Dog boots may look funny and seem like pure fashion on the owner’s part, but protecting your dog’s feet is well worth it.
Dog boots protect against the hot pavement in the summer and can make those potty walks in the winter more bearable.
We protect our soles, why shouldn’t we protect theirs? Whether you’re strolling through the city or braving a hike with rocky terrain, picking up a pair of dog shoes can go a long way.
Lucky for you, we’ve created this complete guide to picking out the perfect boots for your pup’s protection!
Finding The Fit
The most important part of finding a good pair of dog boots is knowing how to find a good fit. Even the most expensive dog boots are useless if they fall off!
When looking for a pair of dog boots it’s important to look for a pair flexible enough to be comfortable, but also offers durability and support.
Regardless of dog size, a good pair of dog shoes come down to the following characteristics: They’re snug around the ankles yet leave a little wiggle room at the toes, and they have an anti-slip sole!
Dog boots come in different sizes. Some companies determine size via weight, and some measure from the heel of the pad to the tip of the toenail.
Make sure youreview how the company you choose to buy from measures their shoes before you purchase.
How To Put Your Dog Boots On Your Dog
It’s best to put your dog boots on your dog while they’re standing to make sure the boots can be securely fastened with the dog’s weight fully on their paws.
Open up the shoe completely before placing your dog’s paw inside. Make sure you include the dewclaw inside the shoe to eliminate discomfort. Then you should put the shoe on the same way you would yourself!
Use your index finger as a shoehorn to push you dogs paw towards the front of the shoe.
Once your dog’s paw is fully inside the boot, use your finger to make sure all their toes are inside and are comfortably pushed towards the front of the boot.
When the boot is on and your dog is standing with its full weight in the boot, gently press the front of the boot to make sure your dog has a comfortable amount of wiggle room (just like you would yourself).
Make sure you set the dogs paw down before you fasten the boot! With your dog standing on the boot, tuck in their foot fur and securely fasten the boot to their ankle.
Which Material Is The Best For Your Dog Shoes?
First, determine why you’re buying your dog shoes. Are they for hiking? Will they be protecting your dog’s feet from salt, snow, or other chemicals used to treat ice in the winter? Will they need to be water-proofed?
All these questions play into choosing the best material for your dog shoes. Naturally, boots come in sets of four.
The oldest design is a plastic boot. The plastic boot will keep your dog’s feet the driest, but they’re also known for coming loose.
This is because the boot ‘s leg is as wide as the base of the shoe in order for your dog to get his foot down the shoe. This causes the bootleg to be loose, making it easier for the shoe to slide off.
Leather boots are another option. The leather makes the shoes very durable — hunters have been using this style of shoes for a long time! The leather will protect the dog’s foot from mostrough terrains.
Unfortunately, these shoes take the longest to put on because you have to lace them up. They aren’t ideal for a quick potty break, so you may want to invest in another pair for easy access.
There are multiple versions of fabric shoes and these are the best for quick potty breaks, winter walks, and protecting sores against licking. The most popular versions are Doggie-Sox, nylon, or polar fleece boots.
Doggie-sox are leather soles on knitted, elasticized legs. They provide traction and protect against salt, snow, and ice. They also keep your dog’s feet dry and clean when walking in muddy, rainy weather.
Nylon and polar fleece boots have similar designs; they use Velcro to strap the boot to the pups foot, making it very easy to put them on and take them off. Polar fleece is great for cold weather but will get wet very easily.
Nylon will not get wet but doesn’t offer much warmth. A lot of owners use these two designs at the same time, they put a polar fleece boot on under their nylon!
Protecting Your Best Friend
Whatever your reason for protecting your dog’s feet, they will thank you in the long run. No more raw, cracked, winter paws; no more burnt toes in the winter! Dog shoes are a great investment wherever you live.
Whether you’re strolling around the city or hiking through the mountains, dog boots will protect your dog from any terrain they encounter.
Remember to never leave your dog unsupervised while they’re wearing dog boots! Dogs sweat through their paws. So, to prevent irritation, don’t let your dog wear their shoes for a prolonged amount of time.
Also, if you plan on using your dog boots for hiking, keep in mind: water-resistant does not mean waterproof! Read and reread all the functionalities of your dog boots before you purchase to make sure they’ll meet all of your dog’s needs.
Now you and your best friend can enjoy your outside time a little more peacefully!
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