What are the best dog shoes for summer? Does my dog need shoes?

Protective shoes for dogs! Why dog’s need shoes and dog shoe comparison guide

Dog shoes, they are adorable, super cute and eye catching but they can serve a purpose too. Let’s go over the facts of what you need to know before getting your dog his or her first pair of sneakers.

Why do dogs need shoes?

Do dogs need shoes every day like us? No, for the most part no (not taking into account pets with injuries that use them for different reasons). It actually can be detrimental to put shoes on your dog daily or for long periods, see our section below on dogs sweating. But there are many select reasons that shoes can be useful.

Allergies: Dogs with grass allergies may benefit from wearing shoes while at the park and romping in the grass. For dogs with not as severe allergies try wiping down paws with something like malacetic wipes after walks and see if it helps.

Hot ground: If the ground is too hot for your dog then dog shoes are a great way to protect those paw pads while your dog is joining you on adventures, remember to look at temperatures to see if it is simply too hot for your dog to join at all… heat stroke is not a joke and can be deadly in dogs. Don’t know how to check the ground temperature, take the back of your hand if you can’t leave it on the ground for 5 full seconds then it’s too hot for your pup and time for the dog booties.

Hiking: We also use dog shoes hiking when their paw pads are getting bit sensitive, I request check their pads to see if they are swollen or worn down. 

Protection: When filming The Pack for Amazon we used dog boots in areas where there were thorns (Italy episode) and other prickly items on the ground to prevent any of the dogs from getting injuries. I use dog shoes at my horse shows when there are tons of foxtails out, this prevents the foxtails from getting stuck in his paws which can be extremely dangerous. 

Rainy days: One of my dog’s hates going out after the rain if the ground is wet, he’s a bit of a spoiled LA dog, but throw on his booties and he’s good to go pee outside.

In the snow: Booties can prevent snow from building up between paw pads and causing irritation. 

Senior dogs: I have a friend whose senior dog drags one of his hind feet, some time in his boots help protect his paws.

But there are times when we shouldn’t be using shoes:

It’s important to note that while good quality dog shoes have tread on them dogs can often get more traction when they are able to use their claws, which is why we didn’t use dog booties in the snow episodes of The Pack. 

Don’t forget dogs need to sweat!

While dog shoes can help save our dogs paws from burns it’s important to take them off once our dogs are inside, dogs sweat through their feet so allowing your dogs paws to breathe is really essential too!

How to measure your dog for shoes

Most dogs have different sized front and back paws.  This is how I easily measure dogs for shoes:

1. Get a piece of paper, a pencil or pen and your dog ready. 
2. Put out the paper and have your dog stand on it, I then lift the opposite paw – this forces the toes to splay out and ensure you’re not getting too small of a size (plus, it makes it easier to measure). 
3. Now take your pencil (or pen) and draw a line on each side of your dogs paw. 
4. Measure from line to the other line for your dogs foot measurement in inches, compare to the shoe brand you are buying.

Our favorite dog shoes for summer and hiking

Have fun with your pup in his or her new shoes!