Depending on the climate you live in and the activity level of your dog, winter can present unique challenges for your dog. Snow and ice can not only cause the obvious problem of making your dog’s feet cold, but can pack in between the paw pads and cause pain and cuts.
Also, surfaces that have been treated with salts or deicers can cause chemical wounds on your dog’s feet. Most winter boots have hardy non-slip soles and are waterproof. The ideal boot will be adjustable or come in several different sizes allowing you the best fit for your dog’s foot.
Some boots are designed with more emphasis on fashion than on function, so be sure to evaluate precisely what your dog needs out of a winter boot. Obviously if your dog is spending a lot of time outdoors or if you are doing a lot of sports activities or hiking, durability of the sole is more important than if your dog is only going outside long enough to take care of business.
This article covers five of the best dog boots for winter. These boots were chosen by their availability, customer reviews on Amazon and focus more on functional, rather than fashionable winter boots.
Best Winter Dog Boots
Amazon.com
1. My Busy Dog Water Resistant Dog Shoes
My Busy Dog Water Resistant Dog Shoes
Free shipping
Features
- RUGGED: Tough waterproof anti-slip sole provides stability and traction, protection from sharp thorns, hot pavement, salt during winter.
- QUALITY: Our shoes have a rugged sole and high quality fabrics that are then sewn together (not glued like cheaper dog boots) to ensure they are ready for your adventure.
- SIZING: Use the easy size chart located in the pictures to determine the right size shoe for your dog's paws. We are also available to help you select the right size.
- CONVENIENT: Water resistant shoes keep paws dry and warm. No more wiping muddy or sandy paws after the rain or snow. Helps dogs with mobility and stability on tile and hardwood floors.
- SECURE: Easy to put on / off. The shoe expands with a wide split seam opening and two adjustable and reflective velcro straps to ensure a tight fit.
My Busy Dog Boots appear to have a rugged sole for the paw pad with a water resistant nylon upper.
The company states the sole’s traction has anti-slip qualities and is durable enough to protect from sharp thorns.
Available in 8 sizes with 4 color options included is a guide for measuring your dog’s foot to get the best fit.
The boots also have adjustable Velcro closures, which are reflective for added safety. The company states that the boots are best cleaned by hand washing.
Pros
• Durable treaded sole
• Water resistant
• Several sizing options
Cons
• Higher priced than other choices
• Most common negative reviews involved bad fit or irritation to dogs feet
• Not breathable so may not be a good choice for long periods of time
My Busy Dog Boots have excellent customer reviews, making them one of the overall highest rated boots on Amazon. If you are walking around the block for 10-20 minutes , this boot may be for you.
However, due to the non-breathable nature of this boot and the concerns for improper fit, this may not be the best choice for that 2-hour hike you planned over the weekend.
2. QUMY Dog Boots Waterproof Shoes
QUMY Dog Boots Waterproof Shoes
$26.99
Free shipping
Features
- Size 4: 2.5"x1.9"(L*W) for 30-42 lbs; size 5: 2.7"x2.2"(L*W) for 40-55 lbs; size 6: 2.9"x2.5"(L*W) for 52-65 lbs; size 7: 3.1"x2.7"(L*W) for 63-75 lbs; size 8: 3.3"x2.9"(L*W) for 74-88 lbs).
- SECURE and ADJUSTABLE: Easy to put on / off. These dog shoes expands with a wide split seam opening and two adjustable and reflective velcro straps to ensure a tight fit, also make your dog safe at night.
- RUGGED: Tough anti-slip sole of dog boots provides stability and traction, protection from sharp thorns and hot pavement.
- QUALITY: The dog boots have a rugged sole and high quality fabrics that are then sewn together to ensure they are ready for your adventure.
- FASHIONABLE: QUMY dog boots are with cute pet paw embroidery, paws side is the outside, soft and hand washable.
QUMY Dog boots have a rugged, non-slip sole to protect your dog from ice, snow and thorns or other objects.
The uppers are water resistant, making them nice for walks in mud, snow or rain. They have reflective Velcro strap closures to ensure a better fit.
These boots come in 4 sizes and are designed for dog’s with larger feet. The cleaning instructions for these boots are to hand wash.
Pros
• Durable treaded sole
• Water resistant.
• Adjustable closure
Cons
• Sole appears to be hard plastic based on reviews.
• Many negative reviews complain of poor manufacturing quality.
• Even though designed for large dogs, sizes appear to run very small.
QUMY Dog boots are priced reasonably, but there seems to be some issues with the fit and quality of these boots. These boots may be a good choice for occasional use to walk around the block in the snow, but do not seem to be a durable choice for hard use.
3. EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Boots
EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Boots
$20.99
Free shipping
Features
- Size 4: 2.3" x 2" (L*W) for 30-42 lbs. Great for Border Collie, Beagle
- Reflective material and fasteners straps provides visibility and safety at night, waterproof material keeps your dogs paws dry in rain or snow
- Easy to put on and take off as the shoe expands to put on and the two fasteners straps ensure a tight fit.
- Flexible lug design and grooved soles gives your dog better control and protect paws from the cold weather.
- The size is the size inside the boots, not boots size outside; Choose size according to width is better
Expawlorer Boots are suitable for a range of dogs from small to large. They are easy to put on and off and tighten with a velcro closure.
These boots offer a non-slip sole and a waterproof upper making these a great choice for walking through rain and snow.
Available in 8 different sizes and 3 different colors there is a fit and style for every breed and every dog personality! The boots should be cleaned by hand washing.
Pros
• Large number of sizing options
• Rugged sole with lugged tread
• Waterproof
Cons
• Reviewers complained of non-flexible sole
• Most negative reviews involved poor fit
• Several complaints of lightweight construction that may not be durable.
Give the price point, the Expawlorer Boots offer good value for money however it is recommended to test these boots with your pooch on a short walk before committing to longer ones!
4. Ultra Paws, Cozy Paws Traction Dog Boots
Ultra Paws Traction Dog Boots
$22.01
Free shipping
Features
- Designed to provide indoor traction on slippery surfaces
- Soft breathable polyester fleece is coated to repel water
- Boot sole is dipped in flexible natural rubber for comfort and durability
- Hook and loop closure keeps the boot in place
- Medium size is designed for dogs with a paw width of 2.75"
If you are just looking to keep your dog’s feet warm on dry surfaces, the Ultra Paws may be a better choice for your dog.
These boots are made of a fleece material that has been treated for water repellency. They have a dipped rubber sole for traction and a Velcro closure.
These boots come in 8 sizes with one patterned color. The manufacturer states they are for indoor or light outdoor use.
Pros
• Flexible slip-resistant sole for traction
• Multiple sizes for fit
• Breathable fleece helps prevent feet from becoming soft or overheating
Cons
• Not suitable for heavy duty outdoor use
• Some customer complaints about difficulty getting on the feet
• Few customer complaints that single Velcro strap cannot hold boots in position
These boots will work well if you need something to keep your pet’s feet warm and provide traction. While they aren’t waterproof, they are water repellant and the fleece does provide a breathable layer for your dog’s feet.
If you are looking for dog booties for winter, these will be sufficient. The dipped rubber sole is also more flexible than other boots that have a harder sole.
If you are just letting your dog out in the yard or walking than the sidewalk for a quick visit, the Ultra Paws boots may do the trick.
5. Ruffwear – Grip Trex
Ruffwear - Grip Trex
Free shipping
Features
- PROTECT THEIR PAWS: The Grip Trex are high-performance boots that protect your dog's paws from extreme environments so your pup can share in the adventure.
- TACKLE ALL TERRAIN: The non-marking Vibram outsole is rugged and resilient, providing traction and flexibility on all kinds of terrain.
- GEAR UP AND GO: The hook-and-loop with hardware closure is simple yet secure. The gusset design provides a wide opening for easy on and off so you can spend less time gearing up and more time on the trail.
- HELPFUL FEATURES: The tightly woven upper mesh is breathable, allowing air in while keeping dirt and debris out.
- TWO PAWS, FOUR PAWS: Choose between a set of 2 or 4 boots depending on your dog's needs
Grip Trex boots are designed to be all-terrain, high-performance boots and have a vibram sole which offers excellent flexibility and traction.
Made with a breathable upper of woven mesh this is important as it prevents the dog from overheating. This is still important in the winter months even when it’s cold out.
A single velcro closure system is used along with a gusset which makes it easier to put these boots on and take them off your dog.
These boots are no waterproof which may be the biggest downfall of this brand. For those who live in the snow, these boots wouldn’t be ideal nor in rainy weather.
They are, however, designed for fairly intense activity such as hiking and this is reflected in the materials and design of the shoes.
Easily cleaned, simply place them in the washing machine on gentle. Another great thing is that there is a 30 day refund policy with the company if you are for some reason unhappy with the product.
Pros
• Vibram sole for traction and comfort
• Breathable mesh upper
• Machine washable
Cons
• Not waterproof
• Higher price point
• Some complaints about poor fit causing injuries
Grip Trex boots are thee most expensive featured in this article but aside from not being waterproof they present good value. For those who enjoy hiking, rough terrains or spend a lot of time on salted sidewalks these are a great boot.
Bottom Line
There are several styles and manufacturers of boots for dogs in different price points. It is hard to see the quality of manufacture through pictures on the internet, so a lot of the decision making for purchase must rely on customer reviews and company return policies.
Much like our own shoes, a lot of the decision also relies on the intended use for your dog. If you are going on long hikes on snow-covered trails, a waterproof and rugged boot is a priority. If you are looking something to keep your dog’s feet warm as he walks down the sidewalk to the back yard, water proof and ruggedness may not be as important.
When shopping online, word of mouth combined with manufacturer claims is your only guide. Make sure there is an option to return the product if it is not suitable.
Ask friends and professionals in the pet industry for their experiences and recommendations. Shop around in brick and mortar stores to see if you can find the product and study its quality before price shopping online.
In the end the important things to consider are quality, functionality and your dog’s comfort.
The Review
Best Dog Boots for Winter
Protecting your dogs feet during the cooler months is very important! Read through our top rated winter boots for dogs before making your purchase!
Review Breakdown
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My Busy Dog Water Resistant Dog Shoes
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QUMY Dog Boots Waterproof Shoes
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EXPAWLORER Waterproof Dog Boots
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Ultra Paws Traction Dog Boots
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Ruffwear - Grip Trex
