How to Clean Your Dog’s Paws After a Walk (Mud, Salt and Sand)

Clean paws mean cleaner floors, sofas and beds. Dogs pick up mud, sand, pollen and grime on every walk. In winter they also pick up road salt and de-icers, which can irritate their pads and upset their stomach when they lick them off. A one-minute routine at the door deals with all of it.

The winter advice follows the UK vet charity PDSA and the RSPCA, in our own words, with links to both under “Further reading”. The everyday routine is our own view of what works. If your dog has a cut, a limp or sore pads, see your vet.

Set up a paw station by the door

Keep everything you need where your dog comes in, so you do it every time:

An absorbent mat inside the door, with a coarse one outside
Two or three old towels, or a microfiber towel, which soaks up a lot of water
Pet-safe wipes for quick cleanups
A small bowl or a paw-washing cup for muddy days
A few treats, so your dog learns to stand still for it

Quick clean: a light walk on dry ground

After a dry walk, a damp cloth or wipes made for pets are enough, in our view. Wipe the top of each foot, then the pads. Use a fresh corner for each paw. That is enough for most days in town.

Full clean: mud, sand or a wet walk

Dip one paw at a time in a bowl or paw cup of lukewarm water, or rinse it gently. Swish it a few times.
For sticky mud, use a little mild dog shampoo, then rinse it all off. Leftover soap is itchy and dogs will lick it.
Gently spread the toes and clean in between. Dirt, grit and small stones collect there. Check there for cuts and sore spots every time, as PDSA advises after winter walks.
Dry each paw well, between the toes too, before your dog walks onto carpet or goes back out in the cold.

Very muddy legs and belly? A quick rinse in the shower or bath is often faster. See our guide to cleaning the bathtub after bathing your dog for the cleanup afterwards.

Winter walks: salt, de-icers and snowballs

Both PDSA and the RSPCA say to clean your dog’s paws when you get home from a walk on gritted or salted ground, and the RSPCA adds the belly. This removes grit, salt and chemicals before your dog can lick them off. In practice:

Rinse paws in lukewarm water, not hot, then dry them fully. Wipes are fine if you don’t have time, but rinsing removes more salt.
Wipe the belly and lower legs too. Spray from the road lands there.
Melt ice balls stuck in the fur between the pads with a warm, wet towel. Don’t pull them out.
Look for cracks, redness or sore spots between the toes.
Use pet-friendly ice melt on your own paths and steps.

The RSPCA suggests a non-toxic paw balm against cracking, and both charities mention dog boots. Booties also keep salt and sand from getting packed between the toes. Trimming the fur around the paws, which both recommend, means fewer painful ice balls and less grit stuck in the fur.

Antifreeze is highly toxic to pets, and PDSA warns that it tastes sweet, so animals will drink it. If your dog walks through a spill in a garage or on a driveway, wash its paws straight away, and call your vet straight away if you think it licked any. Don’t wait for signs of illness.

Summer and the beach

Sand, salt water, pool water and grass seeds all end up between the toes. Rinse paws in fresh water after the beach or pool and dry them well. In spring and summer, check for grass seeds and burrs between the toes. If one has worked its way into the skin, your vet needs to take it out.

Keep the rest of the house clean too

Wash paw towels often, on their own or with other pet laundry. Our guide to keeping the washer and dryer clean helps here.
Shake out or vacuum the door mats a few times a week, and wash them when they smell.
If prints get through anyway, see how to clean muddy paw prints off floors, walls and furniture.

Keep cleanup supplies ready

For the paw prints and mud that make it onto carpet or the sofa, our Professional Pet Stain & Odor Cleaning Kit lifts the stain and the smell. Let mud dry and vacuum it up first, then treat what is left.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use baby wipes on my dog’s paws?

In our view, wipes made for pets are the safer choice. Dogs lick their paws, so choose wipes without strong fragrances. A damp cloth works just as well.

Should I wash my dog’s paws after every walk?

A quick wipe after most walks is enough. Do a full wash after mud, sand or the beach, and after every walk on salted or treated roads in winter.

Why does my dog keep licking its paws after walks?

It may be dirt or salt left between the toes, or dry skin. Clean and dry the paws well. If the licking goes on, or the skin is red or swollen, see your vet.

Why do my dog’s paws smell like corn chips?

A mild smell from the paws is common in many dogs. A strong smell, redness, or discharge is a reason to see your vet.