Are Boots Necessary?

[fuzzybunny]

For those of you who live in climates that get snow, is it necessary for your dogs to wear boots if you're walking them on streets and sidewalks?

I've always let my guys off leash in the field behind my apartment building so I never had to worry about this because there's no salt or calcium.

I've decided to not take them there anymore and to keep them on leash doing strictly neighbourhood walks. I don't want to put boots on them every time we go out. That seems a bit much.

[angelas]

I have a set but they are impractical. When I tried them with Lucky they were constantly falling off. In deep snow they were lost.

I don't have to deal with salt on the roads as this city uses sand on most roads and salt only for the major intersections that are prone to icing. Those are downtown, far from where my dog(s) walk(ed).

[jetscarbie]

There's a best seller on amazon that I have been seeing a lot there lately. It's got pretty good reviews.

Amazon.com: Musher's Secret - The Invisible Shield - 200 gm: Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: Musher's Secret - The Invisible Shield - 200 gm: Pet Supplies

[fuzzybunny]

Thanks, I guess I'll just try a walk through the neighborhood without anything and see how they react. If I need something then I'll try that wax stuff.

[Miss Molly May]

I don't think booties are needed! When we walk Molly we just keep to the edge of the snow banks and avoid walk in water created by salt. We never had any issues! I noticed you were from Ottawa (beautiful city) did you get hit by the big storm on Thursday?