Dog Boots & Paw Protection

In summer, pavements can get hot enough to blister pads — the back-of-the-hand test for five seconds is a good guide. In winter, road salt and grit irritate and crack pads, and packed ice can cut.

Boots also protect a healing paw injury from dirt, and give grip to senior dogs slipping on hard floors. For working and rural dogs, they guard against stubble, flints and thorns.

Measure each paw by standing your dog on paper and marking the width at the widest point — paws aren’t always identical, so size to the largest. A boot should be snug at the ankle so it can’t spin or slip off, with a flexible, grippy sole.

Almost every dog does the famous high-stepping dance at first. Start indoors for a minute or two, reward heavily, then build up — most dogs forget they’re wearing them within a few short sessions.