Dog Toe Grips Review — Do They Actually Work?

If you have been searching for solutions to help your senior dog stop slipping on smooth floors, you have probably come across toe grips. These small rubber rings fit around your dog's toenails, promising to restore traction on hardwood, tile, and laminate floors without the hassle of boots or socks. But do they actually work? And are they the right choice for your dog?

After looking at how these products perform in the real world, here is an honest assessment of dog toe grips: what they do well, where they fall short, and who they are best suited for.

How Dog Toe Grips Work

The concept behind toe grips is elegantly simple. Dogs naturally use their toenails for grip, digging them in slightly with each step to gain traction. This works well on natural surfaces like dirt, grass, and carpet, where the nails can engage the surface. On smooth, hard floors like hardwood and tile, the nails slide without catching.

Toe grips are small rubber rings that slide onto the toenail, adding a high-friction rubber surface to the nail tip. When the dog walks, the rubber contacts the floor and grips it, mimicking the natural traction that nails provide on soft surfaces. Because they work with the dog's existing walking mechanics rather than changing them, most dogs barely notice they are wearing them.

The Most Well-Known Brand: Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips

Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips are the original and most widely recognized product in this category. Developed by a veterinarian, they are non-toxic rubber rings available in multiple sizes. They have built a strong reputation in the veterinary rehabilitation community and are recommended by many canine physical therapists.

Other brands have entered the market with similar concepts, but Dr. Buzby's remains the standard against which others are measured. Regardless of brand, the core design is the same: a rubber ring that fits on the toenail.

The Pros: What Toe Grips Do Well

Completely Non-Intrusive

This is the biggest advantage of toe grips. Unlike boots and socks, toe grips do not cover the paw pad, do not change how the foot contacts the ground, and do not require your dog to tolerate wearing something on their feet. For dogs who refuse to wear any kind of footwear, this can be a game-changer.

Most dogs show no awareness that the grips are on their nails. There is no adjustment period, no boot dance, and no gradual training required. You put them on, and your dog walks normally, just with more traction.

Invisible and Unobtrusive

Toe grips are small and usually match the color of the nails or are translucent. They do not change your dog's appearance or get in the way during daily activities. Your dog can eat, sleep, play, and go outside without any modification to their routine.

Work With Natural Gait

Because toe grips enhance the natural function of the toenail rather than replacing it, they work with your dog's existing walking pattern. There is no gait alteration, no restriction of paw movement, and no change in ground feel. This is particularly important for dogs with neurological conditions who need to maintain whatever proprioceptive awareness they still have.

Easy to Try

Toe grips are relatively inexpensive and easy to apply at home. If they do not work for your dog, you have not made a major investment. A set of toe grips typically costs between $15 and $35 depending on size and quantity, making them one of the most affordable traction solutions available.

The Cons: Where Toe Grips Fall Short

They Fall Off

This is the most common complaint. Toe grips can slip off the nail, especially on dogs who are active outdoors, dig, or have nails that are worn smooth. Some owners find themselves replacing grips every few days, while others get weeks of use. Applying a small amount of superglue (the brand recommends a specific adhesive) can improve retention, but even then, they are not permanent.

Nail Length Matters

Toe grips work best on nails that are a moderate length. They need enough nail surface to grip onto. If your dog's nails are kept very short, the grips may not have enough room to stay in place. If the nails are very long, the grips may sit too far from the paw pad to be effective. There is a sweet spot of nail length that takes some experimentation to find.

Limited to Hard, Smooth Floors

Toe grips are specifically designed for indoor smooth surfaces. They do not provide significant additional traction on carpet, grass, dirt, or rough outdoor surfaces. If your dog primarily needs help outdoors, boots or paw wax may be more effective.

Sizing Can Be Tricky

Getting the right size requires measuring the nail diameter, which is not always straightforward. Too large and they slip off. Too small and they are difficult to apply and may be uncomfortable. Many owners go through a round or two of sizing before finding the right fit, which can be frustrating and adds to the cost.

Not All Dogs Are Candidates

Dogs with very thin or brittle nails may not be good candidates. Dogs who chew their nails or feet obsessively may remove the grips immediately. And dogs with significant nail deformities from age or injury may not be able to wear them effectively.

Application Tips

Applying toe grips is straightforward but benefits from some technique:

1. Start with the right size. If you are unsure, order a sizing kit or a multi-size pack. The grip should slide onto the nail with slight resistance and sit firmly without being forced.
2. Apply to the middle nails first. The two middle nails on each paw bear the most weight and provide the most traction benefit. You can skip the dewclaws and the outer nails initially.
3. Push the grip on with a twisting motion. This seats the rubber more securely on the nail surface.
4. Consider adhesive for staying power. A tiny drop of recommended adhesive inside the grip before application can significantly extend how long they stay on.
5. Have treats ready. While most dogs do not mind the process, treats make it more pleasant and encourage cooperation for future applications.

How Toe Grips Compare to Other Solutions

Toe Grips vs. Grip Socks

Grip socks provide broader coverage and more consistent traction but require your dog to tolerate wearing something on their feet. Toe grips are invisible and non-intrusive but may fall off and provide traction only at the nail contact points. Dogs who hate socks often do well with toe grips, and vice versa.

Toe Grips vs. Paw Wax

Paw wax creates traction at the paw pad rather than the nail. It is the least intrusive option and works for dogs who will not tolerate anything on their feet or nails. However, it wears off within hours and needs frequent reapplication. Toe grips last longer per application but require more effort to apply.

Toe Grips vs. Boots

Boots provide the most comprehensive traction and also protect the paw, but they are the most intrusive option and require training to accept. Toe grips are at the opposite end of the spectrum: minimal intervention with minimal intrusiveness. For dogs who need heavy-duty traction or outdoor protection, boots win. For light indoor traction without fuss, toe grips win.

Who Should Try Toe Grips

Based on the strengths and limitations, toe grips are best suited for:

• Dogs who refuse to wear boots, socks, or any paw coverings
• Dogs who primarily slip on indoor smooth floors
• Dogs with mild to moderate traction issues
• Owners looking for an affordable first step before trying more involved products
• Dogs with neurological conditions where maintaining paw sensation is important

Toe grips may not be the best choice for dogs who need outdoor traction, dogs with very short or very long nails, dogs who are highly active and rough on their nails, or situations where consistent, all-day traction is essential.

The Bottom Line

Toe grips are a clever, low-profile solution that works well for a specific set of circumstances. They are not a universal fix, but for the right dog, they provide meaningful traction improvement with zero intrusion on daily life. The low cost and easy application make them worth trying, even if you ultimately move to a different solution.

The best approach for most senior dogs is to have several traction tools in your toolkit. Toe grips for everyday indoor use, paw wax as a backup, and boots for outdoor walks. Between these options, you can cover virtually any surface and situation your dog encounters.