Sometimes dogs need a bit of extra grip. Smooth flooring surfaces can cause them to slip and slide, while medical conditions and old age make walking or even standing difficult. To help pets get the traction they need and keep their feet protected dog paw protector pads can be a helpful solution. Here’s everything you want to know about them.
Paw Protector Pad Basics
Dog paw protector pads are a unique tool designed to add grip to a dog’s paws. At the same time, they also keep paws safe. They are made from lightweight, flexible, and breathable fabric. On the bottom of the pads, there are thick rubber or silicone gel spots that provide traction for pets on slippery surfaces. Therefore they are also sometimes also advertised as “dog paw protector traction pads,” or “anti-slip traction pads for dogs.”
The paw protector pads have a medical-grade adhesive backing, just like a Band-Aid. This allows them to stick directly to the bottom of your pet’s paws. Once the adhesive or grip starts to wear off it’s time to throw the protectors away and replace them with new ones.
Because they are designed to be disposable, pads are sold in packs (usually of large numbers) so that you won’t run out. Typically protectors will last anywhere from a few days up to about a week. But of course how long they last depend on how active your pet is, whether not it using them outdoors, and if the pads are exposed to a lot of moisture.
Best Uses of Dog Paw Protector Pads
Dog paw protectors are very helpful in a wide range of situations such as for:
Grip On Slippery Floors
While they may be attractive to look at many types of flooring such as laminate, tile, and hardwood flooring, can be quite slippery for dogs to walk on. Some pets even develop a fear of walking on them.
Paw protector pads are specifically made to give dogs traction on slippery floor surfaces of all types helping them to stay safe and to build up their confidence. And added bonus is that they also actually help to protect the floors themselves from being scratched by your pooch.
Older Pets
In their old age it can be much harder for pets to move around. This is often due to arthritis among other issues that unfortunately are just a natural part of getting older. The extra traction and support that dog paw pad protectors provide help keep dogs walking, standing, and just living their lives well into their golden years.
Pets Recovering From Surgery Or Injuries
Having the ability to walk and move, can be critical when pets are recovering from certain issues. Protectors can help to provide the extra grip needed by weak pets to stay mobile during the important recovery process. And of course, having increased traction can also prevent dogs from slipping and potentially re-injuring themselves.
Medical Conditions
Dog Paw protectors are often used to help canines with specific medical conditions which can cause them to have problems when standing, walking, or with their balance. For example, the added grip can be a big help for pets suffering from the effects of hip dysplasia, various forms of cancer, leg amputations, arthritis, along with various other conditions.
The soft cushioning that dog paw protectors provide under the foot, also makes them ideal for helping pets that suffer from conditions such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), lumbosacral syndrome, or digital hyperkeratosis which can make walking and moving very painful.
Hot Pavement, Salt, And General Paw Protection
Like their name suggests paw protectors are not just made for grip but also for protection. They can be used in the winter to protect against snow and ice along with salt which not only happens to be rough on paws but can cause chemical burns.
In the warmer months, many owners use paw protectors for hot pavement since hot pavement can cause physical burns to a dog’s feet. And of course, they also work well for general paw protection when walking, running, or playing outdoors.
Pets That Don’t Like Socks Or Shoes
There are other options for protecting feet and adding grip such as special socks and shoes for dogs. However many pets dislike having anything on their feet and will do whatever it takes to get them off.
Because protectors are adhered to the bottom of the dog’s paws and are lightweight most pets don’t even notice that they are even there. As an added bonus they are ideal and breathable for the warmer months when it’s too hot for a dog to wear socks or shoes.
Dog Paw Protector Pad Sizes
When purchasing dog paw pad protectors, it’s very important that you choose the right size for your pet’s feet. There are no standard sizes, each manufacturer has different sizes. So don’t guess what size you think you’ll need based on the breed, weight, or physical size of your pet. Instead, you will want to make sure that you measure your pet’s paws.
To do this accurately most manufacturers recommend you have your dog stand on a flat surface with a piece of paper under one of its front paws. The front paws are usually larger than the back paws, so this will help to make sure you don’t choose a size that’s too small. Trace around the entire paw including the nails with a pencil so that you are left with an outline of it on the paper.
Then measure both the length and width. (It’s a smart idea to do this twice.) Then take your measurements and compare them to the manufacturer’s size chart. Choosing a size slightly above your pet’s measurements is usually the best way to go. And if your pet is in-between sizes you will want to make sure to pick the larger size instead of the smaller one.
How To Apply And Use Paw Protectors
Before you apply the protectors to your pet’s feet it’s important to make sure that the paws are clean and that any hairs on the bottom are trimmed. This will help to make sure that the adhesive sticks directly to the foot and stays on longer.
As mentioned above, just how long a dog paw protector pad stays on will depend on several factors such as the activity level of the dog, surfaces it walks on, and how much water or moisture the protector encounters. Typically they do come off quicker in wetter conditions. If you’d like to remove a protector for any reason you can use this to your advantage by wetting the foot which will help make taking it off easier.
When your pet needs extra grip to prevent him from slipping or just for general paw protection, dog paw protector pads can be a huge help. Easy to apply and disposable, they are an excellent alternative, especially for pets who don’t like having anything on their feet!
Start Shopping for Paw Protector Pads!
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