This article informs you whether dog shoes are beneficial or not – We address the prejudices and show you important facts about the topic. Enjoy reading! 😊

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Dog Shoes as Paw Protection

In general, our dogs are well-prepared to walk through mud and on rough terrain. Nature has equipped them with sturdy paws.

A typical walk thus poses no obstacles. Your dog can also handle cold weather well.

However, we need to differentiate regarding cold temperatures. Temperatures in the lower plus range, for example 2°C (35,6°F), are perfectly fine for your dog.

These temperatures usually do not last longer than 48 hours. Constant cold waves, on the other hand, are more detrimental to your dog.

Veterinarians and animal welfare advocates partly agree: The use of dog shoes can indeed be beneficial.

Below, we discuss the points where you should consider using dog shoes:

1. Gravel and Road Salt

While road salt is familiar to many people, some may not know what gravel is.

Gravel is usually crushed stone used to combat slick conditions in winter. Gravel and road salt are among the most common materials used against winter ice.

Although gravel has some advantages over road salt, it’s also not ideal for your dog’s paws. Both can cause injuries to your dog’s paws.

Especially in winter, the paw is exposed to some dangers. Cuts and abrasions are the most common hazards that can result from gravel and road salt.

In such situations, it’s advisable to consider using dog shoes. They can protect your dog from injuries in such circumstances.

2. Cold Weather

When it comes to cold weather, we should differentiate. At temperatures below freezing, you can equip your dog with dog shoes.

Walks at these temperatures can lead to frostbite and freezing.

Generally, temperatures above freezing are not a cause for concern. But if you’re unsure, you can consult a veterinarian. They will inform you well on the topic.

3. Icy Surfaces

On icy surfaces, you should consider getting a pair of dog shoes for your dog. Icy surfaces pose the number one danger to dog paws.

If the ice breaks or becomes more brittle, causing cracks, these can become razor-sharp.

This then becomes unsafe for the dog’s paws. Once walked over such a spot, your dog may suffer cuts and other injuries.

4. Hard, Icy Snow

Even hard, icy snow presents some dangers to your dog’s paws. For this reason, we recommend that you get a pair of dog shoes in this case.

Especially if these weather conditions persist for an extended period. Hard and icy snow can lead to injuries and frostbite in your dog.

5. Long Walks in the Snow

For long walks or hikes in the snow, a pair of dog shoes is also an option.

Long walks in the snow come with frosty temperatures. Frostbite and cold burns could be the resulting consequences.

Why This Protection Is So Important

You can tell that many people scratch their heads when they hear the term “dog shoes.” Why is that?

Some dog owners say it’s a “humanization of the dog.” However, dog shoes can indeed serve a purpose.

As soon as your dog experiences paw pain due to the weather, you should consider getting them dog shoes. You can do your furry friend this favor.

But how can you tell if your dog is suffering from paw pain?

To better inform you about this, we will enlighten you on the matter below. This way, you can also act more quickly.

A clear sign of paw pain is limping. You will also notice your dog holding their paw up more often. First, you should thoroughly inspect your dog’s paw.

Sometimes, the dog experiences pain when there is a small object in an unsuitable place.

When stepping on it, the dog then experiences pain. Once the object is removed, they can walk pain-free again.

Also…

Avoidance is also a clear sign of paw pain. This means your dog prefers to stay home rather than being outdoors in the fresh air.

So, if you notice your dog avoiding walks or hikes, it’s time to consider the topic of “dog shoes.”

These points require special attention so you can see whether your dog is suffering from paw pain or not.

At the latest, when there are cuts or other obvious injuries, dog shoes should be purchased. Because with injuries, there is a high risk that your dog will get an infection.

What Are the Disadvantages?

In some situations, dog shoes can also have certain disadvantages.

The following disadvantages may occur when using dog shoes for your dog:

However, these disadvantages only occur if the dog shoes have the wrong material or size.

Detailed Product Reviews

Do you want to try out dog shoes? Then we would like to recommend 2 products to you at this point. They are all bestsellers from trusted brands.

CovertSafe Shoes

The Petilleur dog shoes are our second recommendation. These dog shoes also feature a practical closure in the form of Velcro straps. What’s particularly notable about these dog shoes are the reflective strips. This allows your dog to be spotted early by motorists and cyclists even on dark days.

Trixie Paw Protection

Our third recommendation is the paw protection by Trixie. This product is characterized by its robust profile sole. Thanks to this sole, paw injuries can heal faster. In addition to this advantage, there are other benefits that we would like to highlight below.

How to Get Your Dog Used to the Shoes

Naturally, wearing dog shoes will be unfamiliar for your dog at first. That’s why we recommend that you gradually accustom your dog to this new accessory with a lot of patience.

Lack of patience or harsh training methods are out of place. They have no place in dog training in general.

It’s also important to slowly get your dog used to the dog shoes. This means putting them on step by step.

Since dog shoes are most useful in winter, you can start getting your dog used to them in the fall. This gives your dog some time to adjust to the dog shoes.

We also recommend that you first put the dog shoes on your dog in your own home. Your dog will adapt more quickly to unfamiliar things when in a familiar environment.

Our Conclusion

The use of dog shoes is by no means a sign of humanization. There are situations where using the shoes is actually advisable.

It’s important to pay attention to the necessary points when making a purchase. This way, you can also get a high-quality product. A robust and high-quality material is therefore essential.

Also, always remember to gradually get your dog used to the new shoes.

Please avoid impatience and an aggressive attitude towards your dog. The adaptation process should always be stress-free.