Are Baby Wipes Safe for Dogs?
For a quick clean up, wipes are a great option and can easily be carried with you in the car or bag. Baby wipes are perfectly fine to use on your dog’s paws, butt or coat.
If you are looking for dog-specific wipes, I can recommend the Pogi plant-based dog wipes and personally opt for the natural, fragrance-free option.
They hold just the right amount of moisture to thoroughly wipe away any dirt or grind.
Also, make sure that the wipes of your choice are hypoallergenic if your dog suffers from any allergies.
Vitamin E is commonly known for its skin benefits and an amazing ingredient in dog wipes, unlike perfume which adds nothing and is abhorrent for a dog to smell.
If your walk included muddy puddles, rain, or salt, wipes probably won’t be enough. Sometimes there is just no way around rinsing your dog’s paws with lukewarm water and mild soap.
Small dogs can be cleaned in the sink while medium, large and giant breeds require a bathtub.
But sometimes you just don’t have enough time to deal with the amount of pet hair that is stuck in the bathtub or the debris left in the sink.
There is a very handy alternative called the Dexas MudBuster which is a portable paw cleaner in a small cup.
You simply need to place the muddy paw inside the waterfilled cup, twist, take it out and pat it dry with a towel.
A cleaning, durable doormat is the best option to prevent the dirt from even getting inside your home.
The Gorilla Grip Doormat will keep debris off your floors and can be placed on any entryway.
It comes with a soft surface for extra comfort and highly absorbent material. Regular washing of the mat will preserve its mud trapping qualities. Even if you are unsatisfied, they have a 10-year guarantee.
To teach your dog to actively wipe his feet, simply place a few smelly treats (like cheese or single-ingredient meats) under the doormat and keep a few treats ready in your hand.
Reward any desired scratching on the mat with the treats in your hand and after a few times you can add a verbal marker such as “wipe”.
The Curaseb Antifungal & Antibacterial Chlorhexidine Spray disinfects affected areas such as the paws, groin, and underarms and kills the aforementioned bacteria which could cause infections, irritations, or itching.
You can use this antiseptic spray after you have cleaned the paws of any debris. It should not be ingested and can be applied up to three times a day.
The main ingredient in the spray can sting damaged skin, so call your vet before using if there is a scratch, flap, or burn on the paw that you’re worried about.
Another dog paw cleaning solution are the Warren London Deep Cleaning Paw Fizz tablets.
Simply take one ball or tablet, let it dissolve in warm water, immerse your dog’s paws into the cleaning solution and let them soak for 5 minutes.
You can massage or scrub them with a cleaning brush or a cleaning mit (mentioned below) throughout the soaking process. They may also combat yeast infections and excessive paw licking.
Still, see your veterinarian if you are concerned about a yeast infection on your dog’s paws.
Cleaning mitts like the Microfiber Dog Towel Mit can be used as an additional tool to scrub away dirt and bacteria when washing or soaking the paws.
They can also be used to dry off your dog instead of a normal towel.
While dog boots are not directly a cleaning method, they can be a great way to prevent your dog’s paws from getting dirty in the first place. They also protect your dog from hot weather as well as freezing temperatures.
When walking outside with your dog in the summer, make sure that the pavement isn’t too hot by placing your bare palm on it.
If you cannot leave your hand there for at least 5 seconds, the asphalt will be too hot for your dog’s paws.
Try to avoid the midday heat and rather go for a walk in the mornings or late evenings when the sun has already set.
Dog boots will protect your dog’s paws but he is still at risk of suffering from heatstroke from prolonged sun exposure.
But not only the sun causes burns, salt and snow can also lead to ice burns. Most dog boots won’t stay on in a few inches of snow and snowballs will form around the edges.
If you are planning on trips through high snow, make sure that the boots cover the paw properly while not imparing their walking ability.
I have put together a list of the 10 best waterproof dog boots. There are several options for you that will work in any weather conditions.
Photo by Nataliya Kuznetsova on Shutterstock
What is a cheaper alternative to Apoquel?
Yucca and quercetin are also great natural alternatives to Apoquel. Yucca has an effect similar to steroid drugs without the harmful side effects. Quercetin is a plant derivative that acts as a natural antihistamine and is a great option for dogs whose itching is reduced by Benadryl.
And, besides, another study showed that dogs track in far fewer bacteria on their paws than people do on their shoes. Paws are smaller, after all. And they’re also cleaner. The North Carolina study also revealed that TV screens and pillowcases hosted the most bacteria of all locations in the home.
Should you wash your dog’s paws?
Nothing gets your dog’s paws cleaner than a bath. While you don’t have to completely soak your dog, washing their paws thoroughly to remove dirt or harmful substances like road salt is sometimes the best—or only—option. If you have a small dog, you may be able to do this over a sink instead of a tub.
How to clean dirty dog paws in just 30 seconds. || Dog Care Tips || Monkoodog
A regular grooming routine helps keep your dog’s coat in tip-top shape, but does your grooming ritual include your dog’s paws? Often, our pups’ feet don’t get the attention they deserve.
So, let’s dig into details about how often to clean your pup’s paws, the signs of injury and infection to check for, and how to perform preventative care to keep your pup’s paws healthy in the long run.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Paws? The ideal frequency for cleaning a dog’s paws varies depending on the breed and lifestyle. A dog who spends most of their time indoors isn’t going to suffer from nearly as much wear and tear as a dog who goes on frequent hikes over mixed terrain. At the same time, a pup with long hair around his paws is much more likely to accumulate mats, tangles and foreign objects between his toe pads than a dog with shorter hair.
While there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how often you should clean your pup’s paws, it’s wise to incorporate regular paw checks into your grooming schedule. This will give you a chance to spot any wounds or pain points before they become serious. At a minimum, you should clean your dog’s paws during bath time, but make a habit out of doing quick checks every week. If your dog has long fur, they might need paw checks after each walk.
Remove any debris If your dog has long fur on his paws, he might get things like twigs, spear grass, mud, or burs stuck between his pads. These items can create painful mats, pierce your dog’s skin, or cause general discomfort. When you perform a paw check, feel between each of your pup’s toe pads to remove any debris you encounter and use a damp cloth to wipe away any excess dirt or mud. If your dog has long fur, you may need to trim around items to remove them.
Comb or trim out any mats or tangles Tangled fur can form mats—and mats can pull your dog’s skin—making his paws painful and hinder his ability to walk comfortably. You may be able to comb out mats in your pup’s fur with the help of a detangling solution. If the mats are too big, carefully cut around them with scissors. If you find that your dog’s paws frequently develop mats, keep the hair between his paw pads trimmed short to prevent tangles.
Check for wounds or punctures Once you’re sure that your pup’s paws are free of tangles and debris, it’s time to check for wounds, punctures and other signs of irritation. Do your dog’s paws look cracked and dry? Are there any tender spots? Has the pad worn down to expose the skin beneath? Are any of the pads red or swollen?
If you spot anything out of the ordinary, monitor your dog’s paws closely to ensure they heal. If the paw pads aren’t healing and your dog is in pain, contact your veterinarian for guidance.
Examine the nails Keep your eyes out for mud, dirt or debris lodged under his nailbeds, common in dogs with long nails. Your pup’s toenails should be kept short enough so that he can walk without his paws splaying. If you can hear your dog’s nails click when he walks, he’s probably due for a trim.
Check the nails for cracks and snags, as these can be painful and become infected. Brittle or cracked nails could indicate a fungal infection or nutritional deficiency. If you notice these symptoms, consult with your veterinarian to address the issue.
Check for unusual odor If your dog’s paws have an unusual odor, such as corn chips or Fritos, he could have a bacterial or yeast infection. Sometimes these infections occur when a dog’s feet are constantly wet. Fortunately, this issue can usually be corrected with anti-fungal shampoo, Skouts Honor Probiotic Shampoo or topical ointments, so contact your vet if this is the case.