Pavement Paws Support
Thanks for using Pavement Paws! If you need help, have a feature request, or run into a bug, we are happy to hear from you.
Contact
Email: [email protected]
We try to respond within a few business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pavement Paws know how hot the ground is?
It estimates it. Pavement Paws takes the local forecast for the air temperature, the sunshine and the wind, and works out how hot each surface gets in full sun, hour by hour. Dark asphalt soaks up the most sun, concrete a bit less, artificial turf gets hottest of all, and real grass stays close to the air because it cools itself.
It is an estimate, not a measurement. Pavement in the shade stays much closer to the air temperature, and a street that was in the sun all afternoon can be hotter than the forecast suggests. When in doubt, use the 7-second paw test.
What is the 7-second paw test?
Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for 7 seconds, it is too hot for paws. It is the quickest check there is, and it works on any surface.
What do Happy paws, Quick sniff only and Paws off! mean?
- Happy paws: the ground stays under 45°C (113°F). Fine for a normal walk.
- Quick sniff only: 45 to 52°C (113 to 126°F). Keep it short and stick to grass or shade where you can.
- Paws off!: 52°C (126°F) and above. Skin burns in about a minute at these temperatures, so wait for a cooler time.
Why is the pavement still hot in the evening when the air has cooled?
Pavement stores heat. It keeps giving off the warmth it soaked up all afternoon, so it cools down hours after the sun gets weaker. That is why Pavement Paws may say “Walkies after 20:30” rather than straight after the hottest part of the day, and why the chart can show the ground still warm after sunset.
Why does a windy day come out cooler?
Wind carries heat away from the ground. On two days with the same sunshine and air temperature, a calm one can leave the asphalt ten degrees hotter than a breezy one.
How do I get a heads-up on hot days?
Open Settings (the paw button at the top) and switch on the morning heads-up, the evening heads-up, or both, and pick a time. You only hear from Pavement Paws on days your chosen surface actually gets too hot. The evening one is for walks after work: it tells you when the ground cools down.
Can I change how the Today card looks?
Yes. In Settings, under Today card, pick Chart with legend, Chart with labels, or Simple list. The simple list writes the day out as times, for example “Until 10:40, Happy paws”, with no chart to read.
How do I add the widget?
Touch and hold an empty spot on your home screen, tap Edit, then Add Widget, and search for Pavement Paws. There are small and medium home screen widgets, and three Lock Screen widgets. The widget follows the surface you picked in the app.
Why does Pavement Paws need my location?
To fetch the forecast for where you are. It asks for location only while you are using the app, at about one kilometre of accuracy, which is all a forecast needs. See the privacy policy for exactly what leaves your phone.
Which languages does it speak?
English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Greek. You can switch language inside the app in Settings, without changing your phone’s language.
Is Pavement Paws a substitute for my own judgement?
No. It gives you a good estimate and a plan, but you see the ground in front of you. Watch your dog: puppies, older dogs, flat-faced breeds and dogs with thick coats struggle in the heat sooner. If your dog is limping, licking its paws, or the pads look red or blistered after a walk, contact your vet.