06/20/2026
Pause for your Paws!💕🐾
Summertime is a sneaky bully to your fur babies. Here are a few things to consider when enjoying the sunshine with your paw pals!
Check for Cheatgrass:
• cheatgrass(awns or foxtail) is an invasive annual that dies off during the beginning of summer. The dried barbed seed heads break off creating risk of puncture and migration in paws, eyes, ears nose, and skin (especially paw pads).
Cheatgrass seeds are designed to drill into soil after falling off deceased plants therefore, when unknowingly picked up by pets seeds will drill through tissue layers and possibly end up in the spinal column and or organs, causing severe life-threatening infections/damage. Once seeds have embedded themselves underneath the skin they will continue to migrate deeper causing worsening issues overtime that can be fatal.
Make sure to check your pets paws after walks, hikes, and even short potty breaks out back during this time of year to avoid injury or infection.
If you notice your pet chewing at paws, sneezing violently or shaking head vigorously, thoroughly look your pet over and contact your vet immediately if any questions or concerns arise.
Hot asphalt:
• walking on hot asphalt can cause extremely painful burn injuries to paws that can happen in a matter of seconds on a sunny day. 
Outside temperatures of 80°F can mean a ground temp of over 130°F on asphalt.. imagine how hot it can be with those high 90s.
If you are worried that your pet may have walked on hot asphalt or concrete and burned their paw pads gently flush paw pads with cool running water for 10 to 15 minutes
DO NOT USE ICE OR ICE COLD WATER.
If your dog has deep blisters, open wounds, the paw pad appears black, chard, or white, or if you notice signs of an infection, such as pus, a foul odor, increasing swelling, fever, lethargy, or signs of pain contact your vet immediately to schedule a visit!
How to know when it’s safe to walk:
• the seven second rule. press the back of your hand onto asphalt for seven seconds, if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
• walk during the coolest parts of the day either early in the morning or late in the evening
• avoid asphalt and concrete altogether if possible! Stick to grassy shaded areas or trails.
• consider protective booties if you’re only option is to walk on pavement, but be mindful that our furry friends can only cool themselves off in the heat by panting and sweating through their paws,  avoid heavy duty, winter waterproof or rubberized booties, which offer no airflow. Look for highly breathable heat, rated mesh options and take the boots off during breaks while resting or as soon as you reach a grassy shady area.
“Dogter” Harper Enwards
(featured below) says have a good summer and don’t forget to pause for the PAWS!!💕🐾 🐶
