Bluey the dog's special boots for grass allergy

Bluey "walked like a clown" at first

A dog with a seasonal allergy to grass has been fitted with £50 set of boots specially made for him in Canada.

Bluey, from Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, spends hours licking his poorly paws after just a few minutes outside during autumn and winter.

The eight-year-old Weimaraner has had the problem since he was a puppy but his owner noticed it worsen when they moved away from the city.

Velcro straps the boots to his feet.

Owner, Julie Farr, 38, said: "We have had Bluey since he was a puppy and we have noticed the problems before but it got much worse after we moved and he was spending more time outside.

"His feet were often inflamed and red. He would lick and bite them until I covered his feet in a blanket.

"I even tried tying carrier bags round his feet to ease the problem, but it wasn't very practical, so I found the boots online.

"At first he wasn't impressed, but now he will happily wear them. It's fantastic to see him running round without any problems."

As soon as the symptoms appeared, Julie took Bluey to the vets, who was unable to diagnose exactly what the dog is allergic too, but said that it is likely to be something outdoors.

Bluey was already unable to eat any meat other than fish and turkey and had to take allergy tablets.

Carrier bags

"I also had to wash his feet in surgical soap, before putting E45 cream on and giving him some socks to wear to stop him biting at them," Julie says.

"But the socks were soaking after just a few minutes outside so I tried tying carrier bags round them, but it just wasn't a practical solution.

"I decided to shop around and see if I could get Bluey some boots to wear. I couldn't stand to see my poor boy moping around."

Julie bought Bluey a set of Neopaws boots. Made in Canada, the boots strap to his feet using Velcro.

Bluey has been wearing the boots for three weeks and his paws have almost fully recovered

He has now been wearing the boots for three weeks and his paws have almost fully recovered.

Julie added: "Bluey is getting on very well with the boots, prancing around like a puppy.

"He wasn't keen to put them on at all at first but I mentioned it to Ronnie, the lady at Neopaws and she advised giving treats to encourage compliance, and just getting the boots on and going out so he doesn't have time to worry about them.

"He walked like a clown at first, very uncoordinated, but within a few minutes he was fine. He sounds like a horse now when he runs around.

"I think he quite likes them because they keep his feet warm and dry."