We are encouraged to exercise our senior dogs, or any pet for that matter, but we are not always blessed with perfectly sunny dry days where you pooch can simply go out to play then run back in the house with no trail of mud behind her.
But this is not the way and dogs really don't care if they track mud in the house or onto your couch. They are just excited for having been outside and having some fun, whether it is digging a hole in the mud or running through the puddles or in the backyard stinky pond!
There was always the scream at the door when my dog wanted to come in, "stop her until we clean her paws" then this mad dash to grab her collar and then bend like a pretzel to take that old beat up dog towel to her feet, only to find grit still working its way back in the house.
This used to drive me crazy. I have done some research on different products on the market that can help with this problem. If you have a senior dog you don't want to be throwing them to the ground to deal with their feet, you want to do this gently and quickly. Here are a Few Ideas that will help your senior dog enjoy their outdoor time and still preserve your home!
Dirty Dog Mitt This one is a microfiber mitt that will absorb the dirt and mud, and works even better if you get a chance to dampen it. It gets that grit that tends to be left behind. Now this one is geared to using it in your right hand, but I thought this was a great product that not only got the wet and the mud but also the grit.
The above product would be good for travelling too. Or just get the mitt wet if at home for the same result. Click on the picture to find out more if you are interested.
Trim Paw Hairs
My dog Sasha has tons of fur in her feet, and that tends to hold the dirt and grime for hours after you think their feet are clean. If you take your dog to a groomers make sure they trip the hair between the pads on their feet, or do it yourself if you are comfortable. This alone can make a huge difference especially if you have a furry pet!.
This is another type of paw cleaner that you can simply leave filled with water before you head outside for your walk or have ready for when she or he comes back in from the yard. It has gentle brushes in it and all you have to do is stick their paw in it. It doesn't spill and gets rid of that grit. I thought this was another great ideas..
I know in the winter, it was easier, as I would simply get her to walk through a clean pile of snow before entering the house. We had a absorbent dog matt that would take care of the wet and things were great, but once muddy spring arrived it was another story.
This water absorbent matt was something we always kept near the front door and another one in the living room so she could lie on it and dry off. These matts are designed to absorb a lot of water including muddy water. This would at least stop the dirt tracks as they head into the house. It all depends on your dogs personality. As seniors, we still want them to get out and about and enjoy life, but we still want to keep our floors clean. So arming yourself with a few tools that can be kept by the door will ultimately help keep the muddy tracks out of your home.