Walking

Author: Denise Partlow

Instagram: @modernk9 Carolinas

One of the first things I like to do when I head outside for a walk and the weather is warm is feel the ground with my own hand. If you cannot keep your hand on that ground for more than 7 seconds without wanting to remove it, then it’s a good indicator that your dog’s paws should not be touching that surface either.

Sand and hot asphalt can burn your dog’s paws so be mindful of the time of day you choose to walk your dog. Those surfaces are typically cooler during the morning or evening. If you absolutely have to walk during the day, stick to grassy areas-but ones that have not been chemically treated within the last 24 hours.

If you are going to go out for a long walk, you can also use a natural paw protector such as Musher’s Secret. And for extremely hot days, you can get a pair of booties for your dog to wear-just keep in mind that there is a conditioning process that is necessary to help dogs feel comfortable wearing these.

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that on hot days, dogs can overheat easily. So look out for the next post where I will discuss the topic of heatstroke.