Do Dogs Need Hiking Boots? Many people think it’s absurd to take dogs with you on the terrain, but you can’t leave your furry friend alone as a pet lover. When you plan on going for a hiking venture, you buy the best footwear for yourself to provide ample traction on any terrain. But what if your dog is joining you on the hiking venture? Do dogs need hiking boots?
Different dog breeds have different paws. Some have strong ones, while others have sensitive small tippy toes that may get hurt with excess hikes on the bumpy trails. Hiking is a great activity for humans and dogs, so there is no harm in taking your furry champ with you. An activity such as hiking will help them stay fit and not be sluggish.
How will you verify if your dog needs those snug hiking boots? Besides taking your buddy on the trail, keep your attention on them and notice patterns. If your dog is limping or licking its paws after 10 seconds, it means they are experiencing pain in the paws, and you must buy them a good pair of hiking boots.
Do dogs need hiking boots? Yes, they do, and having an extra layer that protects them from tiny rocks, pebbles, or poisonous insects will help them hike without any pain. Just as humans have added benefits of wearing hiking boots, so do the dogs.
Benefits Of Wearing Hiking Boots For Dogs
Traction
Now you may think that dogs already have a good pair of paws that give them good traction on the trails. Well, it is true to an extent, and we’ll tell you how. If you have a puppy, you’ll notice that its paws are not fully developed because they are still a baby.
To ensure their safe hike, you’ll need a pair of hiking boots for dogs. Similarly, if your dog is an old buddy, they have lost its stability and may need an extra layer of boots to keep them all jacked up.
Support
Terrains are the most unpredictable thing during hiking ventures because you don’t know what will happen during the hikes. The same goes for your dog, which needs to be secured just like you at all times.
The weather of the trail you have decided to hike may be sunny, snowy, or rainy, and the terrain may be rocky or uneven. No matter the circumstances, hiking boots can be beneficial support for your dogs.
Paw protection
Pet dogs have softer and more sensitive paws than outdoor dogs. Most develop stiff paws after walking for long hours in the woods or maybe in the city. Softer paws are not much of the trouble, but on terrains, they mean injuries. Luckily, there are many options in hiking boots that will protect your dog from getting hurt during a memorable and cheerful hiking adventure.
Potential Risk Of Wearing Hiking Boots For Dogs
Can’t Cool Down
While wearing hiking boots, your dog cannot cool itself properly because the boots are waterproof, making them not breathable. After a while, they may try to take them off or be very uncomfortable. In that case, you can remove the shoes from the paws and let them rest for some time.
Dog Hates Boots
If you face such concern, then it is very common. Some dogs don’t like wearing an extra layer on their feet or paws, which is why they will always find a way to get rid of boots or not wear them in the first place.
Struggle To Adjust
When dogs start wearing their hiking boots, they struggle to walk or take small steps because the idea of having an extra layer of fabric around their paws seems odd to them. We recommend not taking your dog on hiking terrains if they try boots for the first time.
Keeping Hiking Boots On Dogs
Helping your dog adjust to the hiking boots or keeping them happy while wearing the boots is a hard task to do. Below are some tips that may help you in familiarizing your dog with new hiking buddies, a.k.a hiking boots:
Find The Perfect Size
One of the most crucial factors that help dogs get used to their boots is if they fit perfectly to the paws. We recommend you find the right size for your furry champ. To ensure that the boots fit your dog’s paws perfectly, take help from shoe store professionals who will guide you with the proper gears and measurements.
Give Break In Time
Just as we humans need time to familiarize our feet with the new footgear, dogs need the same too. You must give them plenty of time to adjust their paws and feel easy while wearing hiking boots. Let them sniff the boots, smell them and then make them wear the booties for some time. This way, they won’t feel much stressed during the hikes.
Train The Dog
Before making them wear the boots on all of their paws, we suggest that you train them by making them wear boots on one paw at a time. Give them treats in between so that they can be distracted for some time and wear boots for long periods. Please don’t close the zip or tighten the boots. Rather keep them loose so that the doggo can feel comfortable.
Go For Short Walks
After training the dog to wear boots at home, take them for short walks, whether within your block or on steep surfaces, to let them become more familiar with the hiking boots.
With some time, try to make them wear boots whenever they step paws on the outside of the home. When the time passes, the dog will connect the boots with going outside, which will help you take them along on hiking terrains.
Important Hiking Boots Features For Dogs
Material Used
The material used for the construction of the hiking boots must be water resistant and breathable meshes like the human ones. Durable premium leather can also be a great material for boots because it is known to be the best water-resistant material.
Also, the material must hold the paw together so the dog may not twist its leg or paw while hiking on steep or rough surfaces.
Outsoles
Some boots, like dog booties, don’t have stiff soles for protection because it is assumed that the dogs don’t need them if they have stiff paws. But, if the dogs have softer paws, the soles are good to be added to provide them great support and traction on the terrain. Moreover, adding soles to the hiking boots of dogs will provide their grip on the grounds because of the anti-slippery ridges.
Check Quality
When buying a new pair of boots for your furry friend, check out articles on the best models you can buy for the dogs. Don’t forget to check out the reviews that consumers have written about certain brands or boots so that you can better understand the pros and cons of those boots.
Correct Size
Another main feature of finding good hiking boots for the dogs is getting them the right fit size that doesn’t hurt their paws. If the hiking boot is a size bigger than their paws, the boots will not fit, and their paws will wiggle inside the boots, which may cause discomfort or injuries to the dogs.
In the same way, if the boots are tight, your dog will not feel good wearing them and can get bruised while wearing them, just like us humans.
Tips On Protecting Dog’s Paws When Hiking
- When hiking, ensure the temperatures are not harsh because the high temperatures will cause the dogs to make more effort in walking or hiking, hoping they can get injured.
- After hiking, check your dogs’ paws, and if there are any cracks or scratches, get them to the vet for a proper checkup.
- The best way to create resilience in your dog’s paws is to train them by taking them on short walks and letting them get familiar with the hiking boots.
- When the dogs are properly trained for the hikes, you’ll not have to worry about the bruises, and your little fellow will enjoy its venture.
- If you are not using hiking boots, then there is an alternative paw lotion that you can use, and the lotion works in the same manner as the boots by protecting against hard pavements or bumpy surfaces.
- At the end of the hike, clean their boots and remove debris from them as you would with your hiking boots.
Final Thoughts
Do dogs need hiking boots? Well, if you are hiking on harsh terrains or flat smooth surfaces, they may not need the boots, but if you are a keen hiker and want to take your dog with you on the bumpy terrains, then they need a good pair of hiking boots. Dogs are sensitive creatures nd need some time to adjust to new surroundings so don’t be harsh on them.
While buying hiking boots for the dogs, ensure that the size fits them perfectly and that the bots provide good traction on the trails. The boots also become handy if the dogs suddenly get injured during the hikes. You can also use paw lotion instead of boots, which will help repair the bruised paws.
Moreover, train the dogs to wear hiking boots by taking them on short walks around the city to feel snug and familiar with the hiking boots. Hiking boots are a safe option for the dogs if you are willing to take them on the hikes but make sure that the boots are comfortable.