The Met Office has warned temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees in some parts of the UK - and vets are urging dog owners to use this simple seven-second pavement test to keep their pets safe in the heatwave15:54, 23 Jun 2026Brits are baking in a heatwave, with the mercury soaring across the nation. The Met Office has issued warnings that numerous parts of the UK will exceed 30 degrees today, Tuesday, with some locations reaching 40 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.‌There are plenty of methods to stay cool, including wearing lightweight clothing, staying in the shade, and drinking chilled beverages - but it's far trickier for our four-legged friends. Sweating is our body's natural cooling mechanism, but dogs can't do this - and being blanketed in fur undoubtedly makes the scorching weather even more unbearable for them.‌Therefore, dog owners must be especially vigilant during heatwaves to ensure they don't inadvertently endanger their beloved pets. But how can you tell when it's too hot to take your dog outdoors?‌Emergency veterinary chain Vets Now has shared some practical guidance, including a straightforward test which requires just seven seconds, reports the Express.A statement on the firm's website explains: "For many, warm, sunny weather provides a great incentive to get outdoors. But it also brings its problems - such as roads melting and dogs getting their paws burnt on scorching hot pavements."Many of our emergency vets have treated dogs who have been the victim of severe burns to their paws. However, a large number of these cases could have been avoided if owners had followed some simple safety advice."‌The seven-second pavement testOutlining how to check whether a pavement is too scorching for a dog to walk on, Vets Now explained: "Dogs' paws can be just as sensitive as humans' feet. That means they're equally as likely to get burnt walking on a hot surface as their owner would be."Vets in the US, where paw burns are common in many areas due to high summer temperatures, came up with a test to check when it's safe to walk dogs on a pavement."Their advice is for owners to place the back of their hand on the surface for seven seconds. If they struggle to hold it down, it's too hot to walk a dog."‌The advice went on: "Dogs can suffer burns to their paws on days most people wouldn't consider searingly hot. If the outside temperature is a pleasant 25 degrees, there's little wind, and humidity is low, asphalt and tarmac can reach a staggering 52 degrees. This can rise to 62 degrees when the mercury hits 31 degrees."It's worth bearing in mind that an egg can fry in five minutes at 55 degrees, while skin destruction can occur in just one minute at 52 degrees. The reason pavements get so hot is they soak up heat all day and then retain that heat."Article continues belowVets Now added that research has demonstrated artificial grass can become extremely hot as well, alongside the material used for running tracks, and asphalt, which remains the most commonly-used material for roads and pavements across the UK. Natural grass proved to be the coolest of all the materials examined.Vets Now stated: "The fact natural grass was the coolest of the six suggests that owners should choose it to walk their dogs on hot summer's days (although our strong advice is to exercise dogs before 8am and after 8pm when temperatures are no longer as high)."How to protect your pet in hot weatherFollow the seven-second rule and check the surface for heat before you leave the houseKeep to natural grassWalk early in the morning or late in the evening when surfaces are coolerInvest in a pair of dog booties to help avoid burning paws