How much heat can dog paws handle? Simple and Effective Tips

How Hot is Too Hot for Dogs?

When it comes to knowing how hot is too hot for your dog’s paws, there are a few things to keep in mind:

The outside temperature is not indicative of how hot the asphalt is. Though it may be 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celcius), the asphalt can be almost double the temperature! This number only climbs with the warmer it gets outside. It only takes 60 seconds on a 75-degree day to develop burns on your dog’s paws.

Test the heat of the asphalt on your own skin. Place the palm of your hand or the soles of your feet on the asphalt for seven to eight seconds. If the heat is too much for your skin to bear, it is too hot for your dog’s paws as well.

Asphalt soaks up the heat all day long, and can only cool at a certain rate. This means that even when the sun is setting, asphalt temperatures can remain high. Just because the sun has set, does not mean you should hold off on testing the asphalt temperature.

If there is no way to avoid the asphalt for your dog, look into protective footwear for your pet. There are several options to choose from for dog boots and pad care.

We may think that our dog’s paw pads are resilient due to their tough exterior, but they are still extremely susceptible to the dangers of asphalt heat. Burns on the paw pad can be extremely painful, and tough to heal. Avoid any injury by knowing the dangers of the asphalt heat!

The Dangers of Asphalt Burns on Dogs

Most people associate asphalt with blacktop, and for good reason. Asphalt is commonly used as a paving material on roads and in parking lots. Unfortunately, this very same material can be very damaging to all four-legged creatures, even those with fur!

Dogs that run around on asphalt often end up getting covered in the stuff from head to toe. This makes them prone to an uncomfortable condition known as “asphalt burns”. These pavement-related injuries are not to be taken lightly as they can be painful and difficult to heal.

Asphalt burns look like second-degree burns, but they occur from the dog getting covered in asphalt, rather than from flames. The asphalt is generally hot when it gets on your pet’s skin, and it will stick there until your dog shakes or rolls around in the grass or other suitable surface, removing it.

Because asphalt is a very common material in today’s society, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition, and what you can do to prevent it.

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℉. An excellent way to test if the pavement is safe for your dog is the “seven-second rule:” Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for at least seven seconds, then the surface is too warm for your dog!

How to protect your dog’s paws in the heat

(WKBN) – Your best friend may find that a nice walk down the drive, or out to the sidewalk, becomes an unpleasant experience in hot temperatures. This is not just because the dog is being lazy, or does not enjoy the heat. Your pet may be experiencing burning paws!