Protecting Dog Paws from Burns – Dog News

Boppard. With bright sunshine and summer temperatures, many people want to go outside – and of course our dogs too! But what might be a pleasant walk for us humans can quickly become torture for the sensitive paws of our four-legged friends. Hot asphalt is a major danger that is often underestimated.

Although dog paws are more robust than our bare feet, they are by no means insensitive to high temperatures. Asphalt can become extremely hot in the sun. Even at an outside temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the surface temperature of dark asphalt can rise to over 50 degrees Celsius. If the outside temperature is 30 degrees Celsius, it can even reach over 60 degrees Celsius. For comparison: A temperature of around 52 degrees Celsius is enough to cause severe second or third degree burns within a few minutes.

Such asphalt temperatures are enough to damage the stratum corneum on dog paws within a few seconds. Just three to five seconds of direct contact can cause painful burns, cracks or blisters. The consequences of burnt paw pads can be:

• Pain and lameness: Dogs often immediately show pain, limp or refuse to walk.
• Blisters and sores: Similar to human burns, blisters can form and burst, leaving open, painful wounds.
• Infections: Open wounds are susceptible to bacteria and can easily become infected, making veterinary treatment essential.
• Long-term damage: Severe burns can leave scar tissue that affects the elasticity of the paws and can cause chronic discomfort.

Protect dog paws
There are some simple but effective measures to protect your dog's paws from the summer heat:

• The five-second test: Before taking your dog for a walk, place the back of your hand on the asphalt for five seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your dog's paws too!
• Walks at the right times: Shift your walks to cooler times of day, i.e. early morning or late evening. Avoid the heat of midday and the afternoon when the asphalt is most heated.
• Correct surface: Walk on grass, forest floors or shady paths as often as possible. These surfaces do not heat up as much as asphalt or concrete.
• Dog shoes: For particularly sensitive dogs or when walking on hot asphalt is unavoidable, special dog shoes can be a good solution. What is important is a good fit and letting the dog get used to it slowly.
• Paw care: Regular paw care is important. Keep the hair between your toes short to avoid excessive sweating.
• Paw spray or balm form a thin, cooling film on the paws. They often last around 30 to 60 minutes, but should be applied regularly.
• Paw control: Check the pads after every walk to detect burns early.
• Cool: After a walk, especially if you suspect that your paws have become hot, you should carefully apply cool water (not ice cold) be rinsed off with water.

What to do if your paws are burned?
If you have any signs of burnt dog paws, such as lameness, redness, blistering, or licking of the paws, you should consult a veterinarian immediately. As first aid you can:

• Rinse the paws carefully with cool water. Do not use ice cold water or ice!
• Bandage the affected paw or protect it from infection with a clean sock.

Important: Under no circumstances should you try to open the blisters yourself or apply creams without a veterinarian's instructions.

Repeated overheating can permanently damage the pads' natural protective layer, resulting in scar tissue. This is then less elastic and more susceptible to further injuries. So be careful and protect your four-legged friend's sensitive paws. (Stefan Richter)