What do dog paw pads do?
A dog’s paw pads are pretty incredible. An intricate mix of muscle, tissue, ligaments, tendons, collagen and keratin, paw pads protect doggy toes and feet from getting torn up. They provide support for joints and muscles, absorbing the shock of impact as your dog walks and runs. Paw pads also help with canine circulation! A study from Japan recently published in Veterinary Dermatology says there’s basically a “heat exchange system” in canine feet that keeps them warm during winter. Paw pads also keep dogs cool in the summer by sweating out heat.
Thanks to the miraculous paw pad, dogs don’t need to wear shoes indoors or on a daily basis. But, while paw pads do protect your dog’s feet from harsh terrain and intense temperatures, there are occasions when dogs should wear shoes. These instances include extremely hot or cold weather, extended time on rough terrain and when healing from an injury.
Dogs who weren’t bred for freezing temperatures (think: Chihuahuas or Australian Kelpies) probably need boots throughout winter. Breeds like Siberian Huskies and Akitas can get away with more snowy outdoor time as they were built to withstand cold weather. However, snow or not, if temperatures are really low, even Black Russian Terriers will need boots to prevent frostbite.
Folks living in hot climates should test sidewalks with their own feet before heading out with their dog. If you can’t hold your bare foot comfortably on the ground for 10 seconds, you should put shoes on your dog. Don’t rely solely on your thermometer; it doesn’t have to be that hot for the sun to really cook asphalt. Unless rain makes sidewalks particularly slick in your neighborhood, dogs don’t need boots to protect from drizzle.
Trekking through the woods or on rocky hiking trails present lots of opportunities for cuts and calluses. Toss some shoes on your dog! Certain shoes can also add traction to slippery areas. If you plan on taking your dog hiking regularly, The Farmer’s Dog recommends introducing them to boots early and giving their paws plenty of time to acclimate to rougher terrain.
Finally, a dog recovering from surgery or an injury to a foot or paw should wear shoes outdoors (and sometimes indoors if necessary). The last thing you want is stitches coming out or an infection creeping in as your pup heals. Senior dogs suffering from arthritis may need to wear shoes for added joint support, too. Talk to your vet if you think this is the case!
What could happen if your dog doesn’t wear shoes?
Without shoes, some dogs could develop a condition called pododermatitis, says VCA Ark Animal Hospitals. This is when the paws become inflamed. While fungus or parasites could certainly cause pododermatitis, some dogs experience inflammation after running on concrete or gravel. Look for red, swollen paw pads. Take note if your dog licks its paws constantly or is losing hair on the feet. If your vet concludes your pup’s pododermatitis is the result of too much running on hard ground, investing in a protective pair of shoes might be part of the treatment plan.
Depending on the environment, dogs can pick up nasty chemicals when out and about. Areas where lawns have been chemically treated or sidewalks are covered in de-icing salt can wreak havoc on dog paws. Dogs with very furry paws have a higher risk of getting salt and pebbles stuck between toes. If your dog isn’t wearing shoes, it’s wise to wipe their feet with a damp towel whenever they come in from a walk. This gives you a chance to check for any injuries and prevent your pup from licking or further inhaling irritants.
Most dogs dont like to wear shoes because they are unnatural and according to above, most don’t actually need them. Shoes can also throw off a dog’s balance and friction. The pads of a dog have a gripping texture that allows them to cling to a variety of surfaces, such as rainy roads, dirt, floors, etc. Dog shoes are similar to when humans wear socks on a slippery surface, when our grips are gone, we start to slide. Lastly, some shoes may actually irritate a dog’s skin. Make sure you check what materials the shoes are made of before slapping them on Pebbles.
Many can agree that dogs are amazing creatures and the intricate system within Pebble’s paws proves this. Dog paws have adapted to the cold and are able to withstand ice for long amounts of time. Most dogs do not need to wear shoes because of their high body temperature. The tissue in your dog’s paw is actually designed to protect her from down to -35 degrees Celsius.
In Germany, police dogs wear little blue booties due to the glass shards left primarily by drunks (no joke). The dogs were constantly being cut and wounded, and these booties now prevent that. Dogs that race on the Iditarod also wear boots because they are in the cold for longer amounts of time than most dogs and are also running over rough terrain. These boots help to keep their paws safe and prevent ice and dirt from getting in between their pads. Tiny dogs also may benefit from wearing shoes because they have more trouble retaining heat. If you do choose to buy shoes for your dog, you should make sure to find shoes that are waterproof and have anti-slip features. You also want to make sure they are easy to get one but do not slip off your dog as soon as she begins walking. Also, try to find some shoes that are flexible and have a thick sole.
One study done in Japan found that when a dog’s pad is exposed to cold, it actually recirculates heat back to the body core. A dog’s paw is a complicated system of veins and arteries, and the pads drain warm blood to the skin keeping them warm. Cold blood is also warmed in paws before being redistributed to the rest of body. Couple that system with the paw’s freeze-resistant tissue and fat, and a dog’s paw becomes similar to a penguin’s wing, according to Tim Newcomb of Time.com. This complex system in a dog’s paw is also similar to that of the Arctic fox. Moreover, paws are insulated and are the toughest skin on the entire body. It appears that dogs were actually designed to withstand this type of cold. In other words, Pebbles seems fine outside because she was designed for it.
So realistically, Pebbles doesn’t really need shoes to go outside and take her morning wee. She’s also not planning on running the Iditarod or being a police dog anytime soon, so relying on her natural paws opposed to boots seems to work for her. Some owners love the fashion statement that shoes provide, and if this is the case, you could try to put some shoes on your fur ball, but she may not be a fan, but then again, anything is paw-sible.
Tips for Getting Booties on Your Dog
Before going out on a hot summer day, you usually prepare the essentials. You make sure you have your sunglasses, your hat, and even your sunscreen. Preparing your dog for a walk in the blistering summer heat should then be the same. You have to make sure that you can protect them from extreme weather.
Do dogs need shoes in summer? Yes. When the weather is extremely hot, their paws need protection from hot pavements. If you like hiking with your dog, shoes will protect paws from hot rocks, boulders, burs, and other debris.
Special consideration is required for both young and old dogs. The surface of the paws of young dogs are not fully developed, so protection is vital to prevent damage. Older, slower dogs are vulnerable to paw damage on hot concrete pavements.
When buying shoes for your dog, there is definitely a lot to consider. You need to know the proper size for your dog and the level of comfort of the shoes. More importantly, you need to consider how to get your dog accustomed to wearing them. In this article, I will walk you through everything you need to know. I will also talk about alternatives if you think wearing shoes is not for your dog.