Dog shoes ?????

NamVetJoe

Active Member
Aug is still a long way off and I am not guaranteed a puppy BUT I am trying to cover all bases. South Florida gets really hot in summer. While the majority of the time my Dobie will be on grass, as my constant companion, there are times he will be on concrete and asphalt over 100 degrees. So any info on dog shoes would be greatly appreciated
 
I will be interested in the answers to this question too. The ground gets super hot here in summer as well and so far we've managed by keeping walks to early morning and late evening or "shadow hopping" when we have to go out. This coming summer I am intending on doing a reasonably long road trip where dog boots could be necessary.
 
If I recall from past discussions here, I am in the minority on this; but I used to go for extended walks with my Doberman in southern Arizona in all weather. I never used booties and he walked mostly on the concrete sidewalk, but some on the asphalt too. Never had a problem, and rarely noticed him being bothered by it.

I have used booties when I've had him run alongside my bicycle for appreciable distances, and I've used them when having extended frisbee sessions in the snow. Both would result in bloody pads if not bootied.

I think I had decent success with Muttlucks, but the biggest challenge is keeping them from falling off. The other problem is that holes get worm in them pretty quickly from running on hard surfaces.

By far, my best pair of dog booties was/is a pair made for us by an acquaintance who did dogsledding in Minnesota. They made me a pair. They're different from what you find in the stores. Thick and tough material does not get holes worn in it.
 
I think it's awesome that you are thinking ahead and worried about hot asphalt. I don't know if a lot of people even consider that since we have shoes and don't feel it. I'm sure they feel it to a certain extent. Maybe keeping moving and lifting their feet off of it quickly helps. But I'm sure they are feeling it. They may be giving you signals that you are missing. I seldom take my 12 lb Chihuahua mix out into my barn with me when it's really cold. The concrete floor can get pretty cold. But even on days that I think it's okay, if she is standing around too much she will put her paws on my leg as if to say, please pick me up! And I know that her feet are probably getting cold. I'm sure just the opposite happens when dogs are out on concrete or asphalt on an extremely hot day. I don't really have an answer for you for booties since I have never use them. We are out in the country and really have very little access to concrete and asphalt except for our driveway and sidewalks. I hope you find something that is useful to you and your dog!
 
I use Grip Trex by Ruffwear. It has a vented upper with a substantial rubber sole.
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They also make a sock for them to prevent blisters should they rub. We haven’t needed the socks.
 
I think it's awesome that you are thinking ahead and worried about hot asphalt. I don't know if a lot of people even consider that since we have shoes and don't feel it. I'm sure they feel it to a certain extent. Maybe keeping moving and lifting their feet off of it quickly helps. But I'm sure they are feeling it. They may be giving you signals that you are missing. I seldom take my 12 lb Chihuahua mix out into my barn with me when it's really cold. The concrete floor can get pretty cold. But even on days that I think it's okay, if she is standing around too much she will put her paws on my leg as if to say, please pick me up! And I know that her feet are probably getting cold. I'm sure just the opposite happens when dogs are out on concrete or asphalt on an extremely hot day. I don't really have an answer for you for booties since I have never use them. We are out in the country and really have very little access to concrete and asphalt except for our driveway and sidewalks. I hope you find something that is useful to you and your dog!
Thanks I fell our dogs, no matter what breed do so much for us we have an obligation to provide them with as much support in return that we can give
 
I also used Ruffwear when I used to ride my bike with my previous dog. I was worried about him running on glass or debris in the road. They worked well but i saw some leather dog booties somewhere else that I thought would be better. Ill have to look again and post if I find the link.

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After doing a little research, I have found out that an air temp equates to an asphalt temp of 143 degrees. I don’t think I am allowed to mention specific vendors but two products that people not wanting to use dog shoes may want to look into. One is a moisturizing cream and the other is a Paw wax
 
Are you hinting at Mushers Secret? I use that also. Haven’t had a hot day to test it out, I use it as a paw lotion. But the pup loves getting it rubbed on. Does a good job moisturizing areas that may develop cracks.
 
I use it as well. @blacknrust gave the pups a push up stick of an organic paw paste for Christmas and it’s wonderful. I had to order more and it has made a difference in their pads, although I do not use it prior to them going on a walk on hot pavement with boots on because I think about it perhaps making the paw pads hotter. I do use it after the walk when I remove the boots and soak their feet before coming in the house. Once I dry their feet, then I apply it and I do it again in the morning time. It gives them better stability on tile floors too.
I need to mention we have high humidity too.
 
I use Grip Trex by Ruffwear. It has a vented upper with a substantial rubber sole.
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These boots look just the thing and I've done some research and they are available in Australia. :thumbsup: Jazz has her dewclaws though and I wonder about the fit with these. I think I read somewhere that there was some trouble about keeping the boots on with dewclaws. Was it @GennyB who mentioned this? I have many months to make any decisions as we aren't even officially into winter here so summer is a looooooooooooong way away. :(
 
These boots look just the thing and I've done some research and they are available in Australia. :thumbsup: Jazz has her dewclaws though and I wonder about the fit with these. I think I read somewhere that there was some trouble about keeping the boots on with dewclaws. Was it @GennyB who mentioned this? I have many months to make any decisions as we aren't even officially into winter here so summer is a looooooooooooong way away. :(
Those are the boots I use in the summer and same brand in the winter (The ones @Lizbeli posted in her pic). Both Drogon and Fury have their dew claws. The only issue was getting them on and off. Once on they stay on and no issues with dew claws. If I use the inner socks then the boots go on and off much easier.
 
Those are the boots I use in the summer and same brand in the winter (The ones @Lizbeli posted in her pic). Both Drogon and Fury have their dew claws. The only issue was getting them on and off. Once on they stay on and no issues with dew claws. If I use the inner socks then the boots go on and off much easier.
Excellent! Thankyou for the info! :thumbsup2:
 
Was it @GennyB who mentioned this?


I don't think so. I don't have much experience with dew claws or even boots for that matter. My dogs are not on concrete or asphalt much so we don't use boots. Most sidewalks in my neighborhood are very shaded and never really get super hot. Should we come to a place where it is hot, I just give a bit more leash and let them walk on the grass. Most of their exercise is at my son's house, he lives on a 200 acre farm and there is no concrete to be found.
 
Are you hinting at Mushers Secret? I use that also. Haven’t had a hot day to test it out, I use it as a paw lotion. But the pup loves getting it rubbed on. Does a good job moisturizing areas that may develop cracks.
We use mushers secret for snow but plan on using it this summer, our first summer with our guy, too!
 
We use mushers secret for snow but plan on using it this summer, our first summer with our guy, too!
I used it this last winter and found it makes his paws less scratchy so it definitely works to soften and to protect against snow and ice.

I hadn’t thought to use it in the summer... @Tropicalbri's are you thinking it might heat up the paw pads more?
 

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