Do you have a dog that loves to play in mud puddles? Or does your dog just seem to track dirt into the house no matter how clean you think their paws are? Are you tired of bringing out that old towel and having a battle with your dog after every walk? Well, if you are like a lot of dog owners, then you may have had more than your fair share of this experience, but there is an alternative solution that might just work for you – paw washers!

            “Paw washers are small devices that are designed to make it easy to clean your dog’s feet before going in the house (or your car)… most involve some type of water reservoir which features soft bristles to help dislodge stubborn bits of dirt or mud.” (definition by Bob Team, K9 of Mine). Paw washers are shown to be the most effective and easiest way to clean your dog’s paws and there are a few different types including portable washers and at-home washers for your front or back door.

            Two portable paw washers that a lot of dog owners find convenient for both car and home use include the Dexas Petware Mudbuster and the Paw Plunger for Dogs. The Mudbuster is smaller in size for convenience and uses silicone bristles that clean well but are gentle on the dog’s paws. All you have to do is add a bit of water, insert foot, spin the cleaner, and then remove the foot (can dry paw after if desired). The Paw Plunger works in a similar way but uses soft bristles instead of silicone. The washer comes with a lid so it can be pre-filled before a walk and its shape (larger and shaped like a mug) also works well to prevent spilling water.

            One paw washer that is designed to be at home is the SKI Innovation Paw Boss. It has a reservoir with multiple chambers so each paw can get clean water by simply tilting the washer to fill the washing container. It is then tilted again to remove the dirty water from the washer. The internal scrub brush also works very well to remove caked on mud. It can be really beneficial when used with antibacterial soap to remove ~99% of bacteria and fungi from the paws.

            Overall, if you are on-the-go or stay-at-home or somewhere in between, paw washers may be the answer you’ve been looking for when it comes to your dog’s paws. With their easy to use designs and effective paw cleaning abilities, taking your dog out to enjoy the fast-approaching summer weather has never been easier with the peace of mind you won’t be finding dirty paw prints everywhere.