--- title: How Hot Is Too Hot for Dogs? Dixon Numbers | Happy Paws url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers # How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers There is no single safe air temperature, because age, coat, weight and breed all matter. Near Dixon, May through October has hot days, with July averaging 27 days at 90 F or higher, so plan walks around early morning and evening. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Rather than quote a rule that sounds exact, here are the real numbers for the area around the kennel and the habits that protect dogs in them. ## The numbers around Dixon No weather station sits in Dixon itself. The nearest long-record station, in Vacaville about 8 miles west, shows these 1991 to 2020 monthly averages from NOAA: **Vacaville station, NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals; day counts are 30-year averages.** | Month | Average high | Days at 90 F or higher | Days at 100 F or higher | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | May | 82.8 F | 8.2 | 1.0 | | June | 90.7 F | 15.9 | 4.3 | | July | 97.3 F | 27.1 | 10.1 | | August | 96.5 F | 25.3 | 9.3 | | September | 91.9 F | 19.1 | 3.3 | | October | 81.2 F | 4.6 | 0.4 | ## What that means for dogs Across a year Vacaville averages about 101 days at 90 F or higher and about 28 at 100 F or more. Heat risk starts before the hottest weeks, because a dog in May has not yet adapted. The AKC says heat stroke can occur when a dog's internal temperature passes 105.8 F, and its list of higher-risk dogs includes puppies, seniors, overweight dogs, short-nosed breeds and dogs with heart or airway disease. ## Pavement is hotter than the air The AKC reports that at an air temperature of 86 F asphalt can reach about 135 F, and that air at 85 F or above that stays high may be too warm for walks on pavement. See [hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) for the hand test. ## Summer habits that work - Walk at dawn or after sunset on the hottest days. - Carry water and offer it often. - Choose grass or shade over asphalt. - Never leave a dog in a parked car. - Know the signs of overheating: heavy panting, drooling, red gums, weakness. Our [heat stroke guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) lists first steps. ## How the kennel handles summer Runs at Happy Paws are air-conditioned in summer, and the doggie door lets each dog pick the cool inside or the outdoor area. When you travel in hot months, a boarded dog avoids a hot car and a hot rental. Summer travelers can read the [summer vacation page](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/summer-vacation/) for dates and deposits. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, Vacaville station](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/USC00049200.csv) - [American Kennel Club, heat stroke in dogs](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/heat-stroke-in-dogs/) - [American Kennel Club, protecting dog paws from hot pavement](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-paws-hot-pavement/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Heat stroke in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) - [Hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) - [Dixon](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/dixon/) - [Summer vacation boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/summer-vacation/) - [Dogs in cold valley nights and tule fog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dogs-in-cold-weather/) - [Dog boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/) ## Heat and cold near the kennel **NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Vacaville station (about 8 miles from the kennel)** | Month | Avg high | Avg low | Days 90°F+ | Days 100°F+ | Nights 32°F or below | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jan | 57.6°F | 39.6°F | 0 | 0 | 5.1 | | Feb | 63°F | 42.2°F | 0 | 0 | 1.8 | | Mar | 68.5°F | 44.8°F | 0 | 0 | 0.7 | | Apr | 74.9°F | 48°F | 1.3 | 0 | 0.1 | | May | 82.8°F | 52.9°F | 8.2 | 1 | 0 | | Jun | 90.7°F | 57.7°F | 15.9 | 4.3 | 0 | | Jul | 97.3°F | 60.2°F | 27.1 | 10.1 | 0 | | Aug | 96.5°F | 59.5°F | 25.3 | 9.3 | 0 | | Sep | 91.9°F | 57.5°F | 19.1 | 3.3 | 0 | | Oct | 81.2°F | 51.8°F | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0 | | Nov | 67°F | 44.5°F | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Dec | 57.9°F | 39.5°F | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | A normal year: about 101.5 days at 90°F or hotter, 28.4 at 100°F or hotter, 14.2 freezing nights. Source: [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/). ## Read next - [Hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) - [Dogs in cold valley nights and tule fog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dogs-in-cold-weather/) - [Foxtails and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/foxtails/) - [Valley fever in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/valley-fever-in-dogs/) - [Rattlesnakes and dogs in Northern California](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/rattlesnakes-and-dogs/) - [Bloat](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/bloat-in-dogs/) - [Fireworks and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/fireworks-and-dogs/) - [Road trips with a dog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/road-trips-with-dogs/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### At what temperature should I not walk my dog? There is no single number. The AKC warns that pavement can be far hotter than the air, so test it with your hand and walk early or late. ### How many 100 F days does Dixon get? The nearby Vacaville station averages about 28 per year, with July around 10 (1991-2020 NOAA normals). ### Is shade enough on a hot day? Not by itself. Dogs also need water and a cool place to rest, and some dogs overheat even in shade.