This time of year, everyone (including your pet) is usually trying to beat the heat.
As temperatures increase and beautiful sunny days approach, shade and fresh water are must-haves for your pets, but there’s something else to keep in mind: how their paws are handling the heat. Sidewalks, driveways, and roads can heat up fast, and it doesn’t take long for those surfaces to burn your dog’s paws.
To protect your dog’s feet, consider the following options:
- Five-second rule: Be sure to feel the cement with the back of your hand before walking your dog on it. If you can’t keep your hand pressed to the cement for five seconds, it’s too hot for your pet’s feet and can cause burns and blistering.
- Find grassy areas: If the concrete is simply too hot to safely walk your dog, try finding a large grassy area (such as a dog park or your backyard) to let your dog burn off some energy.
- Wax balms and other tools: Wax balms and booties that are designed to help protect your dog’s paws from the heat and cold can be the difference between healthy paws and burns.
The ARL wishes you and your pets the happiest (and safest) of summers! For more summer heat safety tips, click here.
