Article by Simon Lissa for Working Dog Magazine
For dogs, there is no worse injury than one to their paws. Dogs are constantly active, and paw injuries can take a long time to heal because they continue to walk on their feet, despite the pain, and re-injure themselves or slow down healing. The best approach here is prevention and dog boots have proven to be, by far, the best way to protect your dog’s paws.
Be it intensive training, long hikes, snow, or everyday walking, the right pair of dog boots will insulate and protect your dogs paws better than any other solution. However, we hear endless stories about boots that fall off, or just don’t do what they are supposed to, like keeping water, gravel, and the cold out. This typically isn’t caused by bad products but poor fitting and inappropriate use.
The Different Types of Dog Boots
Getting boots that are fit for their purpose is a top priority to make sure they will last and work properly.
- Everyday Boots: (This includes rubber glove style boots) Best for hot pavement, slippery floors, and dogs with sensitive pads. An everyday boot is only designed for indoor use, short walks, and regular terrain.
- Winter/Cold Climate Boots: Everything in wet/cold winters to snow sledding. Winter boots should never be used in summer, as dogs sweat a lot through their feet. They are also designed to keep snow out, not dirt and pebbles.
- Trekking and Hiking Boots: Rugged, all-terrain boots for extended hikes to just about anywhere. Though these can be bulky and ridged, if you must select a boot that is fit for multiple purposes, this would be it. Just be aware in cold climates they may not provide sufficient insulation.
- Healing Boots: Designed to aid in the paw healing process, these boots are highly breathable and are for the most part, designed only for indoor use.
Dog Boots That Stay On
Do your dog’s boots keep falling off? Ahh! We know! If we had a dollar for every bootie that fell off, we would have more than enough money to buy some booties that didn’t fall off.
Getting boots that will stay on through even the roughest terrain and most intense activities all comes down to two things:
The Fit:
Some stores will not allow you to test the boots on your dog’s feet. In others, many of the products are cable tied to the product packaging, making it impossible to test them for size. So, even though testing boots on your dog in a store is the best way to get a perfect fit, it is not always an option.
Luckily, many brands have caught onto this issue and started providing detailed instructions on how to measure your dog’s paws correctly, taking into consideration their shape. It is important to locate brand specific fitting directions and follow them closely.
Note: All boots will have a tendency to stretch a little over time. So, though they may fit well at first, after a few uses, they might gradually begin to slip. If your pup is between sizes, you may opt for the smaller size.
The Design:
Though the higher-end products tend to do a better job with design, some of the more affordable boots do a pretty good job of forming to the dog’s feet.
We are big advocates of at least one Velcro strap across the middle of the boot and preferably one higher up the leg if possible also.
It is best to choose fabrics with a free-forming texture that can both provide more grip on the dog’s foot and shape better, to allow the straps to do their job.
Reasons to Use Dog Booties
- Protection Against Rough Terrain, Glass, Injury: Ask any veterinarian for the most common injuries sustained by a dog and you will undoubtedly be told foot injuries are at the top of the list. Broken glass, sharp objects, stones, etc., in addition to general wear and dry dog paws are common, yet easily avoidable.
- Protection Against Harsh Climates: Be it hot pavement or extreme cold and snow, dog boots are the best way to reduce the risk of burn and frostbite.
- Assisting in Healing Foot/Paw Injuries: Dogs are too active to stop moving due to an injured paw. Look for brands useful in speeding up the healing process and reducing the risk of re-injury.
- Keeping Your House and Car Cleaner: Dirt, mud, dust, water, and snow may get your dog’s boots dirty, but that does not mean your house has to be. By removing your dog’s boots prior to letting him into your car or house, you will significantly reduce the amount of dirt he brings in.
- Keep Their Paws Clean: Your dog can trudge through the mud all day long and his paws will remain clean and dry. For those of us who need to clean our pups paws after most outings, this is a blessing.
- Protecting Your Floors and Furniture, Slipping and Sliding: All dog boots come with a rubber or leather bottom that will both improve traction on slippery surfaces and reduce wear and tear on wooden flooring and furniture.
- Style and Visibility: Have you ever wanted to buy a pair of baby shoes because they are so small and cute? Well, if you have seen a pair of dog boots you are aware they are cuter still! Fashionable, brightly colored, stylish, and reflective strips on your dog’s feet will both increase visibility and give him a unique style.
