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! : )
What do we need to know about walking dogs on hot surfaces? What are the dangers for their paw pads? The following is what I have learned through years of experience as a dog walker and through my own research. In some ways this is a complicated subject with a lot of misinformation spread through social media. Ultimately, however, it’s all quite simple.
There are many factors involved. Here are some points regarding a dog’s tolerance for that walking surface in question:
Puppies have more tender pads
Couch potato dogs haven’t built up tolerance
Genetics and breed can affect sensitivity
Size and weight of dog affect resilience
Health issues of dog can influence risk of burns
Surfaces matter. eg: Fresh black asphalt vs concrete in the shade
Arid conditions increase risk (the PNW is not arid)
Length of time sun has been shining steadily on surface
Lack of breeze increases danger
Cloud cover makes a difference
So does time of day
Standing has more risk than walking
Charts which give air temperature and an associated pavement temperature have been flooding the internet for a few years now. The problem is, few of these charts list sources. Most of them actually hearken back to a Dr. James Beren’s work on thermal contact burns published in 1970 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Dr Beren stated that his statistics referred to a particular scenario. He stated that an air temperature of 77 degrees can, under certain conditions, result in an asphalt surface reaching up to 125 degrees. (Do remember that hot bathwater can be 110 degrees. Still, standing on 125 degree pavement can potentially damage paw pads.)
Modern experts agree that caution should be applied when temperatures enter the mid-eighties. Certainly, the above factors should also be kept in mind. Things can get very serious for any dog as the temperature continues to climb.
In Arlington, WA I have measured asphalt temperature on a clear, 80 degree F day to find it climb to 124 degrees by 2:30 and 123 degrees at 4:30. The cement sidewalk read at 100 degrees. When the temperature enters the 80s, I select shaded routes for my dogs.
As climate change affects our lives, we in the Pacific Northwest need to be aware that on days the temperatures rise to over 100 degrees, we may need to walk our pets in the early morning and late evening only.
Human skin is much more tender than a dog’s paw pad, (would you play in the snow barefoot for the amount of time most dogs would? Or without mittens?) The fat tissue in the paws also offers protection.
Although dog paws are not comparable to our own feet, this doesn’t mean they are impervious to damage. They toughen with use, but no dog is beyond getting burned if a surface is hot enough, be it pavement in town or alpine granite. It’s always important to keep the pads healthy and supple.
Dog paws have arteries which run close to their paw pads, allowing the blood to circulate back into the body and help keep the dog at a stable temperature. The inner layer of the paw has sweat glands which help the dog cool off. These regulatory functions make it even more important to protect your dog’s paws. Also, I recommend choosing the vented or the “breathable” dog shoes if you use shoes.
If your dog begins limping or walking tenderly, watch out! If their paw pads look dark, or the dog is licking them or biting them, they may already be burned. Also check for blisters or redness.
simply test the pavement temperature
A) You may have heard of the “seven-second test” in which you place the back of your hand on the pavement and if you can hold it there for seven seconds it will be safe for your dog to walk on this surface. The point was to make it simple, but these days some say two minutes and you can believe this version of the rule if you want.
Of course you must also use your common sense here. For one thing, people vary with the amount of heat they can tolerate. I can pick up a jar full of hot coffee that my husband can’t handle without a hot pad. I can hold it just long enough to pour a couple of coffees. One of my sons, meanwhile, could carry it around without giving it a second thought.
B) Infrared thermometers are available, starting around twenty dollars, which you can point at the road surface and get an instant reading. If you have a particularly vulnerable dog this might be a good investment.
When it’s hot out, choose shady routes and walk on grass or dirt whenever possible. This is also important for preventing heat stroke.
Where I live there are parking strips of grass along most of the sidewalks. This makes it easy for the dog to have their choice of walking surface. Usually, if a dog has a choice they will walk where it is comfortable for them to do so. However, factors such as physiological conditions or strong force of habit can come into play. Ultimately, it is the human caretaker who is responsible for the protection of the paws.
To keep your dog safe, it’s merely a matter of situational awareness and common sense.
Please note: This blog post is based on my own research. If you find an error or can offer information from primary sources concerning this subject I would appreciate it if you’d contact me.
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