When is pavement too hot for dogs

A warm summer day may seem like the perfect time for a long walk with your furry friend. A breezy day with temperatures hovering around 25C may not seem dangerous but imagine if you were walking barefoot on hot sand or pavement! Cats and dogs have sensitive paw pads that become vulnerable in the heat.

Surfaces such as pavement, asphalt and artificial grass can become searingly hot causing blisters or burns on their paw pads. Hot pavement can also increase the overall body temperature of your pet and lead to heat stroke. Search by postal code:. Search postal code: View all locations. Search our site:. What are you looking for? Asphalt is the most widely used material in roads and pavements throughout the UK while artificial grass is increasingly being used to replace natural grass in parks and gardens.

All three surfaces measured upwards of 50C F at 2pm on both days. Brick and concrete came next in the surface temperature league table followed by natural grass. Sign up now. Hot weather can cause roads to melt and dogs to burn their paws on asphalt, tarmac and artificial grass For many, warm, sunny weather provides a great incentive to get outdoors.

Avoid walking your dog in the afternoon when the sun is high in the sky or early evening, because the pavement will be hot. This will help to prevent any potential burns that could come later on. If you end up taking your dog out during the warmer times of the day, be sure to stay on the grass and stick to shady areas.

Stay away from sidewalks or any paved areas to avoid burning. A shady park can be a great place to take your dog on a warm afternoon. If you need something right away, you can try some Vaseline. It is not nearly as good but better than nothing. If this seems like the right solution for your dog, be sure to buy shoes that have rubber soles to offer the best protection. Be aware that not all dogs can get used to dog shoes, and some might have a hard time walking in them. There will definitely be an adjustment period for your dog with dog shoes.

If you can get your dog used to using them, nothing else offers better protection. Disposable dog booties are a great short-term fix for the summer heat. Dog booties can provide good protection from the heat, and are a great temporary solution if you need to take your dog out on a hot day and your dog is willing to wear them.

Peel and stick felt pads are a quick solution to minimize the dangers of hot pavement. They can even reduce the risks of your dog slipping on slick surfaces. And even better alternative to the felt pads may be silicone scar pads or tape. They are so easy to put on and they can be cut to the perfect size for paws.

They can be reused and they do well and stay on in wet conditions. They are so thin, flexible and durable that your dogs should not have any problems wearing them unlike many other things you put on their paws.