How to choose a paw washer for dogs and make it yourself

“Gadgets” are the names of things that are designed to make a person’s life easier. You can do without them, but you quickly get used to their convenience. It’s the same with a thing whose name speaks for itself – a paw washer.

Let's say you come home after walking the dog in rainy weather. Whether you wash your dog’s dirty paws in a basin, saving money, or using a special device for this is up to you.

The dog does not want to wash his paws in the basin (video)

Our job is to help you make this choice.

The structure and principle of operation of a paw wash for dogs

A paw wash is a container filled with water with the addition of detergent. Inside there is a dense cluster of vertical bristles located in a circle. By placing your pet's paw in a glass, working with progressive movements up and down, gently massaging, you can easily clean it of dirt. After extraction, part of the liquid is retained due to dense, soft side edges or a pseudo-lid. Remaining moisture is removed by wiping with a towel.

For ease of transportation of the device along with water prepared in advance, most models include a tight lid. It ensures the sealing of the vessel, making the device an indispensable assistant when visiting or traveling.

How to use a paw washer

To clean your dog's paws after a walk:

1. Fill the paw wash with water, to which you can add a little dog shampoo (by the way, you can add the liquid in advance, before a walk);
2. Place the dog's paw in the paw wash;
3. We move the paw back and forth several times in order to wash off the dirt stuck to it;
4. We take the pet’s paw out of the paw washer and wipe it with a towel;
5. We repeat the procedure with each paw of our four-legged friend;
6. Let the dog go, pour out the dirty water and rinse the container.

That, in fact, is the whole procedure - then you can go about your business until the next walk with your pet.

How the paw washer works and how to use it (video)

Mr. Tail recommends: a review of industrial models of paw washers for dogs

Today you can find both homemade and industrial forms of this useful invention. Let's look at the latter in more detail.

Paw Plunger

Country of origin: USA.

The form is presented in the form of a cup with a lid. The structure includes a system of vertically located brushes. On top there are rubber sides that prevent water from splashing. The insides can be disassembled and easily washed.

Dimensions:

• large Large – for dogs from 30 kg;
• medium Medium – weighing from 10 to 30 kg;
• small Petit – for animals up to 10 kg.

Price – from 1000 to 2000 rubles. depending on size.

Paw Wash

Made in USA.

The shape is an elongated translucent glass. The neck is equipped with a rubber cuff to prevent liquid splashing.

Dimensions:

• big;
• small.

The set includes a towel mitt and a lid.

Cost – from 1000 rubles.

Paw Boss

Produced in Switzerland.

Quite massive in size and complex design. The product is presented in the form of a box containing many containers connected by tubes. When holding the paw washer at an angle, the space of the working glass is filled with water flowing from the additional internal section. To remove waste liquid, tilt it in the opposite direction. In this way, clean water will be provided for each limb of the animal, without having to replace or top up from the outside.

The internal structure also includes a porous rubber bottom for better cleaning of paw pads.

Price – about 30 dollars.

Dirty Paws Footbath

Manufacturer – USA.

Clear acrylic plastic bowl with soft neoprene insert. It also acts as an absorbent sponge.

Included is a microfiber towel.

Cost – about 600 rubles.

Clean Dog

A transparent plastic glass, inside of which there is a bright silicone insert with many soft bristles around the entire perimeter.

A lid is not provided.

Dimensions:

• big S;
• average M;
• small L.

Color: green, blue, pink.

Price: about 1000 rub.

What is a paw washer

The device of the paw washer is very simple - most often it is a plastic container in the shape of a large glass or mug with a hole on top and a lid.

How does a paw washer work (“Paw Plunger” in section)

Paw washers come in different sizes - large, medium, small - so you can choose the device that suits your dog.

Do-it-yourself paw wash for dogs

To make a paw washer with your own hands, you will need:

• large plastic cup or glass;
• sponge;
• soft homemade pipe cleaners on the liner;
• an airtight lid suitable in diameter for the container.

Process of creation:

1. Make sure the edges of the bowl are smooth and safe for your pet. You can use an additional rubber nozzle.
2. If desired, equip the inner walls with a ring of sponge or tab to which soft bristles are attached.
3. Place a sponge on the bottom.
4. Fill the container with liquid. Close the lid. Check for leaks.

Rating of quality paw washers for 2022

According to buyers, devices for cleaning pets’ paws from street dirt should have the following qualities:

• Have good functionality;
• Be easy to use;
• Easy to clean;
• Have a compact size that allows you to take the device with you on a trip;
• The material of the washing container should be durable, and the bristles should be moderately soft and pleasant to the touch;
• Prices for goods should not “bite”;
• Ergonomics and environmental friendliness are prerequisites.

Based on these requirements, the editors of the Yanashla website have prepared a review of the best, from the point of view of dog breeders, paw washers that can be bought in the online store.

TOP 5 best mechanical paw washers

The rating of the best paw washers in this segment includes products from American, Chinese and Russian manufacturers. Customers of online stores note the ease of use of the devices and the quality of workmanship.

5th place: Xiaomi Jordan & Judy Pet Foot Washer Brush

Sold at a price of 650 rubles.

A practical device for washing the paws of a four-legged pet. The design features a filter with a ribbed surface, thanks to which you can easily and quickly remove dirt particles from paws and claws. The material of the “glass” is ABS plastic.

Xiaomi Jordan & Judy Pet Foot Washer Brush

Advantages:

• Tactilely pleasant material;
• Cleans quickly and efficiently;
• You can take it with you.

Flaws:

• The hole at the top of the “glass” is rather narrow;
• The bowl is large for small dogs, and small for medium dogs;
• The design is simple;
• Impractical color.

4th place: Paw Plunger medium

The average price is 2188 rubles.

This type of cleaner is designed for breeds weighing 7-34 kg. The principle of use is simple: the animal's paw is placed in a cup and moves up and down. The bristles will gently remove dirt, and the petals at the top of the container will prevent moisture from splashing out.

Paw Plunger medium paw washer

Advantages:

• Quality materials;
• The case is disassembled;
• Cute design;
• Simple and convenient use.

Flaws:

• Poor rinsing between fingers;
• A bit short;
• Weak wool extraction.

"Bronze": Cool

Sold at a price of 498 rubles.

Portable model for large dogs. The height of the container is 14.5 cm, width is 9.5 cm. The device can also be used as a washcloth by turning the silicone brush with the bristles outward and putting it on your hand.

paw wash Krutyak

Advantages:

• Versatility;
• Ease of use;
• Compactness;
• You can take it with you;
• Removes dirt well;
• With washcloth function;
• Soft bristles, pleasant to the touch.

Flaws:

• Soft body and non-rigid bottom;
• The structure is unstable and cannot be placed on the floor.

"Silver": Skiico

Costs 549 rubles.

The portable Clean Dog design with dimensions of 90x150 mm is suitable for medium-sized dogs. The soft fibers inside the bowl remove dirt well. An ideal device for dog owners who don’t want to bother with basins and brushes.

Skiico paw washer

Advantages:

• Easy to use;
• Quality goods;
• Soft silicone “antennae” are washed well;
• Portable device.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

"Gold": ZDKPetsy

Sold at a price of 932 rubles.

Comfortable cup with internal removable silicone brush. The anti-scratch model is designed for dogs from 5 to 35 kg. Silicone “antennae” will clean out dirt in a couple of minutes. Dog owners just need to immerse their pet's paw in a device filled with water and detergent and twist the container clockwise. The design is suitable for both dogs and cats.

paw washer ZDKPetsy

Advantages:

• Easy to use;
• It washes away dirt well not only on the pads, but also between the animal’s toes;
• You can take it with you;
• Collapsible, easy to clean;
• Inexpensive product.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

Rating of the best electric paw washers

The best inexpensive devices with batteries for cleaning the paws of four-legged friends are presented by sellers from China. With Ali Express you can order the product you like at an affordable price. Reviews about the devices are mostly positive.

"Bronze": Pb+

Costs 3500 rubles.

A good helper will quickly remove dirt from your pet's paws. The design is a 200 ml bowl made of durable plastic. Product size M is suitable for puppies and kittens.

paw washer Pb+

Advantages:

• With handle, comfortable to hold;
• Soft fibers remove dirt and massage the pads;
• Easy to use.

Flaws:

• The color of the product is easily soiled;
• Doesn't wash very well between fingers.

"Silver": Portable sink

Sold at a price of 2290 rubles.

The design has parameters of 100x100x160 mm, the diameter of the inner bowl is 8 cm. The device has a built-in 1500 mAh battery, the charge lasts up to 8 hours with daily use. The sink easily removes dirt from the animal's fur, pads and between the toes. The silicone brushes are removable, making them easy to clean.

paw washer Portable wash

Advantages:

• Bowl made of high quality durable plastic;
• Ergonomics;
• Compact device;
• It does not make noise, so it does not scare the animal;
• Convenient to use;
• Cleans well.

Minuses:

• The easily soiled color of the plastic is white.

“Gold”: OfficialPet Electric Washer

The product can be purchased for 1,595 rubles.

The Chinese-made model consists of a container made of ABS plastic and a silicone insert. Dimensions of the washing bowl: 10x16 cm. The model is suitable for small animals weighing no more than 15 kg. Battery capacity is 2000 mAh, can be used for at least 12 days on one charge. Can be used for cats and dogs.

Electric washer OfficialPet

Advantages:

• You can wash your paws in the entrance so as not to bring dirt into the house;
• Cleans the pads and space between the animal’s toes well;
• Does not scare the pet;
• Durable housing;
• Convenient to use;
• Compact device.

Flaws:

• Not identified.

The rating is based on customer reviews and has no advertising purposes. User opinions are subjective.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages include:

• portability (with a pre-prepared solution, the paw washer can be used anywhere at any time, preventing unwanted contamination in the car, at a party, in public institutions, in a hotel, etc.);
• small size and light weight of the product;
• ease of use and subsequent cleaning of the device;
• the ability to simplify the procedure for washing paws, reducing to minimal actions before, during and after the process;
• safety for the owner and pet;
• relative durability;
• wide selection of individual models;
• a large assortment on the market, as well as the opportunity to make a paw wash yourself.

Flaws:

• the pet needs to get used to the device;
• inability to properly clean the paw between the toes (important for long-haired breeds);
• minimizing contact between the owner and the pet during the washing process, which almost eliminates the possibility of a thorough examination of the condition of the animal’s skin;
• product price.

What types of devices are there?

The standard device is a container into which water and shampoo are poured.

Types of paw washers by shape:

• Glass (vase);
• Mug with handle;
• Rectangular design.

This can simply be a container into which the animal’s paw is dipped and then thoroughly dried with a towel. Some devices are equipped with silicone tips with antennae. Thanks to mechanical movements of the paw up and down, the pet gets rid of street dirt. There are also products equipped with a rotating disk. Thus, the bristles themselves rotate clockwise around the animal’s paw, removing dirt.

Types of paw washers:

Devices can be automatic or electric. The most budget-friendly ones are “anti-scratch pads”, which are a plastic container with silicone fibers hidden inside to clean your pet’s paws from dirt. Electric models run on built-in batteries and are equipped with a power cord for charging the device. The principle of operation is that the internal brushes rotate, removing dirt and dust.

Terms of use

Recommendations:

• During the warm season, it is best to use water at room temperature. In cold weather - cool, which will avoid discomfort and problems due to temperature differences.
• Do not neglect thoroughly drying your paws with a towel after procedures. This will ensure not only more thorough cleaning, but also prevention of the development of microdamages.
• When using a paw wash regularly, you should periodically inspect the condition of your pet's skin. If cracks or calluses are detected, carry out treatment without delay, and temporarily replace the use of the device with a regular high-quality wash in a bathtub or basin.

Reviews of paw washers

Dog owners who have already acquired paw washers speak about them differently. According to the general opinion, paw washers have the following undeniable advantages :

• You can clean your dog’s paws without unnecessary hassle immediately upon entering the apartment;
• Speed ​​and ease of cleaning. There are no splashes and puddles in the hallway, like from bathing paws in a basin.
• If you take the paw washer with you on a trip with your pet “to nature,” the car interior will remain clean.

Photo: Victoria Bush
In general, you can clean your pet’s paws with a paw washer without effort and without getting your hands dirty. And if your dog is a regular passenger in your car or you’re tired of carrying your big tailed guy across the apartment to the bathroom to wash his paws after a walk, this gadget is definitely for you. Motorists who are “dog lovers,” by the way, can easily add a paw washer to the necessary kit - first aid kit, spare wheel and fire extinguisher (not forgetting a small supply of water for it).

But buyers also mention the disadvantages of paw washers:

• The quality of paw cleaning is not always as high as we would like: even with brushes in the paw washer, dirt often remains on the dog’s paws between the toes;
• If it's dirty outside, you can't get away with just dirty paws. In this case, a paw wash is useless, since the dog will definitely have to wash its belly, and possibly bathe it completely;
• Pet aversion: Some dogs are uneasy about immersing their precious paws in a strange structure filled with water.

You can't cope here with just a paw washer.
Photo: Kol Tregaskes Well, maybe you consider it a waste of money to buy a paw washer for a dog that likes to stretch out on the owner’s snow-white sheets immediately after a walk and therefore requires more thorough cleaning of its paws.

In addition, it is possible (though unlikely) that your pet will never be able to overcome the fear of an unknown wet box inside, although in most cases the dog will calmly get used to much more disturbing or unpleasant procedures.

But it is reckless to expect that, having bought a paw washer, you will be able to wash the entire dog completely if necessary - this should be clear from the name of the device.

Required tools and materials

Manufacturers most often offer pet washers that are shaped like a coffee or cocktail glass. There are also options made in the form of a long tube. They make it possible to wash the paws of even tall animals if they are heavily soiled. In purchased models, you can see special brushes inside the cup that rotate a little when the dog sticks its paw into the hole. Thus, all dirt is cleaned with just a couple of movements.

A simple DIY home wash can also be helpful. Its only difference from the store version is the absence of rotary brushes. But all dirt will be quickly removed with water and a sponge.

You can make a home wash from an ordinary plastic container with a lid; you need to select it according to the size of the dog. A thermal mug is perfect for this purpose. You can also use an empty bucket, for example, from mayonnaise or sour cream.

To make a sink you will also need:

• kitchen sponge;
• bath sponge;
• tape measure;
• glue;
• scissors.

Obvious advantages of a dog gadget

The Clean Dog dog paw wash is lightweight and takes up little space. Portability is the main advantage of the device. Moreover, a compact container can completely replace large basins and rags.

Clean paws without sand and dirt. When washing with a rag, owners are not always able to wash all the sand from their pet’s paws. Clean Dog's silicone material allows you to gently but effectively remove dirt, small debris and sand. So with a portable car wash, it's no big deal if your furry friend is a master of mud camouflage.

Washing paws takes no more than 2 minutes. Not every animal likes bath procedures (especially long ones). After all, tailed people always have a lot of more “important” things to do.

Is it possible to do it yourself

You can make a washer for your dog's paws on your own. To do this, first select a container; a mug or glass made of plastic will do; the size depends on the size of the pet’s paws. For more effective cleaning, brushes or dishwashing sponges are attached inside, but they should not be very rough so as not to injure the animal.

Note! The selected glass should not have nicks, cracks or other damage, otherwise there is a risk of injury to the animal.

To avoid splashing, the structure is equipped with a rubber or nylon cover on top.

Criterias of choice

When purchasing a paw washer, you should pay attention not to the appearance of the product, but to its functionality. The design is essentially a glass into which the dog's paw is immersed to clean it from dirt. Therefore, the first factor that is important to pay attention to is the appropriate size. To avoid mistakes, you should measure the diameter of your pet's paw and check in the store whether it will fit in the chosen sink.

Jack Russell Terrier: black, white, brown, tri-color and other colors

Modern manufacturers offer many models, so you can choose the internal structure to suit your taste. The glass contains brushes, pipe cleaners, some have a ribbed surface.

When choosing, the shape of the product is also taken into account. Most often, sinks are made in the shape of a mug, but some owners prefer designs in the form of quadrangular boxes with a lid.

Finally, it is important to pay attention to the material. Cheap Chinese plastic can cause allergies in both pet and owner. Therefore, it is better to purchase an option made of durable, high-quality plastic.

Note! The product should not have a characteristic plastic smell.

Principle of operation

A paw wash is a small container with soft side brushes, into which clean water or a solution with dog shampoo is first poured. During the washing process, the animal's limb remains motionless, and the container in which it is lowered rotates around or moves up and down. After completing the procedure, the paw is wiped dry and the pet can run freely without leaving any marks.

The paw washing mug has a whole range of advantages:

• allows you to quickly and comfortably remove dirt from your pet’s limbs after a walk;
• eliminates the need to use a washbasin or bathroom, as well as dirty wet tracks on the way to them, if the dog is large;
• has a compact size, thanks to which it can be used not only at home, but also before entering other rooms or getting into a car;
• does not leave splashes around the dog even with restless behavior;
• ensures thorough treatment of the entire surface, including between the pads, as well as hairs of representatives of long-haired breeds;
• Available in several versions that differ in size, shape and functionality.

You can now see the current price of the mug and buy it right here:

Among the disadvantages of paw washers, users note the high cost of such devices and the inconvenience of washing paws in small dogs due to the high risk of damage to fragile bones.