This is the third in a series of six weekly posts highlighting:
Summer Safety Tips for Pets
Tip #3
Avoiding Hot Sidewalks and Pavement
Good morning!
I’m off for my early morning dog walk while it’s still cool and before the sidewalks and pavement get too hot for my paws.
Early morning walks
Did you know that hot sidewalks and pavement that can cause a dogs paw pads to burn?
It’s true!
Before venturing out on your dog walk, have your human press their hands onto surfaces for 10 seconds; if it’s too hot and painful for them it will be painful for us dogs!
Staying on the cool grass
Try to go on dog walks during the cooler early mornings and evenings, and when you can, keep your paws on cool grassy surfaces.
Signs of burned pads can include:
- Limping, licking or chewing feet
- Refusing to walk
- Missing part of pad
- Blisters or redness
If you see any of these symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.
What is your favourite time of day to go for a walk with your dog?
Has your dog ever experienced sore or burnt pads from hot sidewalks or hot pavement?
July 13, 2016
True story: We were at the Grand Canyon and more people stopped to talk about and take pics of our dog in Pawz boots than the danged canyon! I am so glad you shared this content – paws need protection!
July 13, 2016
How funny is this! I wonder if it’s because they don’t see many dogs with paw protection? Boots are a great way to help reduce the heat on our dogs paws.
July 7, 2016
Definitely a concern in Summer. In Phoenix the hot pavement can cause serious burns on paws! These are good tips, you can also try having dogs wear paw booties. It may take awhile to get used to but very effective.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
July 9, 2016
Yes, wearing booties is helpful too.
July 7, 2016
As I said on Facebook, this is so important and I many people don’t even think about it. I have heard parents tell their kids to put on shoes because the sidewalk is too hot, but then not pay attention when their dog is walking on the hot pavement. Sigh.
We like walking Ruby in the early morning and at sunset. Fortunately, we have had a mild summer so far.
July 7, 2016
Yes! If humans need to wear shoes because it’s too hot on their feet, would it not make sense that it would be too hot on our dogs paws?
July 6, 2016
I always worry about burned pads, especially when the temperatures soar. We do our best to keep the dogs in the back yard or walk through yards instead of on pavement.
July 7, 2016
I bet the dogs appreciate the yard much more than the hot pavement!
July 6, 2016
I’d never thought about the hot pavement and pets. Thanks for the information and reminder.
July 6, 2016
I do the test on hot days before I walk Mr. N. We like walking in the afternoon but I’ll shift it if it’s too hot.
July 6, 2016
Too many forget this fact about summer pavement! I have another alert — wooden stairs can get plenty hot too! I carried Tashi, it was so bad! The ozone must be getting thinner because I’ve not said “ouch” to holding my hand on wood stairs for a few seconds ever. Good that you made this a series, thanks!
July 7, 2016
What a great addition to add wooden stairs to the tip! I imagine decks can get just as hot with the sun beating down on them. Thanks for the suggestion.
July 6, 2016
The best tip ever is the back of the hand test. Anyone can do it, and you don’t need science. Just relate to the discomfort they would be feeling on their pads! I share this easy tip with clients regularly. Thank you for sharing!
July 7, 2016
The back of the hand test is something anyone can do!
July 6, 2016
Love this tip and always worry with Layla when I am walking her whether its too hot or not so I choose the shaded sides where possible and carry her across the street. Thanks so much
July 6, 2016
There is nothing worse than watching a dog pick up his feet on hot cement. I’ve seen this and said something to other pet parents – as soon as they feel the pavement themselves they re-think their decision immediately. And taking dogs over to a grassy area works too! Love your advice for the early a.m. and later p.m. walks!
July 6, 2016
A long time ago our vet told us that dogs build up pads on their paws much like humans if they go barefoot all the time. I’m not sure if that is true or not, but we don’t take our dogs on walks unless the temperatures are comfortable.
July 7, 2016
That’s very interesting, I must ask my vet about this. I still think that even if that is the case, hot is hot and no matter how much their pads build up, they can still burn.
July 6, 2016
I try to avoid it, but my Victor seems to prefer the road to the grass. (But mostly he’s running so fast his feet barely touch the ground.)
July 6, 2016
This tip is huge and one that so many inexperienced pet owners forget or just don’t stop to think about. I cringe when I see dogs being walked on the pavement on blazing hot days.
July 6, 2016
It is something not everyone thinks about. Maybe because humans wear shoes they don’t think about how the hot pavement, walkways or sidewalks can affect our pets paws.