Protecting Those Paws

If you’ve walked around Chicago at all this winter you’ve probably seen a dog 
wearing booties of some sort. In fact, there’s a good chance your dog wears them.  While they are cute and make me smile every time I spot a dog trotting along wearing them, they do serve an important purpose.

Just like we need some extra protection in the colder months, so do dogs! Ice and slush cover the sidewalks and depending on the neighborhood, they are not always cleared in a timely manner. In cold temperatures, even on short walks, your dog is at risk of getting to cold walking barefooted and booties can help make their walks more comfortable. While they can take some getting used to, most dogs adapt quickly. 

Side note: Search “dogs wearing boots” on YouTube and experience endless laughs. This is one of my favorites: 

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Another, and more important factor booties protect your furry friend from is any ice melt salt that has been place on the sidewalk. The salt can irritate the paws and can be harmful when ingested if the dog were to lick their paws.

If you have any recommendations on boots your dog uses share with us on Facebook and Twitter!

If you opt not to use booties or your dog will not wear them, we recommend rinsing/wiping your dog’s paws when you get home to remove any salt.

Hang in there winter is (hopefully) almost over and spring will be here before you know it!

-Paws in Motion