Keep your pet safe this summer by following these simple tips!
- Always DO test the ground with your hand on hot days/hot times of the day. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your pup’s paws.
- DO walk your pup at the coolest times of the day. In the early morning before the sun is at its peak, or after sunset is fine.
- If you must take your dog for a walk, do encourage them to walk on surfaces such as grass/dirt that won’t be as hot as other surfaces such as blacktop and concrete
- Do bring a water bowl for your doggies on longer walks especially on hot days. Your dog will let you know they’re thirsty by breathing loud and wagging their tongue with their mouth open as those are techniques they use to cool themselves
- Do stop for some shade periodically on long walks on hotter days. Your puppy will thank you!
- Do check your pup’s paws before walking to make sure there are no obvious open sores or wounds.
- Do use paw wax or moisturizer on your pup’s paws. Paw wax serves as a temporary barrier between their paws and whatever surface they’re walking on without being uncomfortable. Moisturizer will help help damaged skin.
- Don’t ignore warning signs. You can touch your pup’s paws and look for increased temperature or reaction from your dog, in addition to obvious signs such as open sores or wounds. If any of these are the case, skip the walk and wait for improvement.
- Don’t take pups on too long of a walk. Like humans, dogs need to build up their cardiovascular endurance. While some breeds are built for more athletic exercise, it comes down to you pup’s age, health, breed and more when determining what’s length of exercise is right for them.
- Dogs get excited when they go for car rides. Don’t let your pup just jump out of the car onto a hot surface. They are unsuspecting and could be susceptible to injury especially on hot, slippery, uneven surfaces. Make sure it’s safe before letting them out!
Conclusion
Our pups can still enjoy walks and play time in the summer if we follow the tips suggested above. It’s easy for your pup to burn it’s paws on hot surfaces outside. Paying attention to the temperature of the surface they are walking on will avoid any chance of burns on their paws. Keep your pup safe this summer by following our tips!