Summer with your dog sounds like long walks, time in the garden, trips to the lake, and little adventures. But summer also means hot ground, dry pads, grass awns, small cuts, and sometimes quite a lot of strain on their paws.
Dog paws are tough. The pads absorb impact, protect against dirt, and provide grip on different surfaces. Even so, they are not heat-protective shoes. Especially during the warmer months, minor irritations can quickly become painful if you notice them too late.
The good news: With a simple paw care routine, you can spot many problems early. In this guide, you'll learn what to look out for in summer, when hot asphalt becomes dangerous, how to spot grass awns, what helps with minor injuries, and when it's better to go straight to the vet.
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Why paw care is important in summer too
When people think of paw care, they often think of winter, road salt, and ice. That makes sense. But summer can also put a lot of strain on dog paws. Asphalt and paving stones retain heat, dry paths make pads rough, grass awns cause irritation, and after swimming, the skin between the toes is often softer and more sensitive.
What's more, dogs don't always show paw problems right away. Some keep walking even with a tiny stone stuck between their toes. Others only start noticeably licking a paw in the evening. That's exactly why regular checks are so important.
Bello's fact:
Dog pads are made of specialized skin. They are thicker and more resistant than normal skin, but they can still get burned, torn, softened, or infected. Tough doesn't mean indestructible.
Summer dangers for dog paws at a glance
Danger |
What can happen |
Typical warning signs |
What you should do |
Hot asphalt |
Pads can hurt, become irritated, or burn. |
Limping, lifting the paw, licking, redness, blisters. |
Test the surface, choose shade and grass, and go in the morning or evening. |
Grass awns |
Grass awns can get stuck between the toes and work their way into the tissue. |
Sudden licking, limping, swelling, small puncture wound. |
Don't poke around deeply. Have a vet check it out if you suspect one. |
Water and moisture |
Softened skin becomes more sensitive and prone to injury. |
Redness, chafing, unpleasant odor, licking. |
Dry paws thoroughly after swimming, especially between the toes. |
Dry pads |
Cracks, flaking, hard spots, and pain when walking. |
Rough pads, small tears, sensitivity. |
Care gently, and contact your vet for deep cracks or bleeding. |
Claws that are too long |
Improper toe alignment, tearing, or ingrown nails. |
Clicking on the floor, altered paw position, favoring. |
Check regularly and have a professional trim them if you're unsure. |
Hot asphalt: The underestimated danger
The air may still feel pleasant, but the ground can already be too hot. Dark asphalt and paving stones, in particular, retain the sun's heat. The Royal Kennel Club points out that asphalt and sidewalks can become significantly hotter than the air temperature on sunny days and cause pain or burns on dog paws (The Royal Kennel Club, n.d.).
The problem: Your dog is walking barefoot. What might still seem okay for you in shoes can already be uncomfortable or dangerous for their pads.
The 7-second rule
Place the back of your hand or your palm on the ground for seven seconds. If you can't stand the heat, the surface is also too hot for your dog. Then: no discussion, just change course.
- Switch to grass, forest paths, or shaded routes.
- Schedule walks for the early morning hours or late evening.
- Avoid the midday heat, especially for older dogs, puppies, and short-nosed breeds.
- Only use paw boots for longer routes if your dog is used to them and they fit well.
Important!
If your dog suddenly starts limping, licks their paws excessively, or their pads look red, swollen, blistered, or discolored, assume there may be a burn. Cool the paw with lukewarm to cool water and contact a vet clinic. Severe burns must be treated by a vet (VCA Animal Hospitals, 2024).
Grass awns: Small plant parts, big problem
Grass awns are bristle-like seed heads from grasses. They look harmless, but they often have small backward-facing barbs. These barbs are exactly what make them so unpleasant: they can get tangled in fur, slide between the toes, and bore into the skin.
A systematic review describes how migrating grass awns can penetrate various tissues and body cavities in dogs and cats. Due to their spindle-shaped structure and backward-facing barbs, they often move in only one direction: deeper in (Caivano et al., 2023).
Warning signs of a grass awn in the paw
- sudden limping after a walk
- intense licking or chewing on a paw
- swelling between the toes
- small puncture wound or oozing spot
- pus, unpleasant odor, or extreme sensitivity to touch
Bello's tip:
After walks through tall grass, always check between the toes. If you can only see a grass awn superficially, you can carefully remove it. If it's already stuck in the skin or the area is swollen, please don't press around it or search deeply with tweezers. This needs to be checked out by a vet.
Water, swimming, and soggy pads
Swimming, splashing, and wet grass are part of summer for many dogs. But prolonged moisture can become a problem for their paws. If the pad skin and the areas between the toes stay wet for a long time, the skin becomes softer. This can make chafing, minor abrasions, and foreign objects cause problems more quickly.
This doesn't mean your dog can't swim. It just means: dry them off briefly after swimming. Especially between the toes.
Important after swimming
- Dry the paws with a clean towel.
- Briefly check between the toes.
- Remove sand, small stones, and plant parts.
- After longer swimming trips, watch for chafing and redness.
- Contact your vet if there's a strong odor, itching, or oozing spots.
Properly caring for dry pads
Healthy pads feel firm but flexible. They can be a little rough. It becomes problematic when they get very dry, flaky, cracked, or painful.
A dog-safe pad balm can help keep the skin supple. Remember: less is often more. Apply the care product thinly to the clean, dry skin and then distract your dog briefly so they don't lick it all off right away.
When pad care makes sense
- rough, dry surface
- small superficial cracks
- hardened areas
- more licking of the paws
- sensitivity after long walks
Checking claws: Why length and position matter
Paw care also includes checking the claws. Claws that are too long can change the position of the toes and thus put improper strain on joints, tendons, and ligaments. They also increase the risk of a claw getting caught or tearing.
Dewclaws and thumb claws, in particular, hardly wear down at all when walking. They should be checked regularly so they don't grow in.
How to recognize claws that are too long
- The claws click noticeably on smooth ground.
- The claw touches the ground when standing and gently lifts the toe.
- Your dog holds the paw at an angle or relieves pressure on individual toes.
- The wolf claw curls toward the skin.
Bello's Tip
If your dog finds nail trimming unpleasant, practice slowly and with rewards. Sometimes regular filing is better accepted than cutting. If you are unsure, ask your vet or dog groomer to show you the correct length.
The paw care routine after a walk
A good summer routine doesn't have to be complicated. One minute is often enough if you know what to look for.
1. Lift the paw and look at the pads: Are redness, cracks, swelling, or foreign objects visible?
2. Check between the toes: This is where grass awns, small stones, thorns, or ticks particularly like to settle.
3. Briefly check the nails: Are they cracked, too long, or is one nail growing unusually?
4. Clean if necessary: Lukewarm water is often enough. Dry thoroughly afterward.
5. Observe behavior: Is your dog licking noticeably, limping, or lifting a paw? Then take a closer look.
Bello's Tip:
Make the paw check a little ritual after the walk. With patience, praise, and a small reward, the check will be much more pleasant for your dog.
First aid for minor paw injuries
Minor superficial injuries can initially be treated at home. However, it is important to remember that paws bear weight, are constantly in contact with the ground, dirt, and moisture, and therefore often heal more slowly than other areas of skin.
The Merck Veterinary Manual recommendation for wound care describes cleaning or flushing as an important first step to remove dirt and bacteria from the wound (Textor, 2025). For paw injuries, it is also important to keep the bandage dry and check it frequently (VCA Animal Hospitals, 2024).
Step 1: Clean
- Carefully remove loose dirt.
- Flush with clean water or sterile saline solution.
- Do not rub vigorously and do not pull out deeply embedded foreign objects.
Step 2: Protect
- For small superficial areas, use a sterile, non-adhesive wound dressing.
- When bandaging, always pad well and do not wrap too tightly.
- If possible, leave the toes visible so you can notice swelling or coldness.
- Keep the bandage dry and change it if it gets wet or dirty.
Step 3: Have a veterinarian assess it
- deep wound or gaping cut
- persistent bleeding
- severe pain or lameness
- suspected grass awn, glass, or other foreign object
- swelling, pus, unpleasant odor, or fever
- pad looks burned, discolored, or tissue is exposed
Important!
If you are unsure about the bandage, it is better not to apply a firm one. A bandage that is too tight can impair circulation. For the trip to the vet's office, a loose, clean covering is often sufficient for protection.
Dry pads in dogs: Can diet support them?
Paw care in summer starts with external care: avoid hot ground, check paws, inspect between the toes, keep pads clean, and remove grass awns promptly. Nevertheless, diet also plays a role. Skin, coat, and pads need a reliable supply of high-quality proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
It is important to remember: Food does not replace paw care or a veterinary assessment. If your dog constantly licks its paws, has dry or cracked pads, is limping, or repeatedly shows skin problems, a veterinarian should take a look. Foreign objects, allergies, skin infections, or intolerances could be the cause.
However, a complete food can help support skin and coat health in the long term. That is exactly why meals at HelloBello are individually tailored to your dog: suited to their age, weight, activity level, and needs. This way, your furry friend doesn't just get any portion, but a meal plan that really suits them.
Important!
If dry pads occur together with itching, dull coat, or frequent paw licking, it is worth taking a closer look at care, environment, and feeding.
FAQ: Dog Paw Care in Summer
How often should I check my dog's paws in summer?
It is best to do so after every long walk and always after walking through tall grass, woods, gravel, or sand, or after swimming. The check only takes a moment but can reveal grass awns, minor injuries, and irritation early on.
When is asphalt too hot for dog paws?
Do not rely solely on the air temperature. Test the ground using the 7-second rule: If you cannot keep your hand on the ground for seven seconds, it is too hot for dog paws.
What should I do if my dog has burned its paw?
Move away from the hot surface immediately, cool the paw with lukewarm to cool water, and contact a vet's office. If there are blisters, discoloration, severe pain, or exposed tissue, veterinary help is urgently needed.
How can I tell if there is a grass awn in my dog's paw?
Typical signs are sudden limping, intense licking, swelling between the toes, a small puncture wound, or oozing areas. If you suspect a grass awn and cannot remove it superficially, please have a veterinarian assess it.
Can I use pad balm every day?
For dry pads, a dog-safe pad balm can be useful. Apply a thin layer to clean, dry pads. For deep cracks, bleeding, or severe inflammation, please do not apply creams yourself, but contact a vet's office.
Why does my dog constantly lick its paws in summer?
There can be many reasons: grass awns, minor injuries, dry skin, allergies, fungi, bacteria, parasites, or irritation from moisture. If the licking persists or the paw is red, please have it assessed.
Are dog boots useful in summer?
They can protect against very hot or rough surfaces, but they must fit well and be trained for beforehand. For normal walks, shade, grass, and cooler times of day are often the better solution.
Conclusion: A quick paw check makes summer more relaxing
Dog paws are surprisingly robust, but summer puts them to the test. Heat, grass awns, dry paths, water, and minor injuries are not uncommon. Fortunately, you do not need a complicated care routine. A quick look after a walk is often enough.
Check pads, between the toes, and nails regularly. Avoid hot asphalt, dry paws thoroughly after swimming, and take warning signs such as limping, swelling, or intense licking seriously. This way, your dog stays paw-fit through the summer, and you can both enjoy your time outdoors more relaxedly.
Dr. Eva Schmal-Filius
Sources:
Caivano, D., Corda, F., Corda, A., Moretti, G., & Bufalari, A. (2023). Application of ultrasound in detecting and removing migrating grass awns in dogs and cats: A systematic review. Animals, 13(13), 2071. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132071
FEDIAF. (2025). Nutritional guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation. https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/
Hall, E. J., Carter, A. J., Bradbury, J., Beard, S., Gilbert, S., Barfield, D., & O’Neill, D. G. (2023). Cooling methods used to manage heat-related illness in dogs presented to primary care veterinary practices during 2016-2018 in the UK. Veterinary Sciences, 10(7), 465. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10070465
Textor, J. (2025). Wound management. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/emergencies/wound-management
The Royal Kennel Club. (n.d.). Hot pavements. https://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/hot-pavements/
VCA Animal Hospitals. (2024). First aid for torn or injured foot pads in dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/first-aid-for-torn-or-injured-foot-pads-in-dogs
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