The fact is animals do not wear boots. But they don’t do hiking as well!
So, the question of whether dogs need hiking boots or not becomes more of a concern for your pet.
As a rule of thumb, dogs do not “necessarily” need hiking boots. But if you talk about the safety and protection of your pet dog's paw, it becomes questionable whether or not to buy a hiking boot for your dog.
It may sound odd, but you can certainly give the dog a thin layer of protection underfoot to help protect the paws from rocks, shards, and other pointy objects. Therefore, we can say that it totally depends if your dog needs the hiking boot or not.
For summer hiking, most dogs do not need hiking boots, 99% of the time. The reason is the humid and sweaty weather plus the dog sweating too much. So they are usually better off without boots in summer.
Why Are Hiking Boots Good for Dogs?
Hiking boots can be a wise item for your dog for the protection and safety of the paws. In addition, if your dog has allergies to certain areas, rocks, or other objects, a quality hiking boot is necessary. It will help to add traction and grip thus; it will become easier for your dog to provide you the company!
The best-fit dog boots help to keep the paws pad safe and away from cuts and bruises. Moreover, the cleanliness and protection from scorching hot terrain further make sure that hiking boots are not useless items. Likewise, the boots also protect the dog’s paws from snowy and cold pathways.
The safety and protection of the pet are a must. So if your dog is sick or has arthritis or other medical foot condition, it becomes important to consider the boots. Moreover, you need to clean your paws and nails when you return from the hiking trip!
Keep in mind that dogs usually don’t like wearing boots. So if your pet is not showing interest in wearing boots, you should not force things.
How to Make Sure Dogs Wear Hiking Boots
It’s not easy to make your dog wear hiking boots. So, there are a couple of ways that help you do so. Here is what they are:
1. Perfect Fitting
When you are buying the boot for your dog, make sure its fitting is snug and perfect. The best-fitting boot will let the dog wear it for longer times with ease. So you have to check the manufacturer for sizing before you buy the boots for your dog.
2. Try the Boots Slowly
You should try the dog boots by using one paw at a time. It will help the pet to get more familiar with the footwear. Try to put one boot in one paw at a time. Don’t fasten the zipper and keep the boot loose so that the dog can wear it the best way possible. Also, make sure to remove the boot after a few minutes to try other paws.
3. Let to Dog Feel at Home With Boots
Make sure your dog likes the boot before you let him wear it. For that, place the boot in front of the dog. The smell and the sight of the boot will help to get familiar with the item plus it will also help the dog to understand the newness. If the dog is scared, you should wait until things get familiar.
4. Go on a Short Walk With the Dog
If your dog likes hiking boots, go on the short walk first. The time span of the outdoor/indoor walk should be short. Make sure you have fastened the boot snugly so that the pet can walk in comfort. Let the dog get used to the boots before you go on hiking with him.
How Should I Select the Best Hiking Boot for a Dog?
It is less likely that people know the right selection of hiking boots for the dog. However, the good news is it is more or less the same as you normally choose boots. Your dog needs comfort and protection for the paws the same way you would need for your feet (no offense)! So here is what you need to look at while buying the boot for your dog.
1. Material Choice
The material for the do boot must be supreme in comfort. The dog boot must have waterproofing material and a canvas upper. However, some boots feature leather as well (just like human boots). Leather boots add more protection. Talking about the material, the dog hiking boot should have thicker material for stability and protection from abrasion.
2. Quality of the Boot
The quality of the boot is what fulfills the boot’s purpose. So before buying, read the reviews of the boot and make sure you’re buying from the best brand. Also, check the quality of the boot by checking it inside out to ensure everything.
3. Outsole
The outsole of any book must offer protection and traction. The same goes for dog hiking boots. While buying, make sure the boot has a thick outsole that works on abrasive grounds. Moreover, it should be rugged and thicker for stability.
4. Perfect Size
If you are unsure about the size, bring your pet dog along. Moreover, each dog breed has different paws in size and shape so it would be better if you keep your dog along with you and try the boots in real-time. If you are still confused about the size, you can try the socks for better fit and protection. Note that socks may limit the breathability in dogs, so they can be uncomfortable.
Is There Any Downside to Using Dog Hiking Boots?
Everything has the other side of the picture. Talking about the pet dog using hiking boots also has a few cons. For instance:
- The chafing of the dewclaws of the carpal pads.
- Overwearing the boot can bruise the paws.
- Wearing do boot can impact their natural ability to cool down the temperature (dogs sweat a lot).
- May promote unnatural gait and imbalance which can impact the joints.
- Many waterproof dog boots are not breathable.
The above downsides can be avoided if you protect your dog’s paws before hiking and select the right hiking boot.
