Have you walked barefoot on the sidewalk lately?

Don’t. It’s hot enough to fry an egg on most afternoons.

Our furbabies don’t have much of a choice though, do they? They need to be walked, run, and played with every day, even on the hottest of days. And, to be honest, this is something that most dog owners don’t even think about; that is, until their pet burns his paws.

Before walking, test the ground by placing the back of your bare hand on it. If you can’t stand to leave your hand there for 5 seconds comfortably, it is too hot to walk your dog on. This is especially true for puppies and younger dogs who have tender paws. If you cannot avoid the hot asphalt, invest in paw protection for your pup. Dog shoes may seem silly, but preventing damage to his paws needs to be taken seriously. Burns can cause permanent damage and are extremely painful. (If your dog refuses booties, use a high rated paw wax each time you walk, but remember to clean his paws before you go back inside the house.)

Burn Prevention

Skip the Hottest Hours: Take your dog outside for long walks or runs in the morning or around dusk, as the asphalt will be it’s coolest then.

Stick to the Grass:  You can still walk your dog during daylight, but keep him in the grass.

Grab Baby Socks: If dog shoes don’t work, and wax isn’t your favorite option, just grab a pair of toddler socks and pull them on before you head outside.

Avoid Black Asphalt: Black asphalt can burn your dog instantly.

Wash And Check His Paws Carefully: Be sure to check your dog’s paw pads daily for any signs of damage and wash his paws frequently. 

Burn Treatment

If you have been walking on hot pavement with your dog, look for these signs that their paws are burned or injured.

• Limping or attempting to stop walking
• Licking or chewing at paw pads
• Darkening of skin on or around paw pads
• Blisters, peeling, or redness
• Any kind of damage to the bottom of the paws

It is important that you get your dog indoors immediately if you realize he may be suffering. You may need to carry him to avoid further injury. Run his paws under cool water to provide immediate relief, but do not let him lick or chew on his paw pads. After cooling his paws, take a trip to the vet to have him checked out. Burns can become infected, so your pup may need antibiotics, as well as medication for treating the burn.