On beautiful sunny days, taking your dog for a walk may be the first thing you want to do. However, it’s important to be aware of how the sun’s rays can harm your furry friend. Hot pavements can cause severe injuries to dogs during the summer months, making it crucial to take preventative steps to keep their feet safe and healthy.
Signs Hot Pavement May Be Hurting Your Pup
During warm weather, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s health. Hot pavement can not only hurt their paws, but also contribute to overheating and overexertion. Look out for signs of burned feet such as limping, refusal to walk, and licking or favoring certain paws. Darker pads, blisters, redness, or missing toe pads are also indicators of burnt paws. If you notice these signs, avoid taking your dog outside and consult your vet.
Overheating is a serious issue that can result from hot pavement.
Signs of overheating include heavy panting, excessive thirst, vomiting, unconsciousness, or seizures. After a walk, observe your pet’s behavior to ensure they are not experiencing any discomfort or abnormal symptoms.
Body Language
Watch for cues such as whining, cowering, chewing, dropped ears, weakness, sweaty paws, and whimpering, which indicate that hot pavement is hurting your dog.
Other Signs
Favoring one paw, red, blistered, or missing toe pads, chewing or licking the injured paw, and extreme thirst are additional signs that the pavement is too hot for your dog.
The Science Behind Your Pup’s Paws
A dog’s paws, although durable, are not indestructible. They bear the majority of their weight on their toes, making it difficult for them to walk when injured. Additionally, a dog’s paws contain sweat glands, which emit sweat to help cool them down. Damaged glands and paws can hinder their ability to regulate their body temperature.
How to Keep Your Dog’s Paws Healthy
There are several measures you can take to protect your dog’s feet. Test the pavement with your own hand or foot to determine if it’s too hot. If it is, opt for grassy areas like parks and consider driving there if possible. If you don’t have a vehicle, stick to your backyard or nearby grassy areas. It’s also worth considering investing in protective footwear for your dog. While they may not initially enjoy wearing shoes, with positive reinforcement and treats, they can learn to associate them with enjoyable walks.
“Invest in some protective footwear, because a dog’s paws are too precious to burn.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Be aware of the potential dangers of hot pavement for your dog. Hot pavement can cause severe injuries to your dog’s paws, as well as contribute to overheating and overexertion. Keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and physical signs to ensure their safety.
2️⃣ Look out for signs that your dog’s paws are being hurt by hot pavement. Signs may include limping, refusal to walk, licking or chewing at their paws, and darkened or blistered toe pads. If you notice any of these signs, do not take your dog outside again and consult your vet.
3️⃣ Take preventative measures to protect your dog’s paws. Test the pavement with your hand or foot to gauge its temperature before taking your dog for a walk. Opt for grassy areas instead of hot pavement, and consider using protective footwear for your dog. Introduce the shoes gradually and associate them with positive experiences, such as treats and walks.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can hot pavement really harm my dog?
Yes, hot pavement can severely injure dogs, causing burns on their paw pads.
2. What are the signs that hot pavement may be hurting my dog?
Signs include limping, refusal to walk, licking or chewing at paws, darkened or blistered paw pads, and favoring certain paws.
3. Can overheating occur if my dog walks on hot pavement?
Yes, heat entering through the feet can lead to overheating in dogs, which can result in heavy panting, excessive thirst, vomiting, unconsciousness, or seizures.
4. What are some cues to watch for that indicate hot pavement is hurting my dog?
Cues include whining, cowering, chewing, ears dropping, weakness, sweaty paws, and whimpering.
5. How can I keep my dog’s paws healthy and protect them from hot pavement?
You can test the pavement with your hand or foot to gauge its temperature and opt for grassy areas instead. Protective footwear can also be used, and positive reinforcement can help your dog associate shoes with walk time.
