12 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe in the Austin Heat

Living with a dog in Austin means plenty of sunshine, outdoor adventures and warm-weather walks. But Central Texas heat can become dangerous quickly, especially during periods of extreme temperatures.

The City of Austin advises pet owners to provide plenty of fresh water and shade, limit outdoor activity during extreme heat and avoid hot pavement that can burn a dog's paw pads.

Here are 12 practical ways Austin dog parents can help keep their pets safe.

1. Walk during the cooler parts of the day

A sunny afternoon might be perfect for you, but it can be too hot for your dog.

Try moving walks to earlier in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are lower. During extreme heat, consider skipping strenuous outdoor exercise altogether. Austin Animal Services recommends taking precautions during extreme heat.

Austin's emergency management guidance recommends avoiding outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day. 

2. Check the pavement before you walk

Hot asphalt can burn your dog's paw pads.

Before heading out, check whether the walking surface feels excessively hot. Whenever possible, choose grass, shaded paths or other cooler surfaces. Austin's summer temperatures can make pavement dangerously hot for dogs. The City of Austin's heat guidance provides additional information on staying safe during periods of extreme heat.

The City of Austin specifically recommends keeping pets off hot pavement because it can burn their paws.

3. Always bring water

If your dog is coming with you, bring water.

A collapsible bowl makes it easier to give your dog regular water breaks while you're walking, hiking or spending time outdoors.

The City recommends bringing plenty of drinking water and a bowl when taking dogs outside in hot weather.

4. Give your dog access to shade

Dogs spending time outdoors should have somewhere shaded to escape direct sunlight.

Remember that shade can move throughout the day, so check that your dog's resting area remains protected as the sun changes position.

Austin Animal Services recommends protection from heat and sun along with plenty of fresh, cold water.

5. Don't rely on your dog to tell you when it's too hot

Dogs can continue playing even when their bodies are struggling with the heat.

If your dog is exercising outside, take regular breaks and watch for changes in behavior or signs that they are becoming overheated.

Older dogs, very young dogs and dogs carrying extra weight can be particularly vulnerable to heat-related problems. Certain short-nosed breeds can also have more difficulty breathing in extreme heat.

6. Know the warning signs of overheating

Austin Animal Services lists several warning signs that pet owners should take seriously, including:

• Extreme panting or difficulty breathing
• Excessive drooling
• Increased heart rate
• Glazed eyes
• A deep red or purple tongue
• Dizziness or poor coordination
• Vomiting

If your dog is showing serious signs of heat illness, contact a veterinarian immediately. Austin Animal Services lists these warning signs and additional heat-safety guidance for pet owners.

7. Never leave your dog in a parked car

This one is simple:

Don't do it.

Not with the windows cracked. Not for "just a few minutes."

Austin Animal Services explicitly advises never leaving pets in vehicles during hot weather.

8. Make outdoor time shorter during extreme heat

Your dog's normal exercise routine may need to change during a heat wave.

A long afternoon walk can become a short early-morning walk. A game of fetch can become an indoor enrichment activity.

The goal isn't to eliminate exercise—it's to adjust the activity to the conditions.

9. Be especially careful with short-nosed breeds

Dogs with shorter muzzles—including breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs, shih tzus and boxers—can have more difficulty breathing in extreme heat.

If you have a short-nosed dog, take extra care during periods of high temperatures and speak with your veterinarian about appropriate exercise and heat precautions.

10. Don't forget about hot outdoor surfaces

Pavement isn't the only surface that can become uncomfortable.

Dark surfaces can absorb significant heat, so choose shaded or grassy areas whenever possible.

Austin's own guidance recommends walking pets on grass whenever possible during extreme heat.

11. Pay attention to Austin's heat alerts

Don't rely only on how the temperature feels when deciding whether it's safe to take your dog outside.

During extreme heat events, check current local warnings and adjust your plans accordingly.

Austin Emergency Management maintains current information about extreme heat and other hazards, while Austin Animal Services provides specific weather-safety guidance for pets.

12. Have a hot-weather backup plan

Sometimes the safest decision is simply to stay inside.

Have a few indoor activities ready for your dog—training games, food puzzles, toys or short indoor play sessions—so a particularly hot day doesn't mean your dog has nothing to do.

A little planning can make Austin's hottest days much easier for both of you.

A simple Austin heat checklist

Before heading outside with your dog, ask:

☐ Is it cool enough for the activity?
☐ Do I have fresh water?
☐ Is there shade available?
☐ Am I avoiding hot pavement?
☐ Is my dog showing any signs of overheating?
☐ Do I have a plan if the weather gets worse?

If the conditions aren't suitable, there's nothing wrong with staying home.

The bottom line

Austin's heat doesn't mean you and your dog have to stay indoors all summer. It does mean that outdoor plans need a little more thought.

Bring water, choose cooler times of day, avoid hot pavement, provide shade and pay attention to how your dog is behaving. During extreme heat, the safest option may be to keep outdoor activities short or skip them altogether.

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