your dog not be in love with summer? How can you make it easier for them, and how will giving them Antinol^® Joint Care Pro make it a summer to remember - for both of you?

Why summer can be harder on your dog's joints

We usually think of winter as the challenging season for dogs, particularly those with joint stiffness, as the cold can really trouble them. But have you ever considered that summer might also be tricky for your dog?

So, why might your dog be feeling zoomless, rather than zoomie, this summer?

Walking on sand takes twice the effort

Ever been for a run on the beach? It’s more exhausting than your usual road route, isn’t it?!

Thats because it takes around twice as much effort to walk on sand, compared to a hard surface. It’s a lot more effort for your dog too, and those with joint stiffness may find it even more difficult.

Walking on sand means your dog has to exert more effort and put more force through their legs, because the soft sand moves under their feet and they sink as they walk. This extra effort puts more strain on their muscles and joints. Plus, they have to work harder to maintain their balance on the soft sand, which may lead to slips and twists.

Stony beaches are unstable underfoot

It’s not just sandy beaches that you need to watch. Stony beaches are also unstable underfoot, and dogs are at a higher risk of slips or trips. Plus, the stones can cause your dog’s toes to be pushed at funny angles, stretching around smaller stones as they walk. This can be no fun at all, especially for senior dogs who may not have perfect mobility in their toe joints.

Once conditions are safe enough to head out, not every summer surface asks the same thing of your dog. Here is how the most common ones compare.

Although long walks on the beach are fun, your dog could find them hard work, especially on their joints. But dogs LOVE a zoom on the beach and a splash in the waves, so this isn’t saying the beach is a no-go. Just make sure you give them lots of rest and don’t expect to walk miles - take a leisurely stroll.

Once conditions are safe enough to head out, not every summer surface asks the same thing of your dog. Here is how the most common ones compare.

Surface	Effort for your dog	Main risk	How to adapt
Soft, dry sand	Around twice a hard surface	Slips, twists, rapid tiring	Halve your usual distance and build in rest
Wet, packed sand	Slightly above normal	Sudden changes in footing near the water	Fine for longer walks, watch the tide line
Shingle and stones	High, and uneven	Toes pushed at awkward angles, trips	Keep it short, especially for senior dogs
Baked hard ground	Normal effort, higher impact	Force travelling up the leg with each step	Choose shaded or grassy routes instead
Woodland paths	Low to moderate	Uneven roots underfoot	Best all-round option in hot, dry weather
Grass in shade	Low	Very little	Ideal surface for longer summer walks
Hot pavement	Normal effort	Paw pad burns	Test with the back of your hand before setting off

None of these surfaces are suitable in high temperatures. Above roughly 24C, the safer choice is to stay in and wait for the evening.

When to skip the walk altogether

Everything below assumes it is safe to be out. In genuinely hot conditions, it is not, and no amount of adapting the route changes that. Long walks and hard exercise in high temperatures are not recommended, whatever your dog's age or fitness, and a dog who is enthusiastic about going out is not a sign that conditions are fine.

As a general rule, avoid walks and exercise altogether when:

The temperature is above roughly 24C, particularly in direct sun or high humidity.
The pavement, sand or decking fails the seven-second hand test.
There is no shade available along your usual route.
Your dog is a flat-faced breed, overweight, very young, elderly, or has a known heart or breathing condition. These dogs feel the heat sooner and struggle to cool themselves down.

Waiting until the evening, or missing a walk entirely, is always the safer choice. Dogs do not need a daily walk in a heatwave, and a missed walk costs them nothing. Skip the run, the ball throwing, the bike ride and the long beach day until conditions ease, and replace them with something indoors: scent games, a puzzle feeder, a training session, or simply a cool room and a quiet afternoon.

Heatstroke in dogs develops quickly and is a medical emergency. If your dog is panting heavily, drooling more than usual, unsteady on their feet, bright red around the gums, or vomiting, move them somewhere cool, offer water and contact your vet straight away.

Baked hard ground is jarring on the joints

From one extreme to the other. The soft sand of a beach can be hard work for your dog, but equally, the baked hard ground can be jarring on your dog’s legs.

All this hot, dry weather means even your normal walks can be tougher than usual. As the ground is baked solid, it doesn’t absorb as much of the impact of your dog’s steps, so this force then travels up their leg and through their joints.

Take shorter walks, or try to find more shady routes. A wander through the woods may be better than a stroll across a field at this time of year.

Too much fun, too little rest

The long warm days are awesome, and mean we get to spend lots of family time, outside, enjoying the world. You might be travelling, heading on a dog-friendly holiday, going on days out, strolling through the woods, or even playing in the paddling pool in the garden.

But, be mindful of how much exercise your dog is getting, as they may feel the effects of their games once they relax in the evening, particularly if they have stiff joints.

Hot weather, hydration and joint comfort

We all need to drink more when the temperature rises, and you’ll notice your dog heading for their bowl more often. But, just like us, often our dogs don’t drink enough when the weather is hot. Your dog’s joints need to stay hydrated in order to stay well lubricated. So if your dog isn’t drinking enough, you might find they’re feeling stiff. Encourage them to drink as much as possible - perhaps invest in a dog water fountain, or give them some ice cubes to play with.

As a general guide, a dog needs around 50ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, and more in hot weather or after exercise.

Dog weight	Typical daily intake	On a hot day or after exercise
5kg	Around 250ml	Up to 375ml
10kg	Around 500ml	Up to 750ml
15kg	Around 750ml	Up to 1.1 litres
20kg	Around 1 litre	Up to 1.5 litres
30kg	Around 1.5 litres	Up to 2.2 litres
40kg	Around 2 litres	Up to 3 litres

These are guide figures only. Puppies, senior dogs and dogs on wet food will vary. If your dog is drinking noticeably more or less than usual, speak to your vet.

Learn ways to keep your dog cool this summer here.

How to adapt your summer walks

On days when it is cool enough to head out, a few small adjustments make the whole season easier on your dog.

Walk early or late

The ground holds heat for hours after the air has cooled. Early morning is usually the coolest part of the day, and late evening is the next best option. Both also mean softer, less baked ground underfoot.

Test the ground before you set off

Place the back of your hand on the pavement and hold it there for seven seconds. If you cannot keep it there comfortably, it is too hot for your dog's paws. The same test works on sand, decking and artificial grass, all of which get hotter than you would expect.

Shorten the walk rather than slowing it down

Dogs tend to set their own pace and will keep going for as long as you do. Reducing the distance is more effective than trying to slow them down. Two shorter walks often suit a dog better than one long one in summer.

Vary the surfaces

A whole walk on soft sand or a whole walk on baked ground both ask a lot of your dog's legs. Mixing surfaces across the route spreads the effort. Woodland paths, grass verges and shaded tracks are good options in hot, dry weather.

Build in rest

Stop in the shade, offer water and let your dog settle for a few minutes before heading on. On beach days, plan for rest between zoomies rather than after them.

Cool down properly

A gentle five-minute walk at the end, rather than stopping the moment you reach the car, gives your dog's muscles a chance to wind down. Fresh water at home and a quiet, cool place to rest complete the routine.

Signs your dog is finding summer walks harder

Dogs rarely stop mid-walk to tell you they have had enough. The signs usually show up later, once the excitement has worn off. Things worth noticing:

They slow down in the last third of the walk when they started off ahead of you.

They take longer to get up after resting in the evening, or after a nap the following morning.

Their gait changes on the way home, or they shift more weight onto the front end.

They stop more often, seek out shade, or sit down without being asked.

They are quieter than usual the day after a big beach day or a long walk.

They hesitate at the car boot, the stairs or the sofa when they normally jump straight up.

None of this is unusual after an active summer day, and older dogs will show it sooner than younger ones. If anything looks persistent or comes on suddenly, speak to your vet.

Daily joint care with Antinol Joint Care Pro

You cannot stop your dog racing the length of the beach, getting the zoomies on hard ground or having so much fun they forget to drink. What you can do is keep their joint care routine consistent through the season.

Antinol Joint Care Pro is a 100% natural daily supplement for joint, skin and coat health, formulated around PCSO-524, a marine lipid extract from New Zealand green-lipped mussel. Given daily, it helps maintain healthy joints and mobility in healthy dogs, whatever the weather is doing.

Every order is covered by our 60-day money-back guarantee.

Let’s keep them agile and summer-fun-ready!

Order dog joint supplements

Travelling abroad this summer? Check out our guide to travelling to the EU with your dog.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to walk my dog on a sandy beach?

Yes, but keep it shorter than a normal walk. Walking on sand takes around twice as much effort as walking on a hard surface, because the sand shifts underfoot and your dog sinks slightly with every step. That extra effort goes through their muscles and joints, and the uneven surface makes slips and twists more likely. Let them enjoy it, then build in plenty of rest.
How can I tell if the ground is too hot for my dog's paws?

Place the back of your hand flat on the surface for seven seconds. If you cannot hold it there comfortably, it is too hot for your dog. Pavements, sand, decking and artificial grass all retain heat far longer than the air does, so a surface can still be too hot well into the evening.
Does hot weather make dogs stiff?

Hot weather itself is not usually the issue. What tends to matter is what comes with it: longer days out, harder ground, more activity than usual, and less water than your dog actually needs. Any of these can leave a dog feeling stiffer than normal the following day, and older dogs tend to notice it sooner.
How much water should my dog drink in hot weather?

As a general guide, a dog needs around 50ml of water per kilogram of body weight per day, and more than that in hot weather or after exercise. That is roughly 500ml a day for a 10kg dog and 1.5 litres for a 30kg dog. Many dogs drink less than they need when it is warm. A water fountain, ice cubes to play with, or adding a little water to their food all help encourage them.
What time of day is best to walk a dog in summer?

Early morning is usually the coolest part of the day and the ground has had all night to cool down. Late evening is the next best option, though the ground may still be holding heat from the afternoon. Avoid the middle of the day entirely during a hot spell.
Should I still walk my dog every day in a heatwave?

No. In a heatwave it is better to skip the walk than to try to work around it. Long walks and exercise in high temperatures are not recommended for any dog, and missing a walk costs your dog nothing. On cooler days within a hot spell, two short walks at the very start or end of the day are enough. Otherwise, replace the walk with scent games, a puzzle feeder or a short training session indoors.
How hot is too hot to walk a dog?

Above roughly 24C, walks and exercise are best avoided altogether, and that threshold drops in direct sun or high humidity. Flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, puppies, senior dogs and dogs with heart or breathing conditions feel the heat sooner and should stay in well below that. Always check the ground as well as the air: if you cannot hold the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds, it is too hot regardless of the temperature reading.

Summer Walks and Your Dog's Joints: What to Watch For This Season