Pasadena Cautions Dog Owners: Skip the Midday Walk as Heat Reaches 106

The pavement that feels merely warm to someone in shoes can burn a dog’s paw pads. This week, with temperatures across Pasadena forecast to climb to around 106 degrees or higher, the city is asking dog owners to take that seriously.

The reminder is part of a broader push as a significant heat wave settles over the region. The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory that began Tuesday morning and followed by an  Extreme Heat Warning running through Friday, with the hottest days expected to reach around 106 degrees or higher. Pets are among those officials urged residents to watch out for.

The city’s pet-safety message urges owners to avoid walks during peak heat, stick to shaded routes, and carry fresh water. It warns that hot pavement can burn a dog’s paw pads and recommends walking in the early morning or late afternoon, when temperatures are cooler. It also offers a low-tech gauge: place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds; if it’s too hot to hold, it’s too hot for a dog’s paws.

The advice aligns with long-standing guidance from Pasadena Humane, which tells owners that when temperatures spike, pavement can grow hot enough to burn paw pads, and that walks are best saved for early morning or after sundown. The organization suggests swapping long outdoor play for indoor enrichment on the worst days, and keeping cool water within easy reach.

The heat does not stop at the city line. The Extreme Heat Watch covers the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley zone, which takes in both Pasadena and neighboring Altadena, an unincorporated community served by Los Angeles County. The county offers cooling-center information for the area through its 211 information line.

For people, the city’s warnings are familiar by now: drink water before you feel thirsty, limit outdoor activity during peak hours, check on older neighbors, and never leave children or pets in vehicles, which officials note is both dangerous and illegal.

In Pasadena, the city has designated Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 North Fair Oaks Avenue, as a cooling center, open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Residents can reach the center at (626) 744-7330. The city directs pet owners to its heat guidance at bit.ly/ProtectPetHeat, and Pasadena Humane posts hot-weather advice on its website.

The test itself takes seven seconds. A dog walking beside its owner has no way to run it — so the city is asking people to run it first.