Muttluks Review: Fleece-Lined Dog Boots That Stay On!

Checking out Muttluks dog boots but want an honest review? I’ve got you!

If you’ve ever had to take your pup out for a walk in cold weather, then you know how important it is to have the right gear. And when it comes to keeping their paws warm and dry, Muttluks Fleece-Lined Dog Boots are just the thing!

These boots provide superior protection from the elements while still allowing your pup complete freedom of movement. Plus, they stay on snugly so there’s no need to worry about them falling off during walks.

So read on for our full review of Muttluks Fleece-Lined Dog Boots and see if they’re right for your pooch!

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Original Fleece Lined Muttluks Dog Boots Review

My golden retriever Theo is a snow fiend. I swear he thinks he’s a husky!

But we live in Canada, which means -30°C temperatures, snow up to his head, and lots of salt on sidewalks.

I want to ensure he can comfortably hang out outside – whether we’re on a walk or hiking the trails. So I got him Muttluks fleece lined dog boots back when we lived in downtown Ottawa.

I’d seen the rubber boots, but knew his giant claws would pierce right through them. And all of the ones with traction at the bottom seemed too stiff – especially for a puppy who had never worn boots before.

I settled on Muttluks, unsure if they’d actually work or stay on. But I knew I needed another option from carrying my then 50lb dog in and out of the apartment to the grassy pee area 5x times day.

Imagine my surprise when the very first boots we tried worked wonderfully!

I’ve since tried a few others, and Muttluks continue to be our favorite.

They’re easy to put on him, stay on (even when he’s running through 3ft snow piles), and don’t get destroyed by the salt and snow of a Canadian winter.

He now wears them all the time. While he isn’t a massive fan, he doesn’t fight me putting them on and knows if he doesn’t have them, then we’re not going for a good walk.

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How durable are Muttluks dog boots?

Very durable!

Muttluks are seriously indestructible.

Theo has chewed on them, tried to pull them off while I put his others on, stood in full on rock salt, bounded through frozen bogs (and then broke through the ice into said bog and they stayed on), and more with these boots on.

They’ve been with us to two countries now and countless cities on winter adventures, and have had no issues.

The only damage I’ve noticed is the tiniest line in the leather where it bends around his toes. And that’s less than my leather boots have from my much less bendy toes!

Cost of Muttluks dog boots

The original fleece-lined Muttluks dog boots are decently expensive – especially compared to those little plastic balloon shoes.

Our pair cost about $75 CAD (about $60 USD) two years ago. But I literally use them every day and Theo has not been hindered by them on trails.

He’s comfortable and gets to enjoy winter this way, which makes it worth the cost for me.

My friends who use the plastic balloons and even some cheaper dog boots brands have all upgraded to Muttluks over time because theirs either broke or never stayed on. So ultimately, I’ve spent less than they have since the one pair has kept working for us.

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Theo Running in Snow in Muttluk Boots

Do they stay on?

Yes! Muttluks dog boots stay on, even when your pup is romping around in the snow.

The velcro closures are tucked away so they don’t get snagged and they fit really well – even with Theo’s giant claws.

He has legit got his whole leg stuck in a frozen snow dune before, yanked it out, and his boot was still on. He’s even fallen into a small bog (about 1 ft deep) when the ice cracked beneath his weight when he ran off the path on a trail, and the boots stayed on through all that.

The only thing you need to know is to tighten them a lot. Seriously, it’s like a corset for your dog’s ankle.

Get them as high up as possible, then tighten that velco strap as far as possible. Then it won’t slip at all.

Does it hurt the dog? Nope! There’s tons of layers of fleece and fabric so they aren’t getting their circulation cut off. You’re basically just compressing the fabric.

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Do they shrink?

Nope! I’ve washed Theo’s (hand washed) and even dried them on top of my radiator, and no shrinkage at all. I’ve found some fleece stuff really shrinks down if you dry it or wash it, but not these!

Do the paws stay dry?

Not 100%.

This is the one downside is that Theo’s paws still get a tiny bit damp.

However, this is because he’s barrelling into giant snow dunes up to his head, so snow gets in the top, then drips onto his paws.

They do get cold too, so sometimes his paws feel slightly damp cause they’re chilled, even if he hasn’t gotten snow in them.

However, that’s typically on -20°C days or colder. So not a regular occurrence.

Visibility

I love the bright colored options! I got Theo the black ones cause they were all the pet store by my old apartment had at the time. If I were to buy again, I’d get a bright color to help with visibility. As it is, the black has a reflective strip around his ankle that helps at night or on dimmer days.

His light up collar definitely makes more of a difference for night visibility anyway.

Traction

These boots don’t have amazing traction because the Muttluks have a flat leather bottom.

There were two really icy days this winter where both Theo and I were slipping around like crazy. I’m not sure more traction would have helped him anyway, as my boots have great traction and I thought I was gonna break a hip!

However, I do notice on the snow that he sometimes skids or slips. Dogs with hip issues might need to be kept on lead if they wear these so they don’t go careening into something if they are running amok.

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Pros

• Stay on well
• Don’t shrink in the wash
• Bright colors for high visibility available
• Fleece is extremely warm for the dog
• Durable and long-lasting
• Easy to fasten with Velcro strap
• Anti-microbial inner fleece layer stops odors
• Waterproof outer shell keeps paws warm and dry
• Multiple sizes available for different breeds of dogs
• Light weight design allows dog to move comfortably
• Flexible rubber sole makes them comfortable
• Reflective strip offers increased visibility in low light conditions

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Cons

• Will not give the same level of traction as more specialized snow boots
• Leather sole may wear out quicker with heavy use on abrasive surfaces
• May need to be tightened often if velcro wears down or stretches over time
• Fleece inner layer may absorb water in wet and muddy conditions, or if they get snow in the top
• More expensive than the plastic balloon booties
• You will need to be patient getting them on a dog who isn’t used to boots

Muttluks size chart

Theo is a size medium, but nearly a large. I recommend sizing down if your dog is between two sizes as there is some give in the fleece so it’ll fit them.

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How to measure your dog’s paws for boots

I put Theo’s paw on a piece of paper and drew a circle around it, making sure to not where his front claw was and the end of his paw pad at the back.

I also put his paw on my hand and drew a circle on it there in case the paper tore or something.

I didn’t bring him with me to try them on as his first time putting on boots in a store would have been a fiasco. But having that helped the shop assistant find me the right size that would work.

We compared my hand and the paper to the bottom of the boot to see if it would fit.

He was just at the top end of the medium, so I got those and knew they’d be flexible with the fleece instead of something like hard leather all over.

Should dogs wear boots in the snow?

Yes, absolutely! Boots are a great way to protect your pup’s paws from the elements, and ensure they can still enjoy a walk in the winter.

Boots like the Muttluks provide warmth, waterproofing, and traction so your dog doesn’t slip on icy surfaces. They help your dog avoid salt, freezing to the snow, or getting snowballs between their paws that are uncomfortable.

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How to get your dog used to wearing boots

Boots can take a bit of getting used to, especially if your pup isn’t used to wearing them.

I suggest starting with just having the boots in their line of sight. Put them on the floor and let him sniff them, or sit near him while he’s wearing them.

Then try putting one boot on at a time with lots of praise and treats. I’ve even heard of people wrapping their head in plastic wrap with peanut butter on it to distract the dog.

I used belly rubs and had Theo upside down getting tummy scritches while I worked one boot on at a time.

We did short periods of him walking around the house in them for 5 mins, then 10 mins, then short outside walks.

Oddly he is great outside and even in stores, but to this day if we’re in our house, he walks like a baby giraffe in them. I think he’s just being dramatic.

Boots vs. Paw Wax

Paw wax is a great alternative to boots, but depending on your climate and the terrain you’re walking in, one may be better than the other.

Paw wax is great for shorter walks and mild weather. It helps protect their paws from salt and ice melt while still giving them enough traction to walk around safely.

However, it doesn’t stop a lot of salt.

It also won’t provide much insulation in really cold weather.

Boots are a great choice if you’ll be walking in deeper snow or very icy conditions since they provide more traction, warmth and waterproofing than paw wax does. Plus, they’re easier to clean off when you get back home!

They also require no clean up when you get home, unlike having to get that wax of their feet.

Theo in the Snow in Muttluk Boots at the Park

Conclusion: Muttluks Dog Boots Review

Muttluks Dog Boots are great for keeping your pup’s paws warm and dry in wet, cold or snowy conditions. The fleece inner layer provides insulation while the plastic balloon construction keeps water out.

They have a flexible fit so you need to measure your pup carefully before buying them, but they are easy to put on once you have the right size.

A few days of practice and rewards will get your pup used to wearing them and soon you can enjoy chilly weather walks together with confidence!

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