Summer
is heating up and in many parts of the country temperatures are reaching triple
digits. With the increased temperatures, your pet faces additional dangers. We often hear about the danger of
leaving a pet in a hot car, but many pet owners do not realize the danger of their pet's paws being severely burned from simply walking on hot asphalt. Many dogs love
their daily walks and are eager to go, regardless of the conditions, but if you notice them being antsy of
refusing to walk, it might be the asphalt is too hot. A good test is to place your
barefoot (or hand) on the asphalt and if you cannot keep it there for 5 seconds it is too hot
for your dog. It is also important to remember that it takes hours
for the asphalt to cool down, so even if the air temperature has dropped, still check to see if it might be too hot. Try to walk your dog in the early morning hours, in the shade and on grass
(which is cooler). You also might want to consider buying protective booties for their
paws.
