Zion National Park’s “Ten Second Paws” Rule: Ensuring Canine Safety in Heat Waves

“Before you take your dog out in the heat of Zion, take a paws – a 10 second pause that is! When the air temperature is 86 °F the ground your dog is walking on can be over 130 °F! A way you can test if the pavement is too piping hot for your pooch is to put your bare hand on the ground for 10 seconds. If you can’t handle it for that long, then neither can your dog.” (unofficialnetworks.com)

The park explains that if it’s a scorcher, visitors should limit dog walks to early morning or late evening, avoiding the hottest part of the day to protect furry paws. “Dog shoes can help minimize the heat of the Pa’rus Trail just like your own shoes,” the advisory continues, noting that booties are available for purchase and featured on the park’s social media channels. (unofficialnetworks.com)

At the end, readers shared their reactions:

• “This little tip could save a lot of paws!” — YouTube user BarkLover234 on K9 Dog Channel (youtube.com)
• “My dog booties were a lifesaver on the Pa’rus Trail!” — Facebook commenter in St. George Dog Owners Group (facebook.com)
• “Hand test is genius, wish I knew this sooner.” — Reddit user CoalRidgeHiker in r/dogs (axios.com)