Overheated tarmac, scorching sand, parched grass: during the summer months, your companion’s paws face harsh conditions.
Paw Pads and Heat: Essential Tips to Protect Your Pet’s Paws in Summer
Summer is the season for long walks, beaches, and terraces. But for our dogs and cats, it’s also the season of scorching surfaces. Paw pads are their only point of contact with the ground. In summer, they face particularly intense thermal and mechanical stress.
Why Are Paw Pads More Vulnerable in Summer?
The structure of the paw pads is sturdy, yet not indestructible. Several summer factors gradually weaken this area:
- Ground Heat: asphalt can reach 60°C in the height of summer while the air temperature is only 30°C. After just a few seconds of contact, paw pads can suffer severe dehydration, and prolonged exposure may cause significant damage.
- Salt and Sand: sandy terrain and sea salt are abrasive and drying, compromising the natural flexibility of paw pad skin.
- Hard and Rough Surfaces: extended walks on asphalt or gravel put mechanical strain on paw pads, potentially leading to micro-cracks.
- Hot/Cold Alternation: moving from scorching surfaces to cool water creates thermal shocks that weaken skin tissue.
The Right Habits to Protect Your Pet’s Pads
A few simple habits can help protect your companion’s paw pads all summer long:
- Check the ground temperature: place the back of your hand on the pavement for ten seconds. If you can’t stand the heat, neither can your pet.
- Adjust walk times: opt for early morning or after 7 PM, when surfaces have had time to cool down.
- Rinse paws after every walk: to remove salt, sand, or pavement residue that can build up and cause irritation.
- Watch your pet’s gait: a dog that limps slightly, lifts a paw, or licks excessively may be signaling discomfort in their paw pads.
Sensiderm® Balm: The Care Solution for Paw Pad Maintenance
To support these daily routines, MP Labo offers Sensiderm® Balm, a topical treatment specifically formulated for the care and comfort of dogs' and cats' paw pads.
- Protective Action: its formula helps maintain the natural hydration of paw pads, helping to preserve their flexibility against summer heat and mechanical stress.
- Soothing Care: it supports skin comfort in this high-wear area.
- Easy Application: the balm’s non-greasy texture ensures effortless application and strong adhesion to paw pads, even with less cooperative pets.
In conclusion
Caring for your pet’s paw pads ensures comfortable mobility all summer long. By adding a few simple preventive steps to your routine and using the right care, you help them enjoy every walk—no matter how hot it gets.
