Cleaning Dog Paws After Walk
Cleaning your dog’s paws is one of the most essential steps in grooming. Most people ignore this whenever they take their dog for a walk.
Not all dogs wear shoes, which means that their paws can get dirty after a few meters of walk, depending on the place moving on.
Cleaning your dog’s paws after a walk can be a simple process of several methods that can help you clean your dog’s paws with good manners and keep your dog away from various infections. Follow the steps below:
THE BEST WAYS TO CLEAN YOUR DOG’S PAWS
There are several methods which you can try to clean your dog’s paws after walking properly and make your dog paws neat; various methods are:
1: MUDBUSTER
One of the most efficient ways to clean dusty, dirty dog paws can be the mudbuster, and I highly recommend it. This is a simple device that can clean your dog’s paws by itself. You only have to follow these steps:
- Fill MudBuster with warm water or dog shampoo
- Place your dog’s paw in the Mudbuster
- Twist the device
- Remove your dog’s paw and dry it with a towel
Just like you have gone through the steps, it’s a simple process. One of the benefits of this device is that all the dirt and mud are kept inside it. Wash the mud buster after using it. Simple, Ahn!!
Since you know me, I take care of my dogs very well. I started using this device a long time ago, and it helped me a lot. Whenever I come back home, I use it to clean my dog’s paws.
2: WET RAG
Another easy way to clean your dog’s paws before coming inside is to use a wet rag. This method is easy and can be done by a very new pet owner. When I was a newbie groomer, I used to use wet rags with soap to clean dog paws.
How to use:
- Hold a wet rag in your hand.
- Hold the dog’s paw with your other hand.
- Constantly move the damp rag on the paw, removing the debris and oils.
- Now, use the same method for the other three paws.
I no longer use this method because it requires a lot of rags, which was not possible for me to wash after cleaning my dog’s paws. I also suggest you use other methods provided in the article.
3: Dog cleaning wipes:
I always carry a bundle of Dog cleaning wipes with me whenever I go out with my dog. These help me clean my dog’s paws at the spot by only grabbing the paw in my hand and wiping any stuff attached. That’s an easy way!!
Note that you should use only dog-specific cleaning wipes. Most people associate these wipes with baby wipes, which are not. Dog cleaning wipes are different and have a specific pH that will not irritate your dog’s paws.
Remember that this can be a costly process if you use wipes frequently. So, use wisely when needed.
4: Paw Bath
Rather than giving the dog a full bath, you can only bath the paws. This can also save you time.
There are two ways to give a bath to your dog:
- Bathtub
- Shower
If you are going with a bathtub, follow the steps below:
- Fill your bathtub with water the height of a dog hock
- Mix a small amount of dog shampoo
3. Let your dogs paw get thoroughly wet, and small debris leave themself
4. Use your hands to clean the paws. Just scrub the areas to be cleaned
5. Dry your dog’s paws with a dry cloth
If you are going to shower, follow the steps below:
- Follow all the steps included in the Bathtub wash. The only thing to be replaced is your hands with the shower.
Tip: Paw baths should be done once a week to keep paws fresh and clean.
5: Dog booties
This might look funny, but did you know there are boots for dogs as well? These boots are available in various pet shops. I recently bought them for my puppy Jerry, and I really enjoy wearing them. These shoes can keep your dog’s paws clean and not let you clean them all the time.
Keep in mind that not all dogs are comfortable wearing boots, so don’t panic if your dog is not wearing them and taking them off repeatedly.
6: TEACH YOUR DOG TO WIPE PAWS
Did you know your dog can self-clean its paws very well? Yes, this is possible if your dog is properly trained to do so before getting inside. There are various commands to train your dog to do this.
How to train your dog to wipe their paws:
- Place a treat under a towel, and your dog will try to dig it out; after this, provide it with a treat.
- Let your dog dig at the towel without putting a treat under it; mark and reward!
- When your dog starts to dig the towel itself before it starts, say dig or use any command.
7: Baking Soda
This is also a simple remedy that can be done at home to clean your dog’s paws. For this, you need 3 tbsp baking soda mixed in warm water. Now massage your dog’s paws with it for 10 to 15 seconds for best results.
EXTRA PAW CARE IDEAS
- Nail Trimming
- Protect paws in various weathers
- Trim the excess fur
- Check for cuts on paw pads
- Moisturizing and conditioning paw pads
Nail trimming:
Trimming your dog’s nails can be very good for its paw health. You should trim dog nails consistently after a week. When the nails grow more than the limit, they turn back to the paw skin and irritate the dog.
Follow the steps to trim your dog’s nails at home:
- Softly hold your dog’s paw in your hand and take out a single toe with the other.
- There is a pink area inside the nail containing blood vessels and nerves. You have to avoid cutting into it.
- Now clip off a small amount of the nail at a time.
Remember that cutting nails can be callous work. Do it calmly.
Protect paws various weathers:
Protecting dog paws in different weather is very important, just like protecting humans’ paws. In winter, I used to protect my dog’s paws with boots, wax, or balm and clean them after every walk.
On hot days, the surface becomes extremely hot, which is very dangerous for dog pads. When your dog walks on hot surfaces, it can cause blisters, irritation, and burns.
Trim the excess fur:
I always suggest people trim the fur around the paws because it can prevent debris such as dirt, sticks, and ice from getting trapped and prevent various infections. Recently, my cocker spaniel (Soniya) got infected, but now she is perfect.
Check for cuts on paw pads:
Sometimes, your dog walks on surfaces that are not good for walking barefoot and gets cuts on its paw pads, which are mostly not able to be seen with the naked eye.
We always have to check our dog’s paws when we clean them to ensure there are no cuts. Cuts can irritate your dog and cause infections.
Moisturizing and conditioning paw pads:
As a human, there is no person in the world who has not done foot care to keep them moisturized and crack-free.
Similarly, dogs also need this. As we know, dogs walk bare paws, which can lead to cracks in their pads after some months of walking.
To protect my dog’s pads, I use paw moisturizer, which helps pads from future issues such as cracking.
Reasons You Should Clean Your Dog’s Paws Frequently
1: Cleanliness:
One of the most important reasons behind cleaning the dog’s paws is to maintain cleanliness around yourself. About years ago, I usually didn’t clean my dog’s paws for weeks, and as a result, I faced various issues.
Whenever my dog sleeps on my bed, it becomes dirty and dusty, which is quite irritating for me. Later, I started working on my dog’s paws to keep the bed clean.
Cleaning dog paws can also improve your dog’s overall cleanliness; whenever your dog tries to eat something hard, it uses its paws to break them and mess up the mouth.
Keep your dog’s paws clean to prevent bacteria, dirt, trash, and other dirt from entering your house.
2: Allergies:
This can be the best reason for cleaning the dog’s paws. Just like humans, Dogs get allergies, too. They can be allergic to food, pollen, or other allergens, which can be quite irritating for your dog.
If you notice that your dog is licking its paws, itching constantly, and sneezing, this can be due to allergies. When your dog walks or exercise outside, many allergens attach to its paws and come inside the house.
Cleaning dog paws can secure your dog from various allergens and keep your dog irritation and pain-free.
3: Reduce the risk of skin issues
Cleaning paws can help your dog to get any skin issues. Whenever your dog walks on the streets, many germs, chemicals, and other dangerous debris attach to its paws, which can cause skin issues after some time.
Regular cleaning of the paws can be helpful and the best way to keep your dog healthy.
4: Catch any injuries early
Regular cleanup of a dog’s paw can be beneficial for both you and your dog. If there are any injuries down the paw pad, they can be identified quickly and treated before an infection attack.
The benefit for you will be that you will not have to take your dog to a vet before it is too late. The choice is yours:)
FAQ:
Should we sanitize our dog’s paws after walking them?
I recommend sanitizing dogs’ paws after walking on any kind of chemicals. If you do not remove this, it can cause drying and cracking and allow bacteria and fungus to grow.
Now, you have to use alcohol-based sanitizers, which will remove the oils from your dog’s pads and skin. After this, clean your dog’s paw with dog shampoo.
What are the potential dangers of not cleaning my dog’s paws regularly after walks?
Not cleaning your dog’s paws regularly after walks can lead to several potential dangers:
- Infections
- Paw irritation
- Allergic Reactions
- Dog Ingesting Harmful Substances
- Parasites(Walking in certain areas can expose your dog to parasites like ticks and fleas)
- Footpad Damage
Regularly cleaning your dog’s paws helps to maintain their overall health and comfort.
Is Vaseline safe for paws?
Yes, using Vaseline is generally safe for dogs paw. It can be beneficial for protecting and moisturizing their paws, mostly in bad weather conditions.
Benefits:
Moisturization: Vaseline helps keep the paw pads moisturized and prevents them from becoming dry and cracked.
Protection: It forms a layer on the paw and protects harsh elements like salt, ice, and hot pavement.
Healing: It can aid in the healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and cracks on the paw pads.