Buyers Guide – How To Choose The Best Dog Boots
Instead of simply reviewing the products and listing out their advantages and disadvantages, let us take you on a tour of what an ideal pair of boots/shoes/booties should be like.
We would also love to add a few pointers regarding canine boots in general so that by the time you finish reading the article, you are exactly aware of what to look for and how to find the right pair.
Protects Against Cuts & Injuries
There are unfortunate events when your canine friends injure their paws and walking around barefoot can only open up the superficially healed wounds.
This is where dog boots come in handy. They keep the paws protected till the wounds dry up.
What Factors To Look For While Buying Dog Boots?
This is a common question among first-time users. It is important to know the factors that decide how good they are, especially if you are looking to get one that actually stays on.
Listed below are the important ones:
Dog Boots Sizes
This is by far the most important factor while you are out and about finding the right pair of boots for your dog. If you get the wrong size, chances are high that your furry friend will either kick them off and you will lose them or they will rip them apart because it might annoy them with an improper fit.
What helps to choose the right size is to read the size chart or the size guide provided by the manufacturer. The commonest way to find out the right size is to draw the outline of each paw by placing them on a piece of paper. This will help you to measure the widest area and the length of the paw. The final step is to use a ruler to measure the total length and width of the paw.
A lot of dogs have different sized front and back paws that make buying dog boots inconvenient. There are manufacturers who sell boots in pairs that allow you to buy different sized pairs for the front and back paws.
Shapes Of Dog Boots
There are various shapes in which dog boots are found. While some of them are shaped like regular boots and sandals, some others look like socks that seem to have more of an aesthetic appeal than anything else.
The commonest types of dog boots look like socks that are kept in place with the help of two straps. The popular designs look more like ankle boots but even high boots are in vogue these days.
Material
Dog boots can be made of a number of materials and that usually depends on the purpose that they serve. Most of them are made of nylon, neoprene and rubber while some others are made of breathable fabric. The material that these footwear are made of is directly dependent upon the environment in which they would be used.
The thumb rule is whatever be the environment or the use of the boots; it should be made of durable materials. This is because dogs sweat through their paws and if the material is not breathable, they will not be comfortable wearing them for extended periods of time.
Take Note Of The Different Types Of Dog Boots
There are five types of dog boots depending upon five different uses. They are:
- Indoor dog boots
- Outdoor dog boots
- Hot weather dog boots
- Cold weather dog boots
- Waterproof dog boots
Indoor Dog Boots
Indoor dog boots are meant to be used within the confines of the household and therefore their soles are softer and more flexible. These boots are specifically used to protect your floors from getting scratched and also to offer some amount of support to your dogs indoors so that they do not slip. A few users prefer using dog socks but one should only use them if they have rubber grips on the soles.
Outdoor Dog Boots
As the name suggests, these boots are tough and protect your pooch's feet from hot and unfriendly surfaces. Their soles are strong and durable and the rest of the materials depend on their use.
Hot Weather Dog Boots
During hot summer months, you need these kinds of boots to protect your dog's feet from hot sidewalks, asphalt and streets. These are invariably made of breathable fabric so that your dogs can wear them even if it is quite hot outside.
Cold Weather Dog Boots
You need to be extra careful about protecting your dog's paws during the cold winter months. Especially for younger puppies, when it snows outside and you take them out for a walk, the sharp ice and chilling weather can cause a lot of injuries. You need high quality and weather resistant boots that are insulated and waterproof to keep your dog's paws well protected.
Waterproof Dog Boots
When it rains outside, your dog would love to go for walks and strolls afterwards because of the pleasant weather. Waterproof dog boots can help keep your dog's paws dry and protected.
Tips For Buying Boots That Stay On
Buying dog boots and getting them to stay on the paws are two entirely different things. It is not that easy to keep your dog's boots in place even if you know exactly which size to buy. So what could you do to ensure that they don't fall off? Read below!
- Buy a dog boot that fits snugly because even it is loose by half an inch; you can be sure that your dog flings it away at will.
- Velcro strapping keeps them in place. The best kind of dog boot is the one that has two Velcro straps to prevent it from falling off.
