Hello, pet parents! It’s time for us to roll up our sleeves (and maybe our pant legs) to tackle a common canine conundrum: dirty paws. If you're a dog owner, you're probably quite familiar with the sight of your furry friend bounding joyfully through mud, grass, and who knows what else. While these adventures are undoubtedly fun, they often leave behind a trail of dirty, muddy paws.
Fear not, though! Keeping your dog's paws clean doesn't have to be a daunting task. In fact, with a little know-how and the right tools, you can ensure that those adorable little tootsies stay clean and healthy after every outdoor excursion.
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Content:
- How to Clean Dog Paws: Pawsitively Clean
- Step-By-Step
- Dog Paw Cleaners and Washers
- How to Fix Rough Dog Paws
- FAQs
- Conclusion
How to Clean Dog Paws: Pawsitively Clean
I’m going to walk you through (pun intended) the step-by-step process of cleaning your dog's paws after a walk, from pre-walk preparations to post-walk cleanup. Whether you're dealing with muddy puddles, sandy beaches, or city streets, I’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to keep your pup's paws in pristine condition.
Are you ready?
1: Wet Wipes at the Door
Wet wipes aren’t exactly ecologically friendly, so this isn’t the best approach if you’d also like to keep a green stance. You can, however, use dog-friendly/safe wet wipes to wipe over your pet’s paws as they come inside from a muddy garden. This works for a quick wipe, but you’ll get through a lot of wet wipes if you want to keep your four-legged friend’s toe beans clean.
2: Microfiber Towel
For getting rid of wet feet and to prevent slipping, a soft towel works great! Allocate one towel to your dog, then use it to wipe their feet whenever it’s necessary. You could always use your Petcube GPS Tracker to check when they’re coming, to get ready at the door!
According to some studies, dogs paws are said to be cleaner than the bottoms of human shoes, but bacteria and allergens can enter the home by way of their feet, which exposes them to allergies and more.
3: Wash in Sink/Bath/Shower
The method of choice for cleaning your pup’s paws will heavily depend on you, your dog’s attitude, and how big they are. Smaller dogs can have their little paws washed properly in the kitchen sink. Larger dogs, however, will probably need a bath or shower to get all the grime off properly.
Science and several studies have shown that you can several diseases from your pet, including:
- Brucellosis;
- Campylobacteriosis;
- Leptospirosis;
- Rabies;
- Ringworm;
- Tick-borne illnesses;
- Salmonella;
- Gastroenteritis.
4: Automatic Paw Cleaner
This contraption has been designed for the sole purpose of ensuring your dog’s feet are clean, and working it is super simple. Pop the dog’s paw in, give it a little twist, then remove. Wipe the paw dry, and you’re basically done!
Pet tech done right, if you ask me.
5: Paw Mat
If your dog listens (which my Bulldog, Frank, doesn’t,) you can train them to wipe their feet when they walk in through the door. Using a welcome mat or dog paw-cleaning mat, you’ll avoid wet and muddy floors, your pup will slip around a lot less, and they’ll have dry paws that aren’t covered in all sorts that they’ll probably end up swallowing.
6: Doggy Booties
American Kennel Club recommends using doggy booties, which are, quite literally, boots for your dog, when heading outside. This helps to protect the paws from extreme hot and cold, insects, and sharp or dangerous items on the ground, and they’re also easy to take off when your dog walks inside, keeping your floor and their paws nice and clean!
As vet Dr. Adam Christman states on Tiktok, your dog’s paws are designed for several things, but hot asphalt definitely isn’t one of them, so the booties are a great idea for walks in the summer, too.
Step-By-Step
Gather everything you’ll need before you start bathing or washing your dog; otherwise, you might lose the interest and calmness as you hunt around.
Using lukewarm water and dog-friendly washing products, get the paws nice and wet, then massage a good helping of dog-safe cleaner into the hair, paws, toe beans, and everywhere else.
Rinse the cleaner out properly. Do this stage twice if you need to. No rinsing out the product could lead to skin irritation and allergies.
Once your pet’s paws and clean and completely free from shampoo or cleaning products, make sure that you dry your dog’s paws properly. This means going down in-between the toes and more.
Your dog’s paws need cleaning more frequently than just when they go into a muddy area. Try to get into a routine where you give them a thorough wash every few months. Vets talking to Hills Pet suggest bathing your dog every three months, but there are no hard-and-fast rules for those furry little paws. Most pet parents agree that every week or two is a good idea, and more if your dog gets dirtier than usual.
Dog Paw Cleaners and Washers
Ideally, you should wash your dog in a dog-safe shampoo, using clean water that is warm – not hot/cold. The kind of detergent that you wash your dishes with is not suitable for dogs. Nor is human shampoo. Both are too harsh and contain chemicals that could cause doggy allergies and even strip the coat of essential natural oils.
You can use the following home remedies for dirty or smelly dog paws:
- Apple cider vinegar (diluted);
- Baking soda;
- Iodine antiseptic solution (diluted).
Anything other than dog-friendly solutions and those listed above could cause great harm to your pet, such as toxic poisoning. Such cases can be an emergency… and life-threatening. Thankfully, that’s where Petcube’s Emergency Fund comes in.
For less than $1 per day, you’ll unlock the Emergency Fund, which offers $3,000 worth of emergency pet care every 12 months, covering up to six pets in your household! That’s not all, either. As well as peace of mind, you’ll get access to licensed, qualified, and fully-trained vets, all from a few taps of your finger. Video calls, photos, and in-app chats are all it takes to get your furry friends the medical care they need.
Oh, and it gets better! You can get 27% off the regular price by using this link. It’s a thank you from Petcube (and me) for stopping by and checking out the blog today. So, thank you!
How to Fix Rough Dog Paws
Does your doggo have rough paw pads or paws? Don’t worry, your dog isn’t the only one going through such a thing. In fact, it’s quite common in dogs, especially those that spend a lot of time in the great outdoors.
Wax-based products are great for your pet’s paws during the colder winter months. Other suitable home and beauty products for dogs include:
- Vaseline (petroleum jelly);
- Coconut oil;
- Shea butter;
- Olive oil;
- Vitamin E;
- Argan oil;
- Beeswax.
You should ALWAYS ensure that any products you use are suitable for dogs, and they don’t contain potentially toxic or hazardous ingredients. If you’re not sure, ask your vet first, or give one of Petcube’s always-available vets a shout.
As always, monitoring your pet is vital when using new products or therapies. Be sure to check your interactive pet camera on a regular basis, so you can pick up on any problems before they have a chance to be actually problematic!
You should also check your dog’s paws on a regular occasion, for cuts, grazes, and similar. Certified veterinary assistant Pamela Payne, speaking to PetMD, states: “Although they may start out as minor wounds, they can rapidly develop an infection if untreated.”
FAQs
Can I use Dawn detergent to wash my dog’s paws?
No, you should not use Dawn detergent (or any other cleaner/human cleaner) o clean your dog’s paws. Detergents contain ingredients that aren’t always suitable for dogs, which is why they’re not marketed as being pet-friendly. In fact, many cleaning products around the home contain toxic chemicals that can seriously affect your pets. Always and only use a dog-safe cleaner for any kind of doggy cleaning!
Neosporin is a human medication/topical treatment that dogs can use in small amounts, and the same applies to Sudocrem. You should always consult with your vet before using any kind of human medication for dogs, though. The last thing you’ll want to do is make things worse, right?
Conclusion
With these simple steps, you can keep your dog's paws clean and healthy after every walk. Remember, regular paw cleaning not only prevents dirt and debris from being tracked into your home but also helps prevent irritation and infection. By making paw cleaning a part of your post-walk routine, you'll ensure that your furry friend's paws stay happy, healthy, and ready for their next adventure.
So, grab those paw wipes and get ready to keep those paws clean and pristine!
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