DIY Dog Booties: 11 Tutorial Plans

Today’s pet store shelves are bursting with dog booties, but some pup parents are skipping premade footwear entirely to make their own.

Making your own dog booties can be fun (and save you a few bucks), but special care must be taken to ensure you end up with something safe that will last.

After all, doggos should look and feel good while wearing them. Choosing quality materials and paying close attention to fit will result in pawsome DIY dog booties that you and your puppachino will love.

Below, we’ll share a few of our favorite DIY dog bootie designs and explain some of the details surrounding dog booties. We’ll also provide some tips to help ensure you make the best DIY dog booties possible!

The Benefits of Booties

Keeping your pupper’s paws protected is a must, especially in certain situations such as severe weather or outdoor adventures. In other cases, dog booties can help protect your home from damage.

Some notable things dog booties can do include:

• Protect your pup’s paws in extreme temperatures. Hot sidewalks can scald paw pads, while snow and ice may lead to frostbite. Dog booties insulate paws from these hazards.
• Shield your dog’s paws from potential hazards. Glass and deicing products are just two things your dog can come across during an everyday walk around the block. When you head into the woods, thorns and splinters make things extra dangerous for bare-footed barkers. Pad injuries are incredibly painful, so dog booties a must!
• Provide traction for mobility-impaired dogs. Some pups have a hard time navigating the home as they age, especially if you have hardwood floors. A good pair of dog booties can give your woofer extra traction that pads alone can’t.
• Prevent dogs from chewing or licking pads. Allergies or anxiety may lead to excessive foot grooming and chewing in some dogs. Dog booties provide coverage without forcing you to rely on deterrent sprays.
• Prevent your pooch from tracking mud and debris into your home. Nobody likes a muddy carpet, and dog booties allow pupper parents to leave the mud and rain at the door alongside their own rain boots.
• Protect hardwood floors and leather furniture. Even the most manicured paws can accidentally scratch floors or furniture. Dog booties can save money (and your sanity) in the long run!

11 DIY Dog Booties

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to jump into DIY dog booties. We share 11 of the best DIY dog boot plans we could find below!

1. Dog Booties by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart’s DIY Dog Booties are a sturdy yet fashionable find made from faux leather material for additional fanciness. This DIY pair rivals the pricey picks found at pet boutiques but can be made for a fraction of the cost. However, working with faux leather can be more challenging than lighter fabrics.

These are great if you’re looking for something a little more polished for your pup. The faux leather material is more waterproof than some other materials, though it does lack the cozy feel of fleece. The no-slip bottom is an added bonus for mobility-impaired puppers.

Skill Level: Medium

Materials Needed:

• Faux leather or another thick, waterproof material
• Patching fabric
• Elastic thread

Tools Needed: 

• Leather sewing needle
• Sewing machine
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pinking shears 

2. DIY Wonder Puppy’s No-Sew Booties

These Booties by Wonder Puppy are a no-fuss way to make your own dog shoes.

Ideal for fur parents who lack sewing skills, these no-sew booties are made almost entirely of duct tape. While they are a little stiff at first, they do wear in with use. 

They might not be as cozy as fabric options, but duct tape is durable enough for walks on rough materials like concrete or gravel. They’re more waterproof than fleece options, though we wouldn’t recommend them for winter use due to their lack of insulation.

Duct tape also won’t provide the traction needed by senior sweeties and isn’t suitable for small pups due to its stiffness.

Skill Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Velcro
• Durable fabric
• Duct tape

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Measuring tape

3. DIY Paw Culture Dog Booties

These Paw Culture’s Dog Booties will protect your pupper’s paws from the cold and outside contaminants like ice melt.

Made with durable materials, these dog booties are suitable for outdoor wear. The Velcro fastener keeps these booties in place, keeping the footwear from flying mid-walk.

The fleece ensures puppers are warm, while the leather bottom provides a much-needed grip for older pupper pals. The construction is light enough to keep your dog moving and grooving without much fuss, which is ideal for small doggos.

Skill Level: Medium

Materials Needed:

• Fleece
• A durable fabric
• Leather or faux leather
• Velcro
• Leather glue

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Needle and thread or a sewing machine
• Ruler
• Pen and paper
• Clothespins

4. DIY Dog Boots by Mimi and Tara

Mimi and Tara’s Dog Boots are perfect dog shoes for summer heat and winter wonderlands alike. The straightforward design is suitable for pup parents with only basic sewing skills, and your favorite fabrics can be used like fleece or cotton.

The lightweight construction allows for a natural gait, and the no-slip material is ideal for older dogs, who need help getting traction around the house. 

Skill Level: Medium

Materials Needed:

• Waterproof fabric
• Velcro 
• Non-slip material such as vinyl

Tools Needed: 

• Scissors
• Needle and thread or a sewing machine
• Measuring tape

Check out an overview of how to construct similar dog booties below:  

5. Easy DIY Dog Boots from Romp Italian Greyhound Rescue

The Easy DIY Dog Boots by Romp Italian Greyhound Rescue will help keep the cold at bay thanks to their dual Velcro fasteners that guarantee a snug fit. Like other dog booties, these keep your dog’s feet covered yet can be made to extend higher up the leg for added protection against the elements.

This makes them a great choice for cold-sensitive breeds like greyhounds and whippets. Best of all, the no-slip sole keeps your doggo sturdy on slippery surfaces.

This is a great option for novice crafters, as there aren’t many complicated steps to follow, and most of the necessary supplies can be found around the house.

Skill Level: Medium 

Materials Needed:

• Velcro
• Elastic
• Material of your choice
• Vinyl for no-slip sole

Tools Needed: 

• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

You can watch a step-by-step video of a similar style being made below: 

6. DIY Dogsaholic Dog Booties

These Dogsaholic’s Dog Booties are your pup’s all-weather best friend. A gripped sole will keep him moving safely, while Velcro secures the booties in place, preventing the dreaded floppy feet syndrome.

The material can be whatever you’d like, though waterproof varieties should be used if you intend to use them in wet weather.

While these do require you to do a bit of sewing, the design is straightforward and shouldn’t be too tricky to master. You can make things even easier by tracing your dog’s foot, taking the guesswork out of measuring. 

Skill Level: Medium

Materials Needed:

• Material like fleece
• No-slip vinyl 
• Suede circles
• Velcro
• Elastic

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Measuring tape

Dogsaholic doesn’t provide a video demonstrating exactly how to make a specific pair of booties, but they do share a video that should help guide you through the process.

7. DIY Dog Booties by Barley Bones

Keep your doggo digits toasty this winter with Barley Bones’ DIY Dog Booties.

It doesn’t get much easier than these 2-piece booties, with socks providing warmth inside while a balloon keeps things dry and in place on the outside. The balloon will likely give your dog a better grip too.

While these are easy as pie to master, these don’t have a fastener like Velcro, so slippage may be an issue. These are versatile, however, as leaving the balloon off allows you to make your own dog socks without lifting a finger (or needle and thread!)

Skill Level: Easy

Materials Needed:

• Balloons
• Baby socks (or child-sized socks depending on your dog’s size)

Tools Needed:

• Scissors

8. DIY 10-Minute Dog Boots by Instructables

These 10-Minute Dog Boots by Instructables get the job done without too much trouble. The simple design is effective and shouldn’t be too difficult even for crafting beginners. A no-slip design keeps mobility-impaired doggos on their feet, while fleece and Velcro block the cold from delicate pupper paws.

These are a solid choice for all-season wear, though fleece may be too warm for summertime fun. Also, if you’d like to use these in wet weather, we’d recommend a sturdier, more waterproof material like faux leather.

Skill Level: Medium

Materials Needed:

• Fleece
• Suede or vinyl for a no-slip sole
• Velcro

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Heavy-duty thread
• Pen and paper for paw tracing

9. DIY Paw Protectors by Crafty Chica

Lightweight and breathable, these DIY Paw Protectors by Crafty Chica are perfect for summertime fun. This crochet dog booties pattern provides just enough coverage to keep paws safe during walks yet won’t lead to overheating like some other designs. Since these are lightweight, they are ideal for petite pooches.

Crocheting is an acquired skill, so these booties aren’t a craft for everyone. The thin design isn’t great for wintertime either, and the looped design won’t stand up to outdoor romps where sticks and other debris are present. If your dog is mobility-impaired, these will not provide the traction he may need.

Skill Level: Difficult 

Materials Needed:

• One roll of yarn
• 24 inches of ribbon

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• One size-J crochet needle
• Measuring tape

10. DIY Dog Booties by Joy’s Outside

Joy’s Outside DIY Dog Booties are a simple design that do their job well.

Fabrics like fleece and cotton are ideal, though waterproof materials may be best for doggos that like to splash in a puddle or two. Velcro keeps these dog booties in place, but the lack of a textured bottom will be a problem for older or mobility-impaired pups.

The design should be easy for most owners, though some sewing skills are required. Measuring can be made easier by tracing your doggo’s foot on paper, allowing you to use the cutout to make your design.

Skill Level: Medium

Materials Needed:

• Velcro
• Fabric like fleece or cotton

Tools Needed:

• Sewing machine or a needle and thread
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

11. DIY Felted Dog Booties by Ravelry 

These DIY Felted Dog Booties by Ravelry are cute as can be and warm with their wool construction.

Buttons keep them snug, though they do lack a gripped sole which can be an issue for older pups. The looped wool design is not ideal for outdoor use, either, as snagging is a definite concern.

Knitting is required, so these are not for the novice crafter. Since these are knitted, you should ensure your dog’s nails are manicured short to avoid any painful snagging or nail twisting.

Note: Click on the Google Doc at the linked page to open up more detailed plans.

Skill Level: Advanced

Materials Needed:

• Spool of wool
• Buttons

Tools Needed:

• Scissors
• Size 5-millimeter double-pointed needles
• Tapestry needle

Picking the Best DIY Bootie Design: Things to Think About

When browsing designs for DIY dog booties, you want to keep a few things in mind such as: 

Secure Fastening

Keeping dog booties on your pupper’s paws can be tricky.

Ideally, DIY dog booties should include Velcro or a similar fastener to keep them in place. Slipping dog booties are not only annoying — they can be dangerous! You don’t want your pupper to lose his footing and get injured.

Measure Carefully

To ensure regular movement, proper measurement is key. Booties that are too loose can result in an awkward or uncomfortable gait, while those that are too tight can lead to pain or injury. Measure your doggo’s paws or trace them for a perfect fit.

Select Sensible Plans for Your Needs

Keep your intended usage in mind. If your doggo needs a little help getting around the house, a gripped sole is a must, while cold-weather puppers need insulation to keep paws warm and frost-free. 

Dog’s Comfort

Most doggos aren’t familiar with footwear, so make sure you ease your pup into the process. Avoid stairs until he’s comfortable, and keep the process fun to keep stress levels down.

One Final Tip: Use High-Quality Materials

Since dog booties are intended to protect, you want to use materials that are capable of standing up to the job. So, once you’ve selected a good set of DIY bootie plans, make sure you use high-quality materials when putting them together.

But be sure to keep the intended use in mind: If booties will be used for daily walks, materials should be strong enough to withstand the outdoor wear and tear caused by things like rain and concrete.

Conversely, booties used to give your dog a better grip indoors needn’t be terribly heavy-duty.

***

Have you ever made DIY dog booties? Do you have any designs to share? Let us know about your favorite dog booties in the comments!

If you want to make more homemade dog gear, also check out our guides on:

• DIY Dog Sweaters
• DIY Dog Beds