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How to Protect Your Dog's Paws from Hot Pavement

Short answer

Hot pavement can burn your dog's paw pads — asphalt can reach about 135°F when the air is only 86°F. Before walking, use the hand test: if you can't hold the back of your hand on the surface comfortably for several seconds, it's too hot for your dog. Walk in the cooler early morning or evening, stick to grass or shade, and consider dog boots.

Sourced from veterinary authorities · not a diagnosis · anything risky goes to a vet.

Who this is for

Dog owners walking or exercising dogs in warm and hot weather.

When this doesn’t apply
  • Cold-weather paw care (ice, snow, and salt), which needs different guidance
  • A dog already showing heatstroke signs, which is an emergency
  • Replacing veterinary care for an injured or burned pad

Step by step

  1. Do the hand test
    Press the back of your hand to the pavement for several seconds. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
  2. Time walks for cooler hours
    Walk in the early morning or evening, and avoid the hottest parts of the day.
  3. Choose cooler surfaces
    Stick to grass, dirt, or shaded paths instead of asphalt, which gets far hotter than the air.
  4. Consider dog boots
    Dog boots or all-terrain shoes protect against hot surfaces; introduce them gradually so your dog gets used to them.
  5. Condition and moisturize pads
    Regular walking on cooler surfaces and pad-moisturizing products help keep pads from drying and cracking, which makes burns more likely.
  6. Watch your dog and carry water
    Head home if your dog hesitates, lifts its paws, or shows any signs of overheating.

Normal, or time to call the vet?

Normal — carry on
On a cool surface — grass, shade, or pavement that passes the hand test — your dog can walk normally, and the pads should look intact and even-colored.
Keep an eye on it
If your dog hesitates, lifts its paws, or licks its feet after a walk, get off the hot surface and check the pads, and keep future walks to cooler times of day.
Book a vet visit
Limping, redness, blisters, missing skin, or darkened pads can be signs of a burn — have your vet check them.
Emergency — go now
Signs of heatstroke — heavy panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting, confusion, or collapse — are an emergency. Move your dog to shade, begin cooling, and get to a vet right away.

What changes the answer

  • Air temperature and time of day
  • Surface type — asphalt, metal, and sand get hottest
  • Whether the pads are conditioned or soft
  • Your dog's heat tolerance — flat-faced, dark-coated, older, or overweight dogs are at higher risk

Common mistakes

  • Judging by air temperature instead of the surface temperature
  • Walking on pavement at midday in summer
  • Assuming pads are 'tough' enough for any surface
  • Focusing on paws while missing early signs of heatstroke

Sources

Common questions

How hot is too hot for pavement?
If it's too hot for the back of your hand held there for several seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
When is the best time to walk in summer?
Early morning or evening, when surfaces have cooled down.
Do dog boots really help?
Yes — dog boots protect against hot surfaces. Let your dog get used to wearing them before a full walk.
My dog's pad looks red or blistered — what now?
That can be a burn. Keep your dog off hot surfaces and have your vet check it.

Next steps