Should You Walk Your Dog On Hot Pavements?

Many pet owners enjoy walking their dogs to enjoy the warm weather, although many of them tend to forget that the hot pavements can burn a dog’s paws. Therefore, you should not walk your dog in hot pavements or when the sun is hot.

Did you know that the surface of your dog’s pads is actually skin? Its hairless skin that covers the fat and tissue that makes up the pad and while it has to be durable it’s still sensitive enough for the dog to feel discomfort or pain if the pad is damaged. The pad can be damaged by being burned from hot surfaces like pavements. It is highly recommended in hot weather seasons that dogs should only be walked first thing in the morning and last thing at night when the temperatures are not extremes.

Pads aren’t always visibly burned when a dog’s been injured. The signs that dogs are suffering from heat stroke include heavy panting, vomiting, and red or dark gums and tongue. The symptoms that those toes have been toasted include: Refusing to walk or limping, darkening of the pads or redness, swelling or blisters, chewing of the feet or excessive licking.

There are several simple ways to gauge how hot the ground is. One is to firmly press the back of your hand onto the pavement for 5 to 7 seconds. Also you can take off your own shoes and stand on the path. If you find that it’s uncomfortable for you, that’s a sign it could be uncomfortable for your dog too so then it is not safe to walk your dog.

Hot pavements should not be a reason why you choose to give up walking your dog. Some of the safety tips to avoid the dogs paws being burned include:

• Walk your dog on grass as much as possible, rather than taking walks on the pavement, walk your dog along the adjacent road. Ensure to take your dog to a local park where there’s adequate space to play and walk around in and also lots of grass
• Look for shady areas to walk your dog where the ground won’t be as hot.
• Try to take walks during the coolest times of the day which is early morning before it gets hot and late in the evening.
• If it’s impossible to avoid the hot pavements, invest in a good pair of dog boots or paw socks. These boots or socks usually ensure your dog’s paw pads do not get burned or sustain other potential injuries. You can grab some baby socks from a drug store if the pet store is not easily accessible. Shoes will also act as protection to their feet from shells, hot sand and sharp rocks at the beach. Some people may think they look senseless, dog boots will protect your dog’s paws from hot and rough pavements. Nevertheless, the dog might experience difficulties walking in the boots and hence walking in a funny style. If the boots become uncomfortable, the dog may chew on them. Boots should not be just for winter. Additionally, the paw pads need to breathe so it’s important to wear them once in a while.
• It is necessary to keep checking the pads and the webbing between the pads on a regular basis for any signs of harm such as swelling, cuts and abrasions. By being hands-on you might be able to recognize an issue earlier and before it becomes painful for the dog.
• Stick to the five second rule which states that if you can’t hold the back of your hand on the pavement for at least five seconds, it’s too hot and uncomfortable to walk your dog.
• Moisturize their feet often and use paw wax. Your pup’s paws are naturally tough, however, due to frequent walks; the paws may become cracked and susceptible to collecting dirt and debris that can cause injury or infection. You can moisturize your pup’s paws with coconut oil on a daily basis can help prevent cracking, peeling, and minor injuries.
• Take them swimming or to a splash pad as an alternative activity. But you also need to be cautious since water can soften the pads. Ensure to do even more to protect your dog’s feet after they’ve been splashing around or swimming.
• Check If Peel And Stick Pads Can Work. Peel and stick pads are a quick go to solution to reduce the dangers of hot pavement. It’s easy to stick them on the pads of your dog’s feet and they help to protect against injuries and potential burns. They also help to reduce the risks of the dog slipping on slick surfaces. You should purchase and cut them to the specific size you require and paste them on the dog’s paws.