IntroductionCoco is a feisty little terrier who lives in an apartment with her owners. She needs to be clean when she comes inside, as other tenants in the apartment block will not appreciate muddy paw prints or stinky wet dog smell in the corridors. Unfortunately, true to her terrier nature, Coco loves to dig and root on walks and investigate everything disgusting along the way. When she returns from her daily walks she frequently has muddy paws and beard and is covered in sticks, grass and other debris, not to mention bacteria and germs from other dogs leavings and whatever dead critters she discovered along the way. Her owners need to clean her up before coming inside to keep their apartment clean and their neighbors happy.
Towel Step 1 Be prepared for dirty feet Have a rubber mat and towel by the door so that you can bring your dog inside after his daily walk and towel off excess moisture and mud in a warm dry location. A rubber mat will protect your floors and prevent you and your wet dog from slipping. Step 2 Remove dirt and debris Remove sticks and other large debris by hand, especially on the belly where debris gets tangled. Brush out your dog thoroughly to remove dirt. Step 3 Use pet wipes Use commercial pet wipes to wipe off dirt and debris. Start around his mouth and face where he may have picked up bacteria and germs sniffing and investigating, and work towards his back end. Wipe his back side to remove residual urine and feces and dispose of pet wipes. Step 4 Spray and spot clean If pet wipes are not enough, spray your dog with a mixture of water and vinegar, especially if your dog is wet, as vinegar will help remove funky wet dog smell. Wipe stained areas with a face cloth soaked in the mixture and towel off your dog. Step 5 Dry clean Use dry shampoo or cornstarch sprinkled over your dog and then brush off excess to get rid of dust and dirt.
Towel Step 1 Clean off before going in house In summer you can hose your dog off outside, but in winter you may need to take him inside to bathe. Wipe his paws so he does not track mud through the house or carry a small dog to the tub. Step 2 Wipe off mud and wet Have a rubber mat and towel by the door. Towel off excess moisture and mud. A rubber mat will protect your floors and prevent you and your wet dog from slipping. Ensure your dog can walk to the bath or be carried to the tub without getting you or the floors covered in mud. Step 3 Remove debris and tangles Remove obvious debris like sticks tangled in your dogs coat and work out tangles with your fingers prior to wetting your dog down, as entangled debris will become more difficult to remove when wet. Step 4 Bathe Wet, shampoo, and rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Step 5 Dry Dry with a towel and blow dry or put your dog in a warm, dry location to air dry.
Is hand sanitiser poisonous to dogs?
The short answer is: No, unless ingested in large amounts.
This is because the main ingredient in most hand sanitisers is ethyl alcohol, which is also known as alcohol or ethanol. According to pet poison helplines, hand sanitisers and alcohol will only result in severe toxicity if it’s consumed in larger amounts. If you’ve just applied hand sanitiser and your dog licks your hand, it’ll highly likely find your hand bitter-tasting, but that’s all.
That said, we do recommend keeping hand sanitisers out of reach from dogs who might have a tendency to chew bottles, just in case.
Use a portable paw washer
Paw washer is an alternative solution for a quick paw clean-up. The best thing about paw washer is that they are portable, so you can bring it anywhere. Say you’re finish jogging with your dog and you need to bring them in the car. Get the paw washer, add some water in, twist the washer and it’ll brush the dirt right away. Now, you’re dog is ready to hop in the car! We recommend using an automatic paw washer with extra soft silicone like the SMARTPAWLite – Dog Automatic Paw Washer. The extra soft silicone bristles swirl gently on your dog’s paws to scrub away any dirt, sand, mud or debris accumulated from outdoor activities. It simultaneously cleans and massages your dog’s paw for a comfortable and relaxing experience. SMARTPAWLite Pet Automatic Paw Washer is suitable for small, medium and even large breeds as long as they weigh 25kg and below (paw width measures 7cm and below).
For muddy paws and thorough dirt, wipes or paw washer is not enough. You may need to bring your dog to a sink with sprayer or a tray of water. If you have larger dogs, bring them in a tub with a sprayer and start cleaning the knees and paws. After a muddy play, a lot of debris and dirt have accumulated between their toes. Turn their paws toward you and carefully scrub the paw pads. Don’t forget to separate the toes and scrub in between for thorough cleaning. This is your chance to touch and feel if there’s any blisters, wound or cuts. If you found minuscule pebbles, broken pieces of glass, shells or other materials, remove it carefully. Use a friendly tone when speaking to your dog so that they remain calm and comfortable. Rinse with warm water and wash up with a dry towel. Let their paws dry first to avoid slipping on the floor.
For serious wounds and inflammation, bring your dog to a vet for a check-up and professional treatment. Don’t ignore your dog’s paw because it may cause bacterial infection if left untreated.
If your dog’s paw is mostly dry, has little to no dirt, just use a dry towel to remove the excess dirt. Scrub in between toes to further check and remove hidden debris and sand. Squeeze both paws to get most of the water.
Some dogs have longer fur than others. Long-haired dogs have furry toes that dirt and debris can stuck into. Get a high quality grooming set like the SMARTPAWLite Pet Shaver Grooming Clipper For Dogs & Cats, to safely trim fur beneath the paw pads and on the sides as well. Invest in a good pair of grooming set so that you avoid hurting your furry friend. You can use a groomer with low-vibration so that they don’t get anxious with the noise. On the other hand, use the scissors for extra hair sticking out at the sides. Trimming the extra har on their paws not only prevent the dirt from accumulating but it allows you to inspect your dog’s paw for wounds and inflammation. A word of caution: don’t overdo the shaving because shaved paws allows direct exposure to debris and corrosive salt against bare skin and may cause irritation. Make sure that they are comfortable and have a stress-free paw trimming experience. If they’re not compliant, bring them to a professional groomer instead.
Can you make your own wipes that are safe for dogs? Yes, you do! If you’re unsure which brand to get or just wanna save money on the go, you can make DIY wipes that is surely safe for your dogs. Get a paper towel or a clean cloth damped in warm water then use a drop of your dog’s shampoo and wrinkle it to spread the shampoo. Use it to gently wipe off dirt from your dog’s knees, paws or tail. Rinse with warm water and make sure that their paws are completely dry before letting them on the floor.
How to CLEAN your DOG’S PAWS after a WALK
As you probably know, your favourite walking spot can quickly be transformed into a muddy swamp after even a little rain. While you might reach for the wellies, your dog’s happy to splash around in the mud to their heart’s content.
If the rain continues, then you could be faced with a very muddy dog twice a day, and this can certainly drain the enjoyment from your usual walking schedule.
So how can you can clean your dog quickly and effectively, all the while keeping the mud off your carpet?
In this article, we’ll show you how to wash a dog after a muddy walk and what steps you might want to take to stop your pup getting so dirty.