Summertime is perfect for dog beaches, doggie BBQs, and long evening walks with your pup! But it’s important to keep in mind that peak daytime hours means hot pavement! And while we may have shoes on to protect our feet, your dogs paws are not naturally protected from the elements! That means you need to take special care if you want to take your dog with you everywhere. I live in Florida and during summer the pavement gets hot enough you could cook an egg on the sidewalk! So after tons of research, I’ve rounded up my favorite ways to protect your dog’s paws in summer!
Ways to protect your dog’s paws in summer:
- Toughen up their paws
- Avoid the heat
- Moisturize your dog’s paws
- Always have water on hand
- Keep a doggie mat
- Dog socks
- Dog shoes
- Use paw wax
- Use shoe suspenders
- Peel and stick felt pads
- Examine their paws vigilantly
Plus, at the end of this article you can learn about some first aid tips to take care of your dogs paws!
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1 – Make their paw pads stronger
Doggie paws are a pretty amazing thing!
They can withstand some pretty rough surfaces – as long as they are used to it!
That means that you should be regularly walking your dog on the pavement when it’s not so hot outside so that their paws can build up a resistance and get stronger.
This is never something that I used to think about – but after a few summers with Milo’s paw pads getting injured, I now make sure his paws are prepared before the hot summer temps kick in!
And it’s not super difficult to do!
Instead of walking your dog on the grass, stick to the road or sidewalk. This will help strengthen the paw pads little by little!
2 – Avoid the Heat
If you’re new to hotter climates, this one may not be as common sense as it seems
But during the middle of the day – around 11 am to 3 pm – temperatures are at their peak. And the pavement temperature is not far behind!
Of course, the easiest way to prevent scalding your pup’s paws is simply to avoid the heat altogether!
So instead of going for walks in the middle of the day, or doing other outdoor activities for that matter, consider planning those activities for early morning or later in the afternoon.
Not only will your dog be better off, but you won’t roast in the sun either!
And as a native Floridian, I can tell you – when it’s 100+ degrees outside, air conditioning is your best friend!
3 – Moisturize your dog’s paws
When I spend a lot of time in the sun without wearing any chapstick, my lips dry up, start to crack, and can even bleed in extreme circumstances.
The same is true for your dog’s paws.
Using moisturizer is a great way to prevent their paws from drying out and cracking, which can ultimately lead to the paw pads peeling and getting infected!
Doggie moisturizer is completely safe if your dog licks their paw while the moisturizer is on, so be sure to use one that’s specific for dogs.
I also use petroleum jelly on Milo’s paws which I have in my medicine cabinet anyway. I just put a dime sized amount for each of his huge paws and rub it in.
About once per week in summer seems to do the trick! But of course, check with your vet before using any human products on your dog!
4 – Always have water on hand
If you can’t avoid going out during the hottest time of day, it’s a good idea to have water for your pup on hand.
Not only is this a good rule of thumb to prevent dehydration in your dog, but also to cool them off!
One summer I was in Maine visiting my dad and we were walking around town during the hottest time of day.
I noticed that Milo kept kicking his feet up like he was trying to get something off his paws.
At first I thought he had stepped in something, but I quickly realized his paws were actually burning up!
Thankfully we were by the water so we just walked on down to the dock and he was able to cool his feet off! But from then on I have always kept extra water for his paws on hot days!
5 – Keep a doggie mat
Another good item to keep with you when you’re out and about with your dog is a doggie mat.
For example, if you’re having lunch at an outdoor restaurant, you can’t always guarantee a shady spot for your pup within leash distance.
Having a foldable mat that you can easily pull out and set down gives your pup a nice comfy (and cool) spot to lay on.
That makes it so much more comfortable for your dog’s paws instead of having to figure out another place to eat!
6 – dog socks
Have you ever seen a dog wearing socks?
Me neither – until last summer when I saw this adorable Goldendoodle with a pair of bright pink socks!
After having struggled with keeping Milo’s paws cool all summer, I quickly realized what those socks were for.
But they weren’t just regular fabric socks like the ones we wear – they were more like socks with rubber soles attached to the bottom of them.
Yes, apparently it’s a thing!
After a quick search, it seems that dog socks get used a lot to prevent dogs from licking wounds on their paws. But of course there’s never just one use for something!
Dog socks are the perfect solution to keeping your pups paws off the pavement!
7 – Dog Shoes
Similar to dog socks, dog shoes are a very effective way to protect your fur baby’s feet.
Plus, there are many more options for doggie shoes!
But not every dog feels comfortable wearing shoes and might even fuss at the start – Milo hates wearing sweaters, shoes, or any other accessories.
However, dog shoes usually come with some type of straps in order to prevent the dog from getting them off.
And eventually they will get used to them, especially if it means they don’t have to suffer that summer heat!
Keep in mind though, that your dog might find it difficult to balance themselves when they first wear them. It takes time and patience to get your pooch comfortable walking with shoes on, so go slowly and don’t get too upset when your dog doesn’t immediately love them!
And, if you live in a place where it gets cold in the wintertime, dog shoes are dual purpose to protect your dogs paws in the snow as well!
Just imagine how many cute doggie booties you – and your dog – could have!
They are also perfect for taking your dog on long hikes or camping trips where there could potentially be lots of rocks, sticks, and other items that can hurt your dog.
Getting a good set of doggie hiking boots can be the difference between a great camping trip with your pup and having to break out the doggie first aid kit!
8 – Use paw wax
Very severe and harsh conditions like scorching hot pavement can cause burns, cuts or tears on your pooch’s paws.
Enter paw wax.
Like moisturizer, paw wax protects your dog’s paw pads.
But unlike moisturizer, paw wax is much thicker and provides a protective shield between their paws and the hot pavement.
All you need to do is nicely smear it on your pooch’s paw pads and voila, it should offer a lot of protection against the harsh walking conditions.
If you don’t have paw wax available in your area instantly you can always make use of petroleum jelly, but it’s not as good of a barrier since paw wax is much thicker.
But, hey, something is better than nothing, right?
9 – Use shoe suspenders
Call me crazy, but am I the only one who had never heard of shoe suspenders for dogs?
Until recently, that is.
But I guess there’s a product for everything and if your pooch can’t seem to keep those shoes on his feet, then shoe suspenders are a legit option!
Just the thought of Milo wearing shoes and suspenders makes me laugh, but I can definitely see how they would come in handy!
I mean, getting him to keep his Halloween costume on for even one picture is an accomplishment. So anything that ultimately keeps him – and his paws – from getting hurt is a win in my book.
The suspenders are adjustable and can be used with any shoes and even socks. Now you can go out for walks without having to worry that your pooch will burn his paw pads due to the extreme heat.
Although you might get some funny looks!
10 – Peel & stick felt pads
While peel and stick pads are not the normal solution to keeping your dogs paw’s protected, they can definitely be useful on the fly if you don’t have anything else!
Now, this is for sure not a long term solution, but they do work – trust me!
They are easy to use and they help minimize the danger of potential burns and injuries to your pooch’s paws from the hot pavement. And if your pooch is very prone to slipping then the peel and stick pads can assist with this problem.
Another alternative to the peel and stick felt pads is silicone tape or scar pads.
They are very easy to stick on and can be cut to their exact paw size. They can be used more than once and can also withstand wet conditions.
Plus, they are flexible, thin and durable.
At first, you dog might try to chew them off, but since they’re so lightweight, it won’t be an issue for them to balance and they might even forget they’re there after a bit!
11- Examine their Paws Vigilantly
One of the most important ways to protect your dog’s paws is to keep an eye out for any injuries.
This can look like your dog limping, excessive licking of one paw, or bleeding.
I’ve even caught Milo trying to chew off pieces of his paw pad that started peeling!
Make sure to teach your dog the “paw” command so that you can examine your pup’s paws whenever you notice that something is wrong.
If they really are injured they probably won’t want to let you look at it, but if you’ve trained them to give their paw on command, this becomes much easier!
And whenever you get to cuddle up with your dog, you should look for any signs of damage, cuts, tears or peeling.
Of course, if you do notice something stuck on their paws be sure to remove it immediately and assess the damage. Remove all debris, stones, chards of glass or dirt stuck on their paw pads gently.
If you feel his paws are getting dry, apply some moisturizer to keep them soft.
And if you do notice any injuries that require medical treatment, be sure to take them to the vet so their paws don’t get infected!
Signs of Paw Injury
As a dog owner it’s not uncommon to deal with dog injuries.
Throughout the years I’ve learned to stop Milo’s ears from bleeding, mend wounds on his paw pads, and even treat upset tummies when he eats trash – yes, trash!
And while dogs spend a good amount of time on their feet, their paws are meant to withstand a lot of pressure and harsh conditions.
Think about it – if you didn’t wear any shoes for the majority of your life the bottom of your feet would build up calluses too!
This is to protect your inner layers of skin and muscle from becoming damaged and is essentially what happens to dog’s paw pads too.
But even with all of that, dog’s paws are still soft and can get easily damaged. Milo has had several occasions where I notice his paw pad peeling or pus coming from one of his nails.
Since dog’s feet are so close to the ground for the majority of the day, it’s only natural that they come in contact with tons of rocks, jagged objects, and even bacteria.
So noticing the signs of injury or infection is the first step to protecting your dog’s paws!
Here are some interesting signs that can help you identify paw injuries in your pup:
- The paw pads are not their normal color
- They are constantly licking or chewing at their paws
- Limping or avoiding walking on that paw
- Cracking, peeling, or bleeding on their paws
- Pus or abnormal growth
If you see any of these signs call your vet immediately so that your pup can be treated accordingly.
First Aid for Paws
If you notice any injuries on your pup’s paws, there are a few step you can take to administer a temporary first aid – but of course, be sure to check with your vet as needed!
- Wash their wound with warm water to remove any dirt or debris
- Use tweezers to remove any items lodged in the paw pad
- Dry their paw and apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
- Make sure your dog stays indoors to prevent additional dirt getting into the wound
- Prevent your dog from licking or chewing his paw pad as that can increase the probability of infection
Once you have applied at home doggie first aid, seek veterinary care and monitor for signs of healing. Only the vet can tell if your pooch requires additional care!
How Hot Is Too Hot?
The air temperature outside is often lower than the temperature of the pavement since the pavement materials absorb heat.
So if it’s 90 degrees outside, the pavement can be 20-30 degrees higher – or more!
We don’t often notice this since we have shoes on. But dogs can feel their paws burning with every step!
A good rule of thumb is to place your hand on the pavement and hold it for a few seconds. If it’s too hot to keep your hand there, it’s too hot for your pup!
And if you do find yourself out for a walk with your pup, but you’re not sure if it’s too hot – here are some signs that your pup is not having a good time:
- Your dog starts “kicking” in the air like a donkey – this is because their paws hurt and they want to get that burning feeling off
- Your dog looks for grass to stand on or other soft, cool places
- Your dog is panting and has trouble breathing
- Your dog is laying on the ground and does not want to get up
I hope all these tips and tricks help you keep your fur baby safe this summer and have a good time no matter where you are! Just remember to keep plenty of water on hand for both you and your pup – and always look for signs of injury, just in case!
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