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Seasonal coats and rain gear for pups might be all the rage in the pet world, but most pet parents have some healthy skepticism when it comes to dog boots.
Until recently, we did too. Dog boots look like a hassle to put on, most pups don’t like them, and are they even going to stay on past the mailbox? But it turns out there’s good reason to give dog boots a second look—and our pups showed us that they can be pretty effective tools when used properly.
Read on for our tests of some of Amazon’s best-selling dog boots and an in-depth look at a surprisingly practical accessory.
Does A Dog Need Boots?
It’s easy to assume our pets’ paws are sturdy enough to handle whatever the elements throw at them. They’re pretty tough, after all: they’re made of strong keratin claws and thick-skinned pads full of adipose tissue that’s almost as good as anti-freeze for keeping ice at bay.
But as impressive as they are, dog paws aren’t impervious to extreme weather—of any kind.
In the summer, your usual afternoon stroll could become a painful event for your dog. At 85 degrees, hot pavement, asphalt, and artificial turf can burn paw pads, even causing them to blister. For avid beach-goers, hot sand presents a similar problem. Outfitting your pup with a quality pair of dog booties will shield their vulnerable paws from hot surfaces, so you can make the most of summer.
Hikers also tend to be in the pro-dog-boot club. If you like to hike with your dog, you’ve likely ferried your pup over more than a few mossy stream beds, thorn-laced thickets, or rocky paths. With dog boots, those obstacles are a lot less harrowing.
Additionally, dog booties come in handy during the colder months. They deflect the abuse that long snowy walks—or cold salted pavement—can inflict on paws. There are also chemical ice melters to watch for, which can be toxic to pups both on the skin and if ingested through paw-licking. And while most dogs seem like pretty good all-terrain vehicles, their feet aren’t any better than ours on slick surfaces. Boots can keep humans and pups alike from taking a spill on an icy patch.
In fact, dog boots are a popular solution for dogs with poor traction indoors as well. A lot of pet parents with arthritic dogs, especially those with hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy, swear by dog shoes and grippy socks that offer traction and protect dragging paws.
In short, a pup can get a lot of mileage out of a set of dog boots, making them a handy tool to have in your back pocket in all sorts of situations. But how can you know your dog will tolerate them? Are they worth the extra work?
How to Get a Dog Used to Boots—Rover Test Pups Experiment
There’s no denying there’s a learning curve when it comes to footwear for pups. But with a little practice, dog boots don’t have to be a hassle. Here’s how Rover test pups Lucy Bear and Oscar learned the ropes.
Allie and Oscar Test XSY&G’s Outdoor Dog Boots
Find on AmazonAllie and Oscar tested XSY&G’s Outdoor Dog Boots, which feature a rubbery non-slip sole and two Velcro fasteners per paw to ensure a snug fit. Allie was pretty sure they were going to be a tough sell—and she was right.
She let Oscar sniff his new dog boots for a day, occasionally dropping treats in them for him to find. He had a lot of positive feelings about them—right until she put them on his front paws and let him loose in the apartment. He high-stepped across the living room like John Cleese, looking like someone had turned the carpet to lava.
So Allie removed the boots and filled them with more treats, then circled back for another round the next day. This time she put all four boots on, which briefly convinced Oscar he was doomed to a life of sitting.
More treats encouraged him to take a few tentative steps. For about twenty minutes, Allie deposited treats at different locations around the apartment, and Oscar wobbled over to them, getting steadier on his feet with each snack.
After a few more rounds (and a lot more treats), they headed out for a real-world trial, where a rain-coated and booted Oscar worked up from pavement to grass to a rocky beach. All told, about two hours in dog boots made Oscar a pro (though no amount of training got rid of his tendency to gallop like a very small, very short-legged horse when wearing them).
Allie figures that if Oscar could make peace with them, there’s hope for a lot of pups out there whose parents might not think they have it in them. She doesn’t recommend dog boots for casual mailbox trips and pee breaks, but she’s glad to have the cold-hating Oscar already trained on them for when the snow and ice show up—this is one little guy who won’t miss walks when the weather gets bad. Plus, she thinks they’ll come in handy during the hot summer months, too.
Kelsey and Lucy Bear Test EXPAWLORER’s Waterproof Dog Boots
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Kelsey and Lucy Bear tested EXPAWLORER’s Waterproof Dog Boots, which are made with a non-slip sole to help your pup maintain their traction when walking on slippery surfaces. Each pack comes with a set of four booties that are easy to put on your dog’s paws with adjustable Velcro straps. Even better, each boot is made with reflective material to make it easier to spot your dog on walks at night.
Lucy Bear is a curious and energetic girl who isn’t thrilled about the feeling of wet grass on her paws. When Kelsey heard about EXPAWLORER’S Waterproof Dog Boots, she jumped at the chance to see if they would make rainy days more bearable for Lucy.
She also thought some dog boots would be excellent for the inevitable snow that comes her way during Ohio’s winter.
When the boots arrived, Kelsey’s excitement matched Lucy’s curiosity. She liked the sturdy but flexible feel of the shoes, and the size was perfect. Since Lucy Bear doesn’t sit still well, she made sure to undo all of the Velcro straps ahead of time, and after some corralling, she was able to get the boots on her squirmy dog’s paws and fasten them.
Unsurprisingly, Lucy wasn’t thrilled. She gingerly walked around the kitchen like a baby fawn taking its first steps. Eventually, after giving her some time to adjust, Kelsey got her outside to test the boots in the rain—which was where they had their chance to shine. The boots helped combat Lucy Bear’s distaste for wet grass (and handily prevented Lucy from tracking mud in the house upon her return inside).
Though Lucy’s still adjusting to the boots, Kelsey’s hopeful they’ll become just as loved as her walking harness with time and treats.
“I’m glad we have them on hand. Whether I need to break them out to use as winter dog boots or in the event of a sore paw, I’m confident these boots will have big adventures with Lucy Bear and me,” Kelsey says.
The Bottom Line: Should You Buy Dog Boots?
Maybe! They won’t be a good fit for every pup, but we bet more dogs than you’d think can wear them successfully. They’re a nice peace-of-mind purchase, especially if you take the time to train your dog in them. Then you’ll know you’re covered for winter weather, long hikes, and summer scorchers. We give them four booted paws up.
Find Oscar's Boots on Amazon Find Lucy Bear's Boots on Amazon