Does Your Dog Need Booties?

In recent years, dog boots have become all the rage. You can choose from a wide array of booties to protect your pup’s paws from rough trails, hot pavement, ice, snow, and road salt. Some dogs have tough feet which can stand up to sharp rocks and uneven terrain with ease, but other dogs suffer terribly and can end up with cracked, raw paw pads. Long haired dog breeds often accumulate cold, icy snowballs in the fur between their toes which makes it hard to walk and can chill the animal. Dog booties can protect your pup’s paws. 

Wax Versus Dog Booties

Some owners will use a commercial dog paw wax to protect the paws of their canine companions. The wax is applied to the bottom of the dog’s feet to protect from chafing and ensure that ice more easily slips from the dog’s furry paws.

Some brands of wax also claim to protect a dog’s paws from salt and de-icers. However, the dog will not have good traction with wax. Dog booties usually proved fantastic traction to your dog which lets the animal easily traverse slippery and uneven terrain without slipping. 

Insulated Dog Boots

If you own a senior dog or a short haired breed, then the canine might lack sufficient fur on their paws to provide insulative protection. Most dog boots are heavily insulated to keep your pup’s feet toasty warm even when the mercury drops to below freezing. 

Are Dog Booties Just for Winter?

Dog booties are not just for winter. You can purchase lightweight dog booties that are almost sock-like with hard soles. The summer dog booties offer breathability to keep your dog’s feet cool and well-protected. With a pair of summer dog booties, your pup can easily walk across hot pavement and gravel without burning their delicate pads. 

Can Dogs Wear Booties with Dewclaws?

Many dogs have dewclaws which makes it hard to find a pair of dog booties that do not snag the appendages. If your pup has dewclaws, then try to find a sock pair of booties which are easier to slip on over your dog’s feet and ankles without snagging or bending the dewclaws back. You can also use boot liners inside of the booties to prevent the dewclaws from chafing.

Types of Dog Boots

If you regularly walk your dog on roadways and walkways, then you’ll need to pick a pair of dog booties that have a sole (preferably made from dipped rubber). The booties should protect your dog when walking on hot pavement or from road salt or de-icers. 

Check the soles of dog booties for adequate traction if you plan on walking your pup across icy surfaces. Usually, your dog uses his toenails to provide traction on slippery surfaces but when you put a pair of dog booties on your pup, they lose that edge. You’ll want to make sure whatever dog booties you pick have adequate traction for walks on winter ice, rainy surfaces, or slippery gravel. 

Dog booties are an excellent option to protect your dog’s paws and provide superior traction so Fido can keep up with you every step of the way no matter the weather or terrain.