Simple ‘again of hand’ take a look at to avoid wasting canine from painful burns this Saturday
As the UK bakes in a heatwave, dog owners are being urged to carry out a simple ‘seven second’ test
Prioritise the health and safety of your dog(Image: Anita Kot via Getty Images)
Brits across the country are sweltering in another scorching heatwave, with no relief in sight just yet. Temperatures soaring into the mid 30s have been battering Britain, with such blazing conditions set to continue through the weekend.
As the thermometer climbs, dog owners frequently view this as a chance to make the most of the glorious weather and exercise their pets. However, this may not be the wisest decision when considering the wellbeing and safety of our four-legged companions.
Humans have it simple when it comes to staying cool. They can switch on a fan, enjoy a refreshing shower, or slip into lightweight clothing, but their beloved pets don’t have such luxuries.
Perspiration naturally helps our bodies regulate temperature, but dogs cannot do this – and being wrapped in dense fur certainly doesn’t help matters. Therefore, it’s essential that dog owners carry out one crucial check before deciding whether to venture out for a walk.
Emergency veterinary chain Vets Now has shared a useful test that takes merely seven seconds. The company’s website states: “For many, warm, sunny weather provides a great incentive to get outdoors. But it also brings its problems – such as roads melting and dogs getting their paws burnt on scorching hot pavements.
“Many of our emergency vets have treated dogs who have been the victim of severe burns to their paws. However, a large number of these cases could have been avoided if owners had followed some simple safety advice.”
Canine paws are just as delicate as human feet, making them equally susceptible to burns from blistering pavements as their owners would be. The guidance is straightforward – test the heat yourself.
“Vets in the US, where paw burns are common in many areas due to high summer temperatures, came up with a test to check when it’s safe to walk dogs on a pavement,” they explained. “Their advice is for owners to place the back of their hand on the surface for seven seconds. If they struggle to hold it down, it’s too hot to walk a dog.”
The guidance went on: “Dogs can suffer burns to their paws on days most people wouldn’t consider searingly hot. If the outside temperature is a pleasant 25 degrees, there’s little wind, and humidity is low, asphalt and tarmac can reach a staggering 52 degrees. This can rise to 62 degrees when the mercury hits 31 degrees.
“It’s worth bearing in mind that an egg can fry in five minutes at 55 degrees, while skin destruction can occur in just one minute at 52 degrees. The reason pavements get so hot is they soak up heat all day and then retain that heat.”
Vets Now also noted that research has demonstrated artificial grass can reach dangerously high temperatures, along with the rubber surfaces typically found on running tracks and asphalt – the material most commonly used for roads and pavements throughout the UK.
