Dog burned paws are a common summer concern, especially in Temecula and other inland Southern California communities where pavement, sidewalks, and asphalt can become dangerously hot. Even when the air temperature feels manageable, ground surfaces can heat up quickly and cause painful injuries to a dog’s paw pads.
During warm weather, pavement can become much hotter than the temperature shown on your weather app. AAHA notes that surface temperatures can be 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature, and asphalt can reach 135 degrees on an 86 degree day, which can burn a pet’s paws in 60 seconds.
Paw pad burns can be painful and may make it difficult for your dog to walk. In more severe cases, burns can expose deeper tissue, increase the risk of infection, and require veterinary care.
At EPIC Vets, our emergency veterinary team provides 24/7 care for dogs and cats throughout Temecula and surrounding Southern California communities. If your dog’s paws are burned, bleeding, blistered, or causing significant pain, emergency care may be needed.
Dogs rely on their paw pads for protection, traction, and shock absorption, but those pads can still be injured by extreme heat. Asphalt, concrete, sand, metal, artificial turf, and other outdoor surfaces can become hot enough to cause discomfort, blistering, and burns.
This is especially important during Temecula summers, when high temperatures and direct sunlight can make pavement unsafe for walks. Dogs may not show pain immediately, and some will continue walking even while their paws are becoming irritated or injured.
The AKC advises that if the temperature is 85 degrees or higher and the pavement has not had time to cool, the ground may be too hot for safe walking.
The signs of dog burned paws may appear during a walk, shortly after coming inside, or later in the day. Some signs are obvious, while others may be easy to miss at first.
Common signs of burned paw pads include:
If your dog is limping, licking their paws, or acting painful after walking on hot pavement, check their paw pads carefully. Even if the burns do not look severe at first, paw injuries can worsen when a dog continues walking on them.
Yes. Dogs can burn their paws on pavement, especially during summer afternoons or after surfaces have been sitting in direct sunlight.
Paw pad burns are not limited to asphalt. Concrete sidewalks, patios, pool decks, sand, metal surfaces, truck beds, and artificial turf can also become hot enough to injure your dog’s feet.
A quick way to check the surface is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for several seconds. If it feels too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog’s paws. AAHA recommends testing the ground for seven seconds before heading out for a walk.
During the summer, avoid walking your dog during the hottest parts of the day. In Temecula, pavement can stay hot well into the evening, especially after several hours of direct sun.
Early morning is usually the safest time for summer walks because the pavement has had more time to cool overnight. Evening walks can be safer than afternoon walks, but it is still important to test the ground before letting your dog walk on pavement.
You should be extra cautious with puppies, senior dogs, small dogs, short-legged breeds, flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, and dogs with medical conditions. These pets may be more vulnerable to heat-related stress and may have a harder time recovering once they become overheated or injured.
If you think your dog has burned their paws, move them off the hot surface immediately and bring them into a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area. Try to keep your dog calm and limit walking as much as possible.
Gently check each paw pad for redness, swelling, blisters, peeling, bleeding, or exposed tissue. If your dog allows it, rinse the paws with cool or room temperature water. Do not use ice, extremely cold water, or harsh products on the paw pads. AAHA recommends moving pets to a cooler area, rinsing with cool water, avoiding ice, and contacting a veterinarian for severe burns.
After cooling the paws, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance. Paw pad injuries can be painful, slow to heal, and prone to infection if deeper tissue is damaged.
Do not force your dog to continue walking if you suspect paw pad burns. Continued pressure can worsen the injury and delay healing.
Avoid applying human ointments, creams, butter, oils, or home remedies unless a veterinarian specifically recommends them. Dogs often lick their paws, which means anything placed on the paw pads may be ingested.
Do not pop blisters, peel loose skin, or wrap the paw tightly at home. A bandage that is too tight can cause swelling or restrict circulation. If the paw needs to be bandaged, your veterinary team can do this safely and provide instructions for follow up care.
Dog burned paws may require emergency veterinary care if your dog is in significant pain, cannot walk normally, has visible blisters, has bleeding paw pads, has raw or exposed tissue, or continues licking and chewing at the injury.
You should also seek urgent care if your dog shows signs of heatstroke along with paw burns. Warning signs may include excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, weakness, collapse, disorientation, bright red or pale gums, or seizures. Hot pavement can contribute to overheating, especially when dogs are walking during peak summer heat. The AKC notes that hot pavement can increase a dog’s body temperature and contribute to heatstroke.
VCA notes that dogs can burn their foot pads on scorching summer sidewalks and that severe burns should be treated by a veterinarian.
If you are unsure how serious the injury is, it is safest to call an emergency veterinarian.
Treatment depends on the severity of the burn and the condition of your dog’s paw pads. Minor irritation may require cleaning, pain control, paw protection, and restricted activity while the tissue heals. More serious burns may need wound care, bandaging, antibiotics if infection is a concern, pain management, and follow up evaluations.
Paw pad injuries can be difficult because dogs put pressure on their feet every time they walk. Even a small burn can become more painful or heal more slowly if your dog continues walking on rough or hot surfaces.
Your veterinary team may also check for signs of dehydration, heat stress, or other injuries if the paw burns happened during a hot walk.
Preventing dog burned paws starts with changing walk routines during hot weather. Walk early in the morning when pavement is cooler, choose shaded routes, and use grass or dirt paths when possible.
Before every summer walk, test the ground with your hand. If the surface is uncomfortable for you, it is not safe for your dog. Avoid asphalt, concrete, sand, artificial turf, metal surfaces, and other heat absorbing materials during peak sun.
Dog booties can help protect paws, but dogs need time to adjust to wearing them. Make sure booties fit properly and do not cause rubbing. Paw wax may provide a little added protection, but it should not be used as a substitute for avoiding dangerously hot surfaces.
You can also protect your dog by keeping walks short, bringing water, taking breaks, and watching closely for signs of overheating or paw discomfort.
Temecula’s summer heat can make pavement dangerous for dogs, especially during afternoon and early evening hours. Even quick walks across parking lots, sidewalks, patios, or asphalt can cause discomfort or injury when surfaces are hot enough.
Before heading outside, check the pavement, plan a cooler route, and keep your dog off hot surfaces whenever possible. If you are visiting a park, winery, outdoor shopping area, or local event, remember that your dog may be walking barefoot across surfaces that are much hotter than the surrounding air.
Dog burned paws can be painful and may require veterinary care, especially if the paw pads are blistered, bleeding, peeling, or making it hard for your dog to walk.
At EPIC Vets, our emergency veterinary team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to help pets facing urgent injuries and heat related emergencies in Temecula and surrounding Southern California communities.
If your dog burned their paws on hot pavement, call EPIC Vets at 951-695-5044 or come directly to our emergency hospital for urgent care.
