Do Not Walk Dogs On Hot Burning Asphalt Pavement

Do Not Walk Dogs On Hot Burning Asphalt Pavement

When walking the dog in the hot sun, it also means walking them on hot asphalt, which is dangerous for their paws. Their pads do not give any protection from the heat when they walk and showcase their disliking by simply sitting on the grass or by excitingly coming back inside the house. It is the same discomfort humans have walking barefoot on the cement.

Here is a measurement with overall temperature, without the clouds and wind, and humidity being low.

When the air temperature is 77 degrees, the asphalt is about 125 degrees, the same temperature when the skin starts to damage itself if placed under for 1 minute. At 87 degrees, the asphalt is about 143 degrees. By 131 degrees on the ground, an egg can begin to fry in several minutes. So, if in Phoenix or Miami, where it can get to 100 degrees in the summer, imagine what the pavement is like.

With that said, here are some rules to keep in mind…..

First, if the pavement is too hot to walk on, then it’s too hot for a dog. To check out the heat feeling, stick a hand on the pavement for 8 seconds and determine if it is safe to walk on or not. We mentioned air temperature in equation to sidewalk temperature, but it is a rough estimate. That’s why testing the sidewalk alone is important because asphalt and other surfaces contain the heat and the temperature rises rapidly as sun exposure continues on.

In other words, the sun setting at 4 PM is probably a bad time to walk the dog. Another thing about asphalt; it takes in the heat and only cools down only when the sun sets. Early morning and evening is the coolest time to walk.

However, accidents with dogs do happen, and if a dog accidentally gets a paw burned, there are ways to care for them at home.

1. Clean the paws with antibacterial soap and water. Another way is to spray the paws with Bactine to help prevent any infections and cool the sores.

2. Get a self-adhering wrap to cover the paw pads and to prevent them from getting licked.

3. If blistered or raw, like second or third-degree burns, send the dog to the vet and get them prescribed for antibiotic medications.

Walking the dog at any time should be careful because of the heat factor that can burn their paws. Pavement, along with wood, metal, and sand, soak in the heat during the summer, leading to temperatures as high as 145 degrees, especially in the most humid, hot places.

Be attentive to their paws and, if having to walk them in the daytime, walk them on the grass, where it is not as hot.

Sending a pet to the vet is not pleasant, but paw burns are a common issue with dogs.

So, take care of them and keep them happy.