Boppard. In bright sunshine and summer temperatures, many are drawn outside – and of course our dogs too! But what is a pleasant walk for us humans can quickly become agony for the sensitive paws of the four -legged friends. Hot asphalt is a great danger that is often underestimated.
Dog paws are more robust than our bare feet, but by no means insensitive to high temperatures. Asphalt can heat up extremely in the sun. Even at an outside temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the surface temperature from dark asphalt can rise to over 50 degrees Celsius. At 30 degrees Celsius outside temperature, even over 60 degrees Celsius are possible. For comparison: A temperature of about 52 degrees Celsius is already sufficient to cause second or third degree burns within a few minutes.
Such asphalt temperatures are sufficient to damage the horn layer of dog paws within a few seconds. Already three to five seconds of direct contact can lead to painful burns, cracks or bubbles. The consequences of burned paws can be:
- Pain and lameness: Dogs often show pain, limp or refuse to continue.
- Blow and wounds: Similar to human burns, bubbles can form that burst up and leave open, painful wounds.
- Infections: Open wounds are susceptible to bacteria and can easily infect, which makes veterinary treatment inevitable.
- Long -term damage: Severe burns can leave scar tissue that can affect the elasticity of the paws and cause chronic symptoms.
Protect dog paws
There are some simple but effective measures to protect the dog's paws from the summer heat:
- The five-second test: Before you go for a walk with the dog, put the back of the hand on the asphalt for five seconds. If it is too hot for yourself, it is too hot for the dog's paws!
- Walks at the right times: Remove walks to the cooler times of the day, i.e. the early morning or late in the evening. Avoid the midday heat and the afternoon when the asphalt is most heated up.
- Right underground: Run as often as possible on grass, forest floor or shady paths. These surfaces do not heat up as much as asphalt or concrete.
- Dog shoes: For particularly sensitive dogs or if it has to be inevitable over hot asphalt, special dog shoes can be a good solution. A good fit and slowly get used to it.
- Pfot care: Regular paw care is important. Keep the hair briefly between the toes to avoid excessive sweating.
- Pfot spray or balm Form a thin, cooling film on the paw. They often last around 30 to 60 minutes, but should be applied regularly.
- Paw control: Check the bales after each walk to recognize burns early.
- Cooling the paws: After a walk, especially if you suspect that the paws have gotten hot, you should carefully with cool (not ice cold) Water to be rinsed.
What to do with burned paws?
In the event of signs of burnt dog paws, such as lameness, redness, bladder formation, licking of the paws, a veterinarian must be visited immediately. In advance you can be a first aid:
- Carefully rinse the paws with cool water. Do not use ice -cold water or ice cream!
- Bandage the affected paw or protect against infections by a clean sock.
Important: Under no circumstances try to open the bubbles yourself or apply creams without a veterinary instruction.
A repeated overheating can permanently damage the natural protective layer of the bales, which leads to scar tissue. This is less elastic and more susceptible to renewed injuries. So be careful and protect the sensitive paws of the four -legged friend. (Stefan Richter)