Dog boots keep falling off? Measure front and rear paws separately
Many dogs have larger front paws than rear paws. One size for all four is a common reason boots slip.
Short answer: measure every paw, not just one. Ruffwear notes that dogs can have larger front paws than rear paws, and it sells boots in sets of two so the front and rear pairs can be different sizes.
Key takeaways
- Measure across the widest part of the paw while your dog is standing on it.
- Ruffwear: “Measure ALL paws.”
- Between sizes, Ruffwear says to size down for boots.
How to measure each paw
- Have your dog stand so the paw is bearing weight.
- Measure across the widest part of the paw.
- Repeat for all four paws. Write front and rear down separately.
- Match each pair to the maker’s paw-width chart.
Paw widths on the Ruffwear Grip Trex chart
Ruffwear’s Grip Trex chart runs from 1.50 in (38 mm) to 3.25 in (83 mm) in quarter-inch steps. Check the product page for the size name that matches each width, since names differ between boot models.
Why one size slips
If the front paws are wider, a boot that fits the front will be loose on the rear, and a loose boot twists or falls off. Ordering the front and rear pairs separately fixes that.
Sources: Ruffwear Grip Trex boots; Ruffwear, How to measure for your dog’s gear.
Terms used here
- Budget, mid, premium: picks grouped by the maker's own list price, lowest to highest. Budget is everyday basics (a crate, collars, a light harness, boots), mid is padded walking and lift-assist harnesses, premium is specialty gear (a life jacket, a car harness, travel beds). No store prices are shown.
- Chest girth: the distance around the widest part of the rib cage, just behind the front legs. Harnesses are sized by it.
- Back length: base of the neck to base of the tail. A crate should be at least 4 in longer.
- Paw width: the widest part of the front paw while standing. Boots are sized by it.
- Weight band: the weight range a crate or bed size is made for on the maker's chart.