In the end, it's better to wash the paws than to leave them dirty because the dirt may irritate your dog's skin and can lead to health issues. I would say in most cases the paw bath route is usually only necessary if your dog’s paws are quite muddy or dirty. It’s probably a bit overkill for “every day” paw cleaning. EXTRA PAW CARE IDEAS Now that you know why cleaning your dog’s paws is important, let’s look at some different ways to clean and sanitize your dog’s paws. Each will have advantages and disadvantages, like most things in life. Cleaning paws from heavy debris, such as mud, is certainly beneficial for us and the cleanliness of our homes,” says Vanessa Charbonneau, a force-free dog trainer and owner of Sit Pretty Behavior & Training.

If you don’t know how to trim your dog’s nails, you can also ask your veterinarian for a demonstration. You can use a nail trimmer, a heavy-duty nail file, or a specialized nail grinder to help keep their nails at the appropriate length. It is so simple to fill it up, dip your dog’s muddy paws in, and easily get rid of extra dirt, bacteria, and who knows what else. My Lab has bad allergies and has been getting recurrent yeast/bacterial infections on her paws for at least a year,” says one dog parent. “Between infections, her paws are often inflamed and bright red. I've been using this paw spray every day for over two months now, and no more paw infections! Based on how much we've used so far, I expect the bottle to last about six months with everyday use.” Yes, washing your dog's paws is, of course, the first and foremost way of keeping your pooch's feet clean.Drying them after a walk can be helpful to get rid of moisture, especially after a hot day. How To Clean Dog Paws Before Coming Inside It’s not going to sanitize your dog’s paws like some cleansers will, so this is mainly used to keep mud out of your home A paw washer is also something you can use before coming inside. Some of these washers even come with a cap, so you can fill them with water and leave them outside your door or carry it with you. Cleaning up the wound properly is essential to ensure an optimal healing process and to prevent any infections. Note: Visit the vet if paw issues persist, even with consistent care. Persistent paw issues indicate canine pododermatitis, which refers to an inflammation of the paws. Medical issues like allergies and skin conditions can trigger pododermatitis, and they resolve with proper medication as prescribed by the vet. Final Thoughts

Little by little, your dog will start to associate the word with "wiping" his feet on the doormat. What can I clean my dog's paws with? My method for cleaning off dog paws used to be simply wiping them with a towel that I kept by the door. This gave me less than ideal results and a stinky, dirty towel that hung around the entryway. Winter irritation. Snow, ice, and salt can get wedged between dogs’ toes, causing lots of pain and skin irritation. The disadvantage of this route is that you’ll be going through a lot of rags if you choose to do this frequently. 3- DOG CLEANING WIPES

When the temperature gets above 80 degrees, pavement can become extremely hot and dangerous to your dog’s pads. If your dog has to walk on hot pavement or asphalt it can cause blisters, irritation, and burns. Dogs] dig, scratch themselves, and get into all types of messes,” wrote one dog parent. “As a result, our pup's feet and nails can become pretty gross. I allow her on the furniture so I wanted to make sure I was minimizing the spread of germs from her feet. This product works so well and the scrubbing brush is a perfect addition. I use it on her once a week.” Try to keep an eye on your dog while they’re outside to prevent them from digging holes. Install Mulch, Gravel, or Tiles in High Traffic Areas Try to avoid the midday heat and go for a walk in the mornings or late evenings when the sun has already set.

Purpose: Not all paw cleaners have the same end goal. Some are great for brushing away dirt, while others are to be used strictly for sanitizing. That’s why we provided a variety of options and made sure to highlight which ones would be best used alongside others.

Even though my Chihuahua is 14 years old, she’s always put up a fight against paw wipes,” says PEOPLE senior commerce editor Erin Johnson. “I wasn’t sure she would even let me get close to her with this foam paw cleaner, but, much to my surprise, she did not resist. Instead, she closed her little eyes in relaxation as I scrubbed each paw. We now both look forward to this post-walk ritual.” Yes! If you live in a wet or muddy climate, or you just want to be extra careful with your dog’s paws, daily cleaning is a good idea. It has no adverse effects on your dog and will give you peace of mind knowing they aren’t at risk for paw infections. How often should I soak my dog’s paws? If you want to stop your dog's paws completely from getting muddy, then using dog boots is the only sure proof way of not getting mud on them. Of course, you can always try to avoid muddy areas, but dog boots are the only sensible solution if that's not an option. Should you wash your dog's paws after a walk?