HOW HOT IS TO HOT TO WALK YOUR DOG

The high heat of summer can become extremely hazardous to your dogs 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.

If the air outside is pleasantly warm, you may think there is no risk that your dog’s paws will get burnt. But the ground can get much hotter than the surrounding air.  The table to the left compares the temperatures of the air and asphalt under similar conditions.

A study by Frostburg University has shown that when concrete reaches a temperature of 104 °F / 40 °C, under similar conditions brick can get as hot as 109.4°F / 43 °C and asphalt 124 °F/ 51 °C. 

• The affected area is reddened and swollen (1st degree)
• Clear blisters are visible (2nd degree)
• The skin is charred (3rd degree)

 Burns can be avoided by taking the following precautions:

• Do the “seven-second test” before walking your dog.
• Walk your dog on grass or in meadows.
•  Walk your dog at times when the ground is cooler – early in the morning or late in the evening.