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Mud, dust, debris, twigs... you name it, our dogs find it when left to their own devices at a dog park. But that doesn't mean you have to track all that muck home with you. Here's how to do a quick, effective clean-up before climbing back into the car.
If you live in a four-season world, can we agree that every season brings its own fair share of dirt, debris, and, well, that mess that always seems to find our dogs when we’re out for a walk? Spring has its rain (mud), summer is all about dust and bits of dried grass and debris, fall is when those loathsome burrs make an appearance all over furry legs and torsos, and winter brings us damp dogs that tend to leave that “wet dog scent” everywhere they settle.
So, here are some tips for staying sane when cleaning up post-dog park.
Let’s Anticipate Dirt!
I’ve just come back from the dog park with two of my three. It rained heavily yesterday; however mercifully, it didn’t result in full blown muddy puddles. Just thick wet soil my dogs loved trotting back and forth through.
Now, over the years I’ve learned that the first rule of thumb when heading out to a leash-free dog park (free meaning they can walk through scrub brush, puddles, and other dog poop to their heart’s content) is to have a proper back seat protector for your return trip. I’ve tried putting blankets down to avoid the hassle of hooking and unhooking the protector each time I wanted to accommodate two-legged passengers; however, regardless of the blanket size or how well I tucked it in, I found it tended to slip and slide out of place. Meaning my seats never got the full protection needed for when my dogs were covered in muck.
Secondly, you absolutely need to have an arsenal of those large-format wet wipes to tackle messy paws and bums. Hey, long-coated dogs can be a challenge when it comes to hygiene (trust me!), so a quick inspection and wipe is all it takes to keep your back seat protector free from poop. And my philosophy is go big or go home, so something like this extra-large, extra-thick pet wipe is the easiest way to complete a quick once-over before hopping into the back seat.
Your third line of defence may mean considering a deeper clean on dirty paws. Particularly if they’re mud-caked or have strode through another animal’s feces. Something like this handy little foaming paw cleaner with brush might be just the ticket. It’s small enough to tuck into your pocket or car console and, on application, produces a plant-derived, fragrance-free foam that you can use to gently scrub out the gunk between your pooch’s toes. Best of all, it’s totally safe for pups that like to lick their feet.
Lastly, you may want to take what I would call a more fulsome approach to cleaning up muddy paws, legs, and underbellies. For that, I’m loving this handy little pet shower that simply attaches to the end of a water bottle, and allows you to actually rinse off all that mud and dust. And because it affixes to bottles up to two liters in size, you can easily tackle a substantial amount of mud and loose dirt before loading the pooch into the car.
It's Never Too Late to Come Clean!
Now, despite every effort, things do get tracked into our vehicles and homes. Paper towels can be handy, but if the mess is extreme or particularly yucky, you’re going to want a little more between your hands and whatever you’re cleaning up. That’s where something like this extra large absorbent towel steps in to help out. Not only does it claim to be 10 times more absorbent than a regular paper towel, but its also a whopping 12” x 17” – so perfect for taking care of any mess in one fell swoop. From a dog vomiting in the car’s back seat, urinating on your floors or even feces that’s been tracked throughout the house. This specially designed towel helps clean up the mess while keeping you sane. Keeping a couple tucked into your glove compartment or console brings a certain peace of mind to road trips!
Mess happens, and the best way to keep a calm, cool, and sane is to anticipate it. Prepare in advance, stock up on the right arsenal of products for you and your pet, then go get dirty!
