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Safety Reference Guide

        Use this as a screening guide.

        Conditions vary by surface (asphalt vs concrete), colour, shade, wind, and time of day.
        If your dog shows signs of distress or injury, contact a veterinarian.
    

1. The 7-Second Hand Check

        Place the back of your hand firmly on the walking surface for 7 seconds.
        If you cannot keep it there comfortably, choose shade, grass, or postpone the walk.
        Test both sun and shade, they can differ.
    

2. Air Temperature vs Surface Temperature

Do not assume air temperature maps 1:1 to the ground. In direct sun, dark pavement can run far hotter than the surrounding air.

Air temperature 25°C (77°F)

Dark pavement (direct sun) can exceed 50°C (122°F) in extreme cases

Example (reported) 30°C (86°F) air

Example (reported) ~57°C (135°F) asphalt

These figures are illustrative, actual surface temperature depends on sunlight, wind, surface material, and shading. The hand check remains the most reliable quick test.

3. Overheating and Heatstroke

Dogs cool themselves mainly through panting and increased blood flow to the skin. They can sweat a little through the paw pads, but this is limited. Heat illness can escalate quickly, especially in brachycephalic breeds, overweight dogs, older dogs, and dogs with thick or dark coats.

Watch for warning signs:

Breathing: excessive panting, noisy breathing, struggling to breathe.
Mouth and gums: very red, pale, blue, or gray gums.
Saliva: thick drool.
Behaviour: weakness, staggering, confusion, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea.

        If you suspect heatstroke:
        Move to shade or indoors immediately.
Start cooling with cool or lukewarm water on the body and use a fan if available.
Offer small sips of water if the dog is alert, do not force drinking.
Do not immerse in ice-cold water.
Seek veterinary care urgently. Keep cooling during transport if possible.
If you can measure temperature, discontinue active cooling around 39.7–40.0°C (103.5–104.0°F) to reduce overcooling risk.

    

4. Hot Pavement Paw Burns

Paw pads can blister or burn on hot surfaces. If your dog starts limping or looks uncomfortable, check the paws and stop the walk.

Common signs:

limping, refusing to walk, whining
licking or chewing paws
redness, swelling, darkening, or blistering on pads

        What to do:
        Move off the hot surface immediately.
Cool the paw with cool running water or a cool compress.
Do not apply creams that your dog may lick.
Contact a veterinarian promptly if there is blistering, significant swelling, or ongoing pain.

    

5. Cold Weather and De-Icers

Cold conditions add two main issues: cold-related injury risk and chemical irritation from de-icers. Risk increases around freezing temperatures 0°C (32°F) and below, especially with long exposure, wind, and wet paws.

De-icing salts and chemicals: can irritate paws and may be harmful if licked off.
Antifreeze: toxic, prevent exposure and wipe paws and belly after walks.
Frostbite risk: higher in wet or windy conditions and in dogs poorly adapted to cold.