Simply touch the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds. If you can't hold out for the full seven seconds because the surface is too hot, then it's also too hot for your dog's paws.
Check the ground temperature before you go
Place the back of your hand against the ground and hold it there. If it is too hot to hold it there for five seconds, then it is too hot for your canine's paws and could burn them, meaning that you will need to wait until the ground is cooler before you head out for a walk.
So how hot is too hot for a dog's sensitive paw pads? “If the temperature is 85 degrees or over without the chance for the pavement to cool down, the ground may be too hot for safely walking a dog,” says Dr. Klein.
If it is over 25 degrees, it is a good idea to do a sidewalk 'test. ' Before heading for a walk, try and hold the palm of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog's paws to walk on.
As a general rule, walking your dog at any temperature below 20C is ideal. Anything above 20C can cause your dog to become dehydrated and very hot very quickly. The hotter the temperature, the higher the risk to your dog. As the temperature increases, even by just 1C, the risk to your dog increases too.
Walking your dog in hot weather
Dogs need exercise, even when it's hot. We recommend walking your dog in the morning or evening when it's cooler to reduce the risk of heatstroke and burning their paws on the pavement.
Head for the shade or water to keep cool and let the dogs dip their paws in the water. 5. Take it easy and avoid strenuous activity. Do a slow "sniffing" walk where you let the dogs stop and sniff as long as they like.
The five-second rule: Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog on the pavement. "If the asphalt is so hot you could probably fry an egg on it, then it can burn your dog's feet.
Burns Can Happen Fast:
It only takes 60 seconds on the pavement which is 125℉, for a dog's pads to burn. This means that the pavement could be potentially dangerous when the air temperature is 77℉.
Most healthy medium or large dogs can walk for 30-minutes if the temperature is above 20 degrees F. Smaller dogs should limit the walk to 15 or 20 minutes if temps are between 20 to 32 degrees F. If it's below 0 degrees, no dog should be out for a walk.
It's generally safe in temperatures of up to 19°C (68°F) but be careful when the mercury rises above this. Even at temperatures as low as 20°C (70°F) dogs are at risk of heat stroke. Heat stroke in dogs is essentially a high temperature not caused by a fever.
20-35 degrees is where large dogs need to have eyes on them, as these are potentially unsafe conditions depending on your dog's breed and unique needs. 15 degrees and lower is where you hit a danger zone, so you'll want to really limit your dog's exposure to the elements and keep them indoors as much as possible.
A torn foot pad does not hold stitches well, so cuts and punctures take longer to heal. Walking on the injured foot often opens up the wound and further delays healing. And if infection sets in, your dog may end up with more than just foot problems.
Since dogs' paws can be just as sensitive as humans' feet, dogs are just as likely to get burnt walking on a hot surface as their owner would be. Heat-retaining surfaces can rise exponentially in warm weather, which may burn the pads of your dog's paws.
Scorching surfaces are especially damaging to puppies with sensitive young paws. So how hot is too hot for a dog's sensitive paw pads? “If the temperature is 85 degrees or over without the chance for the pavement to cool down, the ground may be too hot for safely walking a dog,” says Klein.
When your dog is in heat, it can be a very stressful time. To help destress her, exercise is helpful. There is a misconception that female dogs in heat shouldn't get any exercise, but she still needs walks. Avoid strenuous physical activities, a brief walk around the block will already do great wonders.
Whether your dog is ready to jump into the water or it needs some coaxing, wetting your dog's coat can effectively cool them down. Even if your pup just dips its paws in, the water will be absorbed, and heat will be released through its paws, says Blue Cross.
Check the pavement before your walk.
Place your hand or bare foot on the pavement for five seconds. If it's too hot for your skin, then it's most likely too hot for your pet.
The American Kennel Club says when the temperature reaches 85 degrees and stays elevated throughout the day, walking on the pavement could injure your dog's paw pads.
The same approach is recommended for your dog: Start by taking long walks each day (2km or more). This will build your dog's fitness and get him/her used to the route. Gradually replace a couple of walks with slow runs.
Your Dog's Exercise Tolerance
Most dogs can tolerate a daily 20–30-minute walk if they have a relatively good body condition. Dogs in great physical health can tolerate walks for up to two hours or go hiking for hours at a time.
We recommend that you walk your pooch, on average, 3 to 4 times a day for about 15 minutes. However, frequency also depends on the particular dog's: Breed. Eating habits.
Remember, panting is normal for a dog after exercise, excitement, or when it's hot. Call your vet immediately if any of the following applies: Your dog's panting starts suddenly. You think your dog may be in pain.
Dogs, like humans, are diurnal, so taking walks in the morning is ideal. I recommend setting aside thirty minutes to a full hour. The specific needs of each dog differ. Consult your vet and keep an eye on your dog's behavior to see if his needs are being met.