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When it’s warm outside, the floor can get scorching hot quickly. The balls of your dog’s feet are in direct contact with the hot asphalt, so protecting them is very important. Here you find out how this works.

Take your dog for a walk when it is less hot

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That is only logical: so that the walks do not become torture for you or your four-legged friend, you should go for a walk with your dog when it is least hot: as early as possible in the morning and as late as possible in the evening. Walk in the shade and avoid concrete! This not only protects your paws but your four-legged friend as a whole.

Touch the ground with your hand

To find out if the floor is too hot for your dog, you can simply try it for yourself by touching him with your hand. If you burn yourself (on the concrete, on the sand, etc.), your dog will also get burned. Remember that the balls of your dog’s feet are in direct contact with the ground, just like walking the streets barefoot.

Keep moving

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Your dog shouldn’t stop outside, as this increases the risk of getting burned. Let him go, don’t tell him to wait in one place without moving (outside a shop or a zebra crossing, for example, or while talking to someone on the street). It is best to take breaks in a shady place or in a cool place.

Shorten the walks

Take several, but shorter walks. If you feel your dog is troubled by the lack of activity, pay more attention to the indoors, especially in the form of games. You can also take a long walk in the evening after nightfall to compensate for the lack of exercise during the day.

Use barrier cream

Before and after walks, apply barrier moisturizing cream to protect the balls of your dog’s feet (you can ask a veterinarian or pet store employee for advice), or use dog shoes that are specifically designed to protect their paws. After the walk, you should wash the balls of your dog’s feet with cold water.

The balls of my dog are burned – what to do?

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If, despite these protective measures, your dog no longer wants to walk, licks its paws, limps, or the balls of its feet look damaged (blisters, reddening, cracks, …), then in all probability, it has burned itself.

In this case, if possible, carry it to a cool place, wash the balls of its feet with cold water, and apply a mild antibacterial agent. You can keep your sore paws cool with wet towels. If the injury is severe, you should seek medical advice. If your four-legged friend suddenly shows heavy panting in hot temperatures, take him to a shady spot immediately. In the worst case, your dog has a heat stroke, then extreme caution is advised.