- ⏱️ 6 min read
- 🐾 For dogs and cats
- 🧼 4 methods compared
- ❄️ Winter salt tips
You trim the nails, wipe the paws, and there is still a dark line of grime tucked against each nail. Your dog may hide dirt under the nails after every walk, or your cat may have brown build-up in the folds around each claw. Wipes barely touch it, and you are not sure what is safe to use.
Cleaning nail beds comes down to four moves: soften the dirt, brush it out gently, wipe it away and dry the paw. In this guide, Petstone compares the common methods, from a soapy washcloth to a dedicated nail and paw cleaner, so you can pick what fits your pet, and know when a nail bed needs a vet instead.
Quick answer
- Work in this order: soften, brush gently, wipe away, then dry the paw and between the toes.
- Water, a soapy washcloth and pet wipes handle surface dirt after walks.
- For build-up under and around the nails, a liquid nail and paw cleaner with a soft brush reaches further.
- Patch test any new product and go one paw at a time with paw-shy pets.
- Red, swollen or oozing nail beds, or limping, need a vet check before any cleaning.
What needs cleaning on a paw?
A clean-looking pad can still hide dirt in two other places. Check all three.
Paw pads
Pick up mud, grit and road salt on walks. Check them for cuts, scrapes and cracks.
Between the toes
Trap debris and damp. Gently part the toes to look.
Nail beds and folds
Where the nail meets the skin. Dirt and waxy build-up settle here and are easy to miss.
Four ways to clean paws and nail beds, compared
| Method | Reaches nail beds? | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water and a soapy washcloth | Partly | Muddy or salty paws after walks | Paws must be dried well afterwards |
| Pet wipes | Rarely | Quick wipe-downs at the door | Choose wipes labeled for pets; they skim the surface |
| Paw washer cup | Rarely | Rinsing mud off big, dirty paws | Needs fresh water and a towel each time |
| Liquid nail and paw cleaner | Yes, with a soft brush | Build-up under nails and in nail folds | Patch test first; a daily routine at the start |
The AKC guide to cleaning your dog's paws suggests wipes labeled safe for pets to clean muddy, sandy or salty paws quickly, a warm, soapy washcloth for serious messes, and parting the toes to check for debris and irritation.
Water, wipes and paw cups: pros and cons
- Simple and quick at the door.
- Fine for everyday mud and grass.
- Washing helps remove road salt in winter.
- Seldom reach under the nails or into nail folds.
- Damp paws left undried can start to smell.
- Some pets fight the cup or the wet cloth.
🎯 Best for: daily wipe-downs after walks.
Liquid nail and paw cleaner: pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Made to sit on the nail bed and loosen build-up
- Works with a soft toothbrush to reach under nails
- Suits furry and hairless pets
👎 Cons
- Needs a patch test and a daily start-up phase
- Takes a few minutes per paw, not seconds
- Not for cut, cracked or swollen paws
According to ReNewedPet, you apply it with a cotton pad, leave it at least one minute, brush gently and wipe it away. It suits pets with or without fur, and comes in 2 to 32 oz bottles. A good match for dirt that hides under the nails and for hairless cats with build-up in the nail folds.
See the ReNewedPet Nail and Paw CleanerHow to clean nail beds, step by step
- Choose a calm time, after a walk or a nap, and have a towel and a small reward ready.
- Hold one paw gently and part the toes so you can see each nail bed.
- Soften the dirt with warm water or your chosen cleaner, and give it a minute to work.
- Brush along the nail bed with a soft, old toothbrush, away from the skin.
- Wipe the loosened debris away with a clean, damp pad or cloth.
- Dry the paw and between the toes thoroughly with a soft towel.
- Reward, then move on to the next paw, or stop for today.
For paw-shy dogs and cats, practice touching a paw for a second, then reward, before you ever bring out a brush. Build up to one nail, then one paw. Short wins beat long struggles.
Cleaning paws after winter walks
Cold-weather walks add salt and de-icers to the mix. The ASPCA de-icer safety tips note that rock salt can be harsh on dogs' paws, suggest wiping your dog's paws after a walk, and mention booties as an option. The AKC adds that snow can form ice balls between the pads, which a warm, wet towel helps soften.
- Wipe or wash paws as soon as you get home, before your dog licks them.
- Clean between the toes, where salt and ice collect.
- Dry thoroughly, then check pads for cracks.
Choose by your pet
| Your pet | Best routine |
|---|---|
| Muddy fall walker | Soapy washcloth at the door; nail-bed clean once a week, once any build-up is cleared |
| Salt and de-icer walks | Wipe or wash right after every walk, then dry |
| Hairless cat with brown build-up | Nail and paw cleaner with a soft brush, a few toes at a time |
| Paw-shy pet | Handling practice first, then one paw per session |
| Long paw fur | Trim the hair between the pads so dirt and damp have less to cling to |
Want the full routine for the Petstone pick? See how to use ReNewedPet Nail and Paw Cleaner on dogs and cats.
When not to clean: see your vet
- The skin around a nail is red or swollen.
- Yellow or white discharge at the nail base, or nails turning yellow to brown.
- Limping, frequent licking or a strong smell.
- A broken, cracked or bleeding nail.
The petMD guide to nail infections in dogs says nail infections should be checked promptly by a veterinarian, and advises against cleaning a dog's wounds with hydrogen peroxide. Skip home remedies and call your vet.
If the smell is what bothers you most, read why your dog's paws smell like Fritos first.
Shop this guide at Petstone
Tools for a calm, simple paw routine.
ReNewedPetNail and Paw Cleaner for Dogs and CatsFor build-up under nails and in nail folds.View product
PetstonePetstone Paw Hair TrimmerFor trimming fur between the pads on furry paws.View product
Country LivingLarge Microfiber Dog Bath TowelFor drying paws and toes thoroughly.View product
🎁 Buy any 2 items and save 5%, applied automatically at checkout. Unused items can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
Related Petstone guides
FAQ
How do I get dirt out from under my dog's nails?
Soften it with warm water or a nail and paw cleaner, brush gently along the nail bed with a soft toothbrush, wipe it away and dry the paw well.
Are pet wipes enough for nail beds?
Usually not. Wipes are fine for surface dirt after walks, but build-up under the nails often needs softening and a soft brush.
Can I use hydrogen peroxide on my dog's nail bed?
No. petMD advises against cleaning a dog's wounds with hydrogen peroxide. If a nail bed looks sore or infected, see your vet.
How often should I clean my pet's nail beds?
Wipe paws after messy walks, and check nail beds weekly. With a nail and paw cleaner, ReNewedPet advises daily use until build-up clears, then every 1 to 2 weeks.
Sources
- AKC: How to Clean and Care for Your Dog's Paws (wipes, soapy washcloth, parting toes, drying, ice balls, road salt)
- ASPCA: Tips for Safely Using De-Icers Around Your Canine (rock salt, wiping paws, booties)
- petMD: Nail Infections in Dogs (signs that need a vet, hydrogen peroxide)
- ReNewedPet: 4-All Pets Nail/Paw Cleaner (directions, routine, pets with or without fur)
Prepared by the Petstone team from product information, brand specifications and common owner questions, drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a person before publishing.