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How To Keep Your Dog’s Paws Warm And Dry In The Winter
Look, I get it. No one wants to be that one pet owner in the neighborhood who forces his or her dog to wear clothes. It is a dog, after all, not a person. But there are certain instances in which some doggie accessories actually make sense, such as boots during the winter. Yes, they may make your pup look ridiculous (or adorable, depending on how you choose to spin it), but they will make walking in freezing temperatures bearable.
By far the most popular such product on Amazon is (surprise!) sold by a no-name Chinese brand called XSY&G. The XSY&G Dog Boots have been reviewed by nearly 7,500 customers, and have a cumulative rating of 4.3 stars. This may not sound particularly high, but do a quick search for “winter dog boots” and you will struggle to find another pair with a rating higher than 4 stars. Judging by the sheer volume of sellers, this is an easy product to make, but apparently it is a difficult product to make well.
Dog shoes serve multiple purposes. Obviously, they keep paws warm. High quality ones (like these) also feature traction on the bottom to keep your furry friend from slipping. They can also be worn throughout the year to help dogs walk through rocky terrain, but for right now I want to concentrate on winter functionality. Perhaps the most underrated is that they keep your dog’s feet dry and clean when walking in the snow.
The main complaint with these dog shoes (and with most of the dog shoes on Amazon) is that the customer’s puppy did not cooperate in putting them on. This isn’t really the fault of XSY&G or any other brand; you should know your animal and what sort of indignities he or she is willing to put up with. If there is no way your little guy would ever tolerate dog boots, simply do not buy them.
If that is the case, or if you don’t want to put your dog through the ordeal in the first place, then there are other solutions available. The Dexas MudBuster is a small paw cleaner designed to dry and wash your dog’s feet when it is time to come in from the walk.
Dexas MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Washer/ Paw Cleaner — $19.99
Both the dog boots and the MudBuster come in multiple sizes, so make sure you measure your dog’s paws before making your purchase.