Walking Your Dog on Hot Pavement
While it may seem harmless to take your dog for a walk on a hot summer day, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of walking on hot pavement.
What makes it dangerous?
Hot pavement is a serious hazard for dogs, and it can cause a variety of health problems ranging from burns and blisters to heatstroke and dehydration. Dogs are particularly susceptible to this danger, as they are not able to regulate their body temperature as effectively as humans.
The temperature of the pavement can also be significantly higher than the temperature of the air. This is due to a phenomenon known as the “urban heat island effect,” which is caused by the absorption and retention of heat by buildings and pavement. As a result, the pavement can become dangerously hot, even on days when the air temperature is relatively mild.
So, why is walking on hot pavement so harmful to dogs? The main issue is that their paws are not equipped to handle the heat. Just like our bare feet, a dog’s paw pads are sensitive to temperature changes, and they can easily be burned or blistered by hot pavement. In addition, walking on hot pavement can cause a dog to become dehydrated quickly, as they lose moisture through their paw pads.
What can we do?
To prevent these issues, it is essential to take precautions when walking your dog on hot pavement. Pad-Tough is a spray-on paw protector that protects your dog’s paws from extreme temperatures. Using Pad-Tough before engaging in outdoor exercise protects and soothes your dog’s pads.
Avoid walking during the hottest parts of the day and opt for early morning or late evening walks instead. You can also test the pavement with your own hand before heading out – if it is too hot for you to stand on comfortably, it is too hot for your dog.