How do I protect my dog's paws from hot pavement?

Pavement can become significantly hotter than the surrounding air temperature after a few hours of direct sun, so shifting walks to early morning or after sunset, when surfaces have had time to cool, avoids the problem for most of the year in temperate climates.

Grass, dirt paths, and shaded sidewalks stay noticeably cooler than open, sun exposed asphalt or concrete, so planning a route with more of these surfaces, even if it means a slightly longer walk, reduces overall paw exposure to extreme heat.

Well fitted dog booties create a physical barrier between the pad and hot surfaces, and are worth the adjustment period, usually a few short practice sessions at home, for dogs that walk regularly during warmer months in areas with a lot of paved ground.

Pressing the back of your hand against the pavement for 7 seconds is a widely used rule of thumb: if it is too hot for your hand to comfortably hold in place that long, it is too hot for your dog's paws, and choosing an alternative route or waiting for cooler temperatures is the safer option.

Carrying a small collapsible water bowl on hot weather walks lets you offer your dog a brief cooling break in shade partway through, which, combined with route planning, further reduces the overall heat stress on paws during unavoidable midday outings.

On especially hot days, even a shaded route can still radiate warmth from nearby buildings, so checking pavement temperature directly remains the most reliable test.