Hot weather: Could your pet’s paws be at risk?

You may enjoy taking your dog for a walk on a sunny afternoon, but the pavement beneath its feet could be much hotter than you realise.

Tar, concrete and paving bricks absorb heat from the sun.

SAWS has issued a heatwave advisory for KZN, with persistently high temperatures expected from Sunday, 11 October, until Tuesday, 13 October.

The prolonged heat could make outdoor activities uncomfortable, especially during the hottest part of the day.

With the heatwave surfaces can become much hotter than the surrounding air, especially during the hottest part of the day.

Cats face the same risk, particularly those that spend time outdoors or walk across driveways, pavements and other exposed surfaces.

Although paw pads provide some protection, extreme heat can still damage them.

Hot weather: How to spot signs of burnt paws in your pet

Cat and dogs hehaviour may give owners clue that they may have been hurt.

Its either they limp, refuse to walk or lick its feet more than usual when they are sore.

You may also notice redness, blisters or damaged skin on the paw pads.

Avoid applying ice directly to the paws or using creams without veterinary advice.

Check the ground before heading outside

One simple way to check whether the pavement feels too hot is to place the back of your hand against it for about seven seconds.

If you cannot comfortably keep your hand there, avoid letting your pet walk on that surface.

For dog owners, you avoid taking walks when temperatures are high.

This can be done by planning walks for the early morning or evening when outdoor surfaces have had time to cool.

Along with protecting their paws, owners should make sure cats and dogs have fresh drinking water and somewhere cool to rest.