Always stay hydrated, put on sunscreen and make sure to bring a hat. That way, we can avoid sunburn and heatstroke. If you’re a fur-parent, these precautions during summer also apply to your pet dog. Unfortunately, we end up forgetting the dangers that we expose our pets to whenever we are too busy or in a hurry.

Cases mostly occur when their owners leave them inside a parked car to run a quick errand. Cars are deathtraps for dogs and it can be bad for them even for a minute.

It’s also dangerous for dogs to go for walks mid-day under the summer heat as dogs can’t sweat in the same way as humans do and their paws are more sensitive than human feet. Their paws can handle walking on grass or soil, but concrete and asphalt absorb more heat, and are therefore hotter, especially during the day.

So, how do you know if the road is too hot for your dog to walk on? A quick trick is to put the back of your hand on the pavement, if you can’t stand the heat for more than five seconds, the pavement is definitely to hot for your pup. If you are still unsure, you can stand on the sidewalk barefoot. If you can’t stay there for 5 seconds, then it’s probably too much for your little dog’s paws as well.

If you must take your dog on a walk, have them wear boots and opt to stroll in the early mornings during sunrise, preferably not later than 7AM. You can also go for a walk during sundown, but you should still check the pavement as it can still be hot after absorbing the heat for the entire day.