The occurrence of inclement weather does nothing to change the fact that if you have a dog, they need to be walked daily. In the case of my new husky mix puppy, maybe even twice a day. The range, depending on breed, is between 30 minutes and two hours everyday. When you’re racking up that kind of mileage in less-than-ideal conditions, the chances are higher for paw irritation and injury.
That isn’t because dog paws are particularly susceptible to the cold — actually, they aren’t. Researchers have found that dog paws are made of a combination of fat and connective tissue which is served by a specialized mechanism that quickly heats cold blood in a way that “rivals a penguin’s wing”. They’re designed for the cold and wet.
What they aren’t designed for, however, is encountering the many toxic chemicals found on any given surface outside the home. This is particularly true of de-icing agents and salts used in virtually every municipality that experiences freezing temperatures. If left untreated, these can cause dry, cracked pads, which can lead to infection and worse. Additionally, the fur between the toes can still accumulate and freeze solid.
To that end, when you expect that your dog is likely to encounter damaging conditions on a walk, you have your choice of remedies. There are waxes and balms meant to go on before and after walks. There are dog boots, dog socks, and even snappy dog shoes, which all have the advantage of not requiring that you wash your dog’s paws after a stroll. The disadvantage is that outerwear isn’t natural for your pup and they might hate walking in them. Figure out what works best for your dog using our list of options here.
For walks in bad weather, here’s our list of the top ten best dog boots, socks, and paw protectors.
1. Musher’s Secret Natural Paw Protection
(Musher’s Secret)
We first mentioned Musher’s Secret in our gifts for dog owners post. This food-grade wax blend is meant to be applied before heading outdoors. You can use this year round, and when conditions aren’t as harsh, it only needs to applied once or twice a week. When salt is present or it’s especially cold and snowy, you may want to apply it before each walk. This product was developed for sledding dogs, so your average couch potato pup will certainly benefit from it. Water and chemicals will be repelled, and perspiration will still be allowed to escape. It’s a good option for dogs who hate wearing something on their feet.
There are a couple of options for this kind of treatment, including Pawz MaxWax, so you may have to try a couple of them to find what works best for your beast.
Need more options? Browse more dog boots and paw protectors here.
Price: $12.25 for 60g
Buy the Musher’s Secret Natural Paw Protection here.
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2. Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boot
(Pawz)
Another cheap and lightweight alternative are these disposable dog boots. These are more like rubber socks — in fact, they kind of look like balloons. They’re meant to be used a few times and then discarded. They offer a higher level of protection in that your dog’s paw won’t come into contact with any foreign substances at all, which is great for dogs with allergies. (Did you know some dogs are allergic to grass? Tragic.) One advantage of this design is that they are incredibly unlikely to fall off, as some Velcro-fastened boots can. The rubber is biodegradable, so you don’t have to worry about adding to landfills. In each package, you get 12 boots that can be used three times at least. You can also choose your size, from tiny to extra large, in the following colors: black, blue, green, orange, purple, red, and yellow.
Need more options? Browse more Pawz products here.
Price: $11.54 – $17 (39 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boot here.
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3. RC Pet Products Sport Pawks Dog Socks
(RC Pet Products)
Moving up in terms of durability and longevity, these are tough dog socks in the style of something like SmartWool for people. These will also cling well to a dog’s paw, thereby reducing the likelihood of slipping off. The bottom of these are coated with anti-slip treatment, which will both improve traction and repel some amount of water. The whole sock isn’t waterproof, though, so you’ll have to look elsewhere if you need that level of protection. Sizes on these run from extra small to extra large, and come in blue, black, lime, mint, pink, purple, red, and yellow. RC Pet has two styles of socks, the other limiting the anti-slip coating to a paw pattern on the bottom. If you prefer, Ruffwear also make a similar option for about the same price.
Need more options? Browse more RC Pet Products here.
Price: $10.49 – $15
Buy the RC Pet Products Sport Pawks Dog Socks here.
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4. Hurtta Outback Dog Boots
(Hurtta)
If you want something truly durable, you’ll have to go for full-on dog boots. When looking at this option, you have to make some choices depending on where you plan to take your dog. This Hurtta model is ultra-tough, made from “Houndtex,” which is like Gore-Tex for dogs. That means they’re totally waterproof. They also have non-slip, tough rubber soles for excellent traction and long wear. These would be great for trail use or for very long walks in inclement weather. They sell these by the pair because they fit a little more tightly than a lot of other styles. Use the guide to measure your dog’s paws and choose the right size for both front and back.
Another option at this level is the Ruffwear Summit Trex, which appears to rise a bit higher on the leg, but still features a tough sole. You could also try Ultra Paws or Muttluks for a little less. And at the complete other end of the spectrum, a number of manufacturers make ultra-cheap dog boots that aren’t quite as rugged, including Expawlorer and Petacc. The soles of the cheap versions tend to be made of neoprene, which still does the job, but won’t put up with extended abuse.
Need more options? Browse more dog boots and paw protectors here.
Price: $28.33 per pair (6 percent off MSRP)
Buy the Hurtta Outback Dog Boots here.
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5. Jelly Wellies Premium Rain or Shine Waterproof Dog Boot
(Jelly Wellies)
If warmth isn’t necessarily paramount, you could consider these dog rain boots, which would go nicely with a dog raincoat. With these, you still get a Velcro closing mechanism, waterproofing, and anti-slip soles. They’ll still work just fine on snow, but won’t provide much in the way of protection from the cold if your dog is particularly sensitive. Sizes run from extra small to extra large in the following colors: black, blue, green, pink, purple, red, and yellow.
Need more options? Browse more Jelly Wellies here.
Price: $12.79 – $19.62
Buy the Jelly Wellies Premium Rain or Shine Waterproof Dog Boot here.
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6. Paw Savers Disposable Dog Paw Pads
(Paw Savers)
A hybrid approach between wax and disposable socks, these paw pads focus only on the part of your dog that will make contact with the ground: the pads. These are great for protecting sensitive paws that are prone to cracking without the struggle of trying to keep shoes on your pup or possibly-messy wax. There’s not much in the way of style to these, as they aren’t really meant to be seen, but they do come in extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large. Under optimal conditions, these should last up to three days.
Need more options? Browse more dog boots and paw protectors here.
Price: $12.47 – $17.59
Buy the Paw Savers Disposable Dog Paw Pads here.
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7. Jardin Air Mesh Pet Shoes
(Jardin)
Admittedly, these will really only serve the bare minimum in terms of protection for dog paws. But they prioritize another important aspect: looking fly. They’ll still prevent your dog’s paws from making contact with potential allergens or road salt, but they aren’t really made for being dragged through the snow over and over again. Still, look at them. They’re like mini Jordans. You could also try these doggie Converse or doggie Uggs.
Need more options? Browse more dog boots and paw protectors here.
Price: $16.43
Buy the Jardin Air Mesh Pet Shoes here.
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8. FFDPET Fou-Stick Protect Pet Balm
(FFDPET)
If you like the idea of the Musher’s Secret above, but don’t want to have to get your own hands coated in the stuff, here’s an option packed in a handy applicator tube. If you’ve ever used a glue stick, you’re set to apply this coconut oil and beeswax treatment to your dog’s paws. While it creates a protective barrier, it also heals and moisturizes. If you find you like this, the company also makes Fou-Stick Soothe for itchy skin and Fou-Stick Calm to reduce anxiety.
Need more options? Browse more dog boots and paw protectors here.
Price: $9.50
Buy the FFFDPET Fou-Stick Protect Pet Balm here.
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9. Paw Plunger for Dogs
(Pet Product Innovations)
Of course, if you don’t want to deal with applying wax, pads, or boots to your pup at all, the next best course of action is to clean their paws after every walk. This way, you remove the potential irritants and toxic chemicals, which limits the amount of damage they can do. Salt left on the paws will continue to dry the pads and is especially bad for them if ingested. This product allows you to gently push your dog’s paw into regular warm water while the bristles inside remove any particulate. It’s easy to use and makes quick work of cleaning them up. Available in pink, blue, and black, in three different sizes to match your dog.
Similar products are available from Dexas and The Paw Wash. A more deluxe version is this idea is the SKI Innovations Paw Boss Wash, if you want to go all out.
Need more options? Browse more dog boots and paw protectors here.
Price: $22.76
Buy the Paw Plunger for Dogs here.
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10. DogPacer Dog Treadmill
(DogPacer)
The most extreme option for protecting your dog’s paws from harsh weather is to skip going outside in the first place. Now, this shouldn’t replace all of your dog’s activity, but if it’s in the double digits below zero, no one wants to have to be outside for long. Speeds range from half a mile per hour to 7.5 miles per hour, which should give your dog the necessary activity at various intensities. In addition to being a novel solution for cold weather, these are also great training devices or to ensure a dog with allergies gets enough exercise. Chances are, you have a treadmill for yourself, so bring your dog along to the exercise room, too.
Need more options? Browse more dog treadmills here.
Price: $638.55 (15 percent off MSRP)
Buy the DogPacer Dog Treadmill here.
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