Dog with burnt paws from hot pavement

Recognise the signs

• Sudden limping after a summer walk
• Red, dark, or blistered pads
• Loose flaps of pad skin
• Excessive licking at paws
• Reluctance to stand on hard surfaces

First aid steps

1. Cool paws under cool (not ice) running water for 10–20 minutes.
2. Pat dry gently.
3. Cover with a clean dressing if blistered.
4. Phone the vet for any blistering or significant lameness.

When it can usually wait

• Mild redness with no blistering and a comfortable dog after cooling can be monitored at home; book the vet if not improving in 24 hours.

Common causes

• Walking on tarmac, paving slabs, sand, or metal at peak summer heat
• 5-second test: if you can't hold the back of your hand on the surface for 5 seconds, it's too hot for paws

What the vet will need to know

• Time and surface of walk
• Length of exposure
• Visible damage

Aftercare

• Pain relief, antibiotic ointment, dressings. Dermavet wound cream is a veterinary-licensed antiseptic cream suitable for minor cuts, abrasions and skin irritations.
• Buster collar.
• Short, indoor-only or grass walks until healed (1–2 weeks).
• Watch for infection.

Prevention

• 5-second pavement test before any summer walk.
• Walk early morning or late evening in summer.
• Use pet boots in extreme heat.
• Stick to grass, shaded paths.

Breed-specific notes

• Brachycephalic breeds vulnerable to overheating that compounds paw injury.

Frequently asked questions

Related topics

• Burn injury in dogs and cats (heat, hot liquid, or chemical)
• Dog suffering heat stroke or overheating
• Dog or cat with a cut paw pad