LEWISTON – Dogs can suffer burns to their paws on days that are not seemingly hot. Pavement and other surfaces such as artificial grass, running tracks, brick, and concrete, can get extremely hot as they soak up the sun throughout the day and retain the heat.
One way to know if a surface is too hot for your dog’s paws is by using the seven-second rule: if you cannot hold the back of your hand down on a hot surface for seven seconds, consider it too hot for your dog to walk on.
Here is a helpful chart from Petplan to determine the temperature of the asphalt for your furry friend.
The Idaho Human Society also provided this graphic to help pet owners keep their dogs safe as well.
Other ways to help protect your dog from burns are keeping to natural grass (artificial grass has proven to retain extremely high levels of heat), walking your dog early in the morning or late in the evening, and possibly looking into purchasing protective booties.
Also, if you see a pet locked in a car, or who is outside and may be subjected to paw pad burn:
Call the Lewiston Police Department at (208) 746-0171
Call the Clarkston Police Department at (509) 758-2331
Call the Asotin County Sheriffs Department at (509) 243-4717
Call the Moscow Police Department at (208) 882-2677
Call the Pullman Police Department at (509) 334-0802
