Hot Pavement and Dogs: How to Protect Paws in Summer

Last reviewed: July 2026.

Hot pavements are one of the easiest summer risks to miss. The air might feel manageable to you, but tarmac, concrete, paving slabs, sand and artificial grass can become much hotter in direct sun.

Dogs still need toilet breaks, movement and sniffing time, so the answer is not simply “never go outside”. The safer approach is to change the timing, check the surface, choose cooler routes and know when a walk should become indoor enrichment instead.

This guide is for UK dog owners planning summer walks, especially during warm spells, heat warnings or bright sunny afternoons.

Why hot pavement is a problem for dogs

Dog paw pads are tough, but they are still skin. They can become sore, cracked or burned when a dog walks on surfaces that have heated up in the sun.

Pavement heat also adds to the wider risk of overheating. Dogs are closer to the ground than we are, and they cannot cool themselves as efficiently as humans. A route that feels fine for your legs can still be uncomfortable for paws, bellies and short-nosed or low-to-the-ground breeds.

Take extra care with puppies, senior dogs, flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, dark-coated dogs, dogs with existing health conditions and any dog who tends to push through discomfort because they love their walks.

The hand test: simple but useful

Before walking on pavement, place the back of your hand on the surface for five to seven seconds. If you cannot keep it there comfortably, choose a cooler surface or walk later.

Test the actual surface your dog will use, not just a nearby shaded patch. Sunny tarmac, paving slabs, road crossings, metal covers, sand, decking and artificial grass can all heat differently.

This test is not perfect. Wind, humidity, your dog’s health and how long they are walking all matter. But it is a quick, practical check that can stop a walk before paws are put at risk.

When to skip the walk

Skipping a walk can feel difficult, especially if your dog is used to a routine. But on hot days, a shorter toilet break and indoor enrichment can be kinder than pushing through a normal route.

Consider skipping or shortening the walk if:

• the pavement fails the hand test
• there is little shade on your usual route
• your dog is panting before you have properly started
• your dog is older, very young, flat-faced or has a health concern
• you would need to walk at lunchtime or mid-afternoon
• your dog has already had a busy day in the heat

Our UK summer dog safety guide covers wider heat risks, and our hydration tips can help if your dog is not keen on plain water.

What to do instead of a hot pavement walk

A missed walk does not have to mean a bored dog. Keep the aim calm and low-effort rather than replacing a hot walk with frantic indoor games.

• Scatter a few tiny treats in a shaded garden or on a towel indoors.
• Practise two or three easy cues with small rewards.
• Use a thin spread on a lick mat for a quiet settling activity.
• Offer a short supervised chew if it suits your dog’s size and diet.
• Set up a simple sniffing search around one room.
• Choose a cool toilet break, then come back inside before your dog heats up.

If your dog gets restless when walks are shorter, our guide to rotating enrichment gives simple ways to mix sniffing, licking, chewing and problem-solving without overdoing it.

Useful products for hot-day routine swaps

These products do not protect paws from hot ground or treat heat injury. They can simply support safer habits, such as carrying drink options, rewarding shade choices and giving your dog calm enrichment when a walk is shortened.

How to check paws after a summer walk

After a warm-weather outing, check each paw calmly. Look at the pads, between the toes and around the nails.

Watch for:

• limping or reluctance to walk
• lifting paws or hopping between feet
• excessive licking or chewing at the feet
• red, darkened, cracked, blistered or peeling pads
• bleeding, swelling or obvious pain

If paws look sore, move your dog onto a cool surface, prevent further walking on hot ground and contact your vet for advice. Do not apply human creams or home remedies unless your vet has told you to.

Summer paw checks sit nicely alongside other after-walk checks. If you walk through long grass, also read our guide to grass seeds and dogs. If you walk in woodland or heathland, add our tick-check routine too.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Only checking the air temperature. Surface temperature can be very different from the weather app.
• Assuming short walks are always safe. A short route can still include hot tarmac, road crossings or sunny paving.
• Letting dogs decide. Some dogs will keep going even when they are uncomfortable.
• Replacing walks with high-energy indoor play. On hot days, calmer enrichment is usually a better swap.
• Relying on hydration alone. Water matters, but it does not make hot pavement safe for paws.
• Ignoring mild limping. Paw pad injuries can worsen if the dog keeps walking on them.

FAQs

What temperature is too hot to walk a dog on pavement?

There is no single safe number because surface type, sun, shade, wind and your dog’s health all matter. Use the hand test and choose cooler times and surfaces. If in doubt, skip the pavement route.

Is grass always safe?

Grass is usually cooler than pavement, but it can still be warm in full sun and may carry other seasonal risks such as grass seeds or ticks. Choose shaded grass where possible and check your dog afterwards.

Can dog boots protect paws?

Well-fitting boots can help some dogs, but they need gradual training and careful checks for rubbing. Boots can also make some dogs move awkwardly or overheat if used badly. If you use them, introduce them slowly indoors first.

Should I use paw balm for hot pavement?

Paw balm may help some dogs with general pad care, but it should not be used as a reason to walk on hot surfaces. If pads are burned, cracked or painful, speak to your vet.

What should I do if my dog’s paws look burned?

Stop the walk, move your dog to a cool surface, avoid more pavement and contact your vet. Paw burns can be painful and may need proper treatment.

Sources and further reading

• The Kennel Club: The danger of hot pavements
• Dogs Trust: Caring for your dog during hot weather
• PDSA: Safely exercising your dog in hot weather
• RSPCA: Caring for your dog in hot weather
• PDSA: Heatstroke in dogs

Final thoughts

Hot pavement is not always obvious until a dog is already uncomfortable. A quick surface check, a shaded route and a willingness to swap a walk for calm enrichment can make summer days much safer.

If the pavement fails the hand test, it is not a failed walk. It is good judgement. Keep the toilet break short, head back to the cool, and save the proper sniffing walk for when the ground has cooled down.