Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog? Here’s a Simple Way to Tell

The brutal desert heat and almost-daily triple-digit temperatures means you’re going to have to make adjustments on how you go about your day.

That should include your and your dog’s exercise times. If your pup is anything like mine, it's up for a walk anytime -- rain or shine, hot or cold, they're ready to roll.

But just because you can, doesn't mean you should -- especially during an El Paso summer.

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So, how do you determine if it’s too hot to take your dog for a walk? Here's a simple tip I picked up from my vet.

Feel the pavement with the back of your hand.

If you cannot leave it there for five seconds, you should reconsider, because if it's too hot for the back of your hand, then it's too hot for the bottom of your doggo’s feet. If that's the case, either walk them somewhere where there's grass, or wait until nighttime. Or you could put little boots on them.

Most dogs hate wearing them, though. Mostly because they look like dorks trying to walk or run in them.