Dog shoes and boots are great for protecting dogs in the snow and ice. They are also good for summer heat. But please read on:

While dog shoes are a great answer for some pets, they are not without their problems. Many dogs won’t tolerate them–but as the shoes are often not particularly expensive, it may be worth getting a set just to find out. Some of these dogs can learn to accept them over time.

Just like human shoes, dog boots can rub or be too tight in some spot. Dog paws come in a variety of shapes, so size of shoe isn’t the only factor. Consider also if it’s going to be a problem if they get wet. Shoes come off and get lost, especially in snow and with certain breeds. Suspenders that run across the dog’s back can be a solution. One of the main issues about shoes, though, is ventilation.

Dogs regulate their body temperature through the paws. They have sweat glands in their paws. Also, arteries run behind the paw pads, circulating the blood back through the body to help control the temperature. Shoes designed for summer use have holes or mesh for air flow.

I do not necessarily recommend this particular brand, only that you keep ventilation and “breathe-ability” in mind while selecting shoes. (Brand shown: AOFITEE)

In my opinion, (okay, as a paw wax maker, I admit it) if pavement is so hot that it requires shoes rather than paw wax, (see my recent post Paws and Think About Hot Pavement) the danger of sun stroke should be carefully considered. In other words, if paw wax isn’t sufficient, should the dog be out there anyway?

I use shoes for dogs only if we are in snow or are protecting an injury such as an incision. For some people’s dogs, though, shoes seem to be a great choice for walking on summer pavement. Of course, I can’t help but mention that paw wax can be helpful with some of the shoe issues, such as rubbing or to prevent the ice balls that may form around the top of the shoe. (For that latter problem, I have also had good results with duct tape around the top of the boot.)

In the end, we each know our own dogs and what will serve them best. I do hope this information is helpful if you’ve been wondering about dog shoes. If I’ve left something out or you have anything you’d like to say, please contact me. I’d love to hear from you!

Note: Yellow boots image is by Yaroslav Shuraev VIA pexels.com. The puppy sitting between a pair of boots is by Mona on the same site. Normally I use my own images, but I couldn’t find the ones I have of Pippa in shoes and didn’t want to put them on her to take a new photo.

PS Of course the dog photos here are just for humor. I’m not suggesting using human shoes on dogs! : )