As a pet owner, a valuable guideline to follow is that if the ground feels too hot for your bare feet, it may also be too hot for your pet’s paws. Just as you safeguard yourself on a sweltering summer day, it’s essential to take precautions to keep your dog safe during walks, park visits, and trips to the beach. Dogs can experience heat stroke, dehydration, and sunburn, just like humans do.
We consulted with a board-certified veterinarian to learn how to protect your dog’s paws from the heat and how to treat and prevent paw burns. Additionally, we’ve compiled a selection of products favored by NBC Select editors for their own pets this summer, along with recommendations from veterinarians.
The Best Products for Protecting Your Dog’s Paws in Heat
We’ve gathered recommendations from experts and editors to ensure your dog’s paws remain safe during hot weather. However, all experts emphasize the importance of walking in the early morning or late evening when the sun’s intensity is lower. Dr. Jordyn Zoul, a veterinarian at Seaside Animal Hospital, suggests avoiding pavement altogether, opting for grass or dirt trails instead.
Top Dog Boots
According to Dr. Lindsey Kaplan, a veterinarian at Overland Animal Hospital and Pet Resort, protective boots are one of the most effective means of preventing heat-related paw injuries, particularly when traversing sidewalks in warm weather. These rubber slip-on shoes have gained popularity among NBC Select editors.
Shalwa Evans, a senior editor at NBC Select, shared her experience with the boots on her 7-pound silky terrier, Minnie. Evans praised them for being sturdy, safe, and easy to wear. She noted, “We examined several pairs for Minnie before discovering the Wagwear boots, which fit perfectly and allowed her to walk and run normally.” She owns a pair for both winter and summer use, emphasizing the ease of putting them on even with Minnie’s long fur.
Each boot includes Velcro for a secure fit and is available in sizes XXXS to XXXL, accommodating dogs that weigh less than 5 pounds to those over 150 pounds.
Effective Foot Balm
This balm comes highly recommended by Dr. Stephanie Riff, medical director and owner of Pure Paws Veterinary Care, who describes it as an excellent alternative to boots. It creates a wax barrier that safeguards the soles of your dog’s paws, also providing protection from sand, ice, and snow.
Breathable Dog Boots
I recently purchased a pair of Crocs for Dogs for my 15-pound Havanese/Bichon mix, Bella. Although the initial fit was challenging due to a small opening, the boots, designed with breathable holes like classic Crocs, keep Bella comfortable even on hot days. While she typically dislikes shoes, she quickly adjusted to these and finds them enjoyable to wear.
Ideal Dog Pool
Soaking your dog’s paws in cold water can effectively lower their body temperature during heat waves. A collapsible pool is handy for this purpose; you can fill it with cold water for your dog to play in. This pool folds down conveniently for storage and can be equipped with caps for hose connections to facilitate easy refills.
Determining Safe Temperatures for Walking Your Dog
No specific temperature is universally too hot for dogs, as various factors—including humidity, direct sunlight, wind, and your dog’s breed, age, and health—play a role, according to Dr. Gary Richter, founder of Ultimate Pet Nutrition. However, it’s vital to consider what surfaces your dog is walking on. Asphalt, for example, can reach temperatures exceeding 130 degrees Fahrenheit on an 85-degree day, posing a burn risk to your dog’s paws.
Understanding the Risks of Hot Pavement
Walking on hot pavement can lead to painful burns, with potential damage ranging from mild irritation to severe blisters. Dr. Richter notes that constant exposure to heat dries the pads, making them more vulnerable to injury and discomfort, which can discourage exercise and increase the risk of overheating.
Recognizing Signs of Overheating
Dr. Kaplan advises that if the ground is too hot, your dog may abruptly stop walking, exhibit leg lifting, or show reluctance to continue. If your pet starts licking or biting their feet at home, it may indicate discomfort. Symptoms of overheating include excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, and disorientation, all of which require immediate veterinary attention.
Essential Tips for Keeping Your Dog Cool
To protect your dog from heatstroke this summer, veterinarians recommend limiting outdoor activities to the cooler parts of the day and providing access to shaded areas. Consider substituting physical exercise with mental stimulation indoors, such as food puzzles, which can be equally enriching. Always ensure your dog has water on hand, and think about getting a cooling mat or bed that facilitates a cool resting surface for your pet.
About the Veterinarians Featured
At NBC Select, we work with qualified experts, ensuring that all advice and recommendations are made independently and without financial conflicts of interest. The veterinarians featured include Dr. Jordyn Zuhl, Dr. Lindsey Kaplan, Dr. Gary Richter, and Dr. Stephanie Riff, all of whom have extensive experience in caring for pets.
Why Trust NBC Select
As an editor with over six years of experience in pet-related content, I collaborated with four veterinarians to provide insights on how to keep your dog’s paws safe in high heat and highlighted the best products for preventing and treating paw burns.
