With triple digit temperatures becoming increasingly common in the summer, it’s important to keep in mind that hot pavement and asphalt can cause discomfort, pain, burns and injuries to a dog’s paw pads. While finding shade or grass is not always possible on dog walks, it’s important to know how hot is too hot for your dog’s paws and when a pair of dog shoes for hot pavement would be essential.
The Ground Temperature vs. Air Temperature
Throughout the day, the pavement absorbs the sun’s rays and becomes increasingly hotter throughout the day. When the air reaches high 70s, asphalt can already reach temperatures in the 120s Fahrenheit. On even hotter days, if the temperature outside is 90 degrees, the sidewalk can reach up to 140 degrees.
So What Temperature Do Dogs Need Dog Shoes?
The temperature of pavement is difficult to gauge as it depends on multiple factors from the time of day, whether it is in direct sunlight, and humidity levels. In addition, your dog’s size and breed will also impact the temperature at which dog shoes may be a good option for your dog. Instead of a specific temperature, you can try using a 5-second test to determine if the ground is too hot for your dog’s paws.
The 5 Second Test to Tell If The Ground is Too Hot
The general rule of thumb is that if it is too hot to put the back of your hand on the sidewalk for more than 5-7 seconds, it is also too hot for your dog to walk on the ground. Even if the ground passes the test, watch your dog’s behavior throughout the walk to ensure they are not experiencing any discomfort from the hot grounds. Look for signs such as trying to pull towards shaded areas, hopping from paw to paw, or limping. These behaviors may signal that the pavement is too hot for your dog’s paw pads.
How Long Can You Leave Dog Shoes On?
While our dog shoes are ultra comfortable and flexible, we recommend using them only when needed and to give your dog breaks every few hours. Dogs have varying tolerance on wearing boots so make sure to regularly check for signs of discomfort or irritation. It often takes at least a few times before a dog becomes accustomed to wearing shoes so make sure to try it out indoors and give your dog lots of treats before heading outdoors.
Using Dog Shoes for Hot Pavement
Besides walking your dog earlier or later in the morning (avoiding the hottest part of the day from noon to 6pm) as well as finding shady or grassy areas when possible, dog shoes can be very beneficial in helping protect your dog’s paws from burns and injuries. To ensure they stay on during walks, there are a few features you should look for in a comfortable dog shoe for hot pavement.
And when you’re not using the dog shoes in the summer, they can also be helpful during other times of the year too! There are a number of other reasons dog owners choose to put dog shoes on their dogs so you may find that dog shoes are a great add to your dog’s closet year around to keep paws protected.
