Hot Pavement and Burnt Paws: The 7-Second Test

Press the back of your hand flat against the pavement and hold it there. If you can't keep it down for seven seconds, it's too hot for your dog to walk on. Paw pads are tough, but they're skin, and they can blister on sun-baked tarmac just as your hand would. On a 25C UK day, pavement in direct sun can reach 50C or more, which is enough to scald in a couple of minutes.

Why pavements get so much hotter than the air

The temperature on the forecast is air temperature measured in the shade. Dark tarmac, paving slabs and artificial grass absorb sunlight and radiate it back, so the surface can sit 20C or more above the air. That's why a mild-feeling 22C afternoon can still leave a pavement hot enough to hurt. Tarmac is the worst offender; concrete and stone are a little kinder but still get dangerous in full sun.

The risk peaks from late morning to early evening. By the time you're thinking "it's not even that hot", the ground has been baking for hours.

The 7-second test, done properly

• Use the back of your hand, which is more sensitive than your palm.
• Press it firmly to the surface your dog will actually walk on, not the grass verge beside it.
• Count slowly to seven. If it's uncomfortable before you finish, don't walk.
• Re-test on the day, every day. Cloud cover and time of day change everything.

If the test fails, the answer isn't to push on regardless. Walk before 8am or after sunset when the ground has cooled, stick to grass and shaded woodland, or skip the walk entirely and do indoor games instead. A missed walk never hurt a dog; a burn does.

Spotting a burnt paw

Dogs are stoic and often won't yelp, so check the pads when you get home. Signs of a burn include:

• Limping or refusing to walk
• Licking or chewing at the feet
• Pads that look darker than usual, red, or shiny
• Visible blisters or torn, peeling pad skin
• Missing patches where the surface skin has come away

If you see blistering, raw skin, or your dog is clearly in pain, cool the paws with cool (not ice-cold) water, keep your dog off hard surfaces, and ring your vet. Pad burns can get infected and some need proper dressing, so this is one to get checked rather than tough out at home.

How to protect paws on hot days

The simplest protection is timing and route choice, but kit helps when you can't avoid hot ground.

• Dog boots are the most reliable barrier on hot tarmac and on gritted or icy pavements in winter, too. Introduce them indoors first so your dog gets used to the feel. Our dog boots range covers summer and winter walking.
• Paw balm keeps pads supple and less prone to cracking, which makes them more resilient. A regularly used dog paw balm is cheap insurance.
• For dogs that overheat fast, a dog cooling mats gives them a cool spot to recover on after a walk or on a hot afternoon indoors.

If your dog struggles on slippery floors after a walk, anti-slip dog socks can help indoors, though they aren't a substitute for proper boots on hot ground.

Heat is a whole-dog problem

Burnt paws rarely travel alone. The same conditions that cook the pavement put your dog at risk of overheating, and that's far more dangerous. Flat-faced breeds, older dogs and overweight dogs are especially vulnerable. Learn the early signs in Heatstroke in Dogs: Warning Signs and How to Prevent It, because heatstroke can be fatal and minutes matter.

For year-round paw protection and choosing footwear that works in both seasons, see Best Dog Boots for Winter Walks and Hot Pavements (UK). More seasonal guidance lives in our Seasonal Pet Care hub.

The short version

Do the 7-second test every hot day, walk early or late, choose grass and shade, and keep boots and balm in your kit for the days you can't avoid hot ground. It takes seconds and saves your dog real pain.