Mud Season With Fido

Spring is just around the corner. This time of year can be a blessing and a curse. While it’s nice to finally be done with winter’s worst weather, we have that sloppy, slushy season to get through before the really nice weather hits. If you have a dog, mud season may translate into pawprint and pet fur season. A Thorold, ON vet offers a few survival tips below.

Paw Wipes

One thing you can do is keep a small container of paw wipes near the door. You can also use washcloths or rags. Teach Fido that he’ll get a treat for letting you wipe his feet before you bring him in.

Training

If you want to go a step further, you can actually teach Fido to wipe his own paws. This will be easier if you get a mat that’s specifically made for this. Of course, before you start showing your pet to clean his feet, make sure he has basic obedience commands, like Sit, Stay , and Come , down pat.

Mat

Speaking of mats, make sure you have good ones on both the inside and outside of your door. A thick bath mat is a good option. It will absorb water, and will get some of the dirt off your furry pal’s paws. You don’t need to leave this out all year: once the wet season has passed, you can switch to a more traditional one.

Entrance

Try to take Fido in and out through the same door if you can. (Ideally, this door would go into a mudroom, but we know not everyone has that setup.)

Swipe Mops

In some cases, you may still end up with tracks. Get a light steam or spray mop. These make cleaning up doggy footprints a snap!

Let Your Dog Have His Day

While many people will only need to deal with the occasional pawprint, others will end up with mud-covered, grinning dogs. Some of our canine patients love rolling around in mud puddles. This is cute, but it can also be, well, a bit messy. If Fido is prone to this sort of mischief, put a protective covering over your car’s upholstery, and find a local dog-wash. Sometimes you just have to let your dog be a dog!

Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Thorold, ON veterinary clinic, we’re here to help!