How to Make Dog Shoes

In some climates or in case of rough terrain, a pair of dog shoes can help save the padding on a dog's feet. Making a pair of dog shoes is fairly easy and doesn't require any special fabric. Denim is durable and easy to come by, especially if you have an old pair of jeans that was headed for the thrift store. Cutting out a rectangle of denim, sewing it up to form a bootie and adding velcro at the top will give you a nice dog shoe for almost any outing. Try making four and seeing how your dog fares when wearing them. Of course it's best to allow your dog to build up strong pads on his feet instead of using shoes, but in harsh winters or for long periods of time on hot pavement, a dog shoe can keep your dog's feet healthy and happy.

Things You'll Need

• Old pair of jeans
• Scissors
• Needle and thread or sewing machine
• 3/4-inch Velcro or duct tape
• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Measure around your dog's ankle. Add an inch. Cut the Velcro strip to this length.

2. Lay out your pair of old jeans. For a medium-sized, 50 pound dog, measure out a rectangle, 7 inches by 5 inches, starting at the seam of the jean leg. Mark with a pen. When cutting, make sure you're cutting two layers of fabric.

3. Turn your rectangle inside out, and sew up the two long sides. Now you have a pocket, which will be your shoe. Turn right-side out again.

4. Sew your Velcro strip around the open top section of the shoe.

5. Try it on your dog, making sure to fasten the Velcro tightly enough to keep the shoe on, but not so tightly that he loses circulation in his foot. Go outdoors and try it out!

Tips & Warnings

• Try using fleece when making snow shoes. Heavy duty nylon fabric works well on rocky terrain. Duct tape is an easy alternative if Velcro isn't available. Make sure tape stays wrapped on shoe and not on the dog's leg.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish