Summer is finally here! And if you’re like me, that means being outside as much as you can on weekends and during your precious summer vacation. But summer also means sunburns. I, for one, always put on sunscreen whenever I’m going to be outdoors longer than about 10 minutes, and I hope you do, too. And while most of us are careful about protect ourselves from the sun, we often forget the furry members of our family. Most dogs have a coat that protects their bodies from getting burned, but we shouldn’t forget their paws! Now, a veterinary clinic in Florida has shared a picture on Facebook that shows what can happen when a dog walks on asphalt on a hot summer day.
The picture was published on the Hip Dog Canine Hydrotherapy & Fitness Facebook page along with the following message:
“This is what happens when a dog is walked on surfaces that are too hot! So folks, always check the sidewalk or road—if it’s too hot for you, it’s definitely too hot for your pets!”
But how do you know how hot is too hot?
Moon Valley Canine Training has come up with a good way to determine if pavement is too hot for your dog. Touch the back of your hand to the ground. Can you hold it there for five seconds without burning yourself? If not, it’s too hot for your dog, too!
Although you might live somewhere that doesn’t get too hot, it’s important to remember that asphalt gets hotter than air. So if you’re unsure about walking on pavement, walk on grass instead.
Still, if you must walk on pavement, remember that you can buy your dog special shoes to protect it from the heat.
And if you bring your dog to the beach, always check the sand first. Don’t just feel the surface—check a centimeter under the sand. On a windy day, the surface can feel cooler than the sand just beneath it.
And don’t forget to give your dog plenty of water to drink!
Please share this information with all dog owners in your life!
At Newsner, we love animals and believe in treating them with utmost respect. Please like if you do, too.
