5 Best Dog Shoes for Summer To Protect Your Pup’s Paws
Updated: Apr. 25, 2024
When the temperatures soar, pavement becomes dangerously hot for puppy paws. Choose dog shoes for summer fun to protect precious paws at the beach, on pavement and from allergies.
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Last year, triple-digit heat plagued my home in North Texas, which made dog shoes for summer a necessity to combat the scorching temperatures. Despite daily watering, my carefully selected ornamental plants, specifically chosen to keep pets safe during the summer, couldn’t withstand the relentless heat. While cooling vests are effective in preventing dogs from overheating and elevated dog beds provide a chill resting spot for our furry companions, dog shoes offer specialized protection for the season.
Similar to how we prioritize keeping dog paws safe during icy weather, summer introduces its own set of risks. This year, abundant springtime rain resulted in a growth of wildflowers, prompting our dog to eagerly frolic and play in the field. Consequently, we now contend with prickly seeds that pose a threat to our pet’s paws.
Dog shoes for summer actively shield paws from stickers and grass awns, prevent bruises caused by rough surfaces, alleviate burns from hot sand or dirt and offer enhanced traction on slippery surfaces such as boat decks. Additionally, if your pooch sustains a paw injury, dog shoes can safeguard the wound during the healing process. Prepare for a summer filled with fun by equipping your canine companion with the best dog shoes to ensure their protection.
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Best disposable dog shoes
Pawz Disposable Dog Booties
When you require dog shoes for summer on a short-term basis, the Pawz Disposable Dog Booties provide a convenient solution. These booties resemble socks and do not require a zipper or tie. Their balloon-like design eliminates the need for padding, allowing your dog to “feel” the ground while wearing them. Instead of cleaning your dog’s paws, you can simply slip these babies on.
The rubber material ensures stability on slippery surfaces, provides protection against sharp gravel or mud and is especially beneficial for dogs with grass allergies. They are also biodegradable and disposable (though they can be reused multiple times), and cheap to replace if you lose them. Each pack contains 12 pairs, and they stretch to fit paws up to four inches in size.
Pros
- Disposable
- Inexpensive
- Stretchy rubber fits up to four-inch paws
- Keeps paws and floors clean
- Seven sizes
Cons
- Won’t fit jumbo-size paws
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Best overall dog shoes
Canada Pooch Soft Shield Dog Boots
The Soft Shield Dog Boots receive top ratings for their performance in winter snow, ice, rain and mud, as well as their ability to protect against hot surfaces. One significant challenge associated with dog shoes for summer is the process of putting them on and taking them off. However, these Canada Pooch boots tackle this issue by incorporating a wide opening, ensuring easy removal for your pet.
The boots securely fasten to the paw using a combination of a toggle at the top, a reflective strap and a hook-and-loop wrap, providing both comfort and practicality for your furry friend. Consider adding them to your essential dog items to keep in your car for off-road adventures.
Pros
- Water-resistant and easy to clean
- Lightweight canvas construction
- Ultra-wide opening
- Soft and flexible rubber grip on sole
- Four sizes with clear sizing instructions
Cons
- Once wet, takes a long time to dry
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Best budget dog shoes
Qumy Waterproof Anti-Slip Dog Shoes
These Qumy paw protectors are a top-selling pick on Amazon with nearly 15,000 five-star reviews, and they make excellent budget-friendly dog shoes for summer. They safeguard paws from the scorching pavement, and effectively perform in wet environments:Â the anti-slip design ensures dogs maintain stability on slippery surfaces.
In addition to a dog life jacket, these shoes are ideal for use around pools, boats or for older dogs navigating indoor slick floors. With eight sizes and six colors available, they cater to various breeds. The shoes also feature a wide split seam opening that expands to facilitate easier paw fitting, and they secure onto your pet’s paws with two straps.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Waterproof and anti-slip footing
- Easy to put on and take off
- Reflective material to keep track of dog
- Two adjustable straps ensure a tight fit
Cons
- Fit carefully to avoid dewclaw chafing
- Hand-wash only
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Best dog shoes for hiking
Kurgo Blaze Cross Dog Shoes
The Kurgo Blaze Cross Dog Shoes actively mimic the structure of your dog’s feet, providing flexibility, breathability and non-slip functionality, specifically designed for all-terrain hiking and jogging. The inclusion of a “breathable” construction becomes particularly crucial in hot weather, as dogs regulate their body temperature through their footpads, in addition to panting.
The material of these shoes also acts as a protective barrier against thorns or even glass, safeguarding your loyal companion from dangerous debris encountered during your jogging sessions. Even more, these dog shoes for summer can be worn while swimming, which also protects your pool liner from claws. To ensure your dog stays cool during outdoor treks, it’s also advisable to bring a convenient portable dog water bottle along.
Pros
- Ideal for summer hiking and jogging
- Mimics dog pad structure
- Lightweight and breathable
- Adjustable ankle cord for a better fit
Cons
- Costs more than many other brands
- Shoes don’t float if they accidentally slip off in the water
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Best for ankle support
Helios Traverse High Ankle Dog Boots
Elderly dogs who find comfort in a dog car hammock or a cooling bed during summertime may require additional ankle support. The Helios Traverse High Ankle Dog Boots are perfectly suited for this purpose. The lightweight and durable fabric offers both flexibility and breathability, making them ideal for hot weather conditions. These boots are equipped with extendable “socks” that provide higher coverage compared to most other dog shoes for summer. Reflective stitching provides added visibility at night.
Pros
- Benefits senior citizen dogs that need more ankle support
- Rubberized grip sole
- Lightweight and breathable fabric
- Extendable “sock” with two ankle wraps for proper fitting
- Easy to put on
- Three color options
Cons
- Sizes often sell out (shop soon!)
What to consider when buying dog shoes for summer
When searching for dog shoes, look for the following features:
- Flexible, non-slip sole for traction and ease of walking
- Adjustable straps for a comfortable fit that is easy to put on and take off
- Lining that prevents chafing but allows for air circulation
- Products with a wide size range and detailed sizing instructions
Dog shoes for summer share similar considerations as dog winter boots. Ensuring the right fit is crucial to make sure your dog accepts wearing footgear. It’s common for dogs to have wider front paws compared to their back paws, so it may be necessary to buy two sizes for a proper fit. If your dog has dewclaws, seek out dog shoes with adjustable straps to prevent slippage without causing chafing.
Keep in mind that dog shoes are typically slightly larger than the paw’s actual size. To determine the correct size, place your dog’s paw on a piece of paper, gently press to flex the paw and trace an outline. This will provide you with the paw width and length (from front to toenail), which you can then match with the size guides provided by the product. Remember to keep your dog’s claws trimmed and allow them breaks from wearing the shoes every half hour or so.
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FAQ
What is the purpose of dog shoes?
Dog shoes for summer protect paw pads from burns, cuts and punctures. For pets around the water, dog shoes provide traction to prevent slipping near a pool or on a boat. Dog shoes may also reduce allergic reactions to dust and pollen that the pet’s toe webbing absorbs.
Should dogs wear shoes in the summer?
Dogs should wear shoes in the summer if they risk paw damage. When the surface of the ground feels too hot for your bare feet, your dog’s paws could burn. So if you need shoes to walk across rough ground, think about providing paw protection for your dog, too.
What are the best dog shoes for heat?
Many dog shoes offer paw protection for any extreme weather—both cold and heat. The pet’s individual activity level, size, weather conditions and location decide the best choice for your dog. When temperatures soar, you’ll also want to check out the best cooling pet products.
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Originally Published: June 20, 2023
