Waterproof Anti-Slip Dog Boots

Paws are tougher than people assume and less tough than they need to be in July. Pavement too hot to hold a palm against for five seconds will blister a pad, and winter brings the opposite problem in grit and road salt that burn between the toes. Boots deal with both, and the anti-slip sole quietly solves a third for older dogs sliding about on laminate and tile indoors.

The outer is waterproof rather than merely shower-proof, so wet grass and slush stay on the outside, and the sole is a rugged rubber with tread that grips instead of skating. Each boot fastens with an adjustable strap carrying a reflective strip, which does two jobs at once: it holds the boot on a leg that tapers, and it puts a bright point down at ground level where headlights actually fall.

• Waterproof uppers with anti-slip rubber soles
• Adjustable reflective strap on each boot
• Seven numbered sizes, 1 through 7
• Sold as sets of two or sets of four
• Two colourways: black with a red toe, and black and grey
• Protects against hot ground, grit, ice and rough terrain

Check what you are ordering. Half the variants are 2PCS, meaning two boots rather than a set for all four feet. Some owners genuinely only want front protection, but it catches people out. Sizing runs on a numbered chart, so measure the widest part of the paw with the dog standing and the weight on it, and expect a settling-in period of comic walking.

Who it's for: Dogs walking through summer heat, winter salt or rough ground, and older dogs losing their footing on hard floors.