Abstract
During dog walking in the summer season, both owners and dogs need to consider the occurrence of heatstroke. This study aimed to investigate the heat stresses that owners and dogs are subjected to during dog walking in the summer season and contribute to their safety management. We measured the temperature, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), and road surface temperature at the heights of dogs and owners during August to October 2015, from five to eight am (morning) and four to eight pm (evening) on the asphalt and soil areas at the Mizushima Central Park premises in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. In August and September, there were times at which the temperature and WBGT were higher on the asphalt than on the soil surface at the same time point, and the temperature and WBGT were higher on the asphalt surface at the dog height than at the owner’s. In August, there were time points at which the dog pad was at risk of skin burns during the evening. In August, dog walking can be conducted safely in the morning, but if it is not possible, dog walking on dirt surfaces is recommended after seven p.m. in early August and after five p.m. in mid to late August. In September, there are still days of lingering heat, and caution should be taken during dog walking in the early part of the month and in the evenings, dog walking on dirt surfaces is recommended. During October, dog walking can be conducted safely.
https://ror.org/04xtvq436 
