Hot Pavement Burns in Dogs. Signs, Treatment and Prevention
Watch: Hot Pavement Burns in Dogs
Hot pavement can quickly burn a dog’s paw pads during warm weather.
In this video Dr Leigh Davidson explains how to recognise paw pad burns, treat them safely and prevent injury.
Video Transcript
If you are a dog owner, here is a simple rule for summer.
If you cannot stand barefoot on the pavement, your dog should not be walking on it either.
I was at work recently and saw several dogs outside on hot pavement. They were hopping and jumping around as if they were dancing.
They were not being playful.
The pavement was hot enough to burn their paws.
Pavement absorbs heat very quickly. When the air temperature is around 30°C, asphalt can reach 55 to 60°C. At those temperatures a dog’s paw pads can burn in seconds.
Although paw pads look tough, they are actually living skin. They contain a blood supply and nerve endings, just like our own skin.
Heat first damages the outer layers of the pad. If the exposure continues, the injury can move deeper into the tissue, causing blistering, cracking and peeling, similar to a burn in people.
Once pavement temperatures reach around 52°C, the proteins in the skin begin to break down. It is a bit like cooking an egg. The heat changes the structure of the tissue.
Sometimes the injury is not obvious straight away. Just like a human burn, the damage may develop over time. You might notice your dog licking their feet or limping hours after the walk, once the deeper tissue becomes painful.
Some dogs are particularly vulnerable.
Puppies often have softer paw pads.
Senior dogs may have thinner pads.
Dogs with skin allergies or skin disease can also have more fragile skin.
I also tend to see more problems in dogs with very pale skin or light coloured pads, which may burn more easily.
So what signs should you watch for?
Your dog may start licking their feet or limping.
The pads might look red or swollen.
Sometimes the skin will peel or crack.
Dogs may suddenly refuse to walk, sit down frequently, or lie down because their paws are painful. In more severe cases the pads can look shiny, raw or blistered.
If you suspect a burn, rinse the paws gently with cool water and keep your dog off hot surfaces. If the injury looks severe or your dog is very sore, it is important to see a veterinarian. Paw pad burns can be extremely painful and can easily become infected, and they sometimes need proper pain relief and medical treatment to heal well.
The best approach is prevention.
Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening when surfaces have cooled down. Choose grass or shaded areas where possible, and avoid walking on hot pavement during the middle of the day.
Dog booties are not always the answer either. They can sometimes trap heat and make the problem worse.
A simple test is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If it is too hot for you to hold there comfortably, it is too hot for your dog’s paws.
Stick to grass, shade, and cooler times of day. Paw pads are not designed for extremely hot asphalt, and a little planning can prevent a lot of pain.
Video Chapters
0:00 Hot pavement warning for dog owners
0:20 Dogs jumping on hot pavement
0:40 How hot asphalt gets in summer
1:05 Why dog paw pads burn quickly
1:30 Why burns appear hours later
1:55 Dogs most at risk of paw burns
2:20 Signs of paw pad burns in dogs
2:55 First aid for burned dog paws
3:20 Preventing hot pavement burns
3:50 The five second pavement test
