Should You Walk Your Dog In The Rain?

Should you walk your dog in the rain? (And no, it’s not a silly question!)

I love this time of year, with crunchy leaves, gorgeous colours, being able to cosy up under a blanket and refreshing dog walks that don’t end up with you feeling like you’re starting your own swamp ecosystem under your clothes. However, Autumn does also mean more wind, more rain, more mud and darker nights.

For some it can be difficult to feel motivated to head out into the wet and cold, while for others it’s a welcome change from the summer heat. Both of these feelings are valid and neither are wrong, but when you look outside before our dog walk and see that the heavens have opened, what’s the best course of action?

The answer is, of course, ‘it depends’!

Does your dog like walking in the rain?

Ultimately our dog walks are just that - walks for our dog. They are ways for our dogs to meet their physical, social, and species specific needs, a way to decompress, to get exercise and mental enrichment, and generally to have a fun, bonding time with us - their humans. If they genuinely don’t enjoy going out in the rain - and by this I mean if they show a few genuine fear or stress signals (such as a reluctance to step out into the rain, tense and lowered bodies, tucked tails, trying to ‘escape’ the rain, yawning, tongue flicks, flattened ears, to name a few) that they wouldn’t usually show when on their walks, it’s not going to be a very enriching or fun experience for them, so skipping their walk might be in their best interests.

Are they at risk from the damp and cold?

If your dog is elderly, has a health condition or struggles with certain joint or muscle issues, the damp and cold weather might make symptoms worse . In these situations, adjusting the amount of time you’re out for, using dog coats or waterproof fleeces (always acclimatise them to these first), and ensuring you dry them off thoroughly once home, can help make sure you’re minimising the risks - and if in doubt, skipping their walk is an option too.

How bad is the weather?

Of course, there’s a big difference between an autumn shower and a monsoon style downpour. Safety is key and I definitely wouldn’t recommend walking in thunder and lightning or a hail storm, no matter your dog’s temperament.

Is it safe?

Following on from how bad the weather is, there’s other safety concerns to take into account. Heavy rain can make visibility poor (especially if you wear glasses like me) which in turn can make it harder to spot hazards. Slippery, muddy conditions can lead to accidents for both you and your dog, particularly if they’re a heavy puller, tend to be over enthusiastic on their walks or if you yourself have mobility issues. If you are braving the rain, adjust your walk to allow for more sniffing and less running around, or make it an urban sniffari rather than a woodland or field walk.

Your own health & wellbeing.

Just like dogs, humans can equally be affected by the cold and damp conditions, especially if you suffer from certain health conditions or have joint issues such as arthritis. You’ll want to make sure you’re dressed up appropriately for the weather and able to get back into warm, dry clothes after, adjusting walk length and distance if necessary. We’re also heading into cold and flu season, and the last thing you need when feeling run down is to head out into the cold and wet weather. Once again, it’s okay to skip a wet walk if you know it’ll affect your health (this counts for mental health too), or if you’re at extra risk. You matter too.

Your dog’s needs

Of course, we do have to take our dog’s needs into account. While it’s okay to skip one or two wet walks because it’s miserable out there, ultimately (and as long as the above has all been taken into account) your dog will likely still benefit from a walk, both physically and mentally. They need to sniff, to move, to explore, to do their doggy business and tick their social boxes (whether it’s from interacting with familiar dogs or simply just checking their pee-mail as they go, if they don’t have any issues with other dogs). Unlike in the summer, where walking when it’s too hot can be fatal, the risks of walking your dog in the rain are far fewer - again, depending on the severity of the weather. The rain also changes the environment, creating new smells and things for our dogs to investigate.

The bottom line

These considerations are always worth weighing up, and you shouldn’t feel guilty if any of the above means you need to make the choice to skip a walk or two thanks to the weather. BUT, if it’s safe and appropriate for you and your dog to do so, don’t be afraid to head out - you might be pleasantly surprised at how refreshingly quiet it is out there. Just be sure to dress appropriately (unlike me in this video ). If you are skipping a few walks due to the weather, be sure to give your dog an alternative enrichment activity or two, such as a treat or toy hunt, sniffing games, and so on, to help reduce boredom and fulfil some of those needs (if you need help with ideas, don’t be afraid to reach out)!