Cet article n'est pas encore traduit en français : il est affiché en anglais.
Do dogs need boots in winter? Not all of them, but boots are a good idea for city dogs walking on salted sidewalks, dogs that get painful ice balls between their toes, and cold-sensitive dogs such as small, short-coated, senior or arthritic dogs. The Ontario SPCA notes that boots limit contact with ice-melting chemicals and recommends them, with a coat, for dogs that feel the cold.
If you've ever watched a dog high-step down a Toronto sidewalk in new booties like it's walking on the moon, you know they take some getting used to.
And if your dog flat-out refuses, wiping and drying the paws after every walk, trimming long hair between the pads and using a paw balm, as the AVMA and Ontario SPCA suggest, cover most of the same ground. This guide explains when boots help, how to fit them and how to teach your dog to walk in them.
Do dogs need boots in winter? When boots help
| Situation | Boots? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Salted city sidewalks | Recommended | De-icers can irritate pads and are harmful if licked off |
| Ice balls between the toes | Recommended | Boots keep snow from packing into the fur; trimming helps too |
| Small, short-coated, senior or arthritic dogs | Recommended with a coat | The Ontario SPCA lists these dogs as more sensitive to cold |
| Cracked or sore pads | Ask your vet | Boots can protect, but the cause needs checking |
| Thick-coated breeds on clean snow trails | Often optional | The Ontario SPCA notes huskies, Samoyeds and St. Bernards tolerate cold better |
| Short toilet breaks in a clear yard | Usually optional | Wipe paws after |
The Ontario SPCA lists licking paws and walking slowly among the signs a dog is struggling on a winter walk. Lifting a paw, shivering and a hunched posture with the tail tucked are signs the dog is too cold. If you see them, head home.
Salt, de-icers and antifreeze: the main reason for city boots
The ASPCA explains that most ice melts contain sodium, potassium, calcium or magnesium chloride. In sensitive dogs they can irritate pads until they crack and bleed, and a dog that licks them off may get an upset stomach; large amounts can cause more serious problems. Even "pet-friendly" ice melts, often based on urea or magnesium chloride, can still upset a stomach.
The AVMA advises wiping your dog's feet, legs and belly after walks to remove de-icers and antifreeze, and the Ontario SPCA notes boots protect against both. Antifreeze is especially dangerous; see antifreeze and pets. More on salt is in road salt and dog paws.
Boots or no boots, wipe and dry your dog's paws, between the toes too, after every winter walk.
If your dog will not wear boots
- Wash and dry paws after every walk, including between the toes, as the Ontario SPCA advises.
- Trim hair between the pads of long-haired dogs to reduce ice balls; the AVMA suggests this too.
- Use a paw balm or wax before walks. The Ontario SPCA says to avoid human moisturizers, which can soften the pads.
- Choose your route: grass, snow-covered paths and less-salted side streets.
- Check pads for cracks or redness and call your vet if they bleed, swell or your dog limps.
Choosing and fitting dog booties
A boot that slips off or rubs is worse than none. The American Kennel Club suggests measuring by pressing your dog's paw on a sheet of paper so it spreads as it would when walking, tracing it, and measuring the widest part. Then test indoors: the paw should stay in the boot, the sole should grip, and the shape should match the paw.
- Measure each paw; front and back can differ in size.
- Look for a non-slip sole and a fastening that stays put without being tight.
- Check after the first walks for rubbing or redness at the top of the boot.
- Keep a spare pair, since boots get lost in snowbanks.
How to get a dog to wear winter dog boots
Most dogs walk strangely in boots at first: high steps and stiff legs are normal. The AKC's approach is slow and positive:
- Let your dog sniff the boots, with praise and a favourite treat.
- Put on one boot for a few seconds, treat, and take it off.
- Build up to two boots, then four, indoors for short periods.
- Make the first outdoor trips short and fun, ideally to somewhere your dog loves.
- Stop and go back a step if your dog shows stress, such as freezing, tail tucking or trying to bite at the boots.
Start in the fall, before the first snow, so your dog is used to them when the salt trucks come out. A coat may also help short-coated dogs; see does my dog need a winter coat.
Boots do not make a long walk safe in extreme cold
Boots protect the feet, not the whole dog. The Ontario SPCA advises cutting walks short in extreme cold and watching for frostbite on ears, tail and paws, and for hypothermia signs such as prolonged shivering and slow, shallow breathing; wrap the dog in a blanket, get somewhere warm and see a vet immediately. For temperature guidance, read how cold is too cold for dogs.
If your dog's pads crack every winter, note it in the free PetGrid app so you can show your vet; pet records keep notes and photos together, and reminders can prompt a paw check.
Questions fréquentes
Do dogs really need boots in the snow?
Not always. Boots matter most on salted sidewalks, for dogs that get ice balls between their toes, and for small, short-coated, senior or arthritic dogs. On clean snow, many thick-coated dogs do fine without.
Is road salt bad for dogs' paws?
It can be. The ASPCA says ice melts can irritate, crack and even make pads bleed in sensitive dogs, and licking them off can upset the stomach, so wipe paws after walks or use boots.
How do I stop ice balls forming between my dog's toes?
Trim the hair between the pads, use a paw wax before walks, or use boots. Dry the paws thoroughly when you get home.
Why does my dog walk funny in boots?
Because the boots feel strange at first. High-stepping usually fades as your dog gets used to them with short, positive practice sessions indoors.
Can I use human moisturizer on my dog's paws?
The Ontario SPCA advises against it, because human moisturizers can soften the pads. Use a paw balm made for dogs, and ask your vet if pads are cracked.
En bref
Plenty of city dogs benefit from boots, especially on salted sidewalks and in deep cold, and some dogs never need them. Either way, wipe and dry paws after every walk, trim the fur between the pads, and keep walks short when it's bitterly cold.
Start boot training in the fall, with treats and patience. Keep notes on your dog's winter paw health in the free PetGrid app to share with your vet.
Gardez les dossiers, les vaccins et les visites de votre animal dans un seul endroit sûr. L'application PetGrid est gratuite pour les propriétaires d'animaux, avec ou sans clinique.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
Chaque fait sur un autre produit ou un autre organisme vient de ces pages, consultées à la date indiquée.