How to Clean Your Dog's Paws After a Walk (Mud, Snow and Salt)

Most dogs come home with more on their feet than you can see. Mud packs between the toes, grit gets stuck in the fur around the pads, and in winter the sidewalk adds de-icing salt. Wiping paws takes about two minutes, and doing it right at the door keeps your floors clean and your dog more comfortable.

Why It Is Worth Doing After Every Walk

Clean floors are the obvious reason, but not the main one. Caked dirt can hide small cuts and cracks on the pads, and a wound that stays dirty is more likely to get infected. In cold months the bigger issue is road salt and ice melt. Dogs lick their feet once they are inside, and swallowing those chemicals can irritate the mouth and upset the stomach. Wiping the paws removes them before that happens.

What to Keep by the Door

The routine only works if everything is within reach before your dog runs into the house. You need four things:

• An absorbent mat just inside the door, so the first few steps take off most of the water
• A towel that lives by the door and nowhere else
• Lukewarm water, in a spray bottle, a bowl or a paw washer cup
• Pet-safe wipes for quick days. Skip wipes made for people, which often contain alcohol or fragrance

A chenille mat does the first job without any effort from you. The long microfiber strands soak up water and catch loose dirt while your dog walks across it. It will not remove mud that is caked on, but it stops the trail of wet prints from the door to the sofa.

The Two-Minute Routine

Keep the leash on until you are done, so your dog cannot run off with four wet feet.

• Let them stand on the mat. A few seconds on an absorbent mat takes off the surface water.
• Rinse the dirty paws. For light dust, a damp cloth or pet wipe is enough. For mud, dip each paw in lukewarm water or use a paw washer cup and twist gently so the water reaches between the toes.
• Clean between the toes and pads. Spread the toes with your fingers and wipe the gaps. This is where mud, small stones and salt collect.
• Dry properly. Squeeze each foot in a dry towel, then dry between the toes. Damp fur between the pads can irritate the skin and makes your dog slip on hard floors.
• Take a quick look. Check the pads for cuts, cracks or redness while the paw is already in your hand.

For dogs that come back covered in mud, a paw washer cup is the fastest fix. You fill it with water, push one paw in at a time and twist. The soft silicone bristles inside loosen the dirt between the toes, and the lid keeps it from spilling in the car.

Winter Walks: Salt, Snow and Ice Balls

Winter adds two problems. The first is ice melt on sidewalks and roads. Wipe or rinse the paws after every winter walk, even when they look clean, and keep your dog from licking them until you have. If you treat your own steps, choose a pet-safe ice melt.

The second is snow that sticks to the fur between the toes and turns into hard little ice balls. They pull at the skin and make walking painful. Trimming that fur shorter helps, but do not shave it to the skin: a little fur protects the pads from the cold and from salt. If your dog walks on salted streets every day, well-fitted boots are the most reliable protection, and a paw wax is a lighter option for short walks.

Trim the Fur and the Nails

Long fur around the feet collects mud like a mop. Keeping it neat makes cleaning much quicker. Trim around the edges of the foot with blunt-tip scissors if your dog stays calm, and leave the hair between the pads to a groomer if you are not confident. Short nails help too: they do not trap dirt and they give your dog better grip on wet floors. Our dog grooming tools guide covers brushes, clippers and grinders.

When to Call the Vet

A small scrape usually heals on its own if you keep it clean and dry. Call your vet if a cut is deep or keeps bleeding, if a pad is cracked open, if the paw looks swollen or hot, or if your dog limps or keeps licking the same foot. Constant licking after walks can also point to an allergy or irritation that is worth checking.

The Short Version

Put an absorbent mat inside the door, keep a towel and lukewarm water next to it, clean between the toes, dry well and check the pads. In winter, never skip the wipe after salted sidewalks. For our full picks, including a pet hair roller for the couch, see the muddy paws and pet hair guide.

Questions People Ask

Sources

• PetMD: 7 Ways to Clean Your Dog's Paws
• Vetstreet, Dr. Marty Becker: Wiping your dog's paws after a winter walk