Paw pads and summer heat, beware!

With summer comes heat, hot pavement, hot gravel, and hot concrete. Our pets love to go for walks and play with us. Beware that if pavement is hot enough to fry an egg it can do serious damage to Fido’s feet. One of my employees had their two dogs swimming and playing on a hot wooden deck. The moisture made the pads soft, and the heat caused them to burn, thus sloughing occurred. A hot surface and water are not a good combo for dog feet.

Here are some tips to keep your dog or puppy from getting burned this summer.

Walk Your Dog When It’s Cool: This is probably an obvious tip but one that folks sometimes don’t consider enough. The best time to walk your dog is in the morning or late evening, when the pavement is cool. Avoid walking your dog in the afternoon when the sun is high in the sky or early evening, because the pavement or road surface will be hot. Toughen Your Dog’s Paws: When it’s time to walk your dog, it can be a good idea to stick to the pavement during the cool times of the day. While the pavement is cool, it won’t burn your dog’s paws, and it will also help to toughen them up. Stay on The Grass: If you end up taking your dog out during the warmer times of the day, be sure to stay on the grass and stick to shady areas. Stay away from sidewalks or any paved areas to avoid burning. Caution, artificial grass may be as hot as regular pavement. Moisturize Your Dog’s Paws: Consider moisturizing your dog’s feet daily to help prevent injuries like cuts, cracking, or peeling of the paws. Use Paw Wax: Paw wax can easily be smeared onto your dog’s paw pads to protect them from harmful surfaces. Paw wax is designed to protect your dog’s feet from hot surfaces and potentially harmful chemicals like road salts. (If you need something right away, you can try some Vaseline. It is not nearly as good but better than nothing.) Dog Shoes: Dog shoes are one of the best ways to protect your dog’s paws from heat and potential injuries if your dog will wear them. If this seems like the right solution for your dog, be sure to buy shoes that have rubber soles to offer the best protection. Be aware that not all dogs can get used to dog shoes, and some might have a hard time walking with them on their feet. If you can get your dog used to using them, nothing else offers better protection. Peel and Stick Pads: Peel and stick felt pads are a quick solution to minimize the dangers of hot pavement. They’re easy to stick onto the pads of your dog’s feet and they help protect against potential burns and injuries. They can even reduce the risks of your dog slipping on slick surfaces. And even better alternative to the felt pads may be silicone scar pads or tape. They are so easy to put on and they can be cut to the perfect size for paws. They can be worn several times, and they do well and stay on in wet conditions. They are thin, flexible, and durable, your dog should not have any problem wearing them. Silicone scar sheets can be a terrific option for your dog’s paws. Socks: Socks can be a decent last-minute solution if you need to take your dog onto the hot pavement. Like dog shoes, not every dog will tolerate wearing socks. You can just take a pair of your old socks or little baby socks and see if they will work. You should be watchful when putting socks on your dog’s feet, as some dogs will be tempted to chew them. Check Their Paws Carefully: Be sure to check your dog’s paw pads daily for any signs of damage and wash his paws frequently. If you do happen to see a problem, or if your dog is acting strangely on his feet, be sure to have him taken to the vet to see how bad the injury is.

How to Tell If Your Dog’s Paws Are Hurting. 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.

Dogs showing these symptoms may have burned paws: Limping or avoiding walking, licking or chewing feet, paw pads are darker in color than usual, pads are visibly damaged and blisters or redness.

First Aid for Burned Paws. If you suspect your dog has burned paw pads: Bring your dog inside right away and carry your pet if necessary, flush the foot with cold water or use a cold compress and try not to let your dog lick the injured pad.

Take your dog to the vet, as soon as possible, because burns can become infected. Your dog might need antibiotics or pain medication depending on the severity of the burn. A Veterinarian can also rule out other possible causes of the symptoms. Paw licking can also be a sign of other problems, such as allergies.

These tips will help your dog stay safe and uninjured this summer from the dangers of hot pavement. Happy Summer!

If you have questions about care of your pet, contact Dr. Norette L Underwood of the Trumann Animal Clinic at catdoc56@gmail.com.