Americans are spending an increasing amount of money on dog clothes and accessories, with a whopping half a billion dollars being spent on just their Halloween costumes each year!
It’s clear; we’re crazy about our pets.
Today we will be looking at the best non-slip dog socks in 2023 and providing our top 7 choices.
We will also be looking into the benefits of non-slip dog socks and any alternatives before investigating some popular FAQs about dog socks.
AT A Glance: Our Top 7 Picks for Non-Slip Dog Socks
- EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks – Our Top #1 Pick
- PUPTECK Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks – Our Top Budget Choice
- Hcpet Dog Paw Protector Boots
- KOOLTAIL Waterproof Dog Socks
- Mihachi Dog Socks
- Dog Quality Grippers Non-Slip Dog Socks
- EXPAWLORER Dog Socks
It may be that you haven’t even yet discovered dog socks and will find them the product you’ve been looking for. Or, it could be that you’re looking more towards ground covers for your outdoor space or new internal flooring. We will be looking into these as more drastic alternatives to dog socks further in this guide.
Firstly, let’s look into what dog socks are and their benefits.
What are Non-Slip Dog Socks?
Dog socks are basically socks for dogs. At Canine Weekly, we have previously written about the best dog boots for dogs to use outdoors, but in this feature we’re focusing on dog socks for when they’re inside the home.
Dogs aren’t built for many types of modern-day flooring, such as laminate, tile, and vinyl. Dog socks provide traction on slippery surfaces and, at the same time, protect expensive flooring from nail scratches. Dog socks come in a range of styles to meet the needs of every dog. Some are even waterproof, so suitable for slippery outside ground, like snow and ice.
What are the Benefits of Non-Slip Dog Socks
Dog socks can help provide stability for all dogs who live with hardwood or tile floorings. Many are rubber bottomed, and all the ones we have featured are non-slip. Dog socks offer excellent paw protection and are particularly good for older dogs who can lose their stability over time.
For dogs who are recovering from surgery, dog socks can prevent severe injury through falling. They’re also a good idea for elderly dogs who may have joint or mobility issues, as they won’t have to use excessive muscle strength to try and stay upright on a new shiny floor.
Best Non-Slip Dog Socks 2023 – Our Top 7 Picks
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
 | Editor’s choice EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | PUPTECK Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Hcpet Dog Paw Protector Boots
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | KOOLTAIL Waterproof Dog Socks
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | EXPAWLORER Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Mihachi Dog Socks
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
 | Grippers Non-Slip Dog Socks by Dog Quality
| VIEW ON AMAZON →READ REVIEWS → |
1. EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks – Our Top #1 Pick
Another found by EXPAWLORER; the EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks have an anti-slip silicone gel print on the soles, which provides extra grip on hardwood floors. They come in a choice of two colors; black or red and in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. Their extra-large size is suitable for pads with a width of 3.15inches – the largest we’ve found.
The EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks are made from comfortable, soft material with rubber for the soles to provide the necessary traction. The rubber is waterproof and non-slip, so (although advertised as indoor socks) they’re suitable for outdoor use and can keep paws protected from frostbite during the winter months and burns during hotter weather.
We love the cuter paw pattern design on the socks sole and the fact that you get four socks per order. This is a great advantage for owners of dogs recovering from foot surgery, where the wound would need to be kept especially clean as you could have one pair washing while the other was being worn.
We found many more happy customers than disappointed ones for this product and have to say they’re a favorite of ours too! We believe they could be an excellent benefit for anxious dogs, who don’t like the feel of particular floors to avoid them. An excellent buy for many different purposes!
2. PUPTECK Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks – Best Budget Option
Coming in pink, khaki, and dark grey, the PUPTECK Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks are suitable for dogs with small, medium, or large paws. Their soles comprise double, anti-slip silicone gel for extra traction and have a cute paw print pattern to provide additional style!
With the long hook and loop tape fastening the socks, they should provide comfort and stability for the dog and protection for hardwood floors for many hours at a time. They’re rated very highly by dog owners and can be used for outdoor use, as well as indoor.
Their large size would be suitable for medium-large breed dogs, such as Collies and Spaniels, and we would recommend measuring your dog’s paw before purchasing.
3. Hcpet Dog Paw Protector Boots
The beautiful Hcpet Dog Paw Protector Boots come in 5 different sizes and seven different colors: Army green, red, orange, lake blue, blue mix, black orange, and black-gray. They offer brilliant paw protection from hot pavements, sharp thorns and make walking on an interior hardwood floor much easier – due to their anti-slip sole.
We love the addition of a 3M reflective strap for those nighttime walks, and the fact that they are waterproof is a bonus. They can provide protection all day long and incredible comfort, too – trust us, even with the fastening strap, if certain breeds found them uncomfortable and didn’t want them to stay on, they wouldn’t!
We have found a few buyers stating they weren’t to their dog’s taste and easy for the dog to remove. An experienced dog socks and shoes owner claims these to be the best ones yet and notes them as being sturdy and durable for 3-hour muddy hikes!
You can reuse the Hcpet Dog Protector Boots, again and again, washable by hand or wipe clean; they’re reasonably easy to take care of. For dogs with Canine Degenerative Myelopathy, who will often drag their legs and feet, sturdy shoes and socks like these are an essential buy to protect the dog’s pads, nails, and skin from the hard ground.
4. KOOLTAIL Waterproof Dog Socks
The KOOLTAIL Waterproof Dog Socks come in a range of sizes; Small, Medium, Large, X Large, and XX-Large. The bottom of the socks is made from a thin rubber, offering comfort and better traction on slippery internal floors. They’re also waterproof, and with the rubber sole, this should make them suitable for outdoor use.
They’re designed to be ‘anti-fall off,’ with the brand claiming that they’ll stay put at all times due to their ‘hook & loop’ straps. They offer excellent paw protection for dogs who have allergies to grasses and weeds or find hard floors troublesome, and we love the fact that these aren’t just with toy breeds in mind, and their XXL size is even suitable for Great Danes.
Dog owners love these, but some question the durability, claiming that the knitted portion is highly susceptible to wear and tear; we also think they could be pretty tempting for dogs who like to chew!
5. EXPAWLORER Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks
Coming in 3 different sizes; small, medium and large, the EXPAWLORER Dog Socks are suitable for most breeds, from toy to medium/large. Their large size is appropriate for dogs with a pad width of 2.95 inches, which would be typical for a Border Collie, medium-sized Labrador, or Spaniel.
You can choose from 3 gender-neutral colors; brown, gray, and heather gray and with the extra-elastic loop fastener, they offer added security to stay on the paw all day long. We love the cute paw print design on the bottom of the rubber soles, which provide good traction for all types of interior flooring. The knitted material looks super soft and comfortable too.
The EXPAWLORER Dog socks have a double-sided adhesion – which is unique and can be life-altering for senior dogs, ensuring the socks stay on to help stabilize them when they’re eating, drinking, or walking around the home.
Many people seem to be confused with the sizing of these socks and which breeds they’re suitable for, so it’s essential to measure the pad width before selecting a size correctly.
6. Mihachi Dog Socks
The Mihachi Dog Socks very much resemble humans’ typical hiking socks in their woolen knit appearance. They come in three different sizes; medium, large and extra-large and have a rubber, waterproof underneath, meaning that dogs can use them outdoors and indoors.
They have a detachable sticky nylon strip partway up the sock to provide extra security and are made from comfortable materials, including; Spandex, Polyester, and Nylon.
Dogs can be attracted to the smell of rubber, which can incite chewing, and as these socks have a high proportion of it compared to others, we would recommend airing the socks before use to try and reduce the temping smell!
Buyers seem to have very different experiences with the Mihachi Dog Socks, and it’s almost a 50/50 split between ‘excellent’ and ‘terrible.’ One owner has declared them superior to all others, while another advises avoiding altogether.
We love the look of these socks and their added detachable fastener but are reluctant to recommend them based on the high level of criticism we came across during our research.
7. Grippers Non-Slip Dog Socks by Dog Quality
Dog Quality Grippers Non-Slip Dog Socks fit dogs from XXS to XXL, so they can provide paw protection to a tiny tea-cup Terrier as well as a Golden Retriever. As well as a sizing chart, the brand has also advised how to purchase by weight. Here’s a guide from AKC to help with this.
The Grippers Non-Slip Dog Socks grip around the whole paw, which gives maximum dog stability and extra confidence on hardwood or tile flooring. However, they’re also suitable for outdoor use due to their rubber-coated soles, however not for snow or ice.
As half of the sock is made from unbreathable rubber, we would advise against putting them on a dog for many hours at a time, as this may lead to skin infections. However, for a couple of hours at a time, they’re going to do more good than harm, especially for senior dogs during meal times or for walks when the sidewalk has an extreme temperature.
What Are The Alternatives to Dog Socks?
Dog socks certainly have their place and offer several benefits to dogs with physical or psychological problems. But, if you’re not fully committed to the idea, then here are a few alternatives to dog socks.
Rugs, Runners and Carpets
Pet owners see incredible benefits for laminate and hardwood flooring; it’s much more hygienic and easier to keep clean, but the majority of dogs don’t enjoy it for many reasons. Laminate floors can feel too cold, challenging, and generally uncomfortable. They can be loud when a dog’s nails pitter-patter on them, and, as discussed above, they can be slippy and make a dog feel unstable.
As well as the emotional and physical effects a dog can experience due to a hardwood floor, dogs can also bring damage to them, resulting in expense and upset to the owner. Nails scratching can lead to an owner having to replace the floor, and excessive toileting inside can discolor or stain many laminates or vinyl flooring.
Without using dog socks, you can still solve these issues by looking at rugs for dogs that will give them a safe space within the home and protect your floors at the same time.
Human Socks
Human socks are much cheaper than dog-specific socks. While they can protect from injury, they’re not going to be the best long-term to help to stabilize a dog. Specialized dog socks have every area covered, including traction, which is highly important.
There are video tutorials online guiding you through the process of making your own dog socks, but we would advise you to stick with making a purchase on this one and avoid the DIY.
Ground Covers
If you’re considering dog socks for when your dog is exploring the yard or garden, you may also consider transforming the area itself to right the issues you’re facing. The outdoors can be a wonderfully adventurous place for a dog, but it can be hazardous; with sharp particles and extreme temperatures, a dog’s paws can go through the mill in their own garden.
Artificial grass, bark, wood, Irish moss, and gravel are all alternatives to natural grass and concrete, with their ranges of benefits for dogs. However, a garden transformation is a much more dramatic and expensive alternative to dog socks.
Paw Wax
Paw Wax is a semi-permanent wax for dog pads to protect them from outside elements. Although it won’t provide traction, like dog socks or boots, it will be a barrier between the pad and the ground to protect against heat, cold, salt residue, fertilizers, and rough terrain.
We particularly like the Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax which is 100% non-toxic and safe if dogs were to lick it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dogs Really Need Socks?
Investing in a pair of dog socks can be a life-changer for some dogs, especially those in their senior years or those with conditions like Wobbler Syndrome. They can also be brilliant for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors to protect their paws from extreme heat or cold and sharp particles that can all lead to injury.
How Do I Choose a Pair of Dog Socks?
Choosing the right pair of dog socks depends on what you need them for. As a general guide, we would recommend:
- The sole is textured or rubber, with a good grip for traction
- A waterproof or water-resistant material
- Flexible sole and comfortable fabric
- Adjustable straps
- Check the sizes and measure your dogs paw horizontally and vertically
In the beginning, your dog may not like the feel of dog socks, so don’t expect a miracle instantly. Prepare the dog by wearing the socks for brief periods initially, with lots of praise and encouragement.
The Best Non Slip Dog Socks – Our Verdict
We feel that the seven different dog socks we have featured all offer something unique to owners, so choosing the best non-slip dog socks is a personal thing. If you have a pampered princess, for example, then the PUPTECK Double Side Anti-Slip Dog Socks come in a pretty pink color for our pampered princess doggies, to possibly compliment a pink diamante collar.
The Dog Quality Grippers Non-Slip Dog Socks have an incredible range of sizes, with a handy size chart guide, which can ensure that you select the right size for your dog. The detachable fastener on the Mihachi Dog Socks are a great addition for extra security and one owner describes them as superior to all others.
With EXPAWLORER Dog Socks there is a double-sided adhesion – which is unique, and we love their underneath cute paw print design too. For large breeds the KOOLTAIL Waterproof Dog Socks are a suitable choice and we love their anti-fall off technology.
We like the 7 different color options with the Hcpet Dog Paw Protector Boots, and a unique reflective strip for nighttime walks. We haven’t found the reflective strip anywhere else and think this is a great add-on.
However, our favorite pick is the EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks. This range caters to the largest size, and buyers receive 4 socks with their order making them an excellent choice for dogs who need to wear socks for the majority of the time. One pair will always be available.
The majority of ratings we found for the EXPAWLORER Anti-Slip Dog Socks were highly complimentary.
[wpdatatable id=73]
Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.