Pavement, asphalt, wood, metal, sand, and vehicle surfaces can become extremely hot during the summer months, especially here in Arizona. These materials absorb heat from the sun and can stay hot for hours even after the sun has gone down. Temperatures on these surfaces can exceed a staggering 145° F! At these temperatures, a dog’s paws would burn severely in only a matter of minutes.

Dogs can suffer burns to their paws on days most people would not consider to be very. If the outside temperature is a pleasant 77F, with little wind and low humidity, asphalt and tarmac can reach a staggering 125F. This can rise to 143F when the outside temperature is a mere 87F. It is worth bearing in mind that an egg can fry in five minutes at 131F while skin destruction can occur in just one minute at 125F.

Here are some helpful tips to Protect Your Pet’s Paws from hot surfaces:

• Check the pavement for heat before taking your dog on a walk. 
  • How you ask? Place the back of your hand or a bare foot on the surface for 10 seconds. 
  • If it is too hot for you to keep your hand or foot on it, then it is too hot for your pet.
• Stay on grassy surfaces and avoid bare ground when outside in the summer heat.
• Avoid the hottest parts of the day. Walk early in the morning (before 8am) or late in the evening (After 8pm) after the pavement has had time to cool down.
• Lastly, think about investing in a pair of booties to help keep the heat from burning your dog’s paws.

_{Written By: Crystal B}

_{Presented by: Clyde and Alex W.} 

_{Edited by: Breanna W.}  

^References: 

^{https://www.banfield.com/pet-healthcare/additional-resources/article-library/safety-tips/summer-heat-can-be-murder-on-your-dogs-pawshttps://}

^{www.vets-now.com/2017/06/never-walk-dogs-hot-asphalt-tarmac-pavements-artificial-grass/}