The high temperatures that are reached in summer are annoying and dangerous for both humans and dogs. Leaving aside the decreased appetite in pets, sunburn and the dreaded heat stroke, the summer brings with it an alarming increase in the temperature of asphalt, pavement and sidewalks of cities . After a few hours of incidence of the sun’s rays, which heat up more in summer, the sidewalks turn red hot, acting in a similar way to a radiator.
In case you hadn’t thought about it, this is fatal for the dog’s pads. According to Barkibu, online professional veterinary consultations website, with an ambient temperature of 25ºC the asphalt reaches 52ºC , 57ºC with an ambient temperature of 30ºC and 62ºC when it is 31ºC. At 52ºC the skin burns in less than a minute .
The dog’s pads, although they seem hard to us, which they are, are still skin, so imagine what can happen to your furry if he steps on a burning ground (which is the most normal thing in the world during the summer in the city ). Indeed, they can be scorched. Many of the visits to veterinary clinics in summer are due precisely to this problem .
To begin with, we must avoid taking the dog out in the hours of maximum incidence of the sun , that is, at noon and early afternoon as the sidewalk will be at a scorching temperature. Ideally, choose streets and sidewalks that are in the shade or with shaded parts and where there are grassy areas (as long as dogs are allowed access to them). It is also advisable to alternate different tread surfaces on walks .
Although the most advisable thing is to avoid that the dog puts its legs on overheated sidewalks and pavements, if this is not possible, it will be necessary to resort to dog boots . Yes, you read that right, dog boots have a purpose and are not something snobbish or sheer nonsense if they are used in order to protect their pads from burning floors and on very long walks in the field that the animal may not be prepared for. . To get your dog used to his new accessory, he will need to take a few walks around the house with his boots on. Come on, like many of us do when we wear shoes …
Another idea that will undoubtedly relieve our dog’s paws is to soak the pads during the walk . If we pass in front of a fountain, we will invite the dog to put its legs in it and, if possible, we will choose humid areas so that they suffer less. When we soak the pads to the furry, in addition to avoiding damage to this area, we will be helping to expel the heat from his body through the sweat glands that are in the pads.
Canine pad creams can also be a help to avoid problems in the area since they hydrate thoroughly (they are of the Vaseline style), prevent cracks and make the pads harden and, therefore, are more resistant. It is not worth putting a moisturizer for people that you have at home but you have to look for a specific one for their pads. These creams are usually applied after the walk on the clean area (washed with soap and water) but read the instructions for use of the particular product carefully.
If the dog suffers damage such as cracks, sores or wounds on his pads, we will have to try to heal them and if they do not improve or the wounds or burns are serious, we must take him to the vet without further delay.
A typical and very clear symptom that the dog has something in its paw is that it is limping . Another is that it does not stop sucking on its injured paw . Once the problem is located and if it is not very serious, we can put the foot in cold water and then we will proceed to wash the wound with soap and water. To disinfect it, we will apply iodine diluted in 50% water .
We insist that this is only a solution for minor problems, the vet will always be the one who can best cure our pet so, if things get ugly, it does not improve or the damage is important, please take your dog to the clinic.
