# Dog Boots and Paw Wax (2026): Salt, Ice and Hot Pavement > Dog boots, rubber booties and paw wax for salt, ice and hot pavement, what the AVMA and ASPCA say about de-icers and antifreeze, and how to size by paw width. - Source: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection - Publisher: PetProofLab (https://petprooflab.com) - Published: 2026-09-28 - Category: walks-travel - Tags: dog boots, paw wax, paw protection, de-icer, ice melt, hot pavement, winter dog walking, dog booties sizing - Method: picks chosen from Amazon listings and brand specs; not hands-on tested; current Amazon prices are on the page; content checked 2026-09-28. - Quick answer: For salted winter sidewalks, the Ruffwear Grip Trex is a year-round boot with a Vibram sole, sold in pairs so front and back paws can be sized separately; the Ruffwear Polar Trex adds insulation and a snow gaiter for deep cold. PawZ rubber boots are thin, stretchy booties sold by the dozen, and Musher's Secret is a wax you rub into the pads when your dog will not wear boots. Whatever you choose, the AVMA says to wipe your dog's feet, legs and belly after walks to remove de-icers and antifreeze, and the ASPCA warns that paw pads can burn on hot asphalt. ## Key takeaways - The AVMA says to wipe or wash your dog's feet, legs and belly after winter walks so it does not lick off de-icers, antifreeze or other chemicals. - Even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly, per the AVMA; clean up spills and keep containers away from pets. - The ASPCA says booties can keep sand and salt from lodging between bare toes, and suggests petroleum jelly or another vet-approved paw protectant as the alternative. - Size boots by paw width measured while the dog stands on the paw, per Ruffwear. Front paws can be wider than back paws, which is why Ruffwear sells boots in pairs. - In summer, both the AVMA and ASPCA warn that hot asphalt can burn paw pads; walk in the cooler hours instead. ## Products (chosen from listings, not tested) 1. **Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots (pair)** (details: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B01MY7S3H8) — The all-season boot to start with, for salted sidewalks in winter and rough or hot ground the rest of the year. - Pros: Vibram outsole for traction on pavement, tile, rock and trail, per Ruffwear; Ripstop upper that Ruffwear says blocks heat, snow, salt and moisture; hook-and-loop ankle straps; Sold in pairs so front and back paws can take different sizes; sold by Ruffwear - Cons: A pair, not a set of four; this listing is the 2.00 in width 2. **Ruffwear Polar Trex Dog Boots (pair)** (details: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B08H86ZC5M) — The boot for deep snow and real cold, when a dog's feet ball up with ice on every walk. - Pros: Insulated, waterproof softshell upper, per the listing; Vibram Icetrek outsole with a winter lug pattern for packed snow and ice; Stretch gaiter with a zipper to keep snow out of the top; sold by Ruffwear - Cons: Stock was limited when we checked, and it is a winter-only boot 3. **PawZ Rubber Dog Boots, 12 Pack** (details: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B009S5LMU0) — A low-cost way to find out if your dog will tolerate anything on its feet before you buy boots. - Pros: Thin natural-rubber booties that stretch over the paw, sold 12 to a pack, per the listing; Waterproof natural rubber that the listing calls anti-slip on wet surfaces; This size fits paws 3 to 4 in wide; sold by PawZ - Cons: The listing says sizes tend to run small and suggests considering one size up 4. **Musher's Secret Paw Wax, 200 g** (details: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B0002XIZXY) — Buy it for a dog that refuses boots, or for short walks where boots are more trouble than they are worth. - Pros: Blend of beeswax, carnauba and candelilla waxes with vegetable oils and vitamin E, per Musher's Secret; Rubbed into the pads two to three times a week; the maker says it helps prevent snowballing between the toes; No boots to fit; sold by Musher's Secret - Cons: A barrier on the pads, not a covering: salt and chemicals can still reach the fur and belly, so you still wipe down 5. **Kurgo Blaze Cross Dog Shoes (pair)** (details: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B0BKTXG7KJ) — A soled all-season alternative to the Grip Trex, sold by Amazon.com, with reflective trim for dark walks. - Pros: All-season boot with a gripping sole, interior lining and a dual ankle closure, per Kurgo; Water-resistant, breathable fabric with reflective accents; Lifetime warranty from Kurgo; sold by Amazon.com - Cons: This listing is the Small; the listing does not publish paw widths, so check Kurgo's chart first 6. **QUMY Dog Boots (set of 4)** (details: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B073F5GQWM) — Four soled boots in one box, with the most detailed width chart of any listing here. - Pros: Eight sizes with published paw width and length, from 1.8 x 2.3 in to 3.0 x 3.3 in, per the listing; Wide split-seam opening and two adjustable reflective straps; Rugged non-slip sole; hand washable; sold by QUMY - Cons: QUMY's chart tops out at a 3.0 in wide paw, and it says weight is only a secondary guide To protect a dog's paws from road salt, ice and, next summer, hot pavement, use boots if your dog will wear them and paw wax if it will not, and wipe its feet after every winter walk either way. For most dogs, start with the Ruffwear Grip Trex (sold in pairs, so front and back can differ), step up to the insulated Polar Trex for deep snow, try PawZ rubber booties if you are not sure your dog will accept anything on its feet, and keep Musher's Secret wax for dogs that refuse boots. **How we chose:** we did not test these; we read the AVMA and ASPCA cold- and hot-weather pages and the makers' sizing charts, and kept only products sold by Amazon.com or the brand's own store and in stock on September 28, 2026. ## Boots, rubber booties and paw wax side by side | Product | Type | Sized by | Sold by | Amazon price | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Ruffwear Grip Trex (2.00 in, pair)](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B01MY7S3H8) | All-season boot | Paw width, 1.50 to 3.25 in | Ruffwear | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Ruffwear Polar Trex (2.00 in, pair)](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B08H86ZC5M) | Insulated winter boot | Paw width | Ruffwear | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [PawZ Rubber Boots (12 pack)](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B009S5LMU0) | Thin rubber bootie | Paw width, this size 3 to 4 in | PawZ | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Musher's Secret (200 g)](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B0002XIZXY) | Paw wax | No sizing | Musher's Secret | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [Kurgo Blaze Cross (Small, pair)](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B0BKTXG7KJ) | All-season boot | Kurgo's size chart | Amazon.com | see the current Amazon price on the page | | [QUMY Dog Boots (set of 4)](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection#product-B073F5GQWM) | All-season boot | Paw width, 1.8 to 3.0 in | QUMY | see the current Amazon price on the page | The Grip Trex width range is from [Ruffwear's Grip Trex page](https://ruffwear.com/products/grip-trex-dog-boots); the PawZ and QUMY ranges are from their Amazon listings. ## What salt, de-icers and antifreeze do to a dog's feet The risk is not only sore pads. It is what the dog licks off afterward. The American Veterinary Medical Association's [cold weather safety page](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/cold-weather-animal-safety) says that during walks, a dog's "feet, legs and belly may pick up de-icing products, antifreeze, or other chemicals that could be toxic." Its advice: when you get back inside, "wipe down (or wash) your pet's feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk that your dog will be poisoned after (s)he licks them off." On antifreeze, the AVMA says to clean up spills quickly and keep containers away from pets, "as even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly." It also says to keep pets away from de-icers and areas where they have been used, since de-icers "can make your pet sick if swallowed," and suggests using pet-safe de-icers on your own property. The [ASPCA's cold weather tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips) say the same about antifreeze and recommend pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible. The ASPCA's routine after each walk: "wash and dry your pet's feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals." Boots and wax reduce what reaches the pads. They do not replace that wipe-down, because salt and de-icer also collect on the legs and belly. If your dog licks its paws raw, limps, or you think it has licked up antifreeze or de-icer, call your vet or an animal poison control line right away ([our note on veterinary advice](https://petprooflab.com/about#veterinary)). ## Ice between the toes A dog that suddenly limps on a snowy walk may not be hurt. The AVMA says "a sudden lameness may be due to an injury or may be due to ice accumulation between his/her toes," and that clipping the hair between the toes may reduce iceballs. It also says to check paws often for cracked or bleeding pads. Two products here aim at that problem. The Ruffwear Polar Trex has a stretch gaiter that closes around the leg so snow cannot pack in at the top. Musher's Secret says to rub its wax "in between and around the pads" to prevent snowballing, per [its site](https://musherssecret.com/). ## Boots, rubber booties or wax: which to use The ASPCA lists both options. "Booties can provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation," it says. For a dog that will not wear them, it suggests you "massage petroleum jelly or other vet-approved paw protectants into paw pads before going outside." **Boots** cover the whole paw with a sole. They are the most protection and the most fuss. Buy the **Ruffwear Grip Trex** for all-season use, or the **Polar Trex** if your winters are deep snow and hard cold. The **Kurgo Blaze Cross** and **QUMY** boots are the alternatives: the Kurgo is sold by Amazon.com and has reflective accents; the QUMY is a set of four with the most detailed width chart of any listing here. **Rubber booties** are the middle ground. **PawZ** boots are thin, stretchy natural rubber that pull on like a balloon and come 12 to a pack, per the listing. There is less under the pad than a boot's sole. They are also the least expensive way to find out whether your dog will walk in anything at all. **Paw wax** is the least protection and the least fuss. **Musher's Secret** is a blend of beeswax, carnauba and candelilla waxes and vegetable oils, per its maker, applied in a thin layer two to three times a week, with more applications in snow. The maker says it is safe if licked but can have a mild laxative effect in quantity. It protects the pads only, so the legs and belly still need wiping. **Pro tip:** try any boot indoors first for a few minutes at a time, with treats. The AVMA's only condition on booties is that "if you choose to use them, make sure they fit properly." A dog that walks normally indoors in them is a better bet outside. ## How to size dog boots by paw width Every boot here is sized by the width of the paw, not the dog's weight. Measure each paw, front and back. - **Ruffwear** says to "measure across widest part of the paw when bearing weight," so have the dog stand on the paw you are measuring. It notes that dogs can have larger front paws than rear paws, which is why the Grip Trex and Polar Trex come in pairs: you can buy one width for the front and another for the back. Its Grip Trex chart runs from 1.50 to 3.25 in, and "if between sizes, size down." - **QUMY** lists width and length for each of its eight sizes, from size 1 (1.8 x 2.3 in) to size 8 (3.0 x 3.3 in), and says weight "can only be used as an additional reference." - **PawZ** sizes by paw width too, from Tiny (up to 1 in) to X-Large (4 in and up) on [PawZ's site](https://www.pawzdogboots.com). Its listing says sizes tend to run small and to consider going one size up. Note that Ruffwear says to size down and PawZ says to consider sizing up. A snug soled boot and a stretchy rubber bootie fit differently, so follow the chart for the product you buy. Ruffwear also suggests checking the closure and adjusting the fit about 15 minutes into a walk and throughout it. Straps can loosen as a dog moves, and a boot that twists on the paw can rub. ## Hot pavement next summer The same boots matter at the other end of the year. The AVMA's [warm weather safety page](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/warm-weather-pet-safety) says to "avoid hot surfaces, such as asphalt, that can burn your pet's paws," and to walk, hike or run during the cooler hours of the day. The [ASPCA's hot weather tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips) put it this way: "Don't let dogs linger on hot asphalt when the temperature is very high," because a dog's body can heat up quickly close to the ground, "and sensitive paw pads can burn." Ruffwear says the Grip Trex upper blocks heat, and Musher's Secret lists hot pavement among the surfaces it protects against. Neither changes the AVMA's advice: the fix for hot pavement is walking at a cooler time. Boots help when you cannot avoid a hot surface, not as a reason to walk on one. For summer hydration, see our guide to [portable dog water bottles and travel bowls](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/portable-dog-water-bottles). ## What we left out A few brands in the Amazon results were sold only by third-party stores whose names did not match the brand, so they did not meet our seller rule. We found no CPSC recalls of these boots or balms in the [CPSC recall database](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls), and none of these brands appears on our [pet product recall page](https://petprooflab.com/recalls), which tracks FDA and CPSC pet recalls, as of September 28, 2026. For the rest of a cold-weather walk, see our guides to [winter dog coats](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/winter-dog-coats) and [no-pull dog harnesses](https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/best-no-pull-dog-harnesses). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is road salt bad for dogs' paws? It can irritate the pads, and the bigger risk is the dog licking it off. The AVMA says de-icers can make a pet sick if swallowed and says to wipe down your dog's feet, legs and belly after walks. ### Do dogs need boots in winter? Not always. The ASPCA suggests either booties or petroleum jelly or another vet-approved paw protectant, plus washing and drying the feet after each walk. ### How do I measure my dog for boots? Measure the width of each paw at its widest point while the dog stands on it, per Ruffwear, and follow the chart for the boot you buy. Front paws can be wider than back paws. ### Does paw wax work as well as boots? It is less protection. Wax coats the pads, while boots cover the whole paw and keep salt out from between the toes, which the ASPCA says booties help prevent. ### Is paw wax safe if my dog licks it? Musher's Secret says its wax is non-toxic and safe if licked, with a mild laxative effect in large amounts. Ask your vet if your dog has a sensitive stomach. --- *PetProofLab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We did not test these boots or balms; sizes and features are the makers' own, from their sites and listings. This guide is for general information and is not veterinary advice.* ## Sources - ruffwear.com: [Ruffwear's Grip Trex page](https://ruffwear.com/products/grip-trex-dog-boots) - American Veterinary Medical Association: [Cold weather animal safety](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/cold-weather-animal-safety) - ASPCA: [ASPCA's cold weather tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips) - musherssecret.com: [Its site](https://musherssecret.com) - pawzdogboots.com: [PawZ's site](https://www.pawzdogboots.com) - American Veterinary Medical Association: [Warm weather pet safety](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/warm-weather-pet-safety) - ASPCA: [ASPCA's hot weather tips](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/hot-weather-safety-tips) - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: [CPSC recall database](https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls) --- Last updated: 2026-09-28 Canonical URL: https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection How to cite: "Dog Boots and Paw Wax (2026): Salt, Ice and Hot Pavement", PetProofLab, https://petprooflab.com/walks-travel/dog-boots-and-paw-protection (checked 2026-09-28). Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate PetProofLab earns from qualifying purchases. Safety information summarizes public guidance and is not medical advice.