Dog booties are a relatively niche product and, despite the impression they are simply decorative items for toy dogs, they are a very specialized product that can have a huge impact for your dog. Dog booties are available for insulating paws against cold and ice, protecting them from extreme heat such as on asphalt, or protecting paws from sharp rocks.
A dog’s paws are not naturally suited to footwear however and it can be difficult to keep them on their paws. The best dog booties for traction not only prevent the dog from slipping on ice or floors (polished and wooden floors are the most difficult for dogs to gain traction on) but also stay on their feet.
There is not guarantee your dog will take to having booties covering their paws, but if you find your dog is having difficulty with traction, especially in icy conditions, it is certainly worth trying to find the best dog booties for traction available in order to resolve the problem.
Best Dog Booties for Traction – Must Haves
When considering buying, the best dog booties for traction will most likely have the following attributes:
- They should be available in different sizes so you can find the right size for your dog. This will prevent the booties from slipping off and make it more difficult for your dog to remove them.
- They should be extremely durable as dogs get everywhere when out on walks, and can go places we, as humans, wouldn’t.
- A method of fastening the boot around the ankle, such as Velcro, will help the boot stay on.
- The underside of the boot should be made of a non-slip materials to help maintain traction.
Best Dog Booties for Traction
Colorfulhouse Waterproof Pet Boots
The dog boots from Colorfulhouse are available in a variety of sizes (10 different sizes in total) and so are great for finding the right size to fit your dog. The underside is covered with a molded rubber for traction and they are fitted with a Velcro strap across the top to help keep the boots on the dog, despite your pooch’s best laid plans.
They offer a sizing chart for owners who need to find the correct size and have a soft fleece interior fabric to prevent rubbing against the dog’s skin.
Your dog may find them difficult to get used to as the molded rubber soles are similar to sneaker soles so are quite hard. But pet owners report their pets get used to them over time.
Here’s why we think the Colorfulhouse waterproof pet boots are one of the best dog booties for traction:
- They are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit every size of dog.
- The have a hard, molded rubber underside which grips slippery surfaces so are great for traction.
- They are easy to keep on the dog as they have a Velcro fastening which keeps to boots fitted snugly around the ankle.
My Busy Dog Waterproof Dog Shoes
The My Busy Dog boots are available in eight sizes and they offer a size chart to help the dog owner choose the right size for their pet. The boots come in a couple color options and are made from a mixture of durable, waterproofed fabric, and rubber anti-slip sole.
The boots expand when they are put on, as the design relies on the Velcro strap to stay on the dog’s foot. This means the Velcro fastening around the ankle needs to be secured tightly to prevent the boots sliding off. The boots also have reflective material sewn in to provide visibility in darkness as an added safety measure.
Not only are the boots good for traction, they are waterproof and protect the dog’s paws from heat. The soles are thick enough to protect the dog from sharp objects on the trail or beach.
The boots have a lot of great features that got them on the list of the best dog booties for traction, including:
- Eight different sizes make it easy for the pet owner to find the right size for their dog.
- The slip on design and the Velcro fastening combine to make it easy to put the boot on the dog, and also to keep it on.
- The anti-slip sole is perfect for maintaining traction on slippery surfaces both inside and out.
Ruffwear Grip Trex Boots for Dogs
These Ruffwear Grip Trex boots have a non-slip sole and a patterned underside to help provide great traction outdoors and on internal floors. The design is very similar to a sneaker design with a nylon mesh upper boot which is made of a breathable material to allow air in and keep dirt out.
The mesh upper may not be suitable for hiking or on rugged terrain as sharp objects could easily get through the material and there’s no protection above the sole. There is a Velcro fastening and it needs to be secured tightly to make sure the boots stay on. There is also reflective trim around the boot for visibility in dark conditions.
There are 5 sizes available for paws between 2 inches and 3.25 inches in width. They recommend you mark the width of your dog’s paw on a piece of paper with its weight on the paw to determine the correct size boot needed.
This boot offers many of the features needed for a good dog boot and made the list of the best dog booties for traction for a few different reasons:
- It offers a non-slip sole which is made from molded rubber and has a grip patterns for added traction. It is suitable for outdoors and indoor use.
- It has a Velcro fastening around the ankle which helps prevent the boot from slipping off.
- It is made from a breathable mesh fabric for the dog’s comfort.
The Importance of Dog Booties to Help Traction
Dogs paws are unsuited to slippery or hard surfaces and they find it impossible to get any grip on ice, wooden or tiled floors. Finding dog boots that can help them gain traction, especially as a dog gets older and may have hip problems, will help them manage these difficult surfaces. The best dog booties for traction all have a molded rubber sole that are non-slip and have a patterned sole for added grip.
Keeping the dog boots on the dog can be difficult and most dog boots have a Velcro fastening at the ankle, which must be fastened tightly to ensure the boots don’t slip off. But once you find the perfect boots for your pup you and your dog will much happier.
I know for us out in Montana when it get well below zero we need the kind of protection offered by booties. Lucia will lift her paws and slip and slip all over the place without them.
I hope you found some good information on dog booties for traction and that you can help out your furry friend with some kicks too!