I’ve received these questions a lot over the years: Does my dog need to wear boots in the snow? Do Chester and Gretel wear boots in the snow? What boots do you recommend for dogs? Well, today I’m going to answer all of these questions in one blog post so the information is easy to find later.
I’m going to share what I’ve learned here. But first, let me tell you a little about our experience and climate where we live.
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE DEALS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE ISSUE OF DOG BOOTS AND COLD PAWS. IT DOES NOT ADDRESS THE VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE OF HYPOTHERMIA. I WILL COVER THAT IN ANOTHER ARTICLE BUT, FOR NOW, YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE AND HERE.
Our Situation
I tried finding boots for Chester 10 years ago when I started taking him on snowy hikes. There weren’t a lot of options back then and I didn’t find any I was satisfied with. It was impossible to find boots that would fit over a Dachshunds fat feet yet be narrow enough at the ankle to cinch up tight and be comfortable. I can’t say if any boots I tried “stayed on” or not because we never made it out of the livingroom. He hated boots and it wasn’t worth getting him trained to wear them if they didn’t even fit properly.
Our snow is different than other parts of the country. I remember being shocked at how light and fluffy the snow in Colorado was when I visited. Here, our snow is called “Cascade Concrete”. It’s comparatively wet and heavy. I can tell you about how Chester and Gretel do without wearing boots in our snow conditions. Although it’s likely transferable to your situation, I can’t make any promises. Your snow might be different than ours.
Also, I don’t take Chester and Gretel hiking in the snow if it’s much below 25 degrees F. That temperature feels absolutely FREEZING to us. However, I acknowledge that we live in a temperate climate and it gets much, much colder in other parts of the country. The number of winter days in the mountain that are below 25 degrees F are not many and a temperature below 15 degrees F is very uncommon (all of this is, of course, not accounting for any wind chill factor).
It rarely gets below 30 degrees F in Seattle. Our average winter low is probably 40 degrees. That means ice is rare, salted roads, and de-iced sidewalks are rare. We also live in an eco-conscious city. Half of the de-icers used around here are environmentally and pet friendly. That means that our chance of encountering a lot of salt that could potentially burn Chester and Gretel’s feet is low.
Personally, I have not found dog boots necessary for Chester and Gretel and we don’t use them.
Related: Our Favorite Jackets that Fit Dachshunds (and Other Odly Shaped Dogs)
How A Dog’s Foot Works in the Cold
A dog’s foot doesn’t work like a human foot. As humans, we often attribute human characteristics to our pets. We think that if our feet get cold in the winter then so do our dog’s. That’s not necessarily true though. If fact, it’s unlikely your dog’s feet get cold.
Two articles – How dogs can walk on ice without freezing their paws and Dogs Have Built-In Snow Boots, Researchers Find – explain the differences in scientific terms. In summary:
“Dogs’ paws… have an intricate heat transfer system built in that immediately warms cold blood. Couple that system with a high amount of freeze-resistant connective tissue and fat located in the pads of the paw, and a dog’s paw rivals that of a penguin’s wing for the ability to stay warm in crazy-cold climates.” (an arctic fox is also referenced in one of the articles)
Now, domesticated dogs are not penguins or arctic foxes. Most domestic pets not used to living in harsh conditions year-round. However, the point is still the same – a dog’s paws stay warmer way longer than a human foot would.
With some simple precautions, dog boots may not be necessary.
Protecting a Dog’s Paws Without Boots
Note: This article contains affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase to help support this blog (and we really, really appreciate it!)
Your dog may not need boots in the ice and snow. It’s likely that they don’t if it’s just plian snow or ice (no de-icing salts). This is, of course, for you to decide based on research, the knowledge about your dog’s breed and temperament, the toughness of their paw pads, and your dog’s experiences.
This is my recommended system if you want to skip the dog boots:
- Make sure your dog gets regular walks on a hard surface to toughen their paws. I hear that Tuf-Foot is also good for strengthening a dog’s paw pads.
- Trim the fur between your dog’s foot pads if it’s long or there is a lot of it.
- Make sure your dog has enough fur, or a dog jacket, that will keep their body extra warm when it’s cold out.
- Apply all-natural Musher’s Secret paw balm before you head out. This dense, breathable, barrier wax works like “invisible boots” to protect your dog’s paws from salt and chemicals, ice build-up, snowballing, and abrasions from rough ice or snow.
- Check your dog often when out on adventures. Feel their body (through fur or under their jacket) to make sure they are warm. Feel their feet to make sure they are not freezing and there is no ice or snow build-up.
Using this method, I’ve haven’t a problem in the 10 years I’ve been hiking in the northwest winters with dogs.
When Dog Boots Are Necessary
(Photo courtesy of The Dog Saga)
Sometimes the above method is not enough and your dog does need boots. Here are some scenarios where I could see boots are necessary:
- You live in an area where salted or chemically de-iced sidewalks are a thing all winter. You are afraid of salt burns on their feet or your dog has already experienced salt burns.
- Temperatures below 25 degrees F are common when you go out in the snow and you’ve seen your dog lifting their feet when walking or standing around.
- Your dog’s foot pads are weak and often get cut or scraped.
- Your dog is extra fluffy and snowballs stick to their fur, including around their feet and between their foot pads.
So maybe you’ve determined your dog needs boots. How do you find the right pair?
First, the “right” boot is one that fit’s your dog’s foot perfectly. It’s not too snug around the foot and allows their toes to splay out naturally when they walk. It also fit’s securely so they don’t rub or fall off.
For more help, read my guest article on the Sierra Trading Post blog about selecting a properly sized dog boot.
Beyond that, there are a few other things to consider:
- No “traction device” is better than your dog’s naked paws. While boots can help protect from the elements, it can also cause them to lose their footing and slip. It’s not super common that results in an injury but it certainly can and does. I’ve heard of a dog with boots slipping down a cliff or slipping and pulling a tendon. It likely won’t be an issue but be aware.
- Your dog “perspires” through their feet. The less breathable a dog boot is, the greater chance there is of then overheating. It’s not likely in the snow but it’s something to be aware of.
- A boot with a thicker, more obvious tread will give more traction but you will sacrifice flexibility of the material. It may cause them to walk unnaturally.
- If your Dachshund has thicker legs, so their is not such a size difference between the proportion of their foot and leg, you will have an easier time finding dog boots that fit.
- Most dog boots take into account the leg length of a dog for each respective size. In other words, the smallest size dog boot is made to fit dogs with shorter legs. Larger dog boots are sized to fit dogs with long legs. Dachshunds have short legs compared to the size of their feet. Beware that a dog boot properly sized for their foot may extend over their “knee”, or up into their arm pit, and rub.
- I hear it’s very common for a dog to lose or damage a boot. We’ve certainly found several on the trail. Be prepared to replace one at some point.
Good Dog Boot Options For Adventurous Dogs
(Dogs is PAWZ dog boots – photo credit @lifewithjasperzen – left – and Montecristo Travels – right)
Just because Chester and Gretel don’t wear dog boots, doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention to what’s out there. Here are the dog boots that have caught my eye and a little about why:
- Muttlucks – These were the first boots I found that had potential to be a good fit for Chester. Atticus, the adventurous Mini Schnauzer that climbed all forty-eight of New Hampshire’s four thousand-foot peaks twice in winter, wore Muttlucks for his journey. They have genuine leather soles that are soft flexible. They also have self-tightening straps to provide a secure fit. The Whole Dog Journal claims that Muttlucks are the Mercedes of the dog boot world.
- Ruffwear Summit Trex – These boots have a rubber, lugged outsole that provides better traction. They also feature an integrated stretch gaiter that protects legs and locks out dirt and debris. I really like these boots but they didn’t fit Chester’s (a Dachshund) feet very well. They are a little pricey but totally worth it if they fit your dog.
- Pawz Dog Boots – These boots are like deflated rubber balloons for your dog’s feet. I’ve heard they can sometimes tear when hiking from abrasion, sticks, or toenails that are too long. I also know people who use them on their dog’s regularly and don’t have issues. They might work for your dog while hiking but they are great if you just want to protect your dog’s feet from de-icers on the sidewalk. They seem like they’re less likely to feel weird on your dog’s feet since they are made of thin, flexible rubber.
For a super awesome comparison chart of dog boots – including these and some others – check out our doggy friend Robin’s in-depth Dog Boot Comparison Summary.
Does your dog wear boots? Which brand/model do you prefer and why?
Sonja says
January 3, 2017 at 5:15 AMWe are huge fans of the PAWZ as you know. We can go an entire winter with one pair. Also since dogs like and some say need – to feel grounded the fact that Montecristo can still feel everything “earth” is a bonus. Also… they work well to protect from hot sidewalks in summer or if cities with lots of pollution … when an hour walk turns paws dark black with “oil” and stuff … we use them as well.
Jessica Rhae says
January 3, 2017 at 7:50 AMI definitely like the concept of the PAWZ boots because they offer the best tactile feel. As you know I’m sure, part of how dogs “read” the world is through their feet. The least amount we can hamper that, the better. Another thing about PAWZ is that they are pretty much the only boots to fit super tiny feet 🙂 I’m going to edit the post to make sure I include that note… so thanks!
Montecristo Travels (Sonja) says
January 3, 2017 at 12:48 PMOh yes please … so far for the “tiny” crowd (so that is smaller than xs) this is the only ones I have found. So yes!
Kelly says
January 3, 2017 at 12:00 PMI used your dog jacket article to pick out new ones for my girls and our trip to Mammoth Resort. The jackets I got fit well and am very happy. Lana (she doesn’t mind the snow and cold) started shaking after a few minutes, didn’t think I would need boots. After reading this article I will reconsider the Musher’s Secret since I didn’t realize that it could help with the general cold. Same with the Pawz disposal boots.
Also, it’s nice to have an other daschound owner that understands the nuances of their little bodies.
Jessica Rhae says
January 3, 2017 at 12:17 PMGlad you liked the jackets. Chester and Gretel shake too when we stop. The Musher’s Secret mostly helps with ice and snow not sticking so they don’t have a “big ice cube stuck to their foot”. Their website does say “helps to insulate from cold” but I’m not actually sure how it accomplishes this. Anyway, a little shaking is not a big deal as long as they are still willing to walk and stop shaking once they are moving (and you’ve felt under the jacket to make sure their body is still warm). If they start lifting their feet up though, or refuse to walk in the cold snow, boots might definitely help. Good luck and have fun in Mammoth. I have a massage-therapist friend that lives there.
Cathy Keisha says
January 3, 2017 at 12:56 PMI’m afraid I don’t have anything to add. I learned some facts about dogs and their feet today. Dunno why I thought their feet would get cold easily. I wonder if the same apply to cat feet. I’ve seen feral cats standing on the snow like it doesn’t bother them. Our snow is wet, heavy and turns black a day or two after it falls. Everyone uses salt too. I think you’re lucky your two don’t need boots.
Jessica Rhae says
January 3, 2017 at 1:55 PMI would imagine so? But I mean they’re not the same species? I just think about cougars that live outside all winter and travel on the snow.
Ali says
January 3, 2017 at 12:59 PMI found this article extremely entertaining and informative (and I don’t even have a dog, haha!). I love the idea of giving dogs (and pets in general) clothing and boots that fit, especially when it comes to being protective gear, such a boots for the winter. I’ve found there are a lot of people unwilling to get their pets a jacket or boots to help them stay more comfortable in colder climates due to the stigma behind pet clothing.
The Musher’s Secret was a great alternative that I will also be passing along to many of my dog-owning friends. Thanks for the great post!
Jessica Rhae says
January 4, 2017 at 9:18 AMYeah. I understand being against “dressing your dog up” but some people take their hatred for such things too far. They’re unwilling to give them the protection they might need because they think it looks silly. People in Seattle are pretty nuts about their dogs though so I don’t see that attitude much around here 🙂
Jeanne Melanson says
January 3, 2017 at 1:25 PMMuttlucks – I love that name. Great post. I’ve never considered boots for any of my dogs. They were larger and seemingly hardier, I guess. I did have a German Shepherd Dog that ran 3 miles with me every day, but her feet never got cold.
I really enjoyed reading about the dog’s paws and how they’re naturally geared for protection. How interesting. I also never thought about snow being different in other regions. I learned a lot from this post.
Bravo!
Jessica Rhae says
January 3, 2017 at 1:58 PMI never gave much thought to snow being different in other regions until I started pet blogging. I’ve learned so much about other areas of the country, and the world, through their stories and tips. I definitely learned that we are lucky here – hardly any critters that can kill you, not too hot in the summer to walk, and not too cold in the winter. Sure, we have to put up with the rain but it’s an ok tradeoff 🙂
Shannon Adams says
January 3, 2017 at 2:40 PMI must say I often wondered this. We don’t live where it snows, so I wondered about the necessity of boots as I see some folks use them and some don’t. Thanks for clearing that up! 🙂
Rebecca at MattieDog says
January 3, 2017 at 8:02 PMGreat article – we love that you are so willing to share your knowledge! Dog boots are tricky – primarily because dogs are funky about them, or can be. You’ve hit a lot of the brands we’ve tried or used. Since we’re outside in often 0 degree weather, we like to use an oil/Mushers on their feet for short potty outings and a boot for lengthy walks. Mookie is up to an hour walk with us – we found the best way to acclimate is to quickly get your dog outside (versus tromping around in your house while in their boots). Love this piece – will share with our readers!
Jessica Rhae says
January 4, 2017 at 9:21 AMWe use the Musher’s Secret too. When I did try boots on Chester, you’re right, getting them outside where there are awesome smells and stuff is key to getting them to ignore the boots. It was that way with jackets for Chester at first two. He would stand still like a statue once I put them on. He was all raring to go though once we stepped outside.
Christina Berry | The Lazy Pit Bull says
January 4, 2017 at 8:55 AMGreat information for any dog that spends time in the snow and cold! Thanks for sharing! Typically when it’s super cold and snowy, we are quickly in and out for potty breaks; we don’t spend a lot of time outside in the yucky stuff. But when we do, my dogs do have boots but honestly, neither of them are very cooperative about wearing them. Still, I’m a big believer in their effectiveness!
Jessica Rhae says
January 4, 2017 at 9:22 AMYeah, most dogs are not a fans of boots until they wear them often… as far as I understand. In my “how to fit boots” article I linked to, I also talk a little about how to get your dog used to the boots.
Alexa Ball says
January 4, 2017 at 11:18 AMThis is a great very informative post. My dog is definitely not small at 100lbs, but he could still benefit from using some booties! We recently moved back to Minnesota and this is my dog’s first winter where the weather isn’t too enjoyable (the high here today is 4-degrees). We usually do quicker trips outside when it’s super cold out and avoid doing too much outdoors. Getting a pair of booties would be good for our dog park trips – I have a feeling he would tear them off immediately though! Thanks for sharing!
Jessica Rhae says
January 4, 2017 at 4:36 PMYeah, we try and avoid outside too when it’s too cold. It doesn’t happen very often around here though. If it was bitter cold more often, we would definitely need a different solution though. Good luck if you try the boots. I think every dog hates them at first but can grow to like them if lots of treats are involved 🙂
Robbi says
January 5, 2017 at 6:23 AMI tried many, many times to put boots on Henrietta when she was a puppy. She acted like I was torturing her so I stopped. I do use the puppy paw balm if we go for a long-ish walk. Our temps in the winter here in Upstate NY usually come with below freezing wind chills and it’s way too cold for me to even want to walk. These are great tips and I love knowing about the dog pysiology as well. We do use pet friendly rock salt on our stairs and I will usually carry Hen up and down them, any way.
Jessica Rhae says
January 6, 2017 at 8:11 AMI don’t think I’ve ever known a dog to like boots right away 🙂 But, like you, I don’t see any need to fight the point. If a need ever arose, I might try to work something out then.
Tenacious Little Terrier says
January 5, 2017 at 2:53 PMOut of these, we’ve only tried Pawz. Much like you though boots are not really a necessity for our climate and city. Boots are the one thing he doesn’t like wearing. I would put some training into it but he hasn’t really needed them so it’s way down the list.
Jessica Rhae says
January 6, 2017 at 8:10 AMI feel the same way
Emma says
January 6, 2017 at 10:46 AMWe’re pretty winterized, but with fresh wet snow, we toss on our PAWZ boots to prevent snowballs. I guess we could use Musher’s secret, but it’s easy to just toss on the boots. We also wear them when it is -10 or colder as the freezing temps hurt our paws even though they are pretty conditioned.
Emily Endrizzi says
January 6, 2017 at 1:27 PMMy dogs won’t wear boots. It is way too much trouble just trying to get them on. In past years we have had some trouble with salt on the roads and sidewalks and the dogs start holding up their legs and refusing to walk. I try to walk them in the snow as opposed to the salted roads and sidewalks to avoid this, but it can still happen. Our development says that they use pet-safe salt, but I’m not so sure. I went ahead and bought some of the Musher’s Secret through your link. We will give that a try. It seems like a good product and hopefully will make the pups more comfortable on our coming walks.
Jessica Rhae says
January 9, 2017 at 10:24 AMI do feel like Musher’s Secret is a happy medium. I hope it works for you guys.
Sadie says
January 7, 2017 at 8:34 AMI love this post. You are right; it makes a difference where you live. We have boots for each of our three dogs. And coats! It was -18C which translates to -0.4F this morning in Ontario. Not only is it fffffffffffffreezing, the salt and sand used to improve driving conditions is not friendly on paws. The boots aren’t fleece lined so not a huge insulator against the cold, but it must make a bit of a difference. We hadn’t purchased a pair yet for Jack when the first snowfall arrived. We would walk several feet, and he would stop and lift a paw. I dug the snow etc. out, and we continued for several more feet before he raised another paw. I’m glad we have boots.
Jessica Rhae says
January 9, 2017 at 10:23 AMBrrr! Yes, that is way colder than we are used to. My hubby and I are thinking of moving to an area where it’s regularly freezing and below in the winter. I’m ready to get the dogs boots if we do that.
Beth says
January 7, 2017 at 5:16 PMWhat perfect timing! My dogs don’t have any boots and I’ve been on the fence about getting them. We don’t go out for long on cold days. Theo and Nelly both seem to enjoy wearing a fleece on the colder days, and I think they would appreciate boots on the coldest days.
Dolly the Doxie says
January 9, 2017 at 8:41 AMWe’ve tried all three, PAWZ are impossible to get on, Muttlucks and Ruffwear are difficult to get on, too stiff and stay on. We’re very happy with my Saltsox much easier to get on, more flexible on the soles of my feet like PAWZ. Love Dolly
Jessica Rhae says
January 9, 2017 at 10:14 AMIt’s been so long since we’ve tried on boots, I can’t remember how hard or easy it was for us. If it came down to us needing them for walking on the sidewalks, I would definitely check out the Saltsox as a potential option.
Kama says
January 9, 2017 at 2:27 PMSuper thorough article. Thank you! I like the ruffwear boots, but I buy boots to protect against heat (I live in Arizona) versus having to pick boots for cold. I would love to take my dogs on a snow trip one day, so I’ll definitely save your article to reference again before I go.
Ian Harlen says
March 22, 2017 at 8:20 AMThanks for the info, however, we are really looking to find good information from mountaineering folks who take their dogs on extended treks into the snow- up to 10 days of ski-touring and snow camping, usually in the Sierra Nevada. What problems have they experienced, and how to best deal with them.
Do any of you know of a good website for this kind of information? Thanks a lot, Lizzie and Ian.
Gerri says
November 11, 2018 at 12:09 PMThis was so helpful! Our Florida dog recently became a Missouri dog and is now enjoying walks in the snow. We got him a coat but I wasn’t sure about boots. Your article reassured me that he is most likely fine. (He doesn’t seem to mind walking in snow.) But I did order the Musher’s Secret through your link.
Jessica Rhae says
November 11, 2018 at 2:16 PMWow. That’s definitely a big change in climate. Hope you guys enjoy it there.
Kate says
January 8, 2019 at 8:20 PMWe live in Minnesota, and winters can get fairly cold. Glia, my 40 pound mutt, only needs boots when it is below 10 degrees with snow and/or ice on the ground. We just got our first set of Muttluks. They fit well, although the strap has to be well tightened to prevent then from slipping off on walks.
Jessica Rhae says
January 9, 2019 at 1:45 PMIf I had to get boots for my Dachshund, that’s probably the first brand I would try. Glad they worked for your pup.