If you want to buy dog boots, chances are your dog probably needs them for one reason or other. Is your dog getting older and finding it harder to accompany you on your daily walks? Or does he or she have a medical condition like arthritis that makes it hard to lift the feet over rocks or steps. Dog boots are even useful for packs of hunting dogs where the rough terrain might injure their feet during the chase.
So you know you’re definitely in the market for a great pair of dog boots for Rover or Chichi but how do you buy dog boots that suit your pooch? The first thing you need to is to let your dog try on a pair that looks like they might fit. You can also ask the salesperson for help in fitting the boots.
Start by putting one of the dog’s paws into the dog boots and attaching the Velcro® until it seems to be snug around the leg. Next hold your dog’s leg and give the boot a pull with your free hand. If the boot remains in place it’s fitting properly. Dog boots should always be secured properly to make sure they don’t come off in mid-run and cause your dog to stumble.
Depending on the duration, type or level of activity of your dog you may need to secure the dog boots more firmly. You can use Vetrap to do this. Vetrap is a thin, stretchy, rubber coated material which sticks to itself but won’t adhere to your dog’s fur. You can ask your local dog boot store for advice but here’s the basic procedure:
Secure the dog boots by taking some Vetrap and wrapping it around your dog’s leg at the height of the top of the boot and then put the boot on. The rubbery layer will provide traction and prevent the boot from moving around or slipping off. If you want extra slippage protection you can use duct tape and tape the boots to the Vetrap - avoiding your dog’s fur!
