Wellbeing
Is the pavement too hot to walk your dog?
The short answer
Press the back of your hand (not your palm) flat against the pavement and hold it there for seven seconds. Can you keep it there comfortably? If not, the ground is too hot for your dog's paws. Wait for it to cool down, walk them on grass, or head out early in the morning instead.
Why do pavements get so much hotter than the air?
Tarmac and paving slabs soak up heat all day, so the ground under your dog's paws is often far hotter than the air around you. Even on a summer day where the air temperature feels nice, a hot pavement is one of the main causes of burned dog paws every summer and can do so in under a minute!
As a rough guide:
Air temperature | Approximate pavement temperature |
|---|---|
20°C | Up to 40°C |
25°C | Up to 52°C |
30°C | 60°C or more |
Hard surfaces retain heat, meaning pavements often stay too hot for dogs to walk in well into the evening, long after the air has cooled. Dark tarmac, artificial grass and metal surfaces like drain covers are hottest, so take care to avoid them!
For more guidance and tips on keeping dogs cool in warm weather, check out our blog on when it's too hot to walk your dog.
How to do the seven-second test
Before every warm-weather walk:
Find a patch of the surface you'll actually be walking on (e.g. tarmac, not the grass verge next to it)
Press the back of your hand flat against it
Hold it there for seven seconds
If you can't hold your hand there comfortably for the full seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog! Use the back of your hand rather than your palm - it's more sensitive, so it gives a truer read on what your dog's pads will feel.
This 7-second pavement test is quick and easy and works anywhere: outside your front door, at the park, or on holiday abroad.
Signs of burned paw pads
Hot pavement burns can happen quickly, with dogs often walking on sore pads without complaint. Keep an eye out for:
Limping, or refusing to walk
Licking or chewing at their feet
Pads that look darker or redder than usual
Blisters, or patches of pad peeling away
If you spot any of these signs, carry your dog off the hot surface if you can, cool their paws gently with cool (not icy!) running water, and call your vet. Burned pads are painful and can become infected, so they usually need professional treatment.
If you’re worried about vet bills, Napo pet insurance provides lifetime cover for dogs and cats, so you can focus on getting your dog seen quickly - not what it costs.
Early signs of heatstroke to watch for on walks
Hot ground and warm air are a risky combo! Keep an eye on your dog for the earliest warning signs while you're out, such as:
Heavy panting that doesn't settle when you stop
Drooling more than usual
Slowing down, lagging behind or seeming wobbly
Bright red gums
If you notice any of these, stop the walk, move your dog into shade and offer small amounts of water. Heatstroke in dogs can escalate quickly, so it's worth knowing all the signs and exactly what to do next.
When and where to walk your dog
Go early - the best time to walk a dog in summer is first thing in the morning, before the ground has had a chance to heat up.
Late evening is next best - but do the seven-second test first, because tarmac retains heat long after sunset.
Choose grass and shade - pick these over pavements, and woodland or field routes over roadside walks.
If in doubt, skip the walk - a missed walk never hurts a dog, but a hot one can. Garden sniffing games, frozen treats and indoor play are all good substitutes on the hottest days.
Main takeaway
Your dog's paws do have some natural protection built in, but they're not immune to heat. If the ground fails the seven-second test, it fails - no matter how comfortable your dog seems.