Clean Paws Are Top Of Mind For Many Pet Parents

Plenty of exercise and outdoor walks and activity are great for dogs… but these days pet parents are increasingly thinking about how not to bring some things from the outside back into the home.

Whether it’s because of COVID or Monkeypox, or increasingly dirty sidewalks, parks and public spaces, many pet parents are wanting to be more vigilant about cleaning their pets’ paws after walks…. So they don’t drag the worst parts of the outside world into the home.

But Please Don't Use Clorox Wipes Or Other Disinfecting Wipes On Your Dog!

We never thought we’d love Clorox wipes and Lysol spray so much. They became our best friends as we (and the rest of the world) diligently wiped down our home and work surfaces multiple times a day. In the era of COVID-19, cleaning has become a top priority, and we’re using products with strong ingredients.

While Clorox Wipes and Lysol Wipes became our friends during COVID, they are NOT the right solution for cleaning your pets’ paws. The same cleaners that do a great job at killing the Corona Virus can also sicken or even kill pets.

Disinfecting Wipes Contain Ingredients That Are Toxic For Dogs and Cats

The ingredients that make disinfectants effective can make them toxic for companion animals: alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, chemical compounds that contain the word “phenol,” etc.

Here are a few to watch out for:

• Ammonia — This ingredient is present in several de-greasing formulas for ovens, glass, and stainless steel. Ammonia on its own is dangerous, but never mix it with bleach. This creates a poisonous gas that can be very dangerous for humans and pets. 
• Chlorine — This is a disinfectant found in detergent, some bleaches, disinfecting wipes and sprays, and toilet bowl cleaners. Don’t let your pets near surfaces that have been disinfected until those surfaces have dried, and never let your dog or cat drink out of the toilet bowl after it’s been cleaned! (Or when it’s dirty) 
• Glycol Ethers — These ingredients are common in carpet cleaners, spot removers, and glass cleaner. These are especially dangerous if fumes are inhaled by humans or pets. Use them in well-ventilated areas. 
• Hydrogen Peroxide — Found in non-chlorinated bleach, this product can induce vomiting in pets. 

What About Baby Wipes For My Dog?

It might seem like these are a good idea… they’re gentle, right?

But is it okay to use baby wipes on dogs? Overall, no. You should avoid using baby wipes or other human moist hypoallergenic wipes on puppies and dogs. You shouldn't be using them on a daily basis because they aren't the best choice for daily cleaning your dog.

Baby wipes are designed to work safely on human skin, i.e., skin that has a pH of 5.5. This is not the case with dogs, whose pH levels are much higher. That is one reason why baby wipes might have detrimental effects on your dog.

Using baby wipes is okay every now and again when you do not have access to anything else that is considered safer, and you likely won’t cause any serious problems to your pet. However, regular use can cause pH imbalances, which can lead to irritation, rashes, or bacterial infections.

Another reason why baby wipes are not safe for dogs is that they have additional chemicals that can be tolerated on human skin, but not on a dog’s skin. These chemicals are fragrance additives and can cause additional imbalances. Even if you use hypoallergenic and fragrance-free baby wipes, they still might cause problems for your dog.

OK, What Should I Use?

The best solution is to use a wipe that is specifically made for pets. These wipes typically use pet friendly cleansers, and the best ones are pH balanced for a pet’s skin.

Here at TrueBlue we make Super Fresh Body & Paw Wipes. They have an all-natural cleansing solution that includes Grapefruit & Chamomile. The hypoallergenic formula helps pets with sensitivity to allergens, like grass and pollens, keeping paws & skin clean and free of irritations, also helping to prevent incessant scratching and licking.

And they clean without stripping out the beneficial natural oils in the skin.

In our research, many Pet Parents told us that they want to use a wipe after every walk, but they worry about drying out the skin, particularly in the pads of the paws. So we incorporated Macadamia Nut Extract because it moisturizes the skin without leaving any greasy feel. And while it's true that dogs should not consume macadamia nuts, the extract we use is perfectly safe.

You can use our Super Fresh Body & Paw Wipes to clean your dog's paws as often as you like. You’re actually adding moisture back into the pet’s skin, while keeping all the nasty outside filth and germs out of your home.