As the summer gets hotter, so does the pavement. You might not realize because you’re wearing shoes, but the asphalt soaks up heat all day and can severely burn your dogs paws. At 125 degrees Fahrenheit, skin destruction can happen in just 60 seconds.

An easy way to test the temperature of a surface is to put the back of your hand to the ground for 7 seconds, if it’s too hot to leave your hand against the surface then it’s too hot for your pups pads. Many surfaces can heat up quickly throughout the day, if you are walking your dog on sand, cement, or asphalt on a warm day be sure to test it first.

While these temperature correlations represent extreme conditions they demonstrate the possibility of the ground becoming way too hot for your dogs paws. Just like leaving your dog in the car when it’s hot out can quickly be fatal, taking your dog out can be just as detrimental. 

If your dog must be out and about when it’s hot, pick up some dog shoes to help protect those precious paws.

Be smart, check before you walk.