What would our dogs have to say about wearing dog boots or socks for traction?
Of course, since dogs can’t speak to us, we can’t know for sure. But as an integrative veterinarian with over 20 years of experience caring for thousands of senior and special needs dogs who struggle with mobility, I’ve gathered some pretty strong evidence. And if you’ve witnessed dogs struggling to walk in cumbersome dog boots, dog booties, or dog socks, you may know too.
Here are 7 truths that dogs wish everyone knew about dog boots and dog socks:
1. Walking in dog boots, booties, or traction socks does not feel natural for your dog. If you’ve ever seen dogs attempting to walk in booties, you may have wondered, “Why do dogs walk weird in boots?” Quite simply, it’s not natural. A dog’s toes contain numerous proprioceptive receptors, which feed information to the brain about the body’s spatial position. When the paws are covered by dog boots or socks, this information is altered.
2. Dog boots or socks interfere with your dog’s natural ability to grip the ground with the toenails. Dogs rely on their toenails to gain traction and dig into the ground like soccer cleats. What comes naturally to them becomes impossible when wearing booties or socks.
3. Your dog’s feet get hot and sweaty inside dog boots or socks. Since dogs sweat through their paws, socks don’t allow your dog’s paws to breathe.
4. A dog may chew at the dog booties or socks because they are covering and touching the dog’s paws and toes—sensitive tissue.
5. Dog boots or socks can be uncomfortable for your canine companion. They twist, bunch up, and fall down.
6. Taking booties or socks on and off frequently is a hassle for your dog. (And maybe for you too.)
7. Dogs aren’t people. Their paws work differently than our feet.
Don’t get me wrong, dog boots or socks do have their place in helping our canine companions—namely in protecting a dog’s paws. But protection (for example, from hot sidewalks where a dog’s paw pads are at risk of burning) and traction are two very different things.
What alternatives are there to dog boots?
There is another solution to dog boots or socks that works with your dog’s natural gripping mechanism. If your dog has trouble gripping hardwood floors or smooth surfaces, ToeGrips® dog nail grips non-slip grips get the “paws up” from our dogs.
What do dogs would want you to know about ToeGrips® dog nail grips?
1. ToeGrips® dog nail grips fit on your dog’s toenails, leaving your dog’s paws uncovered and comfortable.
2. Your dog naturally uses his paws and toenails to grip the ground. ToeGrips® dog nail grips enable your dog’s natural biomechanics.
3. Most dogs tolerate ToeGrips® dog nail grips very well and do not seem to even notice them. Your dog can’t feel ToeGrips® dog nail grips because they are placed on the dog’s hard toenails. Unlike dog booties or socks, ToeGrips® dog nail grips do not contact sensitive tissue (like the paw pads or skin).
4. Hard toenails can’t grip hard floors. ToeGrips® dog nail grips enable your dog’s toenails to grip hard surfaces. It’s like adding tiny cleats to the toenails for traction.
4. ToeGrips® dog nail grips enhance proprioceptive stimulus drawing the brain’s attention to the paws. This extra attention helps them walk better, improving mobility, and preventing dog falls.
5. ToeGrips® dog nail grips don’t need to be removed daily. Unlike dog booties, your dog can wear ToeGrips® dog nail grips indoors and out for about one to three months before they need to be replaced. (They do need to be checked daily to ensure they are sitting correctly on the toenail.)
Why dogs prefer ToeGrips® dog nail grips over dog boots: A side-by-side product comparison
If you’ve tried dog booties or socks because your dog slips on hardwood or tile floors, you may have given up in frustration.
But help is here. ToeGrips® dog nail grips are the natural solution for walking on slippery surfaces like hardwood floors.
Transforming slipping dogs into gripping dogs is my passion. If your dog slips on hardwood floors or stairs, ToeGrips® dog nail grips are the natural solution that dogs prefer.
About Dr. Buzby
Dr. Julie Buzby has been an integrative veterinarian for twenty years and has earned certification by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association in 1998, and by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2002. READ MORE
