2-year old Black Lab. We adopted her about 6 months ago. She takes me for a 3 1/2 to 4 mile walk every day. (I've dropped 16 lbs. since January due to her exercising of me!!!) We both look forward do our daily walk. Our walk is totally on concrete sidewalks and residential city streets. We're entering our summer months and are now seeing temperatures in the upper 80's F to mid 90's F. We like to walk late morning or early afternoon. Yes, I know that we would probably be better walking early morning or late evening, but..... Abby has never acted like the hot concrete has bothered her feet. Yet, I know it must be warm to the touch. I begin to worry that she will hurt herself if we continue walking on these hard surfaces during the summer months. We don't have access to much green-space to walk. What are your thoughts? Will she "tell me" when she feels the concrete is hurting her? Or, will she continue plodding along until it's too late? Do we cease our walks until next fall? Is there something out there that you could recommend as a foot protection? Our son-in-law has "booties" for his dogs that they wear during the cold snow and ice weather. I'd think those would be extremely hot in the summer. Advice is appreciated!!!!
I tend to put my hand or bare foot on the ground and if it feels quite hot to touch then I don't let Ella walk. Generally, if the ground is too hot, the air temp would be quite high so it probably wouldn't be great walking weather anyway. Ella tends to be quite lethargic in the heat and would much rather find a cool spot in the house to snooze her way through the day until the temperature drops in the evening.
I saw some advice that if you couldn't press the back of your hand to the pavement and keep it there for five seconds it's too hot for your dog's paws. I think you can put paw wax on to help but maybe some of our members in hotter countries can advise? @Dexter ?
The SIL has some sort of "winter shoes" for his hunting dogs. Growing up on a farm, we never worried about the dogs walking around in snow. Today's pets have so much more available to the owners making life much more comfortable... and safer. I called the "booties" since, even though they are made tough and waterproof, they reminded me of the knitted things we used to see for "city dogs". :>) (Sheesh! And now we have a "city dog"!!!)
I'm rural and not much salt is used here in winter, certainly not where we walk. But I think some winter city dogs wear booties because of salt.
I would worry that the dog would plod on regardless. I know @Dexter goes to great lengths to avoid the heat in Dubai. Might be worth trying the boots...take a bit for dogs to master though.
I recently saw some info on temperatures of concrete and asphalt compared to air temperature. For example an air temperature of 87F means an asphalt temperature of 143F. Skin damage can happen after 60 seconds at a temperature of 125F. I personally would move the time of when you go out walking to a cooler time of day.
Hi Walker,I live in Dubai and we reach temperatures in the 50's in the Summer.From what I've been told and seen evidence of horribly burnt paws ,no I would never rely on them to tell you if they are struggling. Barbara is right , many of our vets send out messages about the 5 second rule ... Dexter's evening walk is on lead around the estate I live.I take him now at 6 pm as when I can't walk on the grass the pavements are bearable but still very warm ....basically my route is dependent on patches of shade that I can follow. Dogs mainly cool themselves by panting but do sweat a little through their paws .....knowing this makes me want to walk him keeping his paws as cools as I possibly can ...I'm not medically trained but it just makes sense to me that keeping them cooler will make this release of heat more efficient. We have booties ( purchased due to a friction injury Dexter got from Astro turf) he didn't get on so well with them to be honest and he's a pretty chilled boy at getting used to things.....I'm sure they have their place but the fact that I NEVER see anyone using them where I live must indicate that dogs aren't enthused by them. I take plenty of water and Dexter has drinks In small amounts regularly ....you need to be so careful of dehydration but more critical is heat exhaustion/ stroke,they can get this even if they have been drinking ......knowing the signs is very important as its a medical emergency for a dog .... This link is helpful describing the signs and symptoms and action you should take. http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars/heatstroke Enjoy your walks with Abby and both stay safe x
I've seen photos of dog paws that have blistered on hot pavements in the area that I live (pavements are tarred). I once walked on my bare feet about 30 seconds on hot tar from the car to the beach cos I didn't want to carry my sandals once on the beach -- it was around 11am in the height of summer. I then walked on the beach, although the sand was cool from the sea, but I walked back to the car again on very hot tar, hopping from one foot to the next in those 30 seconds cos it was so excruciatingly painful. In that brief moment I got blisters on my feet and could not walk properly for about two days. So I am very cautious about taking Snowie out on hot pavements even though I know his paws are a lot tougher than my feet. The only time I walk him in the heat is for a block if I'm walking from home to the park. The pavement also radiates a lot of heat, so even if his paws can withstand it, your dog runs the risk of getting very hot. I guess guide dogs need to walk in all weather. Could you not consult the local guide dog association for advice on how to protect your dog's paws where you live?
GREAT idea!! We have a good friend who is certified to train service dogs. I'll give her a call tomorrow and ask her advice. As you say, service dogs go in all kinds of weather.
If it too hot for me too put my bare foot on the pavement it too hot for my dogs. I know a guide dog that got blisters on her feet from the heat. Also if its to hot to walk on pavement your dog is at risk form heat exhaustion. 2 summers ago a labrador nearly died because his owners took him out in the hotest part of the day and played ball because he seemed ok. He damaged his internal organs and the owners had a visit from the RSPCA. Basically he cooked his internal organs. I don't go out in the heat. My dogs don't go out when its too hot we stay at home with our paddling pool and play games and lie about on damp towels. If its hot but cool enouh to go out I organise the walk around a river or pool so that they can play in the water and always take some water for them with me. I hate the heat and suffer greatly because of it so I'm careful with my dogs as they like me can find it very difficult.. 2 are black so they just soak up the sun
If you can stand to walk barefoot on it, the dogs will probably do fine. Their pads are tougher than your feet, unless you walk barefoot all the time. Asphalt is much worse than concrete because of the color.
