Pet First Aid UK
Urgent — same day vet Within hours

Dog with burnt paws from hot pavement

Limping, red or blistered pads after a summer walk — cool the paws under cool running water for 10–20 minutes and book a vet visit; pad burns infect easily.

Dog

In the next 60 seconds

  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.

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.

Do NOT

  • Do not apply human creams.
  • Do not use ice.
  • Do not let the dog lick raw pads — buster collar.

When to phone the vet immediately

  • Blistering or large affected area
  • Loose pad flaps
  • Signs of infection over the following days

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.
  • 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

How hot is too hot for pavement?

If your hand can't tolerate 5 seconds on the surface, your dog's paws can't either. On a 25°C day, pavement can hit 50°C+.

Do dog boots really work?

Yes, when correctly fitted. Many dogs need a few sessions to accept them, but they are highly effective for hot pavement and winter grit.

How long do paw burns take to heal?

Mild burns 5–10 days; deeper burns 2–3 weeks. Pads heal slowly because of constant pressure.

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