(KGTV) — A reminder to dog owners as hot weather settles into San Diego: Watch out for your pooch's paws.
The general rule of thumb for hot weather is if it's too hot to put your hand on the ground, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
In Medical Lake, Wash., a dog named Olaf is now recovering after its owner failed to properly protect his dog's paws. The Medical Lake Veterinary Hospital posted photos showing Olaf's pads burned off:
"Olaf walked over a mile ... before his owner realized his pads were burned, and even then he wasn't whining or limping!" the hospital posted. "He is one tough cookie (and exceptionally sweet cookie.)"
Olaf's owner told KEPR he didn't notice his dog's injury until he saw bloody paw prints on the ground and that the the injury exposed raw muscle.
Veterinary experts suggest dog owners protect their dog's paws using pet boots, paw wax, or socks. It also helps to keep dogs on grass or walk when the temperature outside and pavement is much cooler.
