Dogs & the haze 🌫️
Haze again? Here's how to keep your dog happy (and breathing easy)
Your dog doesn't care about the PSI. They just know it's 5pm, the leash is right there, and you're being weird about it. 🐶
Quick answer: if the 24-hour PSI is 100 or below, walk as usual. 101 to 200: short and chill walks only. Above 200: toilet break, then straight back to the aircon.
Last updated 11 October 2026
🚦 Walk or no walk? The PSI cheat sheet
Check today's 24-hour PSI on haze.gov.sg before you grab the leash. NEA's bands are written for humans, but here's how they translate for dogs:
| 24-hour PSI | NEA says | For your dog |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 | Good / Moderate | 🟢 Walk as usual. Go zoom at the dog run! |
| 101–200 | Unhealthy | 🟡 Short sniffy walk. No marathon fetch |
| 201–300 | Very unhealthy | 🟠 Quick pee and poop, then home |
| 300+ | Hazardous | 🔴 Indoor day. Netflix and chew |
Extra care for: flat-faced dogs (Frenchies, pugs, shih tzus, bulldogs), seniors, puppies, and dogs with heart or breathing issues. They feel the haze first.
👀 Is the haze getting to your dog?
Watch out for:
- Coughing, sneezing or that weird reverse-sneeze honk
- Red, teary eyes
- A runny nose
- Panting hard while just lying around
- Extra mopey, or ignoring dinner (suspicious!)
If they're struggling to breathe, or it doesn't settle once they're inside, go see a vet. Don't wait it out.
🦮 Haze-day walk hacks
- Check the hourly PSI. It goes up and down during the day, so go when it dips.
- Sniff, don't sprint. A slow 15-minute sniff walk tires them out more than you'd think. Sniffing is brain work!
- Wipe-down at the door. A damp towel over the face and paws when you get home.
- Keep the water fresh and the fan or aircon on.
- No human masks on dogs, please. Dogs cool down by panting, and a mask can make them overheat fast.
🎾 Boredom busters for indoor days
No walk ≠ no fun. Try these:
- Snuffle hunt: scatter some kibble on the floor or in a towel and let the nose do the work. (Take it from their dinner, don't overfeed!)
- Hide and seek: hide their favourite toy in another room. Watch them go full detective.
- The carton dig: treats + cardboard box + scrunched-up paper = 10 minutes of happy chaos.
- Towel burrito: roll a toy up in a towel and let them unroll it.
- 5-minute trick school: sit, down, stay, spin, high-five. A tired brain = a calm dog.
Always keep an eye on them while they play. Dogs will be dogs. 😅
🐾 Is anyone at the dog run right now?
Haze days make dog runs a ghost town. On PawKaki, every dog run shows who's there right now and when it's usually busy, so you'll know before you walk over. You can also ask the spot's group chat if the regulars are going.
See every dog run in Singapore →Questions dog owners ask
Is it safe to walk my dog in the haze?
At a 24-hour PSI of 100 or below, yes. From 101 to 200, keep walks short and easy. Above 200, stick to quick toilet breaks.
Can my dog wear a mask in the haze?
No. Human masks stop dogs from panting, which is how they cool down, so they can overheat.
Which dogs are most at risk from haze?
Flat-faced breeds like French bulldogs, pugs, shih tzus and bulldogs, older dogs, puppies, and dogs with heart or breathing conditions.
General info, not vet advice. If you're worried about your dog, see a vet. PSI bands: National Environment Agency (haze.gov.sg).