Your dog's paws take a lot of punishment in summer. Here's what to look out for and how to keep them comfortable all season.
Hot Pavements
If the pavement is too hot for your bare hand after 5 seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Stick to early morning or evening walks during heatwaves, or keep to grass where possible. Burns to paw pads are painful and can blister quickly.
Grass Seeds
One of the biggest summer hazards. Grass seeds are sharp and barbed, and they work their way into the skin between your dog's toes with alarming speed. Left untreated they can burrow deep into the tissue and cause serious infection. Check between your dog's toes after every walk in long grass, especially in July and August. Signs of a problem include persistent licking of one paw, swelling, or a small entry wound.
Cracked and Dry Pads
Hot pavements and dry ground can cause paw pads to crack and dry out. A good paw balm applied regularly helps keep them supple. Avoid anything with essential oils or ingredients not specifically designed for dogs.
Toe Bean Fur (Paw Pads)
Dogs with longer or fluffier coats often grow fur between their toes that traps debris, moisture, and grass seeds. Keeping this trimmed short is one of the best things you can do for paw health in summer. We trim between-toe fur as part of our grooming appointments at The Groom Room at NDC.
Harvest mites are also particularly prevalent in late summer and autumn, and between-toe fur is one of their favourite hiding spots. These tiny orange mites cause intense itching and irritation. If your dog is constantly licking or chewing at their paws after walks in grassy areas, harvest mites could be the culprit. Using a flea and tick shampoo will kill them on contact.
When to See a Vet
If your dog is persistently licking one paw, limping, or you can see swelling, redness, or a wound between the toes, get it checked promptly. Grass seed injuries in particular can become serious very quickly.
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