Preparing For The Paws of Winter

Preparing For the Paws of Winter

Ah, the roaring fire in the fireplace, the mug of hot cocoa, a good book and your trusty Companion Dog. If you heard the title of this blog instead of seeing it, you'd think it was about preparing for that long, cozy winter pause between active seasons, when the warm hearth looks so inviting, wouldn't you? Well, there's the snowed-in Pause of the season, and then there are the dreaded Paws of Winter, that leave big soggy black pawprints, full of road salt, slush and grit, all over your rugs, your furniture, the kitchen floor, even the interior of your car or van. If you've visited my Dog Blog, WoofTracks.com, you know that your Editor and his Assistant are doggedly determined to improve understanding and relations between Species. Here, then, in the interest of better relations, are some ideas for cleaning dirty paws before they track in that dirt, and for cleaning up if they evade your preventive efforts.

First, and removable as the Dog comes in, there are Dog Boots with a whole range of useful features and corresponding prices. Examples range from the $16.99 Guardian Gear Pet Boots that promise to keep paws safe from heat, cold, ice, salt, stones, and abrasive surfaces, with a reflective strap for visibility, to the Granite Gear Dog Clogs that provide serious traction as well as protection, at $44.76.

Two paws up for the latest invention, the Paw Plunger, sized for your dirty Dog. Just fill the Paw Plunger with water and the soft bristles inside the container gently yet effectively remove dirt and debris from your Dog's paws. It can also be used without water to brush off sand and dirt, so it's useful year-round.

In case those dirty paws get by you, remember the "ounce of prevention": To keep paw prints off the sofa and rugs, bone up on cleaners like Scotchgard Fabric Protector and Scotchgard Carpet Protector for Rugs and Carpets. For rescuing upholstery that wasn't protected, Scotchgard makes Fabric and Upholstery Cleaner. If you're at the end of your leash with winter paw prints, there's Bissell's mean Little Green machine: The Proheat Turbo Carpet Cleaner that uses hot water, a cleaning agent with solution trigger and a tough stain tool to eliminate both deep-down dirt and surface spills. Designed for use on carpet, upholstery, automobile seats, and more, the Little Green disperses and sucks up cleansing solution in one swipe across the dirty surface. Paw prints don't stand a chance.

There are car and truck seat covers with Dog and Wolf prints, made just to protect your vehicle's seats from our dirty paws and sharp claws, and the Ez Cargo Area Protector does a great job if your Dog stays in the cargo area of your SUV or wagon. For the furniture at home, the paws-down best solution is the couch saver Quilted Pet Throw, and those Dog Gone Smart Pet Throws, in Microfiber and Faux Suede: They have pet-safe fabric that repels dirt, oil and liquids, and reduces the spread of bacteria that can cause that (shhh...) "doggy" odor.

But for all-around usefulness, we recommend door and entry mats that clean up after the whole Family: The Dirt Stopper Doormat and Waterhog Premier Door Mat that come in many sizes and colors, both stop water, snow and dirt in its tracks. Says the maker: "This super-strong polypropylene mat protects floor with a combo of thick fibers that whisk mud from paws and soles of boots, and thin fibers that remove moisture. Side channels allow water to drain quickly. These mats have nonskid rubber backs, and are easy care - just hose off to clean." Our Significant Humans at our editorial office at WoofTracks.com use them: They're a must, in New England!

Relax, grab a cup of cocoa. Then, fetch some of these suggestions. We know they will help, next time the dreaded Paws of Winter are on your doorstep!


WebWoof, Editor of the Dog Blog WoofTracks.com