Are dog shoes a good idea?

euser1984 · 03-11-2013 2:09pm #1

I have a very active gsd and predominantly walk her on the road and pavements....

Thanks.

fatmammycat · 03-11-2013 2:54pm

Dog pads are tough, I cannot imagine any dog enjoying having shoes on their feet.

golden8 · 03-11-2013 3:00pm

They are good in the right circumstances such as if there is snow and your walking on the pavements near treated deiced roads boots are great. Or if your walking your dog where there are hazards such as broken glass.

thehouses · 05-11-2013 1:45am

I have heard that salt can irritate their paws - but it is probably more practical to just wash their feet if they are showing any sign of irritation as most dogs will not take to them and I'd imagine they would take some getting used to (not to mention stares from other people). I wouldn't get them myself for a dog.

boomerang · 06-11-2013 1:28am

Dogs actually need road work to keep their nails short. It has a natural filing effect.

(That said, if a dog is only exercised on grass or restricted to a garden, taking them out for a long walk on pavement can make their pads really sore. Walking on hard ground toughens up the pads.)

Putting booties on your dog is a bit daft unless there's extreme weather or he has a paw injury.

The_Mask · 06-11-2013 1:31am

Only during snow and icy conditions as it can cause the skin on their paws to crack

06-11-2013 2:46pm

I know people used them if the have laminate on their floors, to stop the dogs from slipping.

fredweena · 06-11-2013 9:20pm

They would be a terrible idea in our house. My OH would definitely be too embarrassed to walk the dog so i'd be left with all the winter walking duties!