Is the Pavement Too Hot to Walk Your Dog?
Pavement gets hot quickly and becomes more seductive than the air around it, so when it’s sweltering, the surface could cause burns to the pads of the paws. Awareness of the temperature at which it is not cool enough to walk your dog or how to keep your pet’s feet from burning is vital to avoiding burning and discomfort for your dog.
Dog Foot Anatomy
The paws of dogs may be partially covered in fur. However, they also have pads without fur covering. Paw pads are excellent for securing our feet from the rough surface, allowing them to absorb shock and provide traction, but they’re not resistant to burns. Dogs’ paw pads are five on their feet that are in contact with the ground. There are also two additional pads on their front limbs, which do not usually touch the ground. Each place of paws is composed of a thick layer of skin as well as fat and connective tissue.
Pavement and Air Temperatures
Every street or road surface can be regarded as pavement, and although black asphalt pavement is most problematic in heating up, concrete surfaces can become too hot for dogs to stroll on. Contrary to what people believe, the air temperature isn’t as high as that of concrete. That means that when temperatures rise outside, the ground may reach the temperature of scalding, which is dangerous for the pads of paws.
Asphalt temperatures can be warmer than the air temperature (when under direct sun, with little or no breeze and low humidity); therefore, you must be aware of the differences between air and pavement temperatures.
When Does a Burn Occur?
Many factors affect how the burn happens, but when temperatures exceed 130°F, skin is likely to show symptoms of thermal damage in less than 60 minutes. If the air temperature exceeds 800 degrees F, the surface could be hot enough to cause a burn on a dog’s feet when positioned for a long time.
Alternatives to Walking on Pavement
Dogs require exercise, and if walking on pavement is hot, you may wonder how to get your pet’s necessary energy. Walking on dirt or grass is the most straightforward alternative to walking on the pavement. They take less time to heat rigid pavements and are generally more secure for walking. If there’s no grass on which to walk, you might want to consider swimming in a pond or lake, taking a “walk” inside the house and playing in the grassy backyard, visiting the dog park, or spending time at a doggie daycare. It is crucial to remember that in hot weather, physical exercise can increase the risk of suffering from heat stroke, so be sure to consider your dog’s health issues and temperature before exercising during a hot day.
Preventing Burns on Pavement
If walking on pavement is not an option, think about ways to safeguard your dog’s feet from burning. Socks, shoes for dogs, and booties might appear silly initially, but they’re quite an easy and effective way to shield your dog’s paws from injuries. A wide variety of sizes and styles are available, with some being more bulky than others. If your dog isn’t familiar with wearing socks, shoes, or booties, you’ll need to give them time for him to get used to them before going out for a stroll. Cover your feet with your dog inside the home, allowing it to discover the best way to walk.
Paw wax can be an excellent alternative for dogs that wear boots or shoes. A special wax is applied to dogs’ paw pads before walking and dries quickly to create a protection barrier. Most paw waxes require application every couple of days or once a week and are safe if your dog is known to lick its feet.
In the end, walking your dog earlier in the morning before your pavement gets time to get hot or later when the pavement has cooled off could be essential to avoid injuries. Sometimes, simply altering your walking routine is all you have to do to ensure your dog is healthy. In addition, you should avoid activities where your dog is running and is then stopped frequently on the hot asphalt (as during games of fetch or running chase). The risk of paw injury increases in the event of frequent scratching of the feet with the scorching ground.
When is it Safe to Walk a Dog on Pavement?
Determining precisely when the surface is suitable for dogs to walk on can be challenging, but you shouldn’t be concerned when the air temperature is at least 76 degrees F or lower than that. If it’s above the temperature, a laser gun could be pointed at the pavement to determine whether it’s too hot to be walked on. Another method to check whether the pavement can be too scorching for dogs to stroll on is to place your hand directly on the pavement and keep it for at least 10 seconds. If it’s too hot to hold your hands on for 10 seconds or less, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.
