Walkin' on Sunshine With Help From ToeGrips®: A FiveSibes Review

ToeGrips made Gibson a happy Husky!

*Updated December 2023*

We are now a proud ToeGrips Affiliate (after being a very happy customer!)

Many of you already are familiar with my boy Gibson's journey with Canine Epilepsy that I have blogged about here over the years. If you are new to my blog, you can check out our comprehensive FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K9 Epilepsy Online Resource Library (or you can put "Gibson" or "Canine Epilepsy" in the search box to pull up the posts). Gibson, who was now nine at the time of this original post, had been on the medications Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide since he was diagnosed at age three. While medications can manage seizures, the downside is the possible side effects, such as lethargy, weight gain, and weak hind issues, all of which Gibson experienced and lived with every day. Aside from the Conservative Care Management course of treatment I give him, which includes vitamin supplements, rehab walking in a lift harness, use of leg braces, and laser therapy, I am always extremely cautious with his care. It's truly a rollercoaster ride at times with worry about his physical handicaps, so small successes are a huge achievement! But the nature of the beast is that I never know when something, like a fall or ligament tear, will rear its ugly head and challenge both Gibson and myself.

Gibson has had weak hind end issues for years.

Since we have flooring and not rugs, Gibson's feet would slip and slide and he has even done a scary split and wound up prone on the floor a few times. A heart stopper for me. With his weak hind issues, something as a simple slip or slide can really do some serious damage. Additionally, he had torn both of his CCLs and had a fall a year ago that left him lame. Thankfully, after more than 12 months of holistic treatments, supplements, aids such as a lift harness and leg braces, and finally light rehab walking, my boy was able to stand for a very short bit on his own and walk a few steps around the house, which is a great accomplishment! He was still in a lift harness for his outdoor (bathroom) walks. I keep his nails trimmed, as well as the long fur around his paw pads, to help him from sliding. 

But he still slipped. 

Gibson on one of the throw rugs.

Enter throw rugs. I had all lengths and sizes of throw rugs throughout my house to give him the safety he needs. And I have to admit, while the throw rugs are not a pretty sight, I kept them there for the safety and security of Gibson. And then last winter, I heard about Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips. They seemed simple enough--they slip on over the dog's nails. And they look cute...like your dog had a colorful manicure! I contacted them and after learning more, knew this was something that could possibly help Gibson. I knew I needed to give these a try. If they worked, then some of the worry of him slipping and falling and causing even more injury to his already weak hind end and knees could be eliminated. How wonderful that would be! And maybe, just maybe, I could remove a few of the throw rugs scattered about! An added bonus!

NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. Qualifying purchases could result in us receiving a commision *at no extra cost* to you.

 

Who is Dr. Julie Buzby? 

Dr. Buzby is a certified holistic veterinarian and founder of ToeGrips. States her website, "As an integrative veterinarian, Julie seeks to integrate the best of Western medicine, alternative therapies, and creative tools for maximum wellness in her patients. She is the "Ask the Vet" columnist for the All Things Dog Blog and serves on the Advisory Board of the Grey Muzzle Organization." You can read more about them and order some for your dog HERE through our  link!

How do you know what size ToeGrips to order for your dog? 

First, you need to measure your dog's nails. Simple directions on how to do this, Dr. Buzby's blog, and ordering info are on the ToeGrips website.

Once the ToeGrips are ordered and have you have them, putting them on only takes a few minutes and are quite easy to do. Full instructions on website and in the package.

How do you put them on?

 The rubber grips are first placed in rubbing alcohol and then put on wet. They are positioned on the dog's toe nail in the "grip zone" giving them instant traction. 

 

Courtesy of ToeGrips.com

Gibson's paw with ToeGrips on. They should be slipped down a little lower on nail.

At first I thought Gibson would nibble at them and manage to pull them off, but they are pretty secure, he did not bother them, and doesn't seem to mind them being on at all! ToeGrips recommends replacing every one to three months, depending on your dog's wear and tear. They need to be checked daily to ensure they did not shift position and get too close to the nail bed. Always have nails in good shape and trimmed prior to putting on the ToeGrips. (And with Gibson being a wooly Husky, a trim to the fur around the paw pads as that fur can make them slide). Gibson is green for large, and they are priced at a very fair price! A small price to pay for the traction it provides!  

 

 SO PROUD TO BE A TOE GRIPS AFFILIATE!

Please use our FiveSibes affiliate link 

 ( https://shop.toegrips.com/fivesibes) 

to a product we trust, and help us earn a commission at no extra cost to you!

But do they really work?

Gib standing at the window.

 

Here is my story told back in real time:

Yes, they do work, and wonderfully! I have to admit, when I rolled up the living room and kitchen rugs to have give them the walk test with the ToeGrips on, I was pretty anxious as I would never want to do anything to hurt him and I definitely thought "What if he slips?" But I had watched several of the ToeGrip videos on their website of dogs in the same situation as Gibson and was amazed with the results. After an initial balk (knowing the floor was bare), he trusted me enough to come when I called him. He walked ever-so-gingerly testing the typically slippery floor, and as he kept his footing, the smile spread from his mouth to his eyes! He had one slight slip, but was able to regain footing instantly with the grips on. He even was able to stand for about a minute looking out the window without slipping down to the floor! 

If your dog is arthritic, has special needs, or is just afraid of walking on flooring, it's so important to give them the footing stability that also gives them a peace of mind, reassuring them that when they are standing or walking, whether on their own or in a lift harness, they have safe footing. In Gibson's case, his new normal since his fall is that he can't stand for very long, and his walking is limited to around the house before he needs to sit down. But, once he is up whether I assisted him with the harness, or if he is able to get himself up (all depending on the state of his weak hind end), what a peace of mind knowing that he can now safely navigate our floors with paw stability.

Gibson himself, as you can see in my video below, did not want to cross the floor at first. He knew that the floor equaled a slip or fall. After some persuading, he put his trust in me and walked across the floor! Each step had purpose as he placed it down and quickly realized his footing was more secure. Watching him gain confidence was just exhilarating! And he knew it, too! And this was just Day One of wearing the ToeGrips!

ToeGrips are such a great asset to a dog who is rehabilitating or has special needs, like Gibson, to help them gain confidence from the instant traction they provide. Just 16 little colorful rubber pieces made such a difference. I'm thrilled to have discovered ToeGrips and enjoyed giving them a test run! I'm so impressed with them, I offered to do this review to help other dog parents and I will be purchasing them for Gibson as part of his continuous Conservative Care.

We give the Dr. Buzby's ToeGrips a hearty FiveSibes Four-Paws (times 5!) Rating of Excellence! And now (2023) very proud to be an affiliate!

 

 

 

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