Protecting Our Pups' Paws in the Summer Heat
The summer is a great time to spend some extra time with our dogs outside; however, depending on how hot it gets where we live, there are some extra precautions that we have to take when taking our pups outside.
Why is summer time more dangerous for dogs?
In the summer, surfaces like asphalt, sand, and rocks can reach dangerous temperatures for dogs' paws. On an 80℉ day, the sidewalks and pavement can get as hot as 125°F . If unsure if the pavement is too hot, then place a palm on the pavement for ten seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
This heat doesn't mean that we shouldn't take our dogs outside during the summer, though. We can still enjoy time outside with our dogs during the summer by:
Avoiding the hottest parts of the day.
The pavement and other rocky walking surfaces absorb heat from the sun throughout the day, so the later that we walk our dogs, the hotter that the pavement is on their paws. The best time to walk our dogs is first thing in the morning before the sun has been out for too long.
Staying in the grass and off of the sidewalks.
If there isn't time in the morning to take a walk, then trying going to a park or another grassy area. Taking a hike on a shady trail is also an option to take your dog out on a safe adventure.
Wearing dog booties.
They may seem silly (and look goofy) but dog booties are one of the best ways to protect your pup's paws from the summer heat. Dog booties are the best option for those that don't have time for early walks or don't have many grassy areas nearby. They help prevent burns from the hot surfaces and keep debris from getting stuck between their pads.
It is likely that your dog will be uncomfortable in the booties at first, but give them a few minutes at a time to walk around inside to start getting used to them. When my dog first got his booties he did not like them at all. So I put them on him inside, and then dangled a piece of meat and had him walk towards it. Then we moved outside and did the same thing. It didn't take long for him to get used to the booties and be running at full speed in them.
Here are the booties that I have and they have worked great for my dog: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NG7RTJW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
