Hot ground can burn a dog's paws, warns PDSA vet nurse Gemma Renwick. It may seem silly, but it’s important for pet owners to remember, if the ground is too hot for your hands or your bare feet, then it’s also definitely too hot for your pet's paws.
If you are unsure whether to let your dog go for a walk outside on the pavement, a simple and easy method of checking if the ground is a safe temperature is by placing your bare skin, either the back of your hand or your feet, on the ground for five seconds.
If you find the heat from the ground too hot in those five seconds and you have to pull away, your dog will also struggle with the temperature on their paws and the ground is too hot for your pets to walk on it.
On warmer days, it can feel hotter in the air and cooler on the ground, but the weather can quickly turn and it doesn’t take long for the ground to heat up in high temperatures. It’s important for your own and your pet's safety to not get caught out in the heat with a long walk home.
The surface you're walking on – whether it be grass, astroturf, sand or tarmac – will have an impact on how hot the ground is in the sun. Some surfaces heat up much faster and get much hotter than others. Generally, natural grass is always cooler than astroturf will be in the same outdoor temperatures. Be sure to check your hand or bare foot on all surfaces your pet might end up walking on, just to be sure they don’t end up on a burning hot surface.
When heading out with your pet on a warmer day, we make sure you have plenty of fresh, clean water to keep yourself and your pet hydrated and cool. Here is more information on how to keep your dog cool and prevent it getting heatstroke - which could be fatal.
When the temperature is high, think carefully about where you to walk your dog. Avoid open spaces, such as fields, and if you can, find a naturally shaded path for your summer walks; woods and forests are ideal, or stick to the shady side of the street. Remember to take regular pitstops too, to allow your dog to rest – you’ll probably appreciate these breaks too.
To play it safe and protect your pet, avoid walks during the hottest part of the day; stick with dawn and dusk walks. In summer even overcast days can be hot, with the air feeling close and humid, which can also cause your dog to overheat. If you can’t safely exercise your dog, missing a walk won’t hurt – but walking on burning-hot tarmac will.
If you are worried about your pet, please contact your veterinary practice.
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About the PDSA
The PDSA is the UK's leading vet charity, providing free and low-cost treatment to pets in need. PDSA vets and vet nurses provide veterinary care and advice to sick and injured pets whose owners otherwise couldn’t afford to pay the full cost of treatment.