Paw Safety Check
Concrete vs Asphalt vs Grass: Which Is Safest for Paws?
Not all surfaces are equal in the heat. The route you choose can be the difference between a comfortable walk and a burn. Here’s how common surfaces stack up, from coolest to hottest.
Grass and dirt: the coolest
Grass, soil and dirt trails stay closest to the air temperature because moisture and plant transpiration carry heat away. Shaded grass is almost always safe, even on hot days. Whenever you have the choice, walk on grass.
Light concrete: cooler than asphalt
Pale concrete reflects more sunlight than dark asphalt, so it typically runs 10–15 °C cooler. It’s a better choice than blacktop, but on a very hot, sunny day it can still get hot enough to burn - so don’t assume it’s safe without testing.
Dark asphalt: the hottest common surface
Black asphalt absorbs roughly 88% of incoming sunlight and heats up fast and high - often 20–30 °C above the air in direct sun, reaching 50–60 °C (122–140 °F) on hot days. It’s the surface most likely to burn paws.
Sand, metal and artificial turf
Watch out for three sneaky hot surfaces: dry beach sand stores huge amounts of heat; metal (manhole covers, drain grates, truck beds) gets extremely hot and conducts heat fast; and artificial turf can be far hotter than real grass - often as hot as pavement - because it doesn’t transpire.
How to pick the coolest route
- Favour grass, dirt and shade over any pavement
- Choose light concrete over dark asphalt when you must use pavement
- Avoid metal and artificial turf in the heat
- Test with the 7-second hand check, and plan with the paw safety checker
Frequently asked questions
Is concrete or asphalt hotter for dogs?
Dark asphalt is hotter - it absorbs about 88% of sunlight and can run 10–15 °C hotter than pale concrete in direct sun. Both can burn on very hot days.
Is grass cooler than pavement for dogs?
Yes, significantly. Grass and soil stay near the air temperature thanks to moisture and transpiration, and shaded grass is almost always safe to walk on.
Is artificial turf safe for dogs in summer?
Often not - artificial turf can get as hot as pavement because it doesn’t transpire like real grass. Test it with the hand check before letting your dog walk on it.