How to Clean Your Dog's Paws After a Walk? (Especially in Winter)

Muddy prints on the floor are the obvious reason to clean your dog's paws after a walk. In winter there's a better one. Rock salt and chemical de-icers on sidewalks can irritate paw pads, and whatever is left on the paws ends up in your dog's mouth the next time they lick their feet.

The fix takes a couple of minutes at the door. This guide covers what your dog picks up on walks, the quickest ways to clean it off and how to keep paws healthy until spring.

What's on your dog's paws after a walk?

Your dog's pads touch everything you step over. Depending on the season, that can include:

•     mud, sand and grit, which collect between the toes and pads

•     rock salt and other de-icers on sidewalks, roads and driveways

•     antifreeze, which is poisonous to pets and can drip onto driveways and garage floors

•     ice and snow, which clump in the fur between the toes

Salt is the main winter worry. The ASPCA says rock salt "can be harsh on dogs' paws" and that swallowing it can cause dangerously high sodium levels. Calcium, potassium and magnesium chloride de-icers can be even harder on the stomach. DoveLewis, a 24-hour emergency animal hospital in Portland, Oregon, warns that dogs who lick de-icers off their paws can end up with "gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea."

Don't rely on labels, either. "There are no specific requirements for labeling a de-icer product as 'pet safe,'" according to the ASPCA. Cleaning paws after every walk on treated streets is the safest habit, even if your own steps use a gentler product.

Paw cleaner cup vs. wipes vs. towel: which works best?

Most methods work. They differ in how well they reach between the toes and how long they take.

Method	Best for	How thorough	Trade-offs
Paw cleaner cup and towel	Everyday walks, mud, salted sidewalks	Rinses the whole paw, including between the toes	Needs water; rinse the cup after use
Damp cloth or towel	Light dirt	Good on pads, harder between the toes	Slower; towels get grimy fast
Pet wipes	Car rides and travel	Fine for a quick wipe	Ongoing cost and waste
Bath	Very muddy hikes, beach days	Most thorough	Too much hassle after every walk
Booties	Heavily salted routes	Keep salt off in the first place	Some dogs won't wear them; fit matters

 

For most dogs, a paw cleaner cup is the best mix of speed and thoroughness. The ASPCA recommends washing and drying your dog's feet after each walk, and Dove Lewis suggests warm water or a damp cloth, with "special attention to spaces between the toes." That's exactly where a cup's soft bristles do their work. We'd keep wipes in the car for days when there's no water handy.

Is a dog paw cleaner worth it?

If you walk your dog every day, yes. It's especially worth having if:

•     your sidewalks or roads are salted in winter

•     your dog has furry feet that trap mud, sand or snow

•     you have light floors or carpet, or a dog who sleeps on the bed

•     your dog licks their paws a lot after walks

If your dog only walks on grass in dry weather, a quick towel wipe may be all you need. For everyone else, a cup saves a trip to the sink after every walk, and Kumi's costs under $15 at the time of writing. It's also an easy stocking stuffer; see our practical gifts under $40 for more ideas for dog owners.

What to look for in a paw cleaner cup?

•     Soft silicone bristles that flex around the pads without scratching.

•     The right size. Your dog's paw should fit with room to twist. Measure across a front paw before you order: small cups suit cats, puppies and small breeds, while bigger dogs need a medium or large.

•     An insert you can remove or unroll for rinsing, so dirt doesn't build up.

•     BPA-free materials.

•     A good towel to go with it. The cup does the washing; drying is up to you.

How to clean your dog's paws after a walk?

1.     Set up a station by the door with the cup, a towel and paw balm, so you can clean paws before your dog runs inside.

2.     Add a little warm water to the cup.

3.     Insert one paw and gently twist the cup, or move it up and down, so the bristles reach between the pads.

4.     Lift the paw out and check between the toes for ice balls, grit or small cuts.

5.     Dry the paw thoroughly with a towel, including between the toes. If your dog walked through slush, dry their belly too; the ASPCA recommends washing and drying the stomach as well as the feet.

6.     Repeat with the other paws, changing the water if it gets muddy.

7.     If the pads look dry or cracked, rub in a thin layer of pet-safe paw balm.

When to call the vet Call your vet if you notice limping, favoring one paw, reluctance to walk, red or cracked pads, swelling or bleeding, or vomiting or diarrhea after walks on treated sidewalks. If you think your dog has swallowed de-icer, antifreeze or another chemical, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away (a consultation fee may apply).

 

How to protect your dog's paws all winter?

•     Put balm on before walks. The ASPCA suggests massaging petroleum jelly or another vet-approved paw protectant into the pads before going out, and DoveLewis recommends a layer of pet-safe paw wax or balm as a barrier against salt and chemicals.

•     Try booties on heavily salted routes. Make sure they fit and that your dog is comfortable in them.

•     Trim the hair between the toes to cut down on clinging ice balls.

•     Use pet-friendly ice melt on your own steps and driveway, and clean up any antifreeze spills.

•     Keep the cleaner clean. Empty and rinse the cup after each use and let it air-dry.

•     Stay visible. Winter walks often happen in the dark, so reflective gear helps drivers see you both.

 

EDITOR'S PICK Kumi Soft Silicone Dog Paw Cleaner Cup From $14.99 at the time of writing Our paw cleaner cup is made for the routine above. Add a little warm water, insert a paw and twist, and ultra-soft, BPA-free silicone bristles loosen mud, grit and salt from between the pads without scratching. The bristle insert unrolls, so you can rinse it under the faucet.   •     Three sizes (S, M and L) for cats, puppies and larger dogs •     Soft, BPA-free silicone bristles •     Bristle insert unrolls for easy rinsing   Walking after dark? Our High-Visibility Hands-Free Reflective Dog Running Leash has reflective stitching and a pouch for treats and waste bags. For long walks, add the Portable Dog Water Bottle & Food Container, or browse the Pet Care collection.      SHOP THE PAW CLEANER