Pet burns on the rise; local vet warns about the heat

SALT LAKE CITY — If the ground is too hot for you, it is too hot for your pets. Pet burns are on the rise as summer is in full swing.

We all have our routines, we wake up, go to work, and then come home and walk the dog. Actual routines might be different, but the fact remains, our pets need exercise. It’s just a part of owning a pet.

However, during the summer, that routine might need some altering to save our friends’ paws.

With rising summer temperatures, Utah’s pet owners are seeing an uptick of pet burns and heat stroke.

“[Walking your pets is] definitely best done in the morning, when it’s cooler, or later in the evening after the sun has come down,” said Dr. Samuel Rivera from the Utah Veterinary Hospital.

How to prevent pet burns

Utah Veterinary Hospital, which had reported cases this season, stressed these paw burns are preventable.

The answer is an easy one. Take your furry friends out during the morning, or later in the evening when it’s not too hot outside.

If you can’t adjust your schedule to cooler hours, make sure to cover your dog’s feet with booties, stick to the grass as much as possible, and always carry a bottle of cold water with you.

“I wouldn’t recommend walking our pets outside on the hot asphalt during the afternoon hours or even into the early evening hours without the dogs wearing booties or covering on their feet,” said Rivera.

Related:

• Hot weather hazards: protecting pets from the heat
• Tips to keeping your pets safe during hot days