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Protecting Your Dogs From Hot Asphalt

Here in the mid-Atlantic, there’s no question that summer can get pretty hot. Asphalt absorbs this heat, making the ground nearly impossible to walk on when temperatures are in the 80s and above. 

 

Protecting Dogs From Asphalt

Not only is the asphalt too hot for you to walk on, it’s too hot for your dog! When walking your dog in the summer, you need to take precautions to avoid serious burns on your dog’s paws. Understanding when the asphalt becomes too hot to walk your dog can prevent injury.

 

The Anatomy of a Dog’s Foot

 

The first step in finding solutions to protecting your dog’s feet is to examine them. Many dogs have paw pads that are covered with fur, while short-haired dogs generally have much less protection. 

 

Paw pads are great protectors from rough surfaces, shock absorption, and traction but are not fully immune to burns. It’s important to check the pads of your dog’s feet in order to assess their needs. 

 

How to Tell When It’s Too Hot

 

Many people are under the assumption that the  temperature of the air is the same temperature as the ground. However, asphalt pavement can be up to 60 degrees hotter than the surrounding air. 

 

That being said, even if it seems like a nice and sunny day for walking outside, your dog’s paws may still not be able to withstand the heat of the pavement. In fact, it only takes 60 seconds for your dog’s paws to burn, even if the air temperature is not as hot. 

 

The first solution to this problem is to avoid walking your dog on hot pavement or asphalt. Try and find stretches of grass, or shaded areas to keep your furry friends’ feet protected. This may include nighttime hours, as the density of the asphalt can hold the heat from the day throughout the evening.  

 

PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,  provides this piece of advice: “ Wherever possible, avoid walking in the middle of the day”, as these times can be the hottest of the day. 

 

Ways to Protect Your Pooch’s Feet

 

If walking your dog on grass or shaded areas is not possible, a great alternative is to invest in some dog shoes or socks. Not only are they cute on your fur-baby, but they provide an extra layer of protection and comfort to your pet to keep them healthy and happy. 

 

If your dog isn’t used to wearing foot protection, you may need to get them used to the feeling. Try putting them on your pet in the house and let them get a feel for the booties. There are endless varieties of these shoes, coming in different colors, sizes, thicknesses, and styles. Dog shoes are a simple, cheap, and effective way to protect your animal from burns.

In addition to shoes or socks for your animal, paw wax is another great and non-toxic alternative. Easy to apply by simply rubbing a dime-sized amount all over your dogs’ paws provides a protective barrier for their paw pads. This special wax dries in seconds and only needs to be reapplied once every few days to a week, depending on the activeness of your pet. 

 

In conclusion, try and schedule walks for the morning and evening hours, or in shaded areas or parks. Additionally, investing in dog shoes and paw wax is a fantastic way to keep your pet safe and happy. 

 

Connect With Pro-Pave, Inc. 

 

Pro-Pave, Inc. has established a reputation as one of the Washington, DC area’s most reliable paving companies. We know everything to know about asphalt paving. 

 

We currently offer these asphalt services for roads, parking lots, and more: Excavation, Asphalt Stone Work, Asphalt Grading, Asphalt Paving, Asphalt Patching, Asphalt Milling, Asphalt Sealcoating, Asphalt Crack Sealing, and Asphalt Striping and Signage.

 

To find out more about how we can help your business with all of your paving needs, contact Pro-Pave today. Visit our website, or give us a call at (703) 433-9500