Pet owners are being warned of the danger of hot pavements in summer, according to PetSure, Australia’s leading pet insurance underwriter.
PetSure’s Vet Advisor Dr Betty Chan was interviewed by news.com.au about how pet parents can prevent their dog’s paws from being injured or burnt from walking on hot pavements.
- “Avoid going outside with your dog during the middle of the day when the sun is the hottest between 12 – 2pm. You should test the ground yourself first to see if it’s too hot – if you can’t hold your hand on the pathway for a few seconds, then it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.”
- “Walking your dog during cooler times throughout the day also reduces their risk of heatstroke.”
- “Darker pavements easily absorb heat from the sun, so if you are out with your furry friend, try to find alternative areas to walk on that may be cooler like grass or shaded areas.
- “If you notice that your dog looks uncomfortable or is limping, look at their paws and if they look red or swollen, you should take them to your local vet to seek advice.
Dr Chan says it’s important for new pet parents to be aware of other summer risks too, including heatstroke.
According to PetSure claims data, there is an upward trend in heatstroke claims during the summer months. In the 2022 calendar year, the volume of heatstroke claims rose by 210% when comparing the number of claims during spring compared to the summer months.
To learn more about how you can protect your furry friend from hot pavements, check out the press article below:
