Originally from Dodo.com:
What Temperature Is Too Hot To Walk A Dog?
How to keep those little paws safe 🐾
Have you ever felt like it was just too hot outside to walk your dog?
To make sure you’re keeping your pet safe — and his paws free from burns or irritation — it’s important to know what temperature is too hot to walk a dog.
That's why we spoke to Dr. Jessica Romine, a veterinarian at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, to get some answers and tips to make sure your walks are always safe — and fun — for you and your pup.
How to find out what temperature is too hot to walk a dog
According to Dr. Romine, there’s a simple test you can do to check if it’s too hot out to walk — and all you need is your hand.
“A good rule of thumb is to place your hand on the sidewalk or asphalt for 5 seconds; if it becomes uncomfortable to the touch, it is probably also uncomfortable for your dog to walk on,” Dr. Romine told The Dodo.
Signs your dog is uncomfortable
If you do need to take a walk on a hot day — or if it starts to heat up after you’ve already left home — keep a close eye on your pup.
“Dogs can suffer burns from very hot surfaces, usually in direct sunlight,” Dr. Romine said.
Signs to look out for include your dog starting to slow down or limp, or not wanting to keep walking.
If this happens, Dr. Romine recommends “checking their paw pads for tenderness, redness, or erosions and try[ing] to get them into the grass or at least shade.”
Tips for walking your dog in the heat
If you live in an area where hot concrete is unavoidable, you can try a paw wax to protect your pup’s paws. If you’d like to try one, Musher’s Secret Paw Wax is highly recommended by one of The Dodo’s editors, who uses it on her own pup.
Buy Musher's Secret Paw Wax on Amazon for $16
“If your dog tolerates them, they are a fine option,” Dr. Romine said about protective products, “but remember that prolonged contact can still cause damage, and dogs still need to be monitored for signs of overheating.”
So in general, try to stick to the grass or at least the shade on your summer walks — and going out in the morning or evenings, when most surfaces aren’t in direct sun, will be much more comfortable for your dog.
Tip: if it is too hot for you to walk on or touch, it is too hot for your pet to walk on.
Thanks for visiting my blog for animals where I share tips, advice, info and more.
Regards, SJ Francis, writer, novelist, animal advocate, Disable Veteran, CKD, ADPKD sufferer....
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