Summer is officially upon us, and it's expected to be hotter than normal. For us, that means drinking more water. But you also need to be prepared and informed about what that danger can mean for our four legged friends.

More and more consistently we're seeing temperatures in the eighties, and with the help of sunshine, asphalt temperatures can reach as high as 140°. Temperatures like that mean that a dog's paw can burn in as little as a minute. 

Depending on how hot the pavement is and how long your pup's feet are exposed to those temperatures, there are varying degrees of burn severity they could experience. 

A first degree burn is characterized by swelling and redness, and results in your dog experiencing discomfort for a few days. 

A second degree, is when you start to see blisters form. When your dog gets second degree burns on their paws you need to be careful and monitor for several weeks, as infections could occur if the blister ruptures. 

The most severe burn, a third degree burn, is when your dog's paws actually start to char from the heat. If this happens to your dog, it's very important to bring them into your vet, as it can cause serious issues and will likely result in permanent scarring. 

After bringing your pet on a walk on hot days, monitor their behavior to make sure they aren't showing signs of a burn. If your dog does have burn on their paws, you may notice them licking the area or even limping. Then you should check their paw for any swelling or redness. 

If you have any reason to believe your dog may have suffered from a burn of any kind, your first priority should be to contact your veterinarian. They will give you the best course of action to take care of your pet because they know your pet better than any website. 

If your vets office is closed or they can't see your pet right away, you can sooth the area affected by running cold water over it or by applying a cool compress. Do not apply ice or icy water, as this could cause tissue damage or shock. 

Ultimately, the most important thing is to consult with your vet and bring your pooch in to get checked if your vet thinks a visit is warranted. 

Depending on the severity of the burn, your vet may prescribe pain relievers, a topical ointment, or even antibiotics. Bandages will also likely be applied to keep the area clean in case a blister does rupture. If a burn is not kept clean and antibiotics are not taken as instructed, your pup could get an infection. 

Of course, the ideal situation is for your pooch to never burn their feet in the first place. But how can an owner best prevent that? 

One of the easiest ways to keep your pooch's paws safe is to time your walks to be during the cooler parts of the day. The pavement outside is hottest from late morning to early evening, so try to keep walks to the early morning and mid to late evening hours. 

And if you're unsure of how hot is too hot, there's an easy way to check. Veterinary nurse Chelsea Oakes from Millcreek Animal Hospital explains, "Well you take the back of your hand, you lay it on the pavement, and if you can hold your hand there for about 10-15 seconds without removing it or any irritation, then the pavement is cool enough to walk your pet."

When you do go out, make sure your dog is staying on cooler surfaces. This can be grass or the sidewalk or anything with a light surface. Similarly, if you dog stays in shady areas it will be much better for their feet. This makes parks a great place for walks when the air gets toasty. 

But don't worry if you can't time your walks to the time of the day. There are several products out there that you can use to protect your pup's paws.  

One is a balm that you can apply to paws to act as a barrier against the heat.  

Another, the least favorite of Brody Tonks, is to get your dog booties that they can wear in the hot temperatures. These keep your dog's feet off of the hot pavement, just like your own shoes. If you can get them on, that is. 

It's important to remember that your pet's paws aren't necessary as strong as you might expect them to be, and it's even more important to check the pavement temperature before you head off on any adventures. 

"If you can't walk on the pavement with your bare feet, it's probably not safe for your pet to walk to walk on its bare feet either. So treat your pet walking on hot pavement how you would also treat yourself walking on hot pavement," Oakes says.

This summer is expected to be hotter than average, so the risk of burns is also higher than average. So as we do enter the summer months, everyone at Erie News Now wishes you fun, safe, and doggone good adventures to come.