My non-dog-loving friends and some of my dog-loving friends get a kick out of the thought of boots for dogs. “Why in the world would they need that?” they ask about dog boots. “They’ve got paws.”
Of course, but dog paw pads are not magical — they aren’t non-destructible barriers between the dog’s foot and the world. The outside is only protected by leathery thick skin, with a shock-absorbing fatty inner layer. This doesn’t stop paws from getting irritated, burned or cut. And, this is where dog boots come in.
But don’t just take my word for it. I talked to several dog boot companies, plus a dog behaviorist to answer the top seven questions typically asked about dog boots.
PawZ dog boots in action.
“All dogs that live where it is cold or hot,” says Michael Friedland, president of PawZ Rubber Dog Boots. “There are no dogs bred for searing-hot pavement, no dogs bred for snow-melt chemicals, and very few dogs are designed to withstand cold and snow. Your dog’s paws are the only exposed area that comes in direct contact with anything on the ground. Without protection, your dogs will lick their paws, ingesting chemicals, pesticides and bacteria, which can have negative impact on your dog’s health.”
Susan Strible, director of marketing for performance dog gear company Ruffwear also adds that boots can be critical gear for working dogs. “After the catastrophic events of 9/11, a journalist asked a rescue worker what they needed most, and the answer was ‘dog boots.’ Working dogs, from canine field researchers to search and rescue teams, have used Ruffwear boots to safely perform their duties. For instance, recent news shared Piper’s story, a dog who chased birds off the airport runway and wore boots as part of his uniform.”
“Dog boots are valuable for keeping paws safe in extreme environments and weather,” Susan says. “They protect paws from coarse, rocky trails, hot pavement, ice, snow, salt and snowmelt chemicals and more.”
It’s a dangerous world outside, and some of the same reasons we don’t go walking around in bare feet are reasons to protect your dog’s feet. If you’re taking your dog for a long hike or any place that he could encounter any of the following, you might want to consider slipping on some dog boots first.
Ultra Paws dog boots in action.
“Great question,” says Lisa Paxton, “lead dog” at active dog gear company Ultra Paws. “Because one style of dog boot will not work in every situation. And that’s why we offer seven different patented styles. Determine why you need dog boots, your price point and then identify the boot that will perform best for your situation.”
Above all, Michael of PawZ says, “They must stay on in order to work. Don’t just buy the ones that look like your shoes — they will fall off, and you will lose them.”
Lisa of Ultra Paws says to first measure your dog’s paws to get the right fit. “Our boots are sized based on the width of the paw. Take a minute to put the paw on a piece of paper, mark the left and right side, and measure the distance. There are a number of ‘me too’ dog boots on the market — the same boots, just with a different company’s label. Buy your boots from a company that specializes in dog gear — we’ve been in business since 1972 and have numerous patents awarded for our innovative gear. You want boots that are going to be comfortable for your dog, stay on and perform.” Find dog boot measuring instructions and tips for choosing the best dog boots from Ultra Paws right here.
Ruffwear has a downloadable Paw Measurement Chart and a video on how to get accurate paw measurements. “Also,” says Susan, “on occasion a dog’s front paws and rear paws vary slightly in size. So, we sell our boots in pairs and in sets of four, as well, to help provide for a good fit.”
And check out PawZ’s dog boot measuring chart right here!
Close up of Ruffwear.
When I got my dogs their first pair of boots, this was a bit of a challenge, as they didn’t like things on their feet. In all fairness, I had gotten them used to wearing hats, clothes and touching their feet but never on putting anything on them. So I put this question not only to our three dog boot companies but also to dog trainer Jill Breitner, creator of the Dog Decoder app. Jill recommends taking it slowly and making it a positive experience.
PawZ says the longevity of their dog boots depends on the activity and the terrain.
This is a great question to ask the manufacturer of the boots, since the answer could vary depending on a variety of factors.
“Depends on the activity and the terrain,” says Michael of PawZ. “They will last over a dozen wearings on dog walks but less on gravel or if running in the park. We recommend filing the nails. Our boots come 12 in a pack to help ensure your pooch enjoys the great outdoors.”
Lisa of Ultra Paws explains, “It depends on the terrain and the type of boots. With our boots with rubber or PVC sole, you can extend their life by applying a little ‘Shoe Goo.’ Making sure that you have the right size boot is important, too — if the boots are too big they may slip and wear more quickly.”
Thumbnail: Ruffwear dog boots in action.
8 comments on “Dug Up at Dogster: 7 Things to Know About Dog Boots”
Sadly I have yet to find dog boots made for dogs with “hare” feet or ones that stay on when the dog has very silky feathers on their paws.
Try neopaws! they’re the best!
I was looking at the PawZ website and couldnt find Pits (pitbulls) under their breeds… am I just missing it? Or is this a company that doesn’t deserve my patronage?
I sure hope it is the former and I somehow just missed it…
We’ll check with them.
Iam using PawZ for medical reasons. How long can they stay on. My dog is licking the medication off so she needs to wear something most of the day
Thanks