Follow the 7-second rule. Before heading out for a walk, place the back of your hand firmly against the concrete or asphalt for 7 seconds. If you experience burning or discomfort, it's too hot for your pup's paws.
“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.
Vets in the US, where paw burns are common in many areas due to high summer temperatures, came up with a test to check when it's safe to walk dogs on a pavement. Their advice is for owners to place the back of their hand on the surface for seven seconds. If they struggle to hold it down, it's too hot to walk a dog.
The pads on your dog's paws are extra sensitive and can burn, dry out, and crack from walking on hot asphalt, concrete, metal, or sand. Before hitting the streets this summer, take some steps to prevent hot paws.
Stick to the grass and dirt as much as possible, even if that means altering your normal route. Shift your schedule to early morning walks. Try dog shoes! There are many brands of dog shoes available to protect paws from extreme weather.
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℉.
How do I know if the pavement is too hot for my dog? The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it's too painful for your hand, then it's too painful for your dog's paws.
Dog boots may be necessary for protecting your pet's paws on different surfaces, including hot pavement and snowy sidewalks. In addition to keeping your dog's feet covered, boots can also provide other benefits.
Planning on walking dogs in hot weather? 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.
Once poured, you will need to keep animals and children away from the concrete for at least 24 hours.
Being barefoot isn't that tough when a dog is running on grass or other natural ground surfaces, but running on concrete, asphalt, gravel or other hard surfaces can put a lot of stress on your dog's body and can put them at risk of injury to their legs, paws or paw pads.
Dogs are meant to be in warmth. They have been wired to be able to keep their paws warm, as well as the rest of their body with how they sleep, and how they act. It is normal for dogs to love being around heat because it is apart of their nature, just as humans should not want to drop their body temperature.
Dog Boots. If you can't avoid the hot concrete completely, you might want to look into purchasing a pair of dog boots. There are many different brands of dog boots all with different features available. Shiner recently tried out a pair of Pawz Dog Boots for the first time and we really like them.
In conditions hotter than 77 °F, the water used to hydrate and cure the cement can evaporate, increasing the concrete's temperature and presenting problems such as weakness, shrinkage, and cracking. However, proper precautions help you successfully pour concrete during hot or cold weather.
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. Any temperature over 25C is a definite NO when it comes to walking!
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.
They say that between 16 and 19 degrees is generally safe for dogs, while between 20 and 23 degree is a six out of ten risk rating. When the temperature hits 24 and 27 degrees, this risk level goes up to nine out of ten, and then to ten out of ten when the weather reaches 32 degrees and above.
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.
Summer Heat Can Be Tough On Your Dog's Paws
Temperatures on these surfaces can exceed 145° F! Check the pavement for heat before taking your dog on a walk. Place your hand or a bare foot on the surface for 10 seconds. If it is too hot for you to keep your hand or foot on it, then it is too hot for your pet.
Vets say on a 90-degree day, the temperature of the pavement can reach 150 degrees. Vet tech Julia Armstrong explains, “Dogs have a little footpad like our palms that is all very tender skin. It's meant to be walked on, but it's not meant to be on sizzling hot ground.”
She says excessive panting is one sign of heat exhaustion. "Others include lowered energy, unwillingness to move or walk, and rising body temperature," she adds. So beware, as unchecked heat exhaustion leads to heatstroke in dogs. With the tips below, you'll easily avoid putting your pup in the hot seat.
Frantic panting, extreme salivation, bright-red membranes, and labored breathing are clear warning signs that your dog is overheated and may quickly progress to a metabolic meltdown as his temperature rises to over 106 degrees Fahrenheit and he can no longer cool themself.
As dogs release heat through their paws, it's an effective way of cooling them down quickly. Fill the pool halfway with cold – but not freezing – water, and add some of your dog's favourite toys to encourage them. While some dogs will dive straight in for a splash, others may need more encouragement.
While they do sweat through their paw pads, it's not the main way they cool down. A dog regulates their body temperature through panting. Moisture is evaporated from their tongues, nasal passages, and the lining of their lungs as they pant. As this air circulates through their body, it helps cool them off.
The tell-tale sign that a dog is not coping well in the heat is by spotting them licking or gnawing at their paws. This could mean that they are in pain or discomfort from burns on their paw.