What do we need to know about walking dogs on hot surfaces? What are the dangers for their paw pads? The following is what I have learned through years of experience as a dog walker and through my own research. In some ways this is a complicated subject with a lot of misinformation spread through social media. Ultimately, however, it’s all quite simple.
There are many factors involved. Here are some points regarding a dog’s tolerance for that walking surface in question:
- Puppies have more tender pads
- Couch potato dogs haven’t built up tolerance
- Genetics and breed can affect sensitivity
- Size and weight of dog affect resilience
- Health issues of dog can influence risk of burns
- Surfaces matter. eg: Fresh black asphalt vs concrete in the shade
- Arid conditions increase risk (the PNW is not arid)
- Length of time sun has been shining steadily on surface
- Lack of breeze increases danger
- Cloud cover makes a difference
- So does time of day
- Standing has more risk than walking
Charts which give air temperature and an associated pavement temperature have been flooding the internet for a few years now. The problem is, few of these charts list sources. Most of them actually hearken back to a Dr. James Beren’s work on thermal contact burns published in 1970 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr Beren stated that his statistics referred to a particular scenario. He stated that an air temperature of 77 degrees can, under certain conditions, result in an asphalt surface reaching up to 125 degrees. (Do remember that hot bathwater can be 110 degrees. Still, standing on 125 degree pavement can potentially damage paw pads.)
Modern experts agree that caution should be applied when temperatures enter the mid-eighties. Certainly, the above factors should also be kept in mind. Things can get very serious for any dog as the temperature continues to climb.
In Arlington, WA I have measured asphalt temperature on a clear, 80 degree F day to find it climb to 124 degrees by 2:30 and 123 degrees at 4:30. The cement sidewalk read at 100 degrees. When the temperature enters the 80s, I select shaded routes for my dogs.
As climate change affects our lives, we in the Pacific Northwest need to be aware that on days the temperatures rise to over 100 degrees, we may need to walk our pets in the early morning and late evening only.
Human skin is much more tender than a dog’s paw pad, (would you play in the snow barefoot for the amount of time most dogs would? Or without mittens?) The fat tissue in the paws also offers protection.
Although dog paws are not comparable to our own feet, this doesn’t mean they are impervious to damage. They toughen with use, but no dog is beyond getting burned if a surface is hot enough, be it pavement in town or alpine granite. It’s always important to keep the pads healthy and supple.
Dog paws have arteries which run close to their paw pads, allowing the blood to circulate back into the body and help keep the dog at a stable temperature. The inner layer of the paw has sweat glands which help the dog cool off. These regulatory functions make it even more important to protect your dog’s paws. Also, I recommend choosing the vented or the “breathable” dog shoes if you use shoes.
If your dog begins limping or walking tenderly, watch out! If their paw pads look dark, or the dog is licking them or biting them, they may already be burned. Also check for blisters or redness.
simply test the pavement temperature
A) You may have heard of the “seven-second test” in which you place the back of your hand on the pavement and if you can hold it there for seven seconds it will be safe for your dog to walk on this surface. The point was to make it simple, but these days some say two minutes and you can believe this version of the rule if you want.
Of course you must also use your common sense here. For one thing, people vary with the amount of heat they can tolerate. I can pick up a jar full of hot coffee that my husband can’t handle without a hot pad. I can hold it just long enough to pour a couple of coffees. One of my sons, meanwhile, could carry it around without giving it a second thought.
B) Infrared thermometers are available, starting around twenty dollars, which you can point at the road surface and get an instant reading. If you have a particularly vulnerable dog this might be a good investment.
When it’s hot out, choose shady routes and walk on grass or dirt whenever possible. This is also important for preventing heat stroke.
Where I live there are parking strips of grass along most of the sidewalks. This makes it easy for the dog to have their choice of walking surface. Usually, if a dog has a choice they will walk where it is comfortable for them to do so. However, factors such as physiological conditions or strong force of habit can come into play. Ultimately, it is the human caretaker who is responsible for the protection of the paws.
To keep your dog safe, it’s merely a matter of situational awareness and common sense.
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Selected Sources:
https://archive.news.wsu.edu/press-release/2017/07/06/protect-pets-feet-from-heat/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5536473/
https://www.ellevetsciences.com/pet-care/hot-pavement-preventing-and-treating-pad-burn-in-dogs/
Please note: This blog post is based on my own research. If you find an error or can offer information from primary sources concerning this subject I would appreciate it if you’d contact me.
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