Paw Hygiene 101: How (and Why) to Keep Your Pet’s Paws Clean and Healthy

Your pet experiences the world from the ground up.

Every walk, every hesitant step across a hot road or wet patch of grass begins at the paws. They cushion impact, regulate temperature, grip unfamiliar surfaces, and absorb whatever the environment throws at them. That can be dust, moisture, heat, chemicals, grit, you name it!

And then they go largely unnoticed.

Paws don’t demand attention the way ears do when they shake, or skin does when it flakes. They’re usually covered in fur, which means they're seldom inspected closely, and easy to take for granted as long as your pet is moving without complaint.

That efficiency is precisely why paw problems often show up late.

Unlike other parts of the body, paws are in constant contact with the outside world. They’re warm. They’re often damp. They have folds of skin between toes that don’t dry easily.

From a biological point of view, they’re hardworking and resilient, but also uniquely vulnerable.

Most paw issues start small: a bit of moisture left behind after a walk, fine debris trapped between toes. Over time, these minor irritations add up, and the paws signal distress in subtle ways, whether it's through extra licking or pulling away when touched.

That's exactly why paw care must be part of your basic skin care. The kind that respects how paws function and where they travel every day.

Understanding that is the first step. Everything else—cleaning, drying—builds from here. Let's begin!

The Science Behind Sore Paws

In veterinary medicine, inflammation of the paws is called pododermatitis. It’s used to describe inflammation affecting the skin of the paws, pads, and the spaces between toes. 

Pododermatitis, more than a single disease, is a response that can be triggered by a combination of factors like moisture, friction, and a compromised skin barrier working together over time.

Paws are especially prone to secondary infections for this reason. Add friction from walking, running, or licking, and irritation can grow quickly and quietly.

Left unaddressed, mild inflammation can progress. For eg, in interdigital furunculosis, deep, inflamed lesions develop between the toes. They’re often the result of repeated minor trauma, trapped debris, or chronic moisture.

Most paw problems don’t start as emergencies. They start as manageable skin changes. And because paws are so good at compensating, pets often keep moving until the discomfort becomes too heavy.

That’s why early, everyday paw care matters.

What Paws Are Exposed To Every Single Day

It helps to think of paw hygiene less as a grooming task and more as environmental damage control.

Unlike skin on the back or belly, paws don’t get a break from exposure. Every walk adds layers, and the effects compound over time.

Heat from roads and pavements

Hard surfaces absorb and retain heat far more than we realise. Asphalt and concrete can reach temperatures capable of burning paw pads within seconds. If you can’t comfortably keep your hand on the pavement for seven seconds, it’s too hot for paws.

Moisture from rain, grass, and puddles

Wet conditions create a different problem altogether. Prolonged moisture softens the skin through a process called maceration, weakening the natural barrier that protects against microbes.

During monsoons or in consistently damp environments, paws often stay wet longer than we think. Water gets trapped between toes and under fur, especially in long-coated dogs.

This is why veterinarians see a rise in paw irritation and infections during rainy seasons, even in pets that are otherwise healthy.

Chemicals and urban residue

Sidewalks and streets, beyond carrying dirt, can also hold residues from fuel, cleaning agents, fertilisers, and in colder regions, de-icing salts. The ASPCA advises rinsing or wiping paws after such exposure. While many reactions are mild, irritation and excessive licking are common responses.

Licking matters here. Whatever sticks to paws often ends up being ingested later.

Grass seeds, grit, and debris

In parks and green patches, the risk changes again. The RSPCA warns that grass awns and seeds can lodge between toes or under paw pads.

These small intruders don’t always fall out on their own, and, left unnoticed, they can trigger swelling, pain, or abscesses that require veterinary intervention.

Why Clean Paws Aren’t Always Healthy Paws

It’s easy to assume that paw hygiene is about visible dirt. 

Mud off, job done!

But from a skin-health perspective, clean and healthy are not the same.

Healthy paws aren’t defined by how they look when your pet walks back into the house, but rather by how well the skin barrier is functioning, whether it’s dry enough, and able to protect itself against irritation and microbes.

This distinction matters because some habits, however well-intentioned, may backfire.

Frequent wiping without drying, for instance, can clean the paws while having dampness underneath. Repeated washing with unsuitable products can strip natural oils that help maintain skin balance. Over time, the skin becomes more vulnerable, not less.

In fact, prolonged dampness is a more reliable risk factor for paw irritation than surface grime.

That’s why effective paw hygiene has to do more with removing what doesn’t belong and restoring the conditions the skin needs to stay resilient.

In practical terms, that means:

• prioritising dryness over shine
• choosing gentle, pet-appropriate cleaning methods
• paying attention to between-toe spaces, not just pads
• stopping short of overdoing it

You’re not trying to erase every trace of the outdoors, but simply supporting a part of the body that’s working hard, constantly.

A Paw Hygiene Routine That Actually Works

Once you stop chasing the idea of “perfectly clean” paws, the routine becomes a lot simpler. Effective paw hygiene rests on three actions:

Step 1: Clean (remove what doesn’t belong)

After a walk, the goal is to take off what your pet shouldn’t be carrying around for the rest of the day.

• Light dirt or dust: a gentle, pet-safe wipe or no-rinse paw cleaner is usually enough
• Mud or visible grime: a quick rinse with lukewarm water works better than repeated wiping

Avoid human wipes or improvised substitutes. Many human products contain alcohols, fragrances, or preservatives that can disrupt the skin barrier with repeated use.

Step 2: Dry (the most skipped, most important step)

This is where paw hygiene often falls apart.

Retained moisture is a key contributor to paw irritation and secondary infections. Even when paws look clean, moisture trapped between toes or under fur can soften the skin and tip the balance toward inflammation.

Take a few extra seconds to:

• pat pads dry
• separate toes gently and dry between them
• pay attention to long fur around the paw area

This step alone does more to protect paw health than aggressive cleaning ever could.

Step 3: Check (a built-in early warning system)

Cleaning time is also observation time.

A quick check helps you spot:

• redness between toes
• cracks or rough patches on pads
• tiny cuts, thorns, or lodged debris
• tenderness or pulling away

These are early signals. Catching them here often prevents a minor irritation from becoming a veterinary visit later.

How Often Should You Clean Your Pet’s Paws?

Daily? After every walk? Only when muddy? I get it: it can get overwhelming.

It's actually quite simple: frequency depends on exposure, not rules.

There’s no evidence-backed need to clean paws on a fixed schedule. What matters is what your pet has just walked through and what their paws feel like afterwards.

Here’s a practical way to think about it.

After everyday walks

If your pet walks on dry roads, pavements, or familiar neighbourhood paths:

• Clean paws only if they’re visibly dirty or dusty
• A quick wipe followed by drying is usually enough

For many pets, this might mean paw cleaning once or twice a day, or not at all on other days. Use a lightweight paw cleaner like Muddy Buddy here to clean quickly and move on!

During wet weather or monsoon months

Rain changes everything. Moisture stays, skin softens faster, and debris sticks more easily.

• Wipe or rinse paws after every walk
• Dry thoroughly, especially between toes

The best option would be a quick clean after walks, and once a week, a slightly more thorough reset using a gentle cleanser. The structure helps habits stick, especially when the weather makes a mess unavoidable.

After parks, grass, or muddy areas

Green spaces come with their own set of risks: seeds and plant matter that don’t fall out on their own.

• Clean and inspect paws after each outing
• Check between toes even if paws don’t look dirty

Grass seeds and tiny foreign bodies are discovered days after the walk that caused them, simply because no one thought to look. This is where slowing down for a minute matters more than what product you use.

Cleaning creates the opportunity to notice.

Can you clean paws too often?

Over-cleaning usually becomes a problem only when:

• harsh products are used repeatedly
• paws are left damp after cleaning
• skin oils are stripped without recovery time

Gentle cleaning, done thoughtfully and followed by proper drying, is unlikely to harm healthy paws, even when done daily. In fact, choosing mild, pet-formulated products and keeping routines short often reduces stress for both pets and people.

When paw care feels easy to maintain, it’s far more likely to happen consistently.

Early Paw Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Paw problems rarely announce themselves loudly. More often, they show up as small changes in behaviour.

Good paw hygiene reduces risk, but it also gives you something just as valuable: familiarity. When you know what your pet’s paws usually look and feel like, changes stand out quickly.

Here are some of the most common early signals.

Persistent paw licking or chewing

Occasional licking is normal. Constant attention to one or more paws isn’t.

Repeated paw licking can be linked to irritation: moisture, allergens, trapped debris, or early infection. Licking can worsen the problem by adding more moisture and friction, creating a cycle that’s hard to break without intervention.

If licking increases after walks or during certain seasons, pay attention.

Redness or swelling between the toes

The skin between the toes is one of the first places irritation shows up. Redness or swelling can signal early interdigital dermatitis.

This area doesn’t dry easily and is prone to moisture retention, which is why it’s such a common trouble spot.

Subtle limping or hesitation

Sometimes it can be a slight pause before putting weight on a paw, reluctance to walk on certain surfaces, or choosing to sit down more often on walks.

These signs can indicate discomfort from minor injuries, lodged debris, or inflammation that isn’t yet visible.

Sensitivity when touched

If your pet pulls away, flinches, or suddenly resists paw handling when they didn’t before, it’s worth investigating. A quick look during your usual clean–dry–check routine can often reveal the cause early.

When to stop home care and call the vet

Paw hygiene is preventative care. You should involve your veterinarian if you notice:

• swelling that worsens or doesn’t settle
• discharge, bleeding, or open sores
• limping that persists beyond a day
• intense licking that doesn’t reduce with cleaning and drying

Most serious paw issues start as manageable skin problems. Early veterinary input prevents them from becoming prolonged, painful ones.

Paw Care Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

How much support paws need and where problems tend to show up can vary a lot depending on coat type and age, even species.

This is where paying attention to who your pet is matters as much as what they walk through.

Long-coated dogs

Dogs with longer fur around their paws often have the most hidden trouble.

Hair between toes and around pads traps:

• moisture
• mud
• grass seeds
• fine grit

Even when the paw pads themselves look clean, dampness can sit deep in the fur. That’s why long-coated dogs often benefit from:

• more thorough drying
• regular trimming around the paw area
• slightly more frequent checks, especially during rainy months

Puppies

Puppies experience the world at ground level enthusiastically (and without much caution)!

Their skin barrier is still developing, and they’re likelier to:

• walk through puddles repeatedly
• sit or lie down on wet surfaces
• explore grass and soil with zero restraint

Gentle, regular paw cleaning helps remove irritants early, but it’s especially important to keep routines low-stress. 

Senior pets

As pets age, their flexibility and balance change. Grooming, especially of hard-to-reach areas like paws, can become uncomfortable.

Older dogs and cats may groom themselves less effectively, which means dirt, moisture, or litter can stay on paws longer than before. You might notice:

• more residue between toes
• longer nails affecting gait
• reluctance to have paws handled

In seniors, paw hygiene often shifts from prevention to comfort support, helping them stay mobile and pain-free.

Cats (yes, them too)

Cats are excellent self-groomers, and most don’t need routine paw cleaning. But there are exceptions.

Senior cats, overweight cats, or cats with arthritis may struggle to groom thoroughly. In these cases, you might see:

• litter clumping between toes
• dampness around paws
• changes in walking or posture

A gentle wipe and occasional check can help as part of being observant when behaviour changes.

Why These Small Habits Matter More Than You Think

Paw hygiene rarely feels urgent. That’s part of its value and part of why it’s often overlooked.

Preventive care reduces the likelihood of chronic problems. Paws that are kept clean, dry, and regularly checked are likelier to develop recurring infections, painful inflammation, or mobility-limiting discomfort as pets age.

This matters for a great quality of life.

Comfortable paws mean:

• walks that don’t become hesitant
• play that doesn’t taper off early
• ageing that happens with less stiffness and resistance

And perhaps most importantly, it builds a relationship with your pet’s body that’s attentive rather than reactive.

You notice changes sooner.
You respond earlier.
You spend less time troubleshooting and more time simply being present.

Good paw hygiene asks for awareness, consistency, and a willingness to slow down for a minute after walks. That’s all.

From us at The Good Paws to you, caring for paws is one of those small, unglamorous habits that pays back generously over time.

Not because it prevents every problem, but because it prevents many. Quietly, reliably, and without fuss.

And that, really, is what good care looks like.

Have any dramatic pawwy stories to share? Drop it in the comments or DM us @thegoodpawsclub. We love all of it: the funny, tragic, and funnily tragic! 

About the author: Amritesh Mukherjee is a writer, journalist, editor and companion to the handsomest doggo of the universe, Dusky.