Summer in New Zealand means long evenings, beach trips and plenty of time outdoors with your dog. But the ground can get much hotter than the air, and our strong sun can turn footpaths, roads and sand into a real risk for sensitive paws. Burnt paw pads are painful, slow to heal and completely preventable. This guide covers how to tell when the ground is too hot, the signs of burnt paws, and simple ways to keep your dog's paws comfortable and in good condition all summer.
How hot can the ground get?
Much hotter than most people expect. In full sun, asphalt can be more than 20°C hotter than the air. On a 25°C day, a sunny road or car park can easily reach over 50°C, which is hot enough to burn paw pads within a minute or so.
Watch out for these hot spots:
- asphalt roads, footpaths and car parks
- black and dark sand beaches, like many on the West Coast and around Auckland
- concrete, decking and paving in full sun
- artificial turf, which heats up far more than real grass
- metal ute decks and trailer trays, a big risk for farm and working dogs
The seven-second test
Place the back of your hand flat on the ground and hold it there for seven seconds. If it's too hot for you to keep your hand there, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Do this check every time before a walk on a warm day.
Signs of burnt paws
- limping or refusing to walk
- licking or chewing at the feet
- pads that look darker than usual, red, or shiny
- blisters, or skin peeling away from the pads
- your dog seeking out shade or grass and refusing to move
What to do if your dog burns their paws
- Move your dog onto grass or into shade straight away. Carry them if you can.
- Run cool, not icy, water over the paws for several minutes.
- Gently pat dry, and stop your dog licking the area.
- See your vet. Burns can look minor at first and get worse over the next day or two, and they can become infected. Don't put balms or creams on blisters or raw skin unless your vet says so.
Why healthy pads matter
Paw pads are tough, but they're still skin. Summer is hard on them: hot footpaths, dry ground, sharp gravel and salty, sandy beaches all dry pads out. Dry pads crack, and cracked pads are sore, easier to damage further, and slower to recover. Pads that are soft and supple cope much better with everything summer throws at them.
Check your dog's pads once a week. Healthy pads feel firm but slightly springy, without deep cracks, flaking or rough, crusty edges.
Eight ways to protect paws this summer
- Walk early or late. Before 9am and after 7pm are usually the safest times. Remember the ground stays hot for hours after the sun goes down.
- Stick to grass and shade. Choose parks, bush tracks and shaded routes over footpaths.
- Do the seven-second test before every walk.
- Check paws after walks. Look between the toes and pads for cuts, grass seeds, burrs and burns. After a beach walk, rinse paws with fresh water to wash off salt and sand.
- Keep pads moisturised. A natural paw balm massaged in after walks or at bedtime keeps pads soft and helps repair small cracks before they become a problem.
- Cover ute decks and trailers. A rubber mat or a damp hessian sack, plus shade where possible, protects working dogs on hot metal.
- Keep nails and paw fur trimmed. This helps your dog grip, and makes it easier to spot problems.
- Feed for healthy skin. A diet rich in Omega-3s supports healthy skin from the inside, including the paw pads.
Paw care we stock
WashBar Kanuka + Repair Paw Balm, our pick for summer paw care. Made in New Zealand, this 100% natural ointment is based on organic beeswax, with apricot and carrot oils to moisturise and nourish dry, cracked pads. Organic kanuka oil is naturally antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, and copaiba oil helps minor cuts and cracks heal. It soaks in easily and leaves a light protective layer, and it's free from parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances or colours.
How to use it: warm a small amount between your fingers, then massage it into each pad and let it absorb. Use it daily for dry or cracked pads, and after walks on rough or hot ground. It's natural, so if your dog licks some off, just reapply. A distraction like a chew or a stuffed KONG for a few minutes helps it soak in. It works on dry elbows and calloused skin too. WashBar is ordered in especially for you, so allow a few extra days.
A paw balm keeps pads in good condition, but it won't stop hot ground burning them. Keep using the seven-second test and avoiding hot surfaces.
Genius Ocean Fish. Made with New Zealand King Salmon and NZ-caught ocean fish, naturally rich in Omega-3s to support healthy skin, coat and pads from the inside.
Keeping your dog cool and busy on hot days
On the hottest days, it's fine to skip the walk altogether. A shorter sniff around a shady park, a swim, or some brain games at home will tire your dog out just as well without the risk to their paws.
KONG Classic. Stuff it with your dog's kibble, some soaked biscuits or a little raw food, then freeze it overnight. You get a long-lasting, cooling treat that keeps your dog busy in the shade. Count what you put in as part of their daily food.
KONG Aqua. A floating retrieval toy for the river, lake or beach. Swimming is one of the best ways for dogs to exercise and cool down in summer, and it's easy on paws.
KONG Wobbler. Turn mealtime into a game. Your dog nudges the Wobbler to release kibble, giving them mental exercise indoors when it's too hot to go out.
Not sure what suits your dog? Call or pop into our Oxford store and we'll talk it through with you.
Watch for heatstroke too
Hot paws often come with a hot dog. Heavy panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting or collapse can be signs of heatstroke, which is an emergency. Move your dog somewhere cool, wet them with cool (not icy) water, and get to a vet immediately. Flat-faced breeds, older dogs and overweight dogs are most at risk. Always carry water on walks, and never leave your dog in a parked car, even with the windows down.
Get ready for summer
Pick up a tin of WashBar Paw Balm, and browse our dog toys and full range of dry dog food, with delivery across New Zealand and click and collect from Oxford, North Canterbury. Or get in touch and tell us about your dog. We're happy to help.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell, see your vet.