Dixon summers make this a daily question from June through September. A few quick habits keep paws safe and make early-morning walks the better choice anyway.
How hot pavement gets
Dark surfaces soak up sun and hold heat. At an air temperature of 86 F, the AKC cites asphalt around 135 F. Sand, metal and concrete can also get dangerously hot. Near Dixon, July afternoons average a high of 97.3 F at the Vacaville station (NOAA 1991 to 2020), so asphalt in the afternoon is well beyond safe.
The hand test
Rest your palm on the surface for about 10 seconds, or try your bare foot. The AKC's rule is simple: if it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog's paws. Do the test where you plan to walk, because a shaded sidewalk and a sunny parking lot differ by many degrees.
Signs of paw damage and heat stress
- Blisters, or a dog that limps or licks its pads after a walk
- Seeking shade, lying down on the walk, restlessness
- Heavy panting, drooling, red skin or nausea
- In the worst cases: confusion, dizziness, bright red, blue or purple gums, or collapse, which need a vet right away
How to protect paws
- Walk early in the morning or in the evening, and be careful on the first long walk of the warm season, when blisters are common.
- Choose grass, dirt or shade over asphalt.
- Moisturize pads with a dog-safe product, since dry pads burn more easily.
- Consider snug, well-fitted booties and let your dog practice wearing them.
- Small, short-legged and flat-faced dogs overheat faster, so shorten their walks.
How check-in handles hot pavement
The kennel asks you to leave your dog in the car at check-in, with the air conditioning on in warm weather. A staff member carries belongings in and walks your dog to the kennel, and on hot pavement staff may scoop a small dog up and hurry. Once inside, each dog has an indoor/outdoor run with a doggie door and a heated or air-conditioned inside space. For heat illness, see heat stroke in dogs and how hot is too hot.