It's that time of year: Triple-digit temperatures have arrived.

That means untouchable steering wheels, baking cookies on the car dashboard — and serious paw damage for your pet if you're not careful.

“If it’s 100 degrees outside, that is too hot to be walking your dog on the pavement or the sidewalk," said Ross Trumble, a spokesman for Fulton Homes, which gives out free paw protection annually.

Kayla Goldberg from Phoenix Dog Cat Hospital said the doctors at her center typically see one to two cases a week of paw burn during the summer.

Burns can result in "missing parts of the paw pad, blisters, licking or biting at the paw, or discharge from the paw pad," according to Daniel Moezzi, a Phoenix veterinarian.

Where to get free pet shoes in Arizona

It's best to avoid walking pets on asphalt at all times, Goldberg said. But if necessary, she recommends pets wear shoes with hard plastic bottoms.

Tempe-based Fulton Homes has given out free paw protection every year for the past seven years, Trumble said.

From May 18 through Aug. 24, pet owners can grab some protective kicks for their furry friends at various PetSmart locations.

Here's the schedule for Fulton Homes' annual "Cause for Paws" events:

June 22 – 2840 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 85224.

June 29 – 2901 W. Agua Fria Freeway, Phoenix, 85027.

July 13 – 10825 N. Tatum, Blvd., Phoenix, 85028.

July 20 – 1140 W. Elliot Road, Tempe, 85284.

Aug.17 – 2901 W. Agua Fria Freeway, Phoenix, 85027.

Aug. 24 – 2840 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, 85224.

When it's too hot to walk your pet

For those wondering about the logistics of when it's too hot to walk your pet without paw protection, here's some "street" knowledge.

"If you cannot stand on the sidewalk with a normal pair of socks for 10 seconds, then it is too hot" for your pet's paws, Goldberg wrote in an email to The Republic.

Local radio station KSLX will be at five of the PetSmart stops to measure the asphalt's temperature and remind pet owners that asphalt can reach nearly 170 degrees in the summer, according to KSLX's website.

Think about it as putting yourself in your pet's shoes.

How to lace up your dog with paw protection

Rubber pet shoes definitely aren't one size fits all. So it's important not to rush in and guess your dog or cat's shoe size, Trumble said.

“It’s like putting a balloon on their feet, so every dog reacts differently," he said. "Some of them really don’t like it. I recommend treats when you’re doing it, and also definitely make sure you get the right size."

There are many different brands that can be found at most pet stores, so pet owners can get creative with their pets' shoe game, he added.

Trumble said supplies are usually limited to around 50 sets of shoes, but more could be given out if there is demand. That may be the case, considering in years past he has seen lines wrapped around PetSmart for the giveaway.

“People really respond to it,” he said.

Heat can still harm pets, despite the shoes

Pet shoes aren't the be all and end all solution.

Pets are still at risk for heat stroke if they are outside for long periods, Moezzi wrote in an email.

"Paw pad burns are rarely life-threatening. However, heat stroke is another common condition we see at PVRE (Phoenix Veterinary Referral and Emergency) that can become extremely serious and not as easily recognized by owners," he wrote.

Signs of this lesser-recognized condition include panting, lethargy, drooling, red gums, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, collapse or loss of consciousness.

If you notice any of these signs, get your pet evaluated by a veterinarian, he said. Heat stroke can progress rapidly.

Reach reporter Angel Mendoza at amendoza@gannett.com or on Twitter @angelmendozaAZC.