Hot Pavement & Paw Burns: Summer Walk Safety in San Antonio

September signals the start of the cooler autumn season for a lot of states in the U.S., but Texas isn’t one of them. Summer is usually still in full swing in San Antonio during September, which means pet parents must continue to stay vigilant about summer heat safety. 

This includes making sure your dog stays safe from paw burns, just as you do in April and May when the sun starts beating down on our pavement in San Antonio.

Today, the team at Family Pet of Stone Oak shares 3 tips for keeping your dog’s paws safe from the hot pavement in San Antonio this September.

3 Tips for Summer Dog Walking Safety in San Antonio

1. Walk When the Pavement Isn’t Hot (But Check it First!)

The best times to take Fido for a walk are early in the morning, before the sun fully rises and begins radiating heat onto the pavement, or late at night, after some of the heat has dissipated in the darkness.

Aim to walk your dog during those times, if possible, but get in the habit of checking the pavement’s temperature with the back of your hand. If it feels hot to the touch, it’s too hot for your pup’s pads. Opt for a play session in a grassy or sandy area—or take Fido to a local creek to cool off! 

We’ve got plenty in the area, including San Antonio River Walk, McAllister Park, and Phil Hardberger Park.

2. Protect Your Pup’s Paws with Booties or Wax

Up in Alaska, pup parents routinely put booties on their dogs’ paws to protect them from the harsh cold of snow and ice. Here in Texas, we can do the same—but for heat protection purposes. Or, you can use specially made wax pads that keep your pup’s paws safe. We like these wax pads, available on Amazon, or this pair from Ruffwear.

It will take your dog a few walks to get used to wearing booties. You might want to get the camera out to record the adorable dance of confusion many dogs do when they first wear protective booties. But with the right protection from the heat, you can take your pup out for a walk even when the pavement is warmer than you’d like.

Booties are an ideal choice for anyone who can’t feasibly get Fido out for a walk in the early morning or late night when sidewalks and roads are considerably cooler.

3. Routinely Check Your Pup for Paw Burns

Despite your best efforts, paw burns do happen. Perhaps another family member takes your dog out for a walk, not realizing how hot the pavement is. Or maybe the pavement initially feels okay, but then warms up to dangerous levels during the course of your long walk with your canine companion.

Because this can happen to anyone, it’s best to get into the routine of checking your dog’s paw pads after each walk. Look for signs of burns, such as redness, blisters, or peeling paw pads. If you notice any irritated areas, immediately bring your dog inside to a cool area and check for other signs of potential heat stress, too, such as excessive panting, drooling, or lethargy. 

Do this to treat your pup’s paws: carefully rinse the paws with cool, but not ice-cold, water, and then keep your pup off hot surfaces. Make sure you keep your pet from licking his paws until your veterinarian can assess the injury.  

If you notice severe blistering, bleeding, persistent limping, or if your dog refuses to use their affected leg and paw, it’s time to visit the vet. 

Dog Paw Burn Care in San Antonio, Texas

If your dog’s paws are burned, irritated, and in need of professional treatment, the caring team at Family Pet of Stone Oak is here to help. We can diagnose and treat your pooch’s precious paws and offer additional tips to help ensure those delicate feet stay safe for the rest of our long Texas summer.

Call us today at (210) 495-2722 to schedule a paw care appointment.