I know you’re here because you’re desperate for a set of dog boots that stay on. I have been you, dear reader, and I’m here to tell you that your search has finally ended!
Even though it’s been a slower start to winter than we snow-sports enthusiasts might like, if you think you’re going to escape the slush and snow and salt…think again. It always comes, and when it does, it’s often with a vengeance. And with that in mind, are you really surprised to hear that I’m on Duchess’s fifth pair of dog boots? If you thought baby gear was my jam when I started this website, just wait for the dog gear. Happily, Pawsh Pads have made the cut.

So, how did we get here? Well…
- We tried the original Muttluks — hard to get on when your pup has dewclaws; plus they flipped off as soon as she took a big leap; though, to be fair, Muttluks has introduced a zippered dog bootie, and they look more promising.
- We tried PAWS — which stay on through 85 per cent of fast and rough dog-park play but are essentially tiny balloons…so look like balloons on your dog’s feet and absolutely do not prevent rain from getting in like I expected.
- We tried Neo-Paws — they are pretty fantastic but involve a serious time commitment and patient dog to get outside.
- Finally, we also tried the Canada Pooch dog socks with the rubberized sole — tough to get on and, in our experience, they don’t stay on even if all your dog is doing is a casual stroll.
So when I saw Pawsh Pads Paw Protectors at one of our local pet shops (check out the $10 discount code I’ve shared below!), I knew I had to try them with our dear Duchess.
DISCOUNT CODE! Get your discount code! That’s right, you can use this Ren’s Pet’s referral code to get $10 off your purchase of a pair of Pawsh Pads dog booties (or anything else!). When you get $10, I get $10, too! It’s a win-win. PLUS…once you make your first purchase, you’ll also be able to share your own referral code with your friends and family and keep racking up those $10 bonuses. There are other great reasons to be a Ren’s Pets member and it’s free to sign up.
Why I love Pawsh Pads: they are dog boots that stay on!
After so much trial and error, it was a dream to find dog boots that stay on. (It really shouldn’t be this hard.)
Pawsh Pads dog booties are easy peasy to get on your dog’s paw. They slip on like a sock, but they’re super wide so there’s no cajoling stray toes or dewclaws to co-operate. Then you just fasten Velcro around itself at the base of the paw and then up around the ankle (or whatever ankle-like area exists on a dog if it’s not actually called an ankle). You don’t need a PhD or rocket science-worthy instructions to get Pawsh Pads on, which comes in handy when we leave Duchess with my parents who would throw the more complicated booties squarely in my face before cackling at me. Rude.
They’re perfect for keeping salt and gravel or other small bits of debris out of your pup’s paws.
Pawsh Pads stay on. Period. We have taken Duchess everywhere in her Pawsh Pads Paw Protectors since the second snowfall this winter, including the dog park, all around our and my parents’ neighbourhoods, and up and down Lake Placid’s Main Street, and allllllll around Ottawa — from Parliament Hill to City Hall to The ByWard Market and beyond. Unlike the slip-on dog boots and socks, these stay on all four paws — every time. Without fail.
Want to take a road trip with dogs? In my new series, you’ll find pet-friendly hotels, things to do at dog-friendly destinations and more.
Pawsh Pads seem very durable. We’ve been through wet, muddy, dirty, snowy and icy areas and they’ve consistently performed well and stood up to serious puppy energy.
Pawsh Pads are dog boots that stay on, but…
As much as I love them, I know you didn’t come here to hear only the good stuff. (That’s not what this website here is about…you’re in the wrong place for that!)
Pawsh Pads are soft-structured, so unless you fasten them on REAL good out of the gate, you might find one or two of them twist around a bit, leaving the bottom suede part sort of on its side. Practise definitely helps and this never happens to us anymore.
Pawsh Pads are perfect for cool temps but when they get wet…YUCK. Because of the neoprene, they get soggy and heavy. That said, even when sopping wet, it’s important for me to mention that these dog boots stay on no matter what! On slushy days, however, when you know you won’t be contending with salt, skip ’em.
When they do get wet, Pawsh Pads take forever to dry. Without the assistance of heat (we pop ours in front of the fireplace), it takes more than 24 hours and that means you’re putting on damp dog booties the next day, which is no fun at all. I mean, think about it: would you want to put on a pair of wet socks? I thought not.
I do find the design a bit wide around the ball of Duchess’s paws, but I suspect she will grow into them.
The difference between sizes is considerable — going from a small, which is what we bought for Duchess as a younger puppy, to the medium, which you might think you’d go to once your dog is full-grown, isn’t happening. The gap between the sizes is enormous. Maybe it’s not as noticeable in the XXS and XS sizes but looking at just the small to medium, it’s a lot. So, perhaps it’s a good thing the design is wider, after all.
I am a tad worried about the Velcro staying Velcro-y for years to come, but time will tell.
GIVING PAWSH PADS THE GEARS
4.5/5
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