5 Best Summer Dog Shoes For Hot Pavement 2024

When you think of summertime, the picture in your head could be a fun day out catching some rays at the beach, endless hiking, or jaunts around the neighborhood in perfect weather.

And of course, we love our dogs and want to bring them everywhere, so your best activity buddy for all your summer adventures is likely to have four legs and a fur coat. However, just like you cannot stand barefoot on hot asphalt or cement for very long, your dog’s paws are not meant to be in the blistering heat either. 

Just because your dog’s paws seem tough doesn’t mean that they don’t feel hot or cold temperatures. Some people think that the pads on the bottom of paws act as shoes but that is far from the truth. In the summer, hot concrete or asphalt can easily burn or crack your dog’s paws. 

Areas getting a full blast of the summer’s sun like walking paths, trails, and even the sand at the beach can become unbearably hot for your dog. If you take your dog on long walks and live in a hotter area, you might want to think about dog booties to protect your beloved pooch from burns and cracks in their paw pads and the tremendous pain that comes with them. 

What To Look For When Buying Dog Booties?

There are many different choices for buying booties for your dog to prevent them from injuring their paws on the hot pavement. You can test several and decide which ones are the most comfortable and work best for your dog. 

Some things you should keep in mind when buying shoes are:

1. Size is crucial when purchasing shoes for your dog. Like humans, dogs need to have shoes that properly fit them and they are comfortable wearing.

2. They are strong and can protect your pet’s paws from the hot surface. They shouldn’t be too thin.

3. Your dog has a good grip while walking and isn’t skidding. Shoes should have a non-skid layer on the bottom.

4. They don’t overheat your dog’s paws and are breathable. Air should be allowed to circulate around your dog’s feet easily.

5. Not too tight or loose, your pooch should be comfy in their shows. If your dog is uncomfortable, it will be less receptive to wearing the shoes and spend the whole walk trying to get them off. 

6. To avoid having your dog reject the shoes you buy, look for high-quality shoes that don’t have any hard glue poking up from the inside. Look for flat seams and good stitching instead. 

Getting your dog used to wearing booties isn’t as easy as simply putting them on. In fact, the internet is full of hilarious videos of dogs wearing boots for the first time and being so uncomfortable that they forget how to walk! 

This is because they don’t fully understand why they have it on and what’s for. Help them ease into wearing shoes by letting them wear them around the house for short periods of time and reward them after every session by giving them a snack. 

Never force them to wear something that is uncomfortable and causes them stress. You might want to patiently wait for your pet to be calm and relaxed to put the booties on. 

If you see that your dogs is struggling and uneasy, then take them off immediately. Some signs of distress are chewing at paws constantly or not walking in them at all. 

5 Best Summer Shoes For Hot Pavement

1. XSY&G Dog Boots

These top-rated doggie boots are a balance of design, comfort, and breathability. They come in a set of four and will protect your dog’s paws from hot surfaces with a strong, anti-slip sole that grips tenaciously onto any surface.

They come in eight different sizes so they’ll be able to accommodate dogs of most sizes. They also have four colors to choose from; black, orange, pink, and leopard, so you can get creative while matching your dog’s booties with a bandana or collar. 

The thick rubber soles are excellent as a protective barrier between the hot ground and the paw pads while the breathable sides ensure your dog doesn’t overheat and moisture can be wicked away.

You can easily put these boots on your dog because the boots have a wide opening and can be fastened securely with two Velcro straps that you can adjust for tightness. 

Got a dog that loves running in mud and dirt? No problem! These boots are machine-washable which makes cleaning them a breeze. 

These short booties will not irritate your dog’s dew claw, but they are not suitable for winter as snow can get in easily. Although these shoes are labeled waterproof, they are more water-resistant than waterproof and they have been known to take in some water. 

2. QUMY Dog Boots

These comfortable shoes are made from sturdy, durable materials and have Velcro straps to make sure the boot remains on your dog’s feet no matter how much he or she fusses. In addition, the straps are reflective and give your dog some extra visibility when they are on their walks. 

They come in seven different sizes that will fit most dogs and are waterproof and machine-washable, so maintaining their cleanliness is easy. The tops are made from breathable material so your dog’s paws will stay cool and dry when walking on hot pavements. 

The thick, protective sole will keep any sand, grit, and rubble out. One drawback of these boots is that you’ll have to take them off when going through rivers or lakes where the whole boot becomes submerged. Because of their waterproof nature, these boots won’t drain sand and water out easily. 

3. EXPAWLORER Dog Boots

These dog boots wrap around your dog’s legs making them more secure and fit better than other doggie shoes. This extended design fits your dog’s natural paws shape and sizes much better which makes the shoes more enjoyable and comfortable for your dog to wear and walk in. 

The hook and loop fastener on the shoes will not only keep the shoes on your pet for the whole walk but your dog will be able to run and play in comfort while wearing them. The soles of these boots are made with tough, durable rubber that protects your dog’s paws while walking on hot pavement. 

The toe cap design prevents your dog’s nails from getting snagged by something on the surface. However, these boots don’t have an anti-slip bottom and don’t grip as much on certain smoother surfaces like marble or tile. 

If you are going on a hike where a scramble over rocks or boulders is necessary, you might need to get something with more grip, especially if you are expecting wet surfaces. 

4. LONSUNEER Dog Boots

Made from waterproof and flexible materials, these boots feel much more natural to your dog than shoes with rubber soles, making them ideal for dogs that have never worn dog booties before. 

The boot’s upper section is made with breathable material and firmly-hemmed seams. If your dog keeps taking his shoes off then the Velcro clasps on these shoes make sure that they are easy to get on but difficult to slip off which is exactly what you need. 

These boots are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use as they won’t scratch the hardwood floor. One negative part of these boots is that they aren’t waterproof so you’ll have to watch where your dog wears them and prevent them from getting them wet.

5. Dolebean Dog Shoes

These shoes are made well from soft and durable material which helps protect your dog’s paws from heat and abrasions without making it difficult for them to move around comfortably. The upper is made from breathable netting that keeps the paws cool even on the hottest of days. 

In the summer, they protect against the heat, and in winter they can also ward off the cold and ice. Waterproof and easily cleaned, these boots are reflective and will increase your dog’s visibility in low-light conditions. The thick sole prevents any burns to the paw pads on hot days and will keep snow and ice out when the temperatures drop.

Note that these shoes run large, so be sure to size your dog’s paws accordingly and go by dimensions instead of only sizes. 

Final Thoughts

Summertime brings loads of fun but it can also bring certain conditions and dangers that cooler temperatures don’t. 

To figure out when you’ll need to break out the booties, try holding the back of your hand against the surface of the route that you are intending to walk. As a general rule, if you cannot keep your hand against the ground for more than seven seconds comfortably, it is too hot for your dog. 

Fret not! Just break out the doggy boots to protect your pooch’s paw pads from blisters, cracks, and burns. Be sure to check their paws constantly to make sure it isn’t too hot!