How to Prevent Your Dog’s Paws From Burning on Hot Pavement

You might think your playful pooch is pretty much weather-resistant. In rain, snow, or scorching hot days, Rover seems pretty happy just being in his birthday suit. However, dogs are affected by weather more than you may think.

On really hot days, pavement can burn their paws the same way it might burn your feet. While the pads on their paws are pretty thick and do provide some protection, sometimes it isn’t enough.

According to research, a surface at a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the limit for dogs. At this degree, the surface won’t cause permanent damage, but your pooch will still feel it. At 140 degrees, the paws will start to burn, causing permanent damage and scarring after a minute of contact. At 150 degrees, immediate blistering and burns will begin.

Those thresholds are similar to what humans can withstand. At 120 degrees, small children and the elderly will receive burns after about five seconds in hot water. At 140 degrees, adults will receive burns after one minute, and at 160 degrees, immediate burning will occur followed by possible nerve damage.

Now, if your think there’s no way a sidewalk could reach 140 degrees. You’re wrong. Pet Sitters’ research found that on a 95-degree day in South Florida, the pavement reached 140 degrees between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m.

A good way to tell if a surface is too hot to trot on is by holding the back of your hand to the surface. If you cannot hold it for five seconds, it’s too hot for Rover’s paws.

So, what do you do if surfaces are too hot for your dogs?

Well, you can always purchase dog booties, keep to walking your dog during cooler hours of the day, or walk your dog on surfaces like grass or dirt paths that won’t accumulate so much heat.