In the midst of the summer heat, one topic is making waves on the internet, especially on social media and in groups of dog lovers: the danger of dogs' paws being burned by hot asphalt. This debate flares up every year at the start of the summer heat. Some consider it an urgent warning that all dog owners should take seriously, others consider it an urban legend.
We at Mimikama would like to shed more light on this topic alongside our “ Hot Asphalt Burn Prevention and First Aid Guide” .
Heat waves and dogs: A contentious discussion
The warnings are not new: at an air temperature of 25°C, the ground can heat up to 52°C, and at 30°C even to 62°C. This can be dangerous for the paws of our four-legged friends. Three degrees of burns are described that can affect both humans and dogs: from redness to blistering to burning.
On the other hand, there are those who believe the concern about burned dog paws is overblown. The “seven second rule,” which requires placing the back of the hand on the asphalt for seven seconds to measure temperature, has been criticized as inaccurate and unnecessary.
What do the experts say?
However, an article by Malin Schneider, dog lover, dog trainer and Tellington TTouch Coach from KynoLogisch, raises doubts about how dangerous hot asphalt actually is for dogs. She surveyed a number of veterinarians and animal hospitals and found that there were hardly any cases of dogs' paws burned by asphalt. Amid the emotionally charged debate, expert interviews and research paint a mixed picture. Dr. Katharina Kessler from the Hofheim Animal Clinic and Prof. Dr. Ralf Müller from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich emphasize that they have hardly seen any cases of dog paws being burned by asphalt.
However, they acknowledge that excessive stress, such as hiking for too long or carrying backpacks, can lead to sore paws. They add that dogs generally know very well where to rest and where not to.
Common sense and the role of the dog owner
One thing seems clear in the discussion: dog owners' common sense plays an important role. It's definitely not a good idea to walk your dog for hours on the hot asphalt in the heat of the day. Responsible dog ownership means always keeping an eye on the animal's needs and well-being and acting accordingly.
The role of social media
As with many topics discussed on social media, it can be difficult to separate facts from opinions. Amid misinformation, anecdotal evidence and heated debates, it is important to maintain a factual perspective and rely on science.
Conclusion: Further research is needed and responsible dog ownership
There is certainly still a lot of research to be done on this topic. Although data to date suggests that burns from hot asphalt are not as common as is often claimed, it is important to remember that there are still risks, especially in times of global warming that are leading to increasingly hotter summers leads.
At the end of the day, it is every dog owner's job to look after their animal's well-being and ensure they are comfortable in all weather conditions. Whether that means rescheduling walks to cool mornings and evenings, using water-resistant paw shoes, or just being mindful, it's a small price to pay to ensure our best friend stays healthy and happy.
Quote from the article that gets to the point and that we dog owners at Mimikama can only confirm:
“Perhaps we simply give our confident dogs a little more leash, a little more freedom of choice when circumstances require getting used to, and prefer to get up an hour earlier in order to postpone the daily walk to the cool morning hours, when the ground has not yet had a chance to heat up. But: roads don't automatically mean spontaneous paw death in summer! It takes more than just heat for paws to be in danger.”
Dear dog owners. We at Mimikama would be happy if you share your experiences and opinions on this topic with us. Have you ever noticed burns on your dog's paws? What do you do to keep your dog safe on hot days? Your stories can help raise awareness of this important issue and help other dog owners. Please send us your experience using our reporting form !
Source: SUMMER, PAWS & ASPHALT by Malin Schneider
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

