Should My Dog Wear Shoes?

You’ve likely encountered a dog adorning a pair of paw coverings while taking a walk in the park and wondered if your eyes were playing tricks on you. No, they weren’t. What you saw are a pair of dog shoes. They protect a dog’s paws and add a touch of elegance to its appearance. A question that might be coursing through your mind is whether your dog should wear shoes. Are they really needed, or are they mere adornments? This article has answers to all your questions about dog shoes.

If you have ever tried walking barefooted, you definitely know how uncomfortable it feels. Now, imagine what your pretty canine goes through when it walks without shoes. Compare your dog’s paw to a horse’s hooves, and you will realize horses have harder hooves, but they still have shoes. 

Why Do Dogs Wear Shoes?

Some of the reasons why you should consider getting dog shoes for your dog are detailed below.

Extreme Weather Conditions

When weather conditions change, we make appropriate clothing adjustments to shield us from extreme weather conditions; dogs need the same. While their thick fur may protect them against the chilly winter conditions, their paws are totally exposed. When dogs walk continuously on snow, it could cause a build-up of ice that hurts the webbings around the toes. However, with dog boots, your dog is protected from such complications.

Hot summer conditions are another reason you’ll need dog shoes. The ground can be extremely hot during the summer, and it affects your dog too, even though they may not complain. You can protect them from the heat by adorning their paws with shoes.

Post-surgery

When your dog is just healing from foot surgery or wound, you need to protect the feet to ensure it recovers fully. How then do you do it without stopping the dog from moving around? Dog shoes would save the day. They keep the wound clean by keeping potential wound contaminants at bay. 

Rough Terrain

If you’re going to the woods or going hiking and you need to take your dog along, you may want to consider dog shoes. Rough terrains are full of hazards like burrs and sharp rocks that can harm a dog. Therefore, when moving through rough terrains, a dog needs every protection it can get. 

Protect your Home

We’ve explained how dog socks benefit your dog; we finally have a reason that benefits you as a dog owner. Dogs can do a lot of damage with their nails, especially if you have scratchable floor coverings or a hardwood floor.  In addition, it is not unusual for your dog to return home with dirty-looking paws and smear the mud on the floor and sofa. Dog socks can save you this unnecessary difficulty. After a day of rolling in the mud and getting wet, all you need to do is take off the shoes, and the house remains mud-free.

Extra Cushion

Aging takes its toll on dogs in many ways. Their body parts begin to experience wear and tear. In some breeds, old age even causes hip problems that hinder their mobility.  Vet doctors recommend dog boots for an additional cushion that alleviates the problem. Older dogs tend to drag their feet while walking; dog socks protect their toes to ensure their toes and pad stay healthy,

Aesthetics

Dog shoes can be a fashion accessory too. There are many colors and designs of dog shoes to choose from. By carefully selecting the color and design of the shoe, you can turn your fur baby into the center of attraction while taking a walk in the park.

Final Thoughts

Overall, you can do no wrong with dog shoes. Your dogs can live without them. However, considering their relative affordability, the additional comfort and protection they bring to your dog’s daily life are immense.  Like all good dog parents, you want the best for your dog and getting dog shoes for your dog is one of the ways of showing it.