Are dogs paws sensitive to hot pavement?
Meda Wuckert
2025-07-16 03:34:55
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Dogs' paws can be just as sensitive as humans' feet. That means they're equally as likely to get burnt walking on a hot surface as their owner would be. Hot weather can cause roads to melt and dogs to burn their paws on asphalt, tarmac and artificial grass. Many of our emergency vets have treated dogs who have been the victim of severe burns to their paws. If the outside temperature is a pleasant 25C, there's little wind and humidity is low, asphalt and tarmac can reach a staggering 52C. This can rise to 62C when the mercury hits 31C. An egg can fry in five minutes at 55C while skin destruction can occur in just one minute at 52C. The reason pavements get so hot is they soak up heat all day and then retain that heat. Studies have shown that some surfaces retain heat far better than others. Artificial grass came out hottest in all four trials, followed by the material that's used to make running tracks and then asphalt. All three surfaces measured upwards of 50C at 2pm on both days, this temperature could severely burn a dog's paws within a matter of minutes.
Quinton McCullough
2025-07-08 06:59:30
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: 14
Yes, even on warm days, in certain conditions, pavements can become hot enough to cause pain, discomfort and even burn your dog’s paws. Although you may think your dog’s paw pads are quite tough, it’s important to remember that they are still made of skin and can be just as sensitive as the bottom of your feet. On sunny days, pavements can often be deceptively hot and will usually be much warmer than the air outside. The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too painful for your hand, then it’s too painful for your dog’s paws. When walking on a hot day, if you notice that your dog is limping, looking uncomfortable or whimpering, then look at the bottom of their paws and check the temperature of the pavement with the back of your hand. If your dog’s paws look red, swollen or blistered then it’s important that you quickly take them off the hot pavement and contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.
Jared Larkin
2025-07-06 19:54:44
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The high heat of summer can become extremely hazardous for your dog's paws. There is a simple test in which you can do to check whether the pavement is too hot for your pet's paws by doing the seven-second test. Simply touch the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds. If you can’t hold out for the full seven seconds because the surface is too hot, then it’s also too hot for your dog’s paws. The ground can get much hotter than the surrounding air. What’s more, some surfaces get hotter than others. A study by Frostburg University has shown that when concrete reaches a temperature of 40 °C, under similar conditions brick can get as hot as 43 °C and asphalt 51 °C. The table below compares the temperatures of the air and asphalt under similar conditions: Air temperature Asphalt temperature, 25 °C /
Leda Kessler
2025-06-29 08:30:20
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: 13
Hot pavement isn’t just uncomfortable for your dog—it can actually be harmful. The Risk of Burned Paw Pads Imagine walking barefoot on a sizzling hot surface. Sounds painful, right? That’s what your dog might be experiencing. Unlike humans, dogs don’t have the luxury of shoes to protect their feet. A hot surface can cause minor to severe burns on your dog’s paw pads. Sure, their paws are a bit tougher than our feet, but they’re not invincible. Physical Signs in Your Dog: Watch out for behaviors like hopping from paw to paw, limping, or trying to retreat to a grassy or shaded area. These could be tell-tale signs that the ground is uncomfortably hot for your four-legged friend. The 5-Second Rule: Here’s a quick and simple test: Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you can’t keep it there for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Velda Nicolas
2025-06-16 18:43:48
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Yes, pavements can be too hot for dogs to walk on. Pavements absorb heat quickly. This means that while you may feel the warmth is pleasant, the pavement could already be too hot for your dog’s delicate paw pads. A study by one of our charity partners, FOUR PAWS UK, highlighted the huge difference between air temperature and asphalt temperature. The study found that an air temperature of 25 degrees resulted in an asphalt temperature of 52 degrees, and an air temperature of 35 degrees led to asphalt temperatures of a scorching 65 degrees! All dogs are at risk of getting burnt paws. The best test is to place the back of your hand onto the pavement and hold it there for seven seconds. If you are unable to keep the back of your hand comfortably on the ground for seven seconds, the pavement is likely to burn your dog’s paws.
Adrien Klein
2025-06-16 18:19:50
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: 13
Hot pavements can pose a serious risk to your dog's paw pads. Even if the shade temperature seems moderate, the pavement can reach scorching levels. For example, a pavement exposed to the sun can soar to a staggering 44°C (111°F) while the shade temperature remains at 26°C (79°F). After a few seconds of standing barefoot on the hot pavement, you will feel the discomfort and potential burn. Imagine your dog being tied up outside a shop for just a few minutes; their paws can suffer significant damage in that short time. Darker pavements tend to be even hotter than lighter ones. Grass tends to be cooler and gentler on their paws.
Nathanael Jakubowski
2025-06-16 17:28:27
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: 12
Hot pavement can and will burn a dog’s paws. If asphalt and cement can get hot enough to cook an egg during the summer or if it feels way too hot for you to leave your hands comfortably on the ground for at least 10 seconds, it can result in nasty burns on your dog’s paw pads. This is especially true if you have a new puppy with tender young paws. Dogs showing symptoms of burned paws may display limping or avoiding walking, licking or chewing feet, paw pads are darker in color than usual, pads are visibly damaged, or blisters or redness. Your dog’s paws have footpads that can usually handle whatever a stroll or walk in nature throws at them. But a lot of human-made surfaces can burn your pooch’s paws, including concrete, metal, pavement, sidewalks and asphalt.
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