Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Waterproof dog boots are easy to make at home (Yes, really!)

Mary Johnson
By

As the winter months approach, it’s time to start upgrading your dog’s winter wardrobe to combat frigid weather, ice, and snow. Not even northern breeds like Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes are impervious to the cold. But finding the perfect waterproof boots isn’t always easy, which has many pet parents turning to DIY solutions. Not only will you be able to ensure the perfect fit, but you’ll also save some money. Have you ever wondered how to make waterproof dog boots? We’ll walk you through it step by step.  

A Border Collie stands in the middle of a road wearing blue boots.

Why your dog needs waterproof boots

Waterproof dog boots are designed to keep your pup’s feet warm, dry, and protected. According to the American Kennel Club, you should take precautions against “snow, ice, salt, and ice melt chemicals.” Chemicals used to deice wintry roads are toxic, as are road salts. And chemicals aren’t the only danger to your pup’s paws. Snow and ice can form compact lumps between the toes, which may cut into her feet. Boots also give your pooch extra traction on slippery surfaces, a must-have in rainy or icy weather. Cooler weather goes hand in hand with dry, itchy skin, but a good pair of waterproof bootees will help prevent your pooch from dealing with uncomfortable, cracked paws. Best of all, you can remove your pup’s boots at the door, so she won’t track rain and ice through the house. Stay with us if you’re ready to try your hand at making your own waterproof dog boots. 

Recommended Videos

Make Chloe Mackintosh’s waterproof dog boots

When Martha Stewart, the domestic goddess herself, makes a recommendation, you know it’s going to be good. You’ll need:

  • A measuring tape (or a ruler)
  • Faux leather
  • Fabric scissors
  • Thick patching fabric
  • Pinking shears
  • A sewing machine
  • A leather-sewing needle
  • All-purpose thread
  • Elastic trim

Step 1:

After measuring your dog’s paws, cut out 4 strips of faux leather with a 1-inch allowance to accommodate the seams. You can’t add any fabric once you’ve made that first cut, but you can always trim it down later if it’s too large. 

Related

Step 2: 

Cut out 4 small patches from the patching fabric using the pinking shears. The patches will form the soles of your dog’s bootees, providing extra warmth and traction for her paws.  

Step 3: 

Stitch the soles onto the faux leather using your sewing machine. You can also complete this step by hand if you’re more comfortable hand-stitching — or if you don’t have a sewing machine. (You could also probably use leather glue.)

A Yorkshire terrier stands outside in the snow wearing a coat and booties.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4:

Fold down and pin a half-inch hem at the top of each boot. Use the elastic trim to measure your dog’s ankles and cut to ensure a snug (but comfortable) fit. Folding the elastic in half, pin it in place beneath each hem and sew the elastic in place. 

Step 5: 

Fold the bootees with the “wrong” side of the fabric facing upward, and then trim the corner off to create a rounded toe box. 

Step 6:

Sew the perimeter of the boot closed while leaving the top part open. You’ll want to use curved stitches when you reach the toe box to reinforce the round shape. (Your bootees should resemble a sock at this point.) Turn your boots inside out, and you’re ready to try them on for size. 

Try this handy YouTube tutorial 

If that sounds like a little too much work and not enough guidance, you’re in luck. YouTube is home to a plethora of instructional videos, including this video on how to make dog boots. To start off, you’ll need a dog-boots pattern suitable for your dog’s size. You’ll also need the following supplies:

  • Fleece
  • Velcro
  • Faux leather (or genuine leather)
  • Leather glue
  • Water-resistant fabric of your choice
  • Pencil and paper
  • A ruler (or measuring tape)
  • A sewing machine (or a needle and thread)
  • Fabric scissors
  • Clothespins or binder clips

Choosing thick, durable materials makes the boots ideal for winter, while the Velcro closures allow you to get your dog ready in a snap. Fleece is naturally water-resistant, so it will keep your pup’s feet warm and dry. The addition of a leather (or faux leather) bottom provides a waterproof grip, allowing your pooch to find traction on wet, slippery surfaces without allowing the water to reach her paws. Once you’ve gathered all your supplies, you can follow along with the tutorial.

A Jack Russell Terrier sticking her tongue out while wearing pink rain boots.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If finding the perfect pair of waterproof boots for your pooch is easier said than done, it’s time to put on your DIY hat and get cracking. Whether you rely on YouTube tutorials — or Wonder Puppy’s inventive method of turning duct tape into boots — there are countless options at your disposal. Making your own dog boots is more time-consuming than buying a pair, but you should be able to sew all four boots (not to mention brag about making them yourself) in under an hour.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
Are ‘dog years’ really 7 human years? How to calculate your dog’s age
Time to bust the myth: A dog year may not equal 7 human years
A dog licks a person's finger with yogurt on their nose

There are many ways to identify a dog's age and translate dog years to human years — other than knowing their birthday, of course — from the formation of their teeth to the development of their body. Then there’s the classic rule of 7: 1 year in "human time" equals 7  "dog years". However, research shows that figuring out exactly how to translate dog years to human years may not be as simple as multiplying a number by 7. So how can you calculate your dog’s age?
Let’s dive into the latest and most accurate techniques for canine age calculation. Once you know how to apply this knowledge, you'll be able to figure out what stage of life your dog is in.  This calculation is yet another way to ensure you’re taking the best possible care of your best buddy — and it’s fascinating to know either way.

Is 1 dog year 7 human years?
Despite the popularity of this trope — that 1 year for a dog is equal to 7 human years — it’s not quite that simple. In fact, the dog-to-human age equivalent can change from year to year depending on the age and size of your pet. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), all pups will gain about 15 human years within their first actual year of life, while the second year of life equals another nine years.
Past year two, however, the numbers tend to differ. Larger breeds will “age faster” on paper, meaning their human age equivalent will be higher than that of a smaller dog who was born at the same time. This may sound a bit sad, or even worrisome, so it’s important to remember that age isn’t an indicator of health or life expectancy. As we tell humans, age is just one number.

Read more
How to stop a dog from peeing in their crate for good in 5 easy-to-follow steps
These tricks will keep your house — and his — pee free
A brown puppy lies in their crate on a blanket with their head resting on their crossed paws

As pet parents, we’d like to think that we have every solution for behavior issues, like how to stop a dog from peeing in his crate. Your buddy can’t exactly tell you why he pees in the crate when you’re not home, though, and you can't always catch him in the act — so it can be tricky.
Luckily, with a keen eye and a few trial runs, you’ll figure out the problem in no time. You can always enlist your family, vet, or local doggie daycare to keep an eye out, too, but it’s up to you to make the necessary changes to change the behavior. Anything from a more consistent routine to a new treat-dispensing toy could be the difference between cleaning up a puddle or coming home to a happy pup.
Here’s how to stop your dog from peeing in his crate.

First, rule out medical issues as a cause for crate incontinence
Before anything else, it’s important to make sure your fur baby is in good health, so you should book a visit to your vet. Many medical issues could cause a dog to lose control of their bladder, not all of which are obvious or even noticeable. Dogs are notorious for hiding their discomfort, after all.
A few reasons your dog might not be able to hold it include:

Read more
Taking your dog’s collar off at night: Safe move or safety risk?
What to know about taking your dog's collar off at night
A man clips a leash on a beagle's collar.

When you and you dog are out and about, your dog's collar is an important part of keeping them safe. It holds their tags, which has vital info that can help you reunite if your dog gets lost, is a convenient place to hold onto if the leash breaks, and it lets other people know that your dog isn't a stray if they get lost.

However, some dog owners take their dog's collar off while they're at home. For some, this sounds like the perfect opportunity to give their dog some time to relax. For others, this might sound like a safety hazard. So which is the truth?

Read more