--- title: Hot Pavement and Dog Paws | Happy Paws Kennels, Dixon url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - Hot pavement and paws # Hot pavement and paws Pavement can burn a dog's paws when the air is only mildly hot: the AKC reports asphalt near 135 F when the air is 86 F. Press your palm on the surface for about 10 seconds, and if it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for your dog. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) 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](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) and [how hot is too hot](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/). ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [American Kennel Club, protecting dog paws from hot pavement](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-paws-hot-pavement/) - [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, Vacaville station](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/USC00049200.csv) - [Happy Paws Kennels, things to know](https://happypawskennels.com/things-to-know/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Heat stroke in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) - [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) - [Why do you ask me to leave my dog in the car at check-in?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/why-do-you-ask-me-to-leave-my-dog-in-the-car-at-check-in/) - [What to bring](https://happypawskennels.com/what-to-bring/) - [Summer vacation boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/occasions/summer-vacation/) - [Dixon](https://happypawskennels.com/areas/dixon/) ## Heat and cold near the kennel **NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Vacaville station (about 8 miles from the kennel)** | Month | Avg high | Avg low | Days 90°F+ | Days 100°F+ | Nights 32°F or below | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Jan | 57.6°F | 39.6°F | 0 | 0 | 5.1 | | Feb | 63°F | 42.2°F | 0 | 0 | 1.8 | | Mar | 68.5°F | 44.8°F | 0 | 0 | 0.7 | | Apr | 74.9°F | 48°F | 1.3 | 0 | 0.1 | | May | 82.8°F | 52.9°F | 8.2 | 1 | 0 | | Jun | 90.7°F | 57.7°F | 15.9 | 4.3 | 0 | | Jul | 97.3°F | 60.2°F | 27.1 | 10.1 | 0 | | Aug | 96.5°F | 59.5°F | 25.3 | 9.3 | 0 | | Sep | 91.9°F | 57.5°F | 19.1 | 3.3 | 0 | | Oct | 81.2°F | 51.8°F | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0 | | Nov | 67°F | 44.5°F | 0 | 0 | 1 | | Dec | 57.9°F | 39.5°F | 0 | 0 | 5.5 | A normal year: about 101.5 days at 90°F or hotter, 28.4 at 100°F or hotter, 14.2 freezing nights. Source: [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/). ## Read next - [Dogs in cold valley nights and tule fog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dogs-in-cold-weather/) - [Foxtails and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/foxtails/) - [Valley fever in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/valley-fever-in-dogs/) - [Rattlesnakes and dogs in Northern California](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/rattlesnakes-and-dogs/) - [Bloat](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/bloat-in-dogs/) - [Fireworks and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/fireworks-and-dogs/) - [Road trips with a dog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/road-trips-with-dogs/) - [Flying with a dog vs boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/flying-with-a-dog/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### How long should I hold my hand on the pavement? About 10 seconds, according to the AKC. If it is uncomfortable for you, it is too hot for your dog. ### Is concrete safer than asphalt? It is usually cooler, but the AKC lists concrete, sand and metal among surfaces that can get dangerously hot. ### Why do you ask me to leave my dog in the car? It prevents scuffles and escapes in the parking lot, and staff can carry your dog in over hot pavement.