Burned Paws
Dog owners know that as a general rule of thumb, dogs should be walked at least once a day. But what about walking your dog on a fine summer afternoon? Seems okay doesn’t it..? Don’t worry because you aren’t alone. Today, we will go over the risks that come with walking your pup on a hot day. I thought this is something that should be talked about more so let's get right into it!
Context
Many dog owners tend to overlook the fact that the ground their dog is walking on could be causing the dog pain. Admittedly, this includes myself. Studies show that in 77°F weather, asphalt can reach at a maximum of 125°F. That is high enough to damage the skin on your dog’s paws within one minute. If that was not bad enough, in 86°F weather, asphalt can reach 135°F which, in context, is hot enough to fry an egg in 5 minutes. Yikes!
Would it still be harmful to walk my dog on a hotter day even though the skin on their paws are on the harder side?
Unfortunately, yes it will still be harmful to walk your dog on a hot day. Even though your dogs may be walking on hard surfaces (barefoot) all the time, it does not necessarily mean that they have developed harder skin on their paws. Indeed this is partially true, but this alone is not enough to prevent paw burns from asphalt.
Why are my pup’s paws so prone to burns?
The reason why a dog’s paw is so prone to burns is that the skin on the dog’s paw is roughly the same thickness of our skin. On top of this, dogs have a bundle of delicate nerve endings on their paws which helps them learn more about their terrain.
How can I tell if I can take my dog out for a walk without risking injury?
One general rule that can help you determine whether you should take your dog out on a walk without risking burning his or her's paws, is to put and leave your bare hand on the asphalt for 10 seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog.
What if I have to walk my furry friend?
If you do decide to take your dog on a walk on a 77°F+ day, expect your dog to be at least somewhat uncomfortable. Dogs will show their discomfort by refusing to continue walking or by walking towards grass. Common symptoms dogs show when they are suffering from burned paw pads are limping, licking the paws, red or black pads, ragged skin on the pads, or chewing the affected paw. Continuing to walk your dog on hot asphalt for an extended amount of time will result in permanent skin damage. If you notice any of these signs of discomfort, take your dog to a shaded area where they can get some rest and soak the affected paw(s) in cool water to help soothe the pain.
How can I make our walks more enjoyable?
Luckily, there are multiple ways to make walks more pleasant for your dog. A simple and effective way is to purchase dog boots/dog socks which will help protect the dog’s paws from potential burns. An alternative to boots/socks is to purchase paw wax. This is used by applying the wax onto the dog’s paws and will dry within a few seconds to provide a protective barrier between the paw and the ground. It is important to note that most dog wax is non toxic and may be needed to be reapplied every few days or weekly for the best protection. The last way to protect your dog’s paws is to simply take your dog on walks earlier in the morning and later at night when the ground is cooler.
I hope this blog helps you better understand why walking your dog on hot asphalt is not a good idea and what you can do to prevent this from happening to not only your dog, but other people’s dogs as well. I encourage you to spread this message. Thank you for reading, and I will see you next time.
Citations:
[1] Frost, Lauren. “Asphalt & Dogs: Asphalt Paving: Alpha Paving Industries.” Alpha Paving, 26 Jan. 2020, alphapavingtexas.com/asphalt-paving-dogs/.
[2] “Hot Asphalt – A Danger to Your Dog's Paws.” FOUR PAWS International, 28 June 2019, www.four-paws.org/our-stories/publications-guides/hot-asphalt-a-danger-to-your-dogs-paws.
[3] Lotz, Kristina. “Dogs' Paws CAN Get Burned On Hot Pavement. Here's How To Prevent It From Happening.” IHeartDogs.com, 26 May 2016, iheartdogs.com/how-to-tell-if-the-pavement-is-too-hot-for-your-dogs-feet/.