Why Your Dog May Need Shoes. Really.
Dog shoes are seen by most people as a waste of money or just as a type of dog decoration, but in some circumstances, dog shoes can save you a lot of money in vet bills.
Many working dogs have worn shoes for a long time. Dogs that pull sleds often wear shoes to protect their feet from the cold weather and sharp ice that may lodge in their paws. Search and rescue dogs that are used to find trapped people amongst fallen debris also wear shoes to protect their feet from glass and sharp metal and concrete that may cut open their feet.
Even for the average pet owner, dog shoes can be useful in some circumstances. When dogs hurt their paws, they lick them. Dog shoes can keep your dog from licking up antifreeze or oil that they may have stepped in. For dog owners who live in large urban areas with cold climates, they must walk their dogs over sidewalks treated with de-icer or salt. It is typical for your pet to get a bad case of dog diarrhea when they lick their paws to try to clean off.
Dog paws can also be cut by glass, gum or sharp pieces of metal that often litter the sidewalks of large cities. Also, the melting tar or hot asphalt found in cities can blister your dogs feet. Also, burr and foxtail injuries can be prevented with dog shoes for dogs who live in non urban areas. People who hike with their dogs also use dog shoes because they may not be near a veterinarian if their dogs get injured.
Dog shoes can also be helpful for people who mostly live indoors. Dog shoes can prevent scratches on floors, furniture or pool liners made by a dog’s toenails. Dog shoes can also prevent dogs from gnawing at their paws and can help old dogs with poor balance keep from slipping.
Dog owners will have to look at their own situations to see if dog shoes make sense for their dog. Who knows…they might prevent a large expenditure at the vet later.
