Swimming in the lake

[Karissa & Watson]

Does anyone have suggestions to protect Watson's paws in the summer. Lake Michigan is literally across the street from our house, so we have gone a few times already and plan on going many times this summer, but the beach is covered in Zebra Mussel shells which can be razor sharp. Any suggestions how to protect his paws or brands of shoes that he can still swim in? I'd rather not have an emergency vet bill because he tore a paw pad on a shell.

 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Sure. I have a pair of Muttluks. Many of us do. I've had other less expensive dog boots but dont bother.  They rip easily and don't fit so they come off.  

For the winter pair I spent about $55.00 but this time of year you might find them for less. My only regret is not getting them sooner.  Boots are great for hot pavement and frigid temps

www.muttluks.com

[Karissa & Watson]

Thanks for the suggestion, that brand is one I've looked at but wanted more opinions before I purchased. Have you ever used them for swimming?

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Hi Karissa, I'm so glad that you posed this question, and I'll be reading the responses with personal interest. Our summer place backs up to a beautiful cove, and we love to go clamming out there when the tide is low. When the water is out, though, the cove's bottom is littered with clam shells that birds have left behind. It's like a mine field for the dogs' paw pads. 

[Karissa & Watson]

Sounds beautiful! Here it also depends on the movements of the lake, but I'd rather be safe with him and protect his paws. He loves water too much to keep him away. Hopefully we get good suggestions!

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

I would love to hear more about the muttluks too.  After this long holiday weekend we couldn't keep Sassparilla out of the water.  She actually shreaded three pair of water shoes over a four day period, two were from my previous dog and the newest pair were from Petflow (don't bother).  Sassy is clearly more active and tougher on shoes.  We need them for the heat, water, and rocky ground (plus they like to climb the hill to poop so it can get really hot and rocky).  It's harder from me to clean up but at least I know I won't step in it!  Here's a few shots of Sassy's new favorite game over the weekend (I'll never be able to use the hose again).  WIth the jumping we need a pair that are higher up her foot.  She killed her new chuckit tennis ball within the first few hours camping so we turned to playing catch with water!  Such a silly dog. 

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

Oh and Sassparilla encourages everyone doods included to wear UV eye protection!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

hahaha-great photos!  Quincy loves playing "hose" or garden sprinklers.

Good luck with the boots- I can't imagine them staying on swimming and frolicking, Joanne.  Does that work?  I had "disposable" paper ones for Quincy in the snow and they did not ever all   stay on, but they were cheap enough that it was okay.  

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

We had a pair that I found on clearance at the Bass Pro shop years ago that go up the leg about 4" that worked great with our last dog.  They were that neoprene (wetsuit) fabric with soft thick padded bottoms.  I usually only put them on the back feet, my last dog was a rock retriever so she liked to dig up the rocks in the water and wanted to feel them.  They are just a tad too small for Sassy so she wore holes in them which is odd since she is a smaller dog but apparently has bigger feet??  Our first pair just barely covered the padding so as soon as they got wet and the dogs moved they fell off.  Petflow had a nice light pair that wrapped higher on the ankle but she came out of the water that the bottom halves were completely missing?  Our cove is extremely rocky and then going from the water to the campsite the ground gets really hot.  I know I can feel it through my flp flops!  It breaks my heart when I see folks walking their dogs casually on the hot ground and those poor dogs are pulling and trying to run to a cool spot.  I have baby feet so if my feet can't handle it I WON'T subject my girls to it.  Josie is easy she is small and light so she can get carried, oh does she HATE shoes.... lol

 

Has anyone tried the wax??  I bought some but forgot to bring it, I wonder how well it works?  Can't really see it keeping back the heat from the ground though?? 

[Wendy and Myla]

We use the wax in the winter when Myla goes snowshoeing with us.  It helps to keep the snow from sticking in between her pads and forming ice balls but I don't think it would help in the summer - it would just get greasy from the heat and wipe off.  Also, if we put it on before we get out of the truck, Myla immediately starts to lick it off.

[Karissa & Watson]

I've not tried the wax either.

I will check out the Bass Pro shop or sporting goods stores to see what they have.

 

Thanks!

[Karissa & Watson]

So cute! :)

[Wendy and Myla]

Wow, that's a dilemma!  I can see using the boots to protect the pads against the Zebra mussels but I don't think they'd work while swimming.  I'm pretty sure they need to use the webs in between their toes to stay above water while swimming.  Worth a try though?