How to Fit a Dog for Winter Boots

Winter weather can be as difficult for your dog as it is for you. The cold, snow and ice can make life challenging for even the hardiest dog. The salt and chemicals used to melt ice on sidewalks and roadways can also be very damaging to your dog’s feet. A number of companies manufacture winter boots for your canine companion. Follow these guidelines to ensure your dog's safety and comfort during the colder months.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Blank paper
  • Pencil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean your dog’s foot thoroughly before measuring him. Any debris or foreign objects can cause your dog pain and will give an inaccurate measurement.

    • 2

      Hold your dog’s foot down firmly on a blank piece of paper. Place a mark on either side of his foot as well as at the front of his toes and the back of his foot. Those four marks will help you determine the correct boot size.

    • 3

      Measure the distance between the two side markings and front to back marking. Write down how many inches the markings are on the paper.

    • 4

      Determine which size boots you need. Most companies sell boots by size range such as small, medium and large. Compare your dog's measurements to the size range and select the appropriate size.

    • 5

      Try the boots on your dog. The boot should fit securely without squeezing your dog’s toes.

    • 6

      Allow your dog to wear the boots around to get used to them. Most dogs dislike the boots at first and will try to pull them off. Give him a treat for leaving them on and eventually he will ignore the boots.