Your furry friend’s solemate

Miso flaunts her shoes

From cute cartoon prints and trippy stripes to mini Wellingtons and colourful anti-slip socks, footwear for dogs and cats seems to be the latest craze among pet parents. Veterinarian Dr Madhura Kulkarni tells us that there are different varieties in the market in terms of materials, such as rubber, lace, satin and plastic, but pet parents should look out for shoes that provide maximum cushioning support to the paw pads of their furry friends. "Most pets have dry paws, so when they put their feet on a rough surface, for instance, on the road, it can lead to friction or strain," explains Dr Kulkarni, adding that shoes with soft and comfortable padding are especially beneficial for older dogs.

Namrata Wagh, Miso's parent

The veterinarian adds that pet shoes can come in handy during the rainy season, when the paws get dirty during walks. "Shoes help keep the paw pad safe. However, one should avoid materials that lead to moisture on the paw pad, as it can lead to infections. During the monsoon, it's advisable to clean their paws after every walk and dry them out," she claims.

Choose shoes with soft and comfortable padding. Representation pic

While social media is filled with paw-dorable videos of dogs and cats flaunting their footwear, there are many guardians whose pets, especially felines, have trouble adjusting to shoes. Copywriter Shipra H's labrador Spiky, for instance, didn't take a liking to the two pairs of shoes that she got him, after he had hurt his paws. "Our feet are designed in such a way that if we wear a shoe or a sock, it stays. However, it easily slips off for dogs. Spiky was clearly not comfortable with the idea of shoes, so we didn't force it," she recalls.

Shipra H and Spiky

Dr Kulkarni suggests that parents should acclimatise their pets with footwear from a young age. "Nowadays, pet parents take a lot of interest in dressing their pets up with matching shoes and clothes, but ultimately, it depends on the animal's comfort level. They often have trouble balancing themselves in shoes. So, it's best to start early," she informs us.

Dr Madhura Kulkarni

That's exactly what interior designer Namrata Wagh is doing with her one-year-old Dalmatian, Miso. "She's very naughty and started jumping after wearing the shoes initially. But we're slowly getting her used to the idea by giving her practice at home. The Dalmatian breed is susceptible to infections, so we have to be careful for her and shoes keep her paws safe, especially in this season. The shoes are non-slippery with an adjustable belt and now she's okay with them," Wagh shares.