A lot of us have seen dog wipes in the stores and probably all thought the same thing, ‘really?’,A lot of these gimmicks like ‘wipes for dogs’ or ‘toothpaste for dogs’ are a ploy to market something as more expensive, when there’s other things out there that do the same thing.
If you’re like us, then you probably feel like dog wipes aren’t a substitute for a bath, and they’re most likely bad for the environment, like most wipes.
But, we thought we’d try them before we started judging, so when we saw a pack of dog wipes on clearance in the store, we thought the harm of trying a few out isn’t too bad.
So that’s exactly what we did. Read about what we think about dog wipes below.
The Purpose Of Dog Wipes
We all probably know this, but it’s worth reiterating, dog wipes aren’t a substitute for bathing your dog.
But, with that being said, dog wipes can be good for a quick cleanup, when your dog comes into the house filthy, and you just don’t have time for a bath.
They’re good for cleaning dirt and debris from the surface of your dogs’ coat, not so much for penetrative cleaning.
They’re useful for things like cleaning your dog’s muddy paws, or a muddy nose.
Dog wipes are widely used for cleaning a dogs’ dirty paws after they’ve had a good play around in the dirt.
Ideally, it’s always good to wipe your dogs’ paws down after they’ve been out for a walk, just because you don’t know what they’ve stood on, and cleaning it off avoids any nasty stuff being tracked inside your home.
They’re also a great idea for if somebody in the home is allergic to dog dander.
Quick and frequent wipe downs will take off the outdoor allergens from your dog’s coat, but remember to always bathe them weekly with a gentle shampoo for the maximum effect.
What About Baby Wipes?
Like a lot of things, it’s best to use products that are specifically formulated to cater towards dogs, instead of humans since we have a different pH level to each other.
But, that being said, dog wipes can be much more expensive than regular baby wipes, but you must remember that just because it’s ok for a baby, it’s not the same for a dog.
Babies don’t tend to lick their own skin after being wiped down, do they?
It gets harder too, because not all dog wipes are always 100% safe for your dog either. I know what you’re thinking, but you need to look for wipes that are chemical and fragrance free.
Wipes that have chemicals or fragrances can cause skin irritations, much like it can do to us humans if we have sensitive skin.
If you are really struggling, baby wipes can be used in a pinch, just make sure to thoroughly read what you are using on your dog and the number one rule is to ensure that they’re chemical and fragrance free.
The added bonus of using baby wipes is that they’re often much larger than dog wipes, which helps you when cleaning their muddy paws or nose.
Be Environmentally Conscious
A big problem with wipes of any kind is that a lot of them aren’t biodegradable, which leads to landfills being overrun with baby wipes, especially if they’ve been flushed.
If you’re worried about wipes being bad for the environment, then you don’t have to forgo them completely, you can simply use a tried-and-true method that’s been around for years!
Simply apply a small dollop of gentle dog shampoo into a moist hand towel and scrub away. It’s really that simple!
Make sure that you’re not using too much shampoo, otherwise you’ll start to leave foamy residue on your dog’s coat.
If this does happen, not to worry, simply get a towel that only contains water and scrub away the residue.
Once you’ve finished wiping down your dog, run the hand towel under some hot water, hand dry and there you have it!
Always make sure to check your dog daily after doing so, and check for any skin irritations or changes in behavior after using new products, as all dogs will react differently to products, the same goes for dog wipes.
If your dog has a reaction to any products used, make sure to discontinue the use immediately, and switch to a gentler option, or consult your vet.
Final Thoughts
So, whilst dog wipes aren’t a need, they’re definitely an option if you’re in a pinch.
But we don’t really think that they’re better than the old method of just using dog shampoo in a hand towel to wipe them down, plus it’s cheaper and easier to do too!
