Dog footwear for all seasons

Shoes are not a temporary trend or a whim. Increasingly, dog owners are realizing that having their four-legged friends wear shoes offers more pros than cons. There's a wide variety of dog shoes available in stores, in different sizes, shapes, and lengths... How do you make sense of it all?

When should you buy shoes for your dog?

It's worth investing in them, especially during winter or rainy seasons, but they also provide a solution in summer and spring. Each season has its reasons for wearing footwear. I'm well aware that most people consider this a whim, and I've often encountered opinions about dog shoes suggesting they're a human invention and people playing with animals at their expense. This is not the case. Long walks on stony, gravel roads. Running in the forest, where, unfortunately, a lot of trash and various dangerous objects are scattered everywhere. Beaches, sand. Rain and puddles hiding secrets... A lot can happen to a dog if our imagination doesn't start to look more broadly at possible accidents.

Types of dog shoes

In most stores, you can find shoes that are:

• insulated - leather, silicone, or other materials,
• rainproof with non-slip soles, usually made of silicone,
• decorative/seasonal.

For light indoor footwear, you often see all kinds of socks. They are very comfortable, most often made of cotton so as not to irritate the dog's paws while wearing. To teach a dog to walk in shoes freely, socks are used so that the dog can get used to something new. They are very often used during winter when small dog breeds feel the cold more – they are put on the paws, and then shoes are put over them before going outside. The dog receives an extra portion of warmth, which it greatly needs.

These silicone shoes are available in various sizes and colors.

Read also: What to know when choosing clothes for your dog?

Seasonal shoes

There is also dog footwear that is useful only for specific occasions. Holidays or other events sometimes lead owners to switch from regular shoes to something more tasteful or fun for a day. Christmas shoes, for example, work great outdoors – a non-slip sole and insulation inside mean they are not just decorative but also fulfill their basic functions. Therefore, you can go wild with all available motifs, but it's worth checking what these shoes are made of and if they are also practical. It would be a shame to buy something that might not satisfy us. The same applies to footwear for special events or other social gatherings. The most important thing is that the dog feels good in them.

Dog shoes for spring and summer

Spring is a time of rain and whimsical temperature swings. During this period, rain boots and those with thicker soles work best. Often in spring, we like to go for longer walks, but unfortunately, the snow leaves many surprises and trash in the suburbs, where a free-roaming dog can injure its paw pads. Glass, various sharp objects... You can find quite a lot. Protective shoes for dogs are indispensable in such situations. In summer, hot asphalt and pavement are hard on us too – consider your four-legged friend who might get burned. Similarly, gravel and rocky paths during hikes can injure paws. Dog shoes with drawstrings are best for such walks. Drawstrings keep the footwear on the paws and ensure they won't fall off when you walk together on uneven terrain. Likewise, non-slip soles provide sure grip, which will certainly help with walking. At all times, also watch out for puddles – unfortunately, anything can be hidden there. If possible, avoid them. However, dogs love to run off-leash outdoors, and believe me – they have saved my Bernese Mountain Dog from more serious cuts many times. Elegant shoes with a drawstring. They are waterproof, non-slip, and finished with soft fur inside.

Dog shoes for autumn and winter

Here, we are mainly dealing with rain, snow, but also ice. And what comes with frost – salt. Unfortunately, it can do a lot of harm, even though it's theoretically supposed to help us. There's definitely more footwear for these seasons than before. In autumn, non-slip dog shoes are primarily useful. The sole provides sure grip, as I mentioned above, and it's certainly best if the shoes are made of silicone, which won't let water in. For rainy weather, high shoes work excellently – this is a great solution for dogs that love to run in forests and on gravel paths. They perfectly protect the paws. In winter, however, we primarily look at icy conditions, which are most dangerous for older dogs or those recovering from procedures. It's worth protecting our four-legged friends from the possibility of falling, or at least trying to prevent it. In stores, you can find shoes with a thicker sole that protects against dangerous objects and salt. Unfortunately, salt on injured paws is a very unpleasant matter, so I'm not surprised that more and more people are observing their pets and trying to help them during walks. Dense, deep snow is also tough – frozen paw pads are not pleasant at all. Read also: How to choose a dog hoodie? Buying shoes for dogs is not easy, and it's worth getting the shoe size for your dog just right. Read the instructions carefully, and if questions arise, most sellers help with this matter. As you can see, it's no whim, and if one thinks about it, you will surely find more uses for shoes for your pet than I have listed here.