5 Best Dog Paw Cleaners for Maintaining Spotless Floors, Furniture and Cars
Updated: Jan. 24, 2024
With spring comes showers—and muddy paws that dig up flowers. Here are the best dog paw cleaner options to keep your floors, furniture and car squeaky clean.
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Spring paves the way for warmer temps, blooming flowers and outdoor activities. But it also brings rain which, for pet parents, translates into muddy paw prints across the floor, furniture and car interior. While there are pet vacuums to keep hair at bay and stain removers for accidents, a dog paw cleaner is a must for pet parents looking to maintain a clean and sanitary home. Not to mention, paw cleaners come in handy beyond obvious traces of dirt and mud. While you can remove your shoes after playtime at the dog park, your pup does not share that same luxury (yuck!).
Keeping paws clean and tidy goes beyond looking and smelling good. Handling paws regularly also helps monitor the feet for injuries or problems. There are different paw products available—from washer cups and cleaning solutions to floor mats—all designed to help you and your puppy partner kick the dirt to the curb—outside, where it belongs. Here are some of the top picks.
Courtesy Amy Shojai/ RD.com
Best overall
Dexas Mudbuster
For mega messes, nothing beats the Mudbuster. The simple, sturdy and effective design works great on nearly every size paw—it comes in large, medium and small—and addresses any amount of fur. The plastic cup features a soft internal silicon bristle brush, making it easy and gentle to use. Simply fill the cup with water, dip your dog’s muddy paw, twist the cup to enable bristle scrubbing and remove to dry. Then repeat on each paw.
The Mudbuster not only rinses off the dirt and combs free the dingy fur, it keeps the soiled water contained. It’s durable, portable for road trips with your pup and is well worth the investment. See my full review of the Mudbuster here.
Pros
- Economical choice that works for all size dogs
- Amazon best-seller with nearly 57,000 ratings
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean (top-rack dishwasher safe)
- Available in 8 colors and 3 sizes
Cons
- Best used outside (or on a towel)
- Pulling paw out may spill water
- A handle would help with maneuvering the cup
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Most convenient
Earth Rated Dog Wipes
When you find yourself in a spot without water access, Earth Rated Dog Wipes offer convenience without the mess of potential spills experienced with some paw cleaners. These Amazon best-selling wipes make cleaning paws easy and struggle free, since many dogs dislike having their feet immersed in chilly water. You don’t have to change dirty rinse, either. Just pull out one of the wipes from the packet (which is conveniently-sized to keep in your car glove box, purse or coat pocket, along with Amazon’s best-selling dog poop bags), wipe each paw and dispose! They’re completely compostable, so you can feel good about using them every day.
Each wipe contains Aloe vera, shea butter, chamomile and cucumber. Choose scent-free or soothing lavender. They’re free of alcohol and parabens, with canine dermatologists endorsing them as gentle for even sensitive paws.
Pros
- Convenient to use (no water required)
- Dog friendly (no submerging paws in water)
- Portable
- Disposable and earth friendly/compostable
- Inexpensive
- Single or multi-pack available
- Available in scented or unscented
Cons
- Not suited for heavy cleanup
- May require several wipes per paw for big messes
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Best floor mat
Gorilla Grip Door Mat
An absorbent mat is helpful for catching dirty paws before they enter the house, especially when you’re not around to stop them. But some slip and slide and others don’t absorb the mess. That’s why the Gorilla Grip Door Mat is one of a kind for effectively confining messes to the immediate doorway area. This highly-absorbent material features non-skid rubber backing, and the microfiber composition is machine washable. Available in eight sizes, this mat comes in 30 colors to match any decor. Pair it with one of these stylish dog crates that double as furniture for your home.
Pros
- Highly absorbent (and dries quickly)
- Nonskid backing
- Machine washable
- Available in eight sizes and 30 color choices
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it did not stand up well to repeated washing
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Best deep cleaning
Deep Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets
Keeping dog paws clean also impacts canine health. Some dogs, such as Bulldogs, are prone to yeasty paws that can lead to itching and odor. Dogs allergic to grass and mold also absorb the allergens through the webbing between their paw pads. A build-up of dirt and bacteria irritates the skin, which can lead to constant licking to relieve the itch. Rinsing off the feet may not get rid of all the irritation.
Warren London Deep Cleaning Paw Fizz Tablets offer deep cleaning for itch and odor relief. While the tablets are not inexpensive, the incredible relief they provide is invaluable to affected dogs. Made with natural ingredients, the tablets are designed to soothe paws, brighten nails and eliminate irritations—fungus, bacteria, yeast and germs—that cause obsessive paw licking. To use, fill your bathtub just enough to cover your pup’s paws and let him stand and soak for five minutes before rinsing.
Pros
- Relieves itchy dirty paws
- Up to twice a week use
- Made with natural ingredients
Cons
- On the pricier side (but relief for your pup will be worth the investment)
- Requires a bathtub
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Best waterless
Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo
There are several dog shampoos available, but most require a dunk-and-scrub maneuver. Dogs with dingy feet don’t always need complete submersion, so the Wahl Pet-Friendly Waterless Shampoo offers a great option. The lavender and chamomile ingredients also help calm ornery dogs, and the smell helps to keep odors at bay between baths. Just use the pump to dispense the mousse-like foam into your hand, work it into the paw pad and wipe dry with a clean towel. No need to rinse—just apply, wipe and done. And, yes, it can work on the rest of the coat, too, if your mud puppy splashes dirt up his legs.
Pros
- Waterless shampoo with no rinse required
- Foam doesn’t scare dogs who fear sprays
- No-mess cleaning
- Economical
- Lavender scent helps calm anxious dogs
Cons
- Some dogs may dislike the aroma
What to consider when buying a dog paw cleaner
Not all dogs need every kind of dog paw cleaner, while others may benefit from several types. Choose the product based on your dog’s size, activity level, fur length and what is most convenient for you and your pup. Most dog homes benefit from a floor mat that helps capture the dust, dirt and other material paws track indoors. A good pet-specific vacuum mop also helps keep things tidy. And a pet with particularly stinky feet benefits more from scented products, while non-scented work best for others, especially those with sensitive skin.
If you have an energetic, athletic dog who objects to paw handling, look into some training exercises to help him better tolerate having his feet touched.
How we found the best dog paw cleaners
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Are dog paw cleaners safe for everyday use?
That depends on the individual cleaner and the sensitivity of the dog. Obviously, a floor mat works multiple times a day, but you should follow the product recommendations for a medicated treatment. In most cases, products designed for cleaning dog paws are safe for daily use.
How often should I clean my dog’s paws?
Depending on the dog, experts recommend a full bath every three to six months. While there are no specific recommendations for paw cleaning, daily attention with dog paw cleaners works well (and you should check paws at least once a week for any problems, especially if he licks or limps). During wet weather, you may need to wipe paws every time your pup comes inside.
Originally Published: April 20, 2023
