We adopted our Thor, a 6 year old GSD, from the Humane Society a week ago. He favors his right hip, which I will address with the vet this week. He's currently on Rimadyl. I've noticed that he's stiffer when it's cold and rainy and in the morning, which makes me suspect arthritis.
My concern is that he slides a bit on our hardwood floors, which I'm sure is uncomfortable. I'm also concerned about stairs. We live in a 3 story house, with the bedrooms being on the 2nd story. I can block him from the steps upstairs, but we have 5 steps going from the porches to the ground.
Have any of you used dog boots, and if so, which brand would you recommend? At this point, I'm inclined to use them only on his back paws, but I'll put them on the front during the winter, to protect him from the salted steps and sidewalks.
I'm concerned that they allow his paws to breathe properly, so I'll probably take them off at night. I've already done some research and I'm inclined toward Ultra Paws durable, or Bark-n boots Griptex. I've taken accurate measurements of his front and back paws (width, length, and over the top arches); his back paws are a full 1/2" smaller than his front.
What would you do under these circumstances?
Sorry for the loss of detail in this photo. I just took it with my cellphone. Thor is patiently waiting for Dad to come downstairs to play!

My concern is that he slides a bit on our hardwood floors, which I'm sure is uncomfortable. I'm also concerned about stairs. We live in a 3 story house, with the bedrooms being on the 2nd story. I can block him from the steps upstairs, but we have 5 steps going from the porches to the ground.
Have any of you used dog boots, and if so, which brand would you recommend? At this point, I'm inclined to use them only on his back paws, but I'll put them on the front during the winter, to protect him from the salted steps and sidewalks.
I'm concerned that they allow his paws to breathe properly, so I'll probably take them off at night. I've already done some research and I'm inclined toward Ultra Paws durable, or Bark-n boots Griptex. I've taken accurate measurements of his front and back paws (width, length, and over the top arches); his back paws are a full 1/2" smaller than his front.
What would you do under these circumstances?
Sorry for the loss of detail in this photo. I just took it with my cellphone. Thor is patiently waiting for Dad to come downstairs to play!
