Do dogs need shoes?

As an animal welfare organization, we have seen our fair share of dogs that have been mistreated and neglected. However, we also have to acknowledge that there is a growing population of dogs that are over pampered by their owners and treat them as if they were their children, rather than just pets. It is not uncommon to see people dressing up their dogs as they would their children. While most people understand that doggy clothes, except on the rare occasions, do not serve any purpose for the dogs, shoes, on the other hand (paw), is a bit more grey.

Do dogs need to wear shoes? The answer is no... and yes. In general, dogs' paws are designed for the outdoors. You may have heard that dogs sweat through their paws to get rid of heat in hot weather. But their paws also serve as heat transfer systems to heat up cooled blood that has been in contact with cold surfaces, which explains why huskies and other sled dogs can run in the snow for long periods without getting frostbite. So in general, there is no need for dogs to wear shoes but they can be beneficial in certain situations.
What are some of these situations?

Extreme weather conditions may warrant the use of shoes, especially if the breed is not a native to that climate. For example, a husky would not need shoes to walk around Alaska in the middle of winter, but a chihuahua might need shoes (and maybe a coat!) as they may be more susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. It may be easier to circumvent the need for shoes in a climate such as ours which can get very hot. As mentioned, dogs do cool themselves down through their paws so it would be better to leave them bare. However, this does not mean that you should have no regard for other heat related injuries such as burns. There is no need for shoes if you keep your walks to the cooler parts of the day. A general rule of thumb is, if it is too hot for you to walk barefoot comfortably, then it is probably too hot for your dog too.

Some other situations that may warrant the use of shoes is if the terrain is very rough and rocky. While a dog's paws are hardier than a human's barefoot, they can still get cut on sharp objects. Vets may also advise owners to throw some shoes on their dog if they are recovering from some sort of foot injury/surgery to help with recovery or to prevent ripping of stitches.
Senior dogs may also require shoes if their legs are weak and sliding. Shoes will give the senior dog better grip and balance.

Besides these situations, there is very little other need for a dog to wear shoes, and it may even be harmful to them if the shoes are not of the correct size or not worn correctly. Dogs may also trip and fall if they are not used to walking around in shoes. The need for shoes is really situational and if a certain situation warrants it, then make sure you do your research to get the right shoes and the right fit for your dog. Above all else, make sure your dog is comfortable. If your dog absolutely refuses to walk in shoes, then you should not force the dog but try to come up with alternatives that can still keep your dog safe. Remember, shoes for dogs should be an aid, never an accessory!