Summer is made for adventures with your dog. Longer evenings, trips to the coast, walks that turn into proper explores. Most of us remember to keep them cool and topped up with water, but there is one thing that quietly takes the brunt of it all, and often goes unchecked until there is a limp: their paws.

Paw pads are tough, but they are not indestructible. Hot ground, rough terrain, salt and sand can all take their toll over a season of use, and small problems have a habit of turning into sore, cracked pads if they are left. The good news is that a little awareness goes a long way.

Why summer is harder on paws

Your dog's paw pads do a lot of quiet work. They cushion every step, give grip on slippery ground, and protect the bones and joints inside the foot. They are built to handle everyday wear, but the specific conditions of summer, hot surfaces, dry heat, sand and saltwater, can push them past what they are used to.

Once a pad is burnt, split or cracked, walking becomes uncomfortable, and open cracks can let in dirt and raise the risk of infection. Almost all of it is easier to prevent than to treat, which is where a few simple summer habits earn their keep.

Tough as they are, paws are the part owners forget, right up until a dog starts limping on the way home.

Hot ground, and the seven-second test

One of the biggest summer hazards is the ground itself. Pavement, tarmac and paving slabs soak up heat and hold it, so even when the air feels pleasant, the surface underfoot can be hot enough to scald a pad in seconds.

It is worth knowing the signs of a burnt pad, so you can act quickly if it happens:

• Limping, or suddenly refusing to walk
• Licking or chewing at the paws
• Pads that look red, dark or shiny
• Blisters, or missing patches of pad

If you suspect a burn, move your dog off the hot surface, cool the paw with clean water, and contact your vet if it looks blistered or raw.

Sand, salt and water

Beach and river days are some of the best of the year, but they come with their own wear and tear. Dry sand in direct sun gets every bit as hot as pavement, and it works its way between the toes where it can rub the skin raw on a long walk. It can also hide sharp shells, stones or glass.

Saltwater and chlorinated pool water are drying too, and repeated dips can leave pads and the skin between the toes cracked and irritated. The fix is simple. After any trip to the sea, river or pool, rinse the paws with clean fresh water, dry gently between the toes, and have a quick look for cuts or trapped debris.

Trails, stones and grass seeds

Summer is prime walking season, and trails ask more of your dog's feet than a pavement ever does. Sharp stones, gravel, thorns, splintered wood and hot exposed rock are all in the mix, so build up longer walks gradually, carry water, and try to avoid the hottest part of the day.

One seasonal hazard worth singling out is grass seeds. These little arrow-shaped seed heads cling to long summer grass and can work their way between the toes or even pierce the skin, where they cause swelling and real discomfort. If your dog is suddenly licking a paw, limping or has a swollen, tender spot after a walk through long grass, check carefully between the toes and speak to your vet if you think one is embedded.

Dry and cracked pads

By the height of summer, dry and cracked pads are common, especially in active dogs. Heat, rough ground, salt, a lot of walking and simple dehydration all play a part. Healthy pads should feel supple and springy, not hard, flaky or split.

Keep an eye out for visible cracks, peeling, bleeding, tenderness or constant licking. Small, surface-level dryness usually responds well to a little rest and some care, while deep cracks or any bleeding are worth having your vet check.

Should you moisturise their paws?

For dry, hard-working pads, yes, but with a product made specifically for dogs. Human hand creams are not designed for paws, can soften pads too much, and may not be safe if your dog licks them off, which most will.

A good dog-safe paw balm helps soften dry pads, supports minor cracks as they heal, and adds a little protection against hot and rough ground. Most double up nicely on a dry nose too. Worked into the routine after summer walks, it is one of the easiest ways to keep paws comfortable through the season.

The one-minute paw check

The single most useful habit all summer is a quick paw check after outings. It takes a minute and catches small problems long before they become sore, expensive ones. After a walk, hike or beach trip, look for:

• Cuts, grazes or burns
• Splinters, thorns or grass seeds
• Ticks, especially between the toes
• Cracked pads or torn nails
• Sand, grit or debris packed between the toes

While you are at it, keeping nails trimmed helps more than people expect. Long nails change how your dog's weight sits across the foot and put extra strain on the pads, so regular trims make summer walking more comfortable all round.

Your quick summer checklist

Before you head out

• Do the seven-second pavement test
• Pack water for both of you
• Avoid the midday heat, and plan shaded routes

After every outing

• Rinse off sand, salt and grit
• Dry gently between the toes
• Check the pads over, and apply balm if they feel dry

Summer should be the season of more walks, more swims and more time outside together, not sore paws. A few small habits, a quick check after each outing, and a little care when pads get dry are all it takes to keep your dog comfortable from the first heatwave to the last.