Best Dog Boots For Hiking

If you are into hiking and enjoy taking your dog along for the adventure, then you should seriously consider getting your pooch a pair of hiking boots. To help you decide which pair to purchase, we are reviewing what are the best dog boots for hiking.

A great pair of boots will help to keep your doggies feet well protected from the elements so that they can follow you for many miles. Painful scratches and cuts to your dog’s feet will be no more with a quality pair of hiking boots.

However, finding the right pair can be difficult and the research required can be time consuming, as there are lots of different factors to consider, such as the type of terrain they will be walking on and how often.

The straps go around the ankle for greater support and the boot is locked using a zip cord.

The Kurgo shoes are ideal for protecting your pet’s feet from all weather conditions and most terrains. The reflective strips on the hiking boots mean that your dog is easier to see in low light or in the dark.

Further to it protecting from scrapes and scratches, the Pet Paw Protection Wax relieves your dog’s paws from becoming excessively hot or cold. It also is rich in vitamin E, providing a moisturising effect to your pooch’s paws. This also works to make them less likely to crack.

For those doggies that are prone to moving around when having their feet touched, the application of Musher’s can get quite messy. Additionally, the wax helps to protect dog’s paws from de-icing chemicals or salt that may be put down on sidewalks during the winter months.

The all weather hiking boots can be easily slipped on to the feet of any dog and are secured into place on the ankles with a Velcro strap.

In order to fit your dog’s feet perfectly, it is advisable to purchase a size that is a little wider than their paws so that there is sufficient room to close.

Whether you have been using hiking boots on your dog for years or if you are completely new to the idea of putting shoes on your pooch’s paws, below are some of the most common question that pet owners asks about the accessories.

Despite hiking boots being an important doggy accessory, there are only in fact a limited amount of shoe products currently available on the market. Because of this fact, the level of diversity and quality is lacking.

However, that does not mean that good hiking boots are non existent. There are some products that work really well to protect your dog’s paws from the elements. Because of their effectiveness, it is important to choose a pair of hiking boots that are good quality.

The best pairs will not only protect from cuts and scrapes but will also ensure that your pooch’s paws do not get too hot or too cold. This is an important factor as canines are a lot more sensitive to extremes of temperatures than humans are.

Further to all of the above, hiking boots ensure that your dog’s feet are not exposed to chemical deicers and / or salt, which can be extremely harmful to dogs as they can be easily absorbed by their bare pads.

Hiking boots are also available with orthopaedic inserts to help those dogs that have problems with having the correct posture by providing them with the proper support. These can be particularly helpful for Bulldogs, Pugs, Rottweilers and American Staffordshire Terriers, who all suffer from hip dysplasia.

A hiking boot with a tight snug fit around the paw is what you are looking for to stay on your dog’s paws. A shoe that is too small can potentially damage your dog’s foot by cutting off the circulation, whereas something that is too big can cause sores from rubbing as the shoe moves around and will likely come off.

A thicker sole is also important so that it takes the brunt of the impact rather than your dog’s pads. It also means that they can be used for hiking on tougher terrains whilst still providing protection.    

​Some dogs may be resistant to putting on shoes at first and it may take some time for them to get used to it. Velcro straps are therefore helpful in getting the hiking boots on and off your dog much easier and quicker. They also help to keep the shoes secure and in place when your pooch is walking.

​We recommend speaking to your veterinarian before purchasing a pair of hiking boots as dog’s feet differ so much depending on the breed. For example, some dogs such as the American Water Spaniel and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have webbed paws for swimming.

​Once you find that perfect pair, it is advisable to by more than one set so that you can constantly rotate them and stop them from wearing out too fast. For those who like to drive and then go hiking, keeping some doggy hiking boots in the car.

The type of boots that they wear varies from police to police force, but they are likely to use hard wearing and robust ones that protect from glass and other debris. What each force will do however is, after taking their dogs out with a pair of boots on, check their dog’s paws for any cuts or scrapes. If there is one, it can become a breeding ground for potential infections so they will attend to it straight away.

Really deep lacerations to the feet or ankles will be dealt with by a registered veterinarian. In these instances there is usually visible signs of damage to the dog boots and it is likely that the dog is making whimpering noises and / or is limping.

Hiking and walking is a great type of exercise for any dog, regardless of the breed. It is the ideal way to maintain their strength and health, as well as keeping them occupied. Exercising alongside their owner will keep any dog happy and out of trouble.

There are some certain breeds of dog that are more suited to hiking for long periods of time and in tough terrains. These include the likes of Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, Australian Cattle Dogs, Weimaraners, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Alaskan Malamutes, and Portuguese Water Dogs to name just a few.

​Such breeds are able to walk as many as twenty miles a day, depending on their age, overall level of health, and the amount of exercise that they are used to performing. For those dogs that are not used to hiking it is best to start off slowly, doing shorter, less intense hikes.

It is also to increase the time that you are out hiking with your dog gradually and take frequent breaks, vary the terrain that your dog is hiking on, and pay particular attention to their energy levels to ensure that they are not over doing it.

Having looked at five of the best sets of hiking boots that are currently available on the market and examined the pros and cons of each, we have decided that the Kurgo Step n’ Strobe Dog Shoes are our favorites.

This is because not only do they look good but they are also light weight and have reflective strips on them so that your pet can be seen at night or in low light. The Velcro straps also add a greater level of security so that they do not slide off your dog’s paws.

With any product relating to your pet, you should always do the research yourself. Learn what your dog does and does not like and find a set of hiking boots that work best for them. All the shoes that we have feature in this review will make an adequate doggy accessory for hitting the trails.