Boots for doodles?

[Ashley, Ronnie and Ruby]

I am wondering about boots for dogs. Ruby loves the snow and we walk daily on roads with sand and sometimes salt. Over the weekend, we got some snow in our area and then it froze. When Ruby came in and I cleaned off the snow after a play session outside, I noticed that her back paws were bleeding a little. I think that some sharp frozen snow cut her a little. It bothered me more than her but I would like to prevent things like this from happening. I hear mixed reviews about putting boots on a dog so if you do use them, what type do you use?

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yup, muttluks are the best. You can check Amazon for them or your local PetSmart. Boots on dogs are not for fashion. They are for safety. The dogs do look stinking cute in them, but the boots are really protecting their paws from ice, snow, and chemicals.  

[Dara and Hendrix]

Hi,

I use ruff wear bark n boots grip tex for Hendrix. They look like little dog running sneakers. They have vibram rubber soles and a nylon mesh upper with velcro wraps to secure it to his feet. I bought them because of the excessive salt use in our area after snow storms. I have to admit Hendrix wasn't too crazy about them when I first put them on. He would walk lifting each of his four feet individually. It was very awkward and very funny. Within about 10 to 15 minutes he got used to them. He doesn't fight it when I put them on. His feet still get wet because they are like sneakers, but it protects him from the salt and the sharp ice. They cost about $60 for a set of four.

[Sara & Trix]

I use fleece ones with a simple velcro strap (I see them at most pet stores).  Trix doesn't mind them AT ALL and they stay on 99% of the time. They do the trick and are inexpensive! 

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

I don't know about boots, but I do know there is a salve made for paw pads in colder temperatures. It provides a protective barrier. I don't remember the name, but I am sure you can easily find it with a google search.

[Sara & Trix]

I think one is called Musher's Secret.  http://musherssecret.net/  I wasn't able to find it at any petstores in my city, unfortunately.  Haven't tried, but I heard it works great!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I don't know whether you mean a cream named Musher's secret. It's natural waxes and is supposed to create a protective barrier on paws against snow balling up between their fingers. We got it a couple of weeks ago since Monty's paws were dry and started to crack. I think the cream does a good job keeping the paws moisturized and protected. I still use booties when it's really cold outside or when there is too much salty mush on the sidewalks.

[Dos Doodles--Sam & Luke]

I have a companion question, as I've wondered the same about getting boots for the doodles.  I took the Doods to the snow earlier this week (first time for them!) and they ran around in the snow, never seeming to be bothered by the cold.  Does that seem right?  I know to keep them off burning hot pavement...how careful do we need to be about cold ground?  The dogs pads seemed unaffected, but I don't want to accidentally hurt them!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I would say it depends on how cold it is outside.  When it's REALLY cold, dogs can get frost bites on their noses and paws if they stay out too long, just like people. If it's not that cold, they can stay out longer. Monty loves snow and he seems unaffected by the dropping temperatures. But still, if your dogs are plaing in the snow, make sure you check between their paws once they come inside. The snow tends to ball up and freeze right in the middle of the paws and that can be painful for doggies.

[Kim, Abby & Beckett]

Yep. That is it. I bought it online for a friend who lived in ND.

[Dara and Hendrix]

I use Musher's secret, but I can't attest to its reliability because Hendrix licks most of it off as soon as it gets applied to his paw pads. It seems like a chap stick for paw pads to me.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I used a different moisturizing cream before and Monty would lick it all off. He does not touch Musher's secret. I usually apply it to his paws in the evening when he is all relaxed and napping.

 

[K and Racey]

Racey hates any boots that have a rubber pad on them. Living in Alaska, she wears boots several times a week. She doesn't mind the fleece ones, but they fall off a lot. I'd say we lose one of those every time we go to the dog park.

We now use the same kind dog mushers in Alaska use.

http://www.affordabledogsleds.com/booties.htm

They do not fall off. There are 2 things I don't like about them though. They can be slippery if you are walking on sheer ice. The material isn't all that thick, so they can get torn.