If you love to go to the beach and want to take your furry friend with you, then you need to prepare to keep them safe in the elements. While many people do a great job planning for what their human family members will need to stay safe while on vacation, including sunscreen, plenty of water, and a first aid kit, it’s often easy to overlook the family dog when preparing for a trip. Your dog will need her own beach gear, and to help you navigate the options available on the market, here we’ve gathered 5 of the best dog shoes for the beach. Additionally, you’ll find several key features to search for to keep your dogs feet happy here.
Comparison Chart
Best Dog Shoes for the Beach Reviewed
1. Ruffwear All-Terrain for Dogs
Review
The Ruffwear All-Terrain shoes for dogs are a great option for a lifestyle that’s on the go. These boots are quick to take on and off, and a secure piece of double Velcro is all the adjustment needed to hit the road. This is also great for dogs who don’t like having their feet hassled with, as they require very little time handling the dog. Additionally, the opening of this dog shoe is large enough that it can slip over your dog’s paw quickly- thanks to the gusset in the fabric providing a little more room than a traditional shoe.
The durable soles of this product is great if your goal is traction while exploring at the seaside. Additionally, since the top of the shoe is made with a breathable mesh, it allows air to circulate around your dog’s feet which will keep them cool and comfortable throughout the day While many people are worried about whether or not sand will get into the shoe from the mesh, customers find that water and air can circulate through the shoe but most sand is kept out due to the tight weave.
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2. QUMY Dog Boots with Velcro
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The QUMY boots made this list because of the high rating and reviews for traction to prevent slipping while at the beach. . If you are going to be playing mostly in the water and sand, then these boots may be more material and stability than your dog will need. However, if you’re going to climb wet rocks with your dog and want to explore areas off the beaten path, then this product is a great choice to safety and ease during your adventure. The sole of this shoe is incredibly durable,and does a great job at protecting your dog’s feet from anything sharp that would likely penetrate other mesh style shoes.
The wide split seam means that if your dog has larger feet, you can still take these shoes off and on relatively easily, and the Velcro closure makes the process fast. While the thick sole was designed to protect your dog’s feet from damage, it’s also great for preventing hot sand from causing discomfort, which is great for hot beach days out in the sun. Even though the sole is incredibly thick, customers are impressed with it’s flexibility and stability.
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3. My Busy Dog Anti-Slip Shoes
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These rugged My Busy Dog anti-slip shoes are great for providing your canine companion with a tough sole that will prevent them from slipping on any type of surface. No matter how wet it is at the beach or if it is still raining, these shoes offer ample stability in all environments. While this product is ideal for climbing over driftwood, large boulders, and along wet piers, it’s also durable and strong enough to offer your dog plenty of protection from jagged or rough surfaces while exploring at the seaside. The shoe itself is water-resistant, which will help keep your dog’s feet from being wet, but can become uncomfortable in the hot summer heat when air isn’t circulating in the shoe.
These shoes are highly rated and reviewed because of their ease in effort for taking on and off of your dog. They feature two adjustable Velcro straps to ensure a snug and secure fit on each foot. Additionally, these boots are stitched together instead of glued, which means the construction is more durable and likely to provide longevity for many adventures to come. If you want your dog to wear its shoes on the beach, and also out in the snow, on rainy runs, or just around the backyard on a hot day, then these shoes are a great option! This product is sturdy for your dog’s feet, durable, and will last for many uses to come.
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4. Canine Equipment Trail Boots
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The Canine Equipment trail boots are an ideal option for dog parents who want an easy to clean shoe that can be used frequently at the beach. The company includes a washing garment bag for ultimate ease in clean up, making it as simple as throwing your dog’s shoes in with the next load of laundry. The design of these boots make them quick drying, and ready to use again within a matter of hours.
One thing that sets these shoes apart from others on the market is that they have specific shoes for the front and back paws. As a dog owner, you know that your dog’s front and back paws are shaped and sized differently- but most dog shoes only come in one shape. Because you have specific boots that are ergonomically designed for front and back paws, you’ll find that these boots offer ultimate comfort to your dog’s feet throughout your adventure.
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5. Muttluks Original All-Weather Dog Boots
Review
Protecting a dog’s feet from the elements can seem difficult, but dog boots offer us the opportunity to do just that. These boots from Muttluks are designed to not only provide a secure and comfortable fit, but also to protect the dog’s paws from cold, hot, sharp objects, and corrosive salt. Many dog boots compromise flexibility for durability in the soles, but this product is not one of them. Highly rated and reviewed by many happy customers, these dog boots are designed to keep your dogs feet safe and secure, while also being flexible enough to stay comfortable all day.
The self-tightening straps are incredibly easy to use, and the Velcro holds the boots snug and comfortably throughout your adventure. Since the exterior fabric is nylon, these boots are great for both cold and hot weather use. Even in the warmest weather, your dog's shoes will be breathable and comfortable to keep everyone happy at the beach Take the time to measure your dog’s feet, because this company offers a multitude of sizes to choose from. This makes it easy for dog owners to correctly size their dogs on the first purchase, and prevent the wasted time of having to exchange for a different size.
These boots offer plenty of traction for slippery surfaces at the beach, and are highly visible for evening hikes at the seaside The additional traction provided by the boots for senior dogs helps decrease arthritis pain when walking and offers necessary support to the foot. While these boots are great for adventures, they are also perfect when a dog owner who simply wants to provide their furry friend with a little extra comfort and help walking throughout the day.
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Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose Beach Shoes for Your Dog
To ensure that your dog is safe and comfortable throughout your day at the beach, and to decrease the possibility of her being seriously injured, you’ll want to invest in a pair of quality shoes to protect your dog’s feet. By taking this precaution and making sure that your pet is comfortable wearing them before you go to the beach, you can make sure that her feet will be protected from the hot pavement and sand, andalso from broken glass or other sharp items. Understandably, it can be a hassle to take the shoes on and off, but you need to make sure that your dog is comfortable with their new shoes before your vacation.
To help you navigate available options on the market, we’ve gathered key features to search for when choosing the right pair of beach shoes for your dog. Here are a few:
Adjustable Fit
Much like human feet, it can be challenging to get the proper shoe fit for your dog. When choosing which dog shoes are best for a day exploring the beach, it’s important for the footwear to feature adjustable comfort straps to keep shoes snug and comfortable throughout the day.
Not only will beach shoes keep your dogs feet safe from hot sand, they’ll also protect them from sharp materials like shells, broken glass and sharp rocks. Because it’s so important to offer your dog ample protection while exploring, dog shoes for the beach will prevent accidents and emergencies while adventuring. A snug and adjustable fit ensures the shoe stays snug all day.
Materials Used
The materials used in the construction of your dog’s beach shoes will determine the durability while exploring, and and the longevity for many adventures to come. The top portion of the shoe is often made of a quality mesh or neoprene to protect feet, but keep them comfortable and cool. Additionally, the sole of dog shoes ideally are made of a durable and high traction rubber for protection on rough terrain and in the elements.
Weatherproof Design
Exploring the beach is an ideal activity for a dog who loves seaside adventures. It’s important to ensure their gear is able to withstand the type of adventure you’ll be taking your dog on. If you’ll be exploring the rocky shallows, for example, they’ll need a design that lets water freely flow over feet with soles that offer plenty of protection from sharp surfaces. Likewise, if they’ll need a shoe for swimming, a lightweight option that directs water away from feet is best.
Additionally, if your adventure will be at the beach in colder weather, choose an option that’s designed to keep your dog’s feet warm and comfortable throughout the day. Designs that feature full foot neoprene with durable rubber soles, are ideal for this type of exploring at the seaside.
Traction and Durability
High-traction soles aren’t always necessary depending on the adventure you’ll be taking your dog on, but often are crucial for safety and ease throughout the day.
If the beach shoes for your dog are going to mostly be for sandy shores, and soft shallows, a lightweight and flexible design is all that’s necessary. However, if you’re planning to explore rocky shores and slippery rocks in the shallows, then you’ll want ultimate traction for your dog. With the latter you’ll want to choose an option that features a tough and high traction sole which will last for many adventures to come. Additionally, this style of shoe is ideal if you’re looking for a versatile option that is suitable for exploring on and off of the beach.
Now that you’ve learned some of the key features to consider when choosing which shoe is right for your dog at the beach, here are 5 of the highest rated options on the market today:
Final Thoughts
To help you navigate the many available options and features of dog shoes for the beach on the market today, we’ve gathered this guide to help make your decision an easy one. It’s up to you to make sure that your dog's paws are protected while you are on vacation, or exploring the local seaside hangout. Quality beach shoes for your dog will ensure that their feet are protected and that they can run and play with you and your family all day long.
Did this guide help you to choose the best dog shoes for your next beach adventure? Not only are we here at Seaside Planet beach and ocean lovers, but we’re also dog lovers- and we would love to hear from you in the comment section below!
Find more adventure dog gear guides in our blog, like what to bring to the beach with a dog, the best dog toys for the beach, and an essential guide to dog beach etiquette and safety.
Megan Jones leads the editorial staff of Seaside Planet. They are a multidisciplinary team of outdoor adventurers, water sports lovers, and passionate beach goers. You can learn more about Meg and the rest of the editorial team here.