Hot Days Mean Hot Pavement – Cinema Veterinary Centre

Even with hot summer days, our dogs are still going to want to go out on walks. It’s important to remember that even though their paw pads are very good at protecting them from rough surfaces, they are not as good at protecting them from the heat. Walking and standing on hot pavement can quickly result in burned paw pads. The temperature of the ground can be much hotter than the air temperature especially in direct sunlight with no wind and low humidity. Pavement temperatures can be 40 to 60 degrees warmer than the air temperatures. For instance, when it is 77 degrees outside, the temperature of pavement is already 125 degrees! Paw pads can burn at temperatures above 130 degrees Fahrenheit and will show signs of burn within 60 seconds! To prevent burns in this kind of weather, it is recommended to walk your dog in grass, soil, or go out on walks earlier in the day. Some dogs will tolerate special shoes to help protect their feet on walks or hikes. Purchasing a paw wax may also be beneficial. When applied, the special wax dries quickly and acts as another barrier to help protect the pads. Cinema Veterinary Centre is located at 23460 Cinema Drive unit L in Valencia (661) 253-9300.