The air cools off. The Pavement doesn’t. Heres what Central Oregon pet owner’s should know.
Lance Campbell
BEND, Ore. — After a warm summer day in Central Oregon, an evening breeze can make it feel like the perfect time to head outside with your pet. But while the air may be cooling down, the pavement beneath their paws often isn’t.
Dark asphalt can absorb and retain heat throughout the day, remaining much hotter than the surrounding air into the evening.
It happens every summer: temperatures begin to ease, but asphalt and concrete are still holding onto the day’s heat. That’s what catches many pet owners off guard, according to Dr. Byron Maas of Bend Veterinary Clinic.
“The pavement can actually still be hot throughout the evening,” Maas said. “It absorbs heat all day long.”
Maas said he typically sees more heat-related injuries in mid-to-late July and August, but Central Oregon’s warmer start to summer has brought those concerns earlier this year.
“If you can imagine the pavement being 130 or 140 degrees, that’s actually cooking temperature,” Maas said. “Walking across that, they can get blisters and start having injuries right away.”
Before heading out, Maas recommends taking a few seconds to check the pavement with the back of your hand.
If you can’t comfortably keep your hand there for several seconds, he says it’s too hot for your dog’s paws.
Dogs are especially vulnerable because their paw pads stay in direct contact with the ground. Maas says owners should watch for limping, repeatedly lifting their feet, licking their paws, redness or blistering after a walk.
One of the biggest mistakes, Maas said, is assuming the risk disappears once the sun starts going down.
“The pavement still holds that energy,” he said. “Be careful and watch out for that.”
Whether it’s an evening walk through the neighborhood, a stop at a local park or a trip to the river, Maas recommends planning outdoor activities earlier in the day whenever possible and choosing grass, shaded areas or other cooler surfaces instead of pavement. If your dog wears protective booties, he says they should be introduced gradually so pets become comfortable wearing them before longer outings.
Summer in Central Oregon also means more hikes, afternoons at the park and days spent on the river. Maas says those outings should always include plenty of water because dogs cool themselves primarily by panting—not sweating.
Dogs cool themselves primarily by panting, making access to water especially important during hot weather.
If you think your dog has burned its paws, Maas recommends cooling them with water as soon as possible. If you notice blistering or more serious injuries, contact your veterinarian for treatment.
Maas also offered another reminder as temperatures climb: Never leave a pet inside a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. Interior temperatures can rise rapidly, creating a life-threatening emergency.
A summer walk doesn’t have to stop because of the heat. Maas says taking a few extra seconds to check the pavement before heading out can help keep a routine outing from ending with burned paws and a trip to the veterinarian.