When are Knuckling Boots / Braces Right?
Your dog will need boots to protect their paws, if light knuckling (rear paws) is causing open wounds, bleeding, or worn down nails.
If moderate to severe knuckling is interfering with your dog’s ability to walk, corrective boots will make a difference. They can be worn all day.
For dogs with severe knuckling / rear leg weakness who need a wheelchair, choose Maximus Skates. When wearing, your dog’s back paws glide along in the wheelchair.
Front paw knuckling is less common. A custom knuckling brace will help your dog stop knuckling, as well as prevent paw damage.
If your dog’s knuckling is temporary, choose the anti-knuckling training dog sock for rehabilitation. It can only be used 2-3 mins daily but will remind your dog how to put their paw down flat.
How Will Knuckling Supports Help?
Protective boots - such as WagWear - let your dog’s paws heal from the wounds and worn down nails caused by the dragging and scraping of knuckling.
Corrective knuckling boots restore your dog’s gait by helping them pick up their paws and placing them down flat again. This can give your dog a new lease of life, with improved mobility and gait. The boots are transformative for some dogs. For dogs whose knuckling is caused by a neurological or degenerative condition, these boots will maintain their mobility for as long as possible.
For severe knuckling, if your dog is in a wheelchair, wearing Maximus Skates will let your dog’s paws glide along the ground. Take off the wheels to convert to PawsUp boots (the boots don’t convert to skates - for both options, you need the skates).
For front knuckling the Maximus Custom Brace stabilises your dog’s front paw and increases flexion.
How to Pick the Right Dog Knuckling Support?
For light knuckling, you will need WagWear WagWellies or Mojave Breathables. Note that excessive knuckling will accelerate wear and tear, so check how heavily your dog is knuckling.
For moderate to severe knuckling - you can probably hear the dragging and scuffing, and there are open wounds - Maximus Paws Up Superflex are recommended, in particular if your dog’s condition won’t improve.
Permanent, degenerative conditions (DM, osteoarthritis, or FCEs) mean it’s likely your dog will need a wheelchair. For wheelchair use, Maximus Skates allows the rear legs to stay down, gliding along.
Front knuckling can be caused for a variety of reasons. For this, the Maximus Custom Brace for front knuckling is advisable. It can also aid with rehabilitation in certain conditions e.g. if temporary nerve damage is causing the knuckling.
Read more about causes of dog knuckling here.
