Whether splashing in the mud on a hike or tromping through the snow or sand, your dog’s paws can collect all sorts of gunk. While you can wipe them off with a towel or teach your pup to use a doggie doormat. there are dog paw cleaners that make the job easier and more efficient and help condition and soften your dog’s paws in the process.
Keeping paws clean can start with some regular maintenance. “As a groomer, I wash them when they get a bath. And use clippers to get hair out of the pads so it doesn’t mat,” says Starr Heger, owner of All Starr Grooming in Arnold, Missouri, who has been grooming dogs for more than 35 years.
If your pup doesn’t like their paws cleaned, Dr. Tiffany Ruize, a veterinarian in Virginia Beach, VA, says she has a few tips to get them used to it. “You can use a licking mat or a Kong filled with peanut butter to keep your dog busy while you apply the balm, or clean their paws,” she suggests. “You can also start by gently touching their paws without applying anything and rewarding them for calm behavior. Then, you can gradually increase touching them and begin to introduce the balm. Lastly, you can apply the balm or soap indirectly by rubbing it onto your fingers first, then massaging it onto their paws.”
Discover our favorite dog paw cleaners below.
The Dexas MudBuster Portable Dog Paw Cleaner requires a little patience and cooperation, but we like that there are no potentially irritating ingredients that can bother your dog or dry out their paws.
It’s a paw-sized cup with silicone bristles inside. To use, add a bit of warm water, then dunk in one paw at a time, twisting the cup to clean. Then, remove and pat the paw dry and rinse the container until next time. For some dogs, it might take a little convincing to dunk their paw into the web of soft bristles.
The cleaner is available in three sizes: Small fits a paw up to 2 inches wide, medium is for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches, and large is for paws bigger than 3 1/2 inches. You can choose from numerous color options, including pink, blue, and basic black or white.
It’s particularly helpful when your dog has mud caked in their nails from playing outside. You may have to dunk, rinse, and refill a couple of times, but users say it’s such a simple and effective way to clean the mess.
Size: 4.3 x 3.65 inches, 6 x 4 inches, 8.85 x 4.75 inches | Active Ingredients: Not applicable
What We Like
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No artificial fragrances, dyes, sulfates, parabens, or alcohol
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Includes scrubber head
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pH balanced
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No rinse
When you just have some slightly grungy paws, Dandylion Clean Paws No-Rinse Foaming Cleanser can be a quick fix. There’s an attached scrubber head with soft but sturdy silicone bristles.
To use, dispense a dollop of foam onto the bristles and then scrub each paw, making sure to get between the paw pads and around the nails. You can rinse the scrubber head with a little running water, but there’s no need to rinse your pup’s paws.
The foam contains no artificial fragrances or dyes and no sulfates, parabens, or drying alcohol. It’s pH-balanced for a dog’s body and has many plant-based ingredients, including aloe vera juice, pomegranate extract, and grapeseed oil. This probably isn’t a great solution for very muddy feet, but it’s easy and convenient for light messes.
Size: 5 ounces | Active Ingredients: Aloe vera juice, grapeseed oil, pomegranate extract
FurHaven is known for cushy and quality dog beds, often with orthopedic filling. This FurHaven Muddy Paws Towel and Shammy Dog Mat is also plush but does double duty as a towel and a mat.
It comes in several sizes, but we like the smallest size. At 24 by 18 inches, it works well for wiping off wet or dusty paws.
The towel is made from soft and absorbent microfiber that can quickly dry your pup’s wet paws. It has a non-slip backing, but some users say it still slides on hardwood floors. But it stays put if you want to use it under a water bowl or food dish. And it’s machine washable and quick drying, so it’s easy to keep clean.
Size: 24 x 18 inches (small) | Active Ingredients: Not applicable
Earth Rated Dog Wipes can be handy if you don’t need a full paw wash but still want to remove some gunk from your pet’s feet. They’re in a resealable pack that keeps them from drying out and can be slipped into a backpack or in the trunk of your car for convenience on the go.
The wipes are 8 by 8 inches and relatively thick, so they don’t fall apart easily. They’re made of 99 percent bio-based material, including aloe vera and chamomile. It’s a matter of taste, but we prefer the unscented over the lavender version—both are hypoallergenic and cruelty-free. The wipes come in packs of 100 or 400 wipes and contain no alcohol or parabens.
Size: 100, 400 wipes | Active Ingredients: Chamomile, aloe vera
Warren London Paw Sani-Scrub is billed as “like soap for paws.” It comes in an 8-ounce pump dispenser with a separate scrub brush.
To apply, pump a small amount onto the brush or into your hands and massage all over your pet’s paws, then rinse well. The scrub contains aloe vera extract, which helps soften, condition, and clean.
The brush is stiff-bristled, so don’t scrub too hard on paw pads, but it works well to clean nails, particularly when dirt gets embedded in them. It also doesn’t have self-storage on the bottle like some cleansers with pump dispensers. There’s a light scent to the lotion, but it’s not overpowering.
Size: 8 ounces | Active Ingredients: Aloe vera extract, lanolin
Not every dog enjoys having their paws scrubbed, even if it only takes a minute. One option is a quick soak instead.
With Warren London Deep Cleaning Dog Paw Fizz Tablets, you fill the tub (or the sink, if your dog is teeny) with enough warm water to cover their paws. Add a tablet and let it dissolve, then have your pet stand in the water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Some users report that these fizz tablets are especially useful when a dog has lots of hard-to-reach debris in their paws, like sand after a trip to the beach. Most dogs are used to standing in water or at least tolerating it at bathtime. In most cases, you don’t have to scrub because the dirt will just work its way out.
Size: 12 tablets, 75 balls, 300 balls | Active Ingredients: Tea tree oil, sunflower oil, seaweed extract
Dog paw balms help protect your dog’s paws before, during, and after their walks. They won’t clean your dog’s paws, but a good paw balm can heal chapped and cracked skin, so less debris works its way into your dog’s paw on walks. A paw balm can keep a dirty paw from becoming chafed or irritated.
Paw balms typically have a blend of nourishing butters and oils to condition paw pads and keep them supple. We particularly like the Natural Dog Company Paw Soother Stick because it has several organic ingredients, including mango and cocoa butters, coconut, hempseed, jojoba oils, and rosemary. The result is a fresh-smelling, soothing mix.
The balm is available in several sizes of tins, but we like the stick. It’s easier to take on the go and less messy than having to dip your fingers into a waxy solution to apply to your dog’s feet. There’s also a teeny 0.15-ounce travel stick that can fit in your pocket or backpack when you hit the trails.
Size: 2 ounces | Active Ingredients: Organic mango, cocoa butter, organic coconut, hempseed, jojoba oil
What We Like
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Manufactured in the United States
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Cleansing and soothing for irritated paws
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Free of parabens, alcohol, and sulfates
Skout’s Honor Probiotic Paw Spray doubles as a paw cleaner and a healing spray for chapped and irritated skin. It contains aloe and avocado oil to soothe and moisturize paws, plus a probiotic blend to eradicate the growth of yeast and fungus. This spray is hypoallergenic and alcohol-free, so it is gentle enough for most dogs to use daily if needed.
The 8-ounce spray pump makes it easy to apply directly to a dog’s paws and between their toes. Then, simply wait until it dries before letting them return to normal activity. With continued use, irritated paws should be back to normal in days.
Skout’s Honor is committed to pet health, and the brand offers a full line of products that are made in the United States without sulfates, parabens, triclosan, petroleum, DEA, cocobetaine, or added colors and dyes.
Size: 8 ounces | Active Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, probiotic blend: glycerin, isoeicosane, hansenula, kloeckera, lactobacillus, lactococcus, leuconostoc pediococcus, saccharomyces, fig/lemon ferment, persea gratissima (avocado) oil
What We Like
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Built-in pockets
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Absorbs moisture instantly
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Doesn’t tug or cause friction
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Great blanket-like texture
The super absorbent Weezie dog towel is made for anyone who wants to quickly dry their dog after a bath or after getting wet from the rain. Our tester especially appreciated the built-in pockets that made it easier for her to grab hold of her wet dog to dry him off. It’s made of a low-pile, tight-weave microfiber that doesn’t tug or cause friction.
She was amazed at how fast it absorbed the water on his fur, noting that it didn’t feel damp after use—only wet marks that dried up immediately. The color was another selling point for our tester, who said the navy “is nice so you don’t see any stains (if any are there).”
The blanket-like texture attests to its great quality, and it was perfectly sized to cover our tester’s medium-sized dog fully. That said, extra-big dogs may not enjoy quite as much coverage.
Size: 25.5 x 58 inches | Active Ingredients: Not applicable
What We Like
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Precision head effectively trims around delicate paw pads
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Includes two blades, one guide comb, and small cleaning brush
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Very comfortable to hold and use
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Doesn’t heat up much
We found this comfortable-to-hold cordless trimmer is great for precisely trimming fur between paw pads. Our testers liked the slender design that is easy to hold and maneuver around the small, delicate area. It also conveniently comes with two blades, one guide comb, and a little cleaning brush.
While the product is advertised as low-noise, our tester’s pet was still uncomfortable with the trimmer’s vibration and sound. On a positive note, it operates on only one AA battery, making it easy to use anywhere, and it does not heat up even after 20 minutes of use. It’s also available in black and silver or white and gold.
Size: 1.73 x 3.58 x 7.83 inches, 3.88 ounces | Active Ingredients: Not applicable
What We Like
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Made with all-natural, food-safe oils and waxes
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Protects from salt irritation and snow
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Fast-drying and non-staining
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Acts as an invisible protective dog shoe
While Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax isn’t designed to clean dirt off pet paws, applying it before going outside helps keep them clean by preventing them from absorbing harmful ice-melt chemicals. Our tester was excited that the substance acted as an invisible dog shoe for her cold-weather-loving Samoyed and kept the snow and road salt from sticking between her pup’s paw pads.
She was also impressed that it helped prevent her dog’s paws from becoming chapped and cracked after long walks in the cold air and playing in the snow. Instead, they stayed hydrated and weren’t irritated at all. Additionally, our tester was shocked that the formula wasn’t sticky, dried in just seconds after application, and didn’t transfer to the carpet or furniture. However, she didn’t like that the product got on her hands during application and smelled strongly like Vicks VapoRub.
On the plus side, since it’s non-GMO, gluten-free, and made of non-toxic ingredients, experts like Dr. Ruize reveal it’s not dangerous if dogs are enticed to lick the sweet, coconut-smelling substance after you apply it. “Musher’s Secret is a safe and effective choice for paw protection. It’s generally safe for dogs to lick,” she explains.
Size: 7.04 ounces | Active Ingredients: White and yellow beeswax, carnauba and candelilla wax, white and vegetable oils with vitamin E
Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil is a great option for an all-natural product paw cleaner. It comes in a glass jar and starts off with a solid consistency but melts as it touches your dog’s paws, so you can easily wipe away any dirt with a towel.
Our tester liked that compared to cleaning her dog’s paws off with a wipe or water, which would dry them out, this hydrated them, thanks to its Vitamin E and fatty acids, resulting in softer paws after just one use. However, she said the residue also made her pet’s paws a little slippery, and because of its sweet aroma, her dog was tempted to lick it off her paws. However, Dr. Ruize reveals that there’s nothing to be concerned about seeing as it’s non-toxic.
Since coconut oil is also antibacterial, our tester especially loved that this product doubles as a protectant, which she said came in handy after taking her dog on hikes and trails where her paws were exposed to dirt and rough terrain, making them susceptible to minor scratches.
Our tester’s biggest cons? The product needs to be scooped out with a spoon, making it tricky to reach when it’s running low.
Size: 14 fl oz | Active Ingredients: Organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil
What We Like
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Not messy
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Infused with coconut oil and shea butter
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Free of sulfates, parabens, and artificial dyes
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Goes on quickly and smoothly
We found the Sweet Honey Almond Pet Nose & Paw Balm easy to apply, thanks to its Chapstick-style applicator. The screw-on top prevents it from drying out, while the inner cap keeps the balm clean. To use, turn the bottom of the container to the right so it extends, then apply it to your pet’s paws and twist it to the left to retract the balm back down.
Our tester was pleased the formula glided on smoothly, and its large circle shape was wide enough to cover each of her Samoyed’s paws in one swipe. Due to this, it was stress-free even though her dog doesn’t like her paws touched.
Additionally, our tester noted that while walking her dog on pavement usually leaves her pup’s paws feeling dry and rough, using this before venturing outside helped keep them soft and moisturized. Plus, it didn’t leave behind any greasy residue.
The product’s subtle, sweet scent did, however, tempt our tester’s pet to lick her paws. Though since it’s made of natural ingredients and free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial dyes, Dr. Ruize explains it’s nothing to worry about, saying, “It’s generally safe if a dog licks it off their paws.”
Size: 2.5 ounces | Active Ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter
What to Consider When Shopping for Dog Paw Cleaners
Size
When choosing a paw-cleaning gadget where you dunk your dog’s feet into a cup, be sure the opening is big enough for your dog’s paws but not so big that they don’t rub easily against the cleaning bristles inside. These cups typically list what size paw (in inches) fits inside each cup.
Moisturizing
Just like when you wash your hands often and your hands can get dry and uncomfortable, your dog’s paws can get dry and chapped after lots of washes. Many cleaners have moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera to help condition after they clean to help avoid some dog paw problems. All ingredients should be safe for a dog that might lick its paws after a good cleaning.
Wiping and Drying Paws After
Some cleaners are no-rinse; you just clean, wipe, and go. Others require that you rinse well after using and then dry. Wipes can be very convenient if you don’t have access to water when you’re out and about. Towels are another way to wipe without even getting your dog’s paws wet.
Frequency
When applying balms, Dr. Ruize points out that a thin layer is all that’s needed. “A small, even amount that covers the paw pads is perfect,” she says. “You want to avoid applying too much, as excess balm may feel uncomfortable or make the paw slippery.” She also reveals that the frequency of application depends on the condition of your dog’s pads and how active they are, noting that balms should be applied a couple of times a week.
However, if your dog’s paws are dry and cracked, you should apply it 3-4 times a day until it improves. Waxes should also be applied only 2-3 times a week, as one application will provide a couple of days’ worth of protection.
Seasonality
Similar to how you switch face creams and moisturizers in the summer and winter, Dr. Ruize says you should do the same for your dog’s paw care products. “In the warmer months, it’s best to use a lighter balm with ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and Vitamin E to provide hydration and help soothe irritation your dog might experience from hot pavement or allergens,” she recommends. “However, when it gets colder, it’s better to use a thick, wax-based balm that includes things like shea butter, beeswax, and lanolin that will prevent chapped paws and offer a protective barrier against snow, ice, and salt.”
FAQ
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How do I treat redness on my dog’s paws and between toes?
Sometimes, you might notice your dog licking their paws and note some redness in the area. Redness around your dog’s paws can be a sign of an allergy, contact dermatitis, an infection, or some kind of irritation. It’s always a good idea to see your vet to diagnose the cause of the problem.
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What’s the best way to clean ice from dog paws?
To remove ice, start with a towel, says Heger. “Knock off as much as you can. Then use the heat from your hand through the towel. Soften and melt the ice and keep rubbing dry. Do NOT use warm or hot water.” That can burn your dog’s paw pads and cause damage.
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How often should I clean my dog’s paws?
As a pet owner, Dr. Ruize advises cleaning your dog’s paws after every outdoor outing. “In the summer, you should clean your dog’s paws after each walk to help soothe their paws from being on hot pavement and to remove allergens like grass, dirt, and pollen, which can cause irritation or trigger allergies,” she reveals. “You should also clean them after each walk in the winter to remove snow, ice, and road salt, which can dry out paw pads and cause cracking, as well as prevent them from licking salt off their paws, which can be toxic if ingested.”
However, if your pet doesn’t spend much time outside or only takes short walks in clean areas, she notes cleaning them once a week is sufficient.
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Is it safe for a dog to lick their paws after a balm has been applied?
If you are worried about your dog licking their paws after a balm’s been applied, Dr. Ruize says it’s not something you should be overly concerned about. “Most pet-safe paw balms are formulated with non-toxic ingredients and safe for dogs to ingest if they are licked, so it’s generally safe if a dog licks their paws,” she discloses. However, she adds that it’s always a good idea to look over the ingredients in the product you’re using to make sure it doesn’t include something that you know your pup has sensitivities to.
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How often should a dog’s paws be cleaned?
According to Ruize, a dog’s paws should be cleaned regularly to maintain good hygiene, but how often varies from dog to dog based on their activity level and the environment they are exposed to. “For instance, a dog that primarily stays indoors and just goes out for short walks in clean areas only needs their paws cleaned once a week.
In contrast, a dog that spends a lot of time outside is exposed to dirt or city streets, experiences environmental allergies, or comes into contact with snow/road salt should have their paws cleaned every time they come inside,” Dr. Ruize explains. She adds that regularly cleaning your dog’s paws protects them. “When you clean their paws, it also offers an opportunity for you to inspect for cuts, foreign objects, or other issues,” she reveals.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
This article was updated with new products by Morgan McMurrin, a writer for The Spruce Pets. She is a lifetime animal lover and the dog mom of a Samoyed. Over the years, they have tested hundreds of products together—from paw balms and shampoos to pet-friendly furniture, accessories, and food.
A previous version of this roundup was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has fostered more than 70 puppies and dogs and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products to use on them.
We reached out to Starr Heger, owner of All Starr Grooming in Arnold, Missouri, and Dr. Tiffany Ruize, a veterinarian in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for their input on the best paw cleaners. Additionally, we evaluated the ingredients of each product, their moisturizing properties, and their overall effectiveness, as well as reviewed customer feedback to uncover both the benefits and any potential drawbacks.
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