Best Ways to Remove Mud From Your Dog

Note: Julia Thomson is a contributor to That Mutt. She maintains the blog Home on 129 Acres.

On our farm, we do not experience spring. We experience Mud. With a dog, keeping the mud outside is sometimes a challenge.

Until we get my dream mudroom complete with a doggie shower, we make do with what my husband calls the “dog wash.” It’s definitely not fancy. Just a low spot behind the barn where water pools.

Despite being in the middle of a field, it actually does a good job of cleaning off the mud. We wade through the dog wash at the end of our walk and then stay on the grassy path until we’re back to the house.

Now, I realize not everyone has access to a dog wash—or a doggie shower (and if you do, please share so I can live vicariously through you—is it as wondrous as I imagine?). So today, I thought I’d share my tale of woe tips for making it through the Season of Mud.

I’d love to hear yours too. Seriously, I’ll take all the help I can get!

Tips for surviving Mud Season—Ways to remove mud from your dog

Towels – Baxter gets his feet wiped every time he comes inside no matter the weather. But in Mud the towels are essential. Old bath towels work well enough for us, although there are fancier microfiber versions out there if you want to upgrade—or even specialty sponges. Baxter gets a full-body toweling—which he loves. Pay attention to bellies and legs and those mud-magnets, the toenails, as well as feet.

Squirt bottle – On days where the dog wash and the towel are not up to the task, I’ve found a squirt bottle filled with water is my savior. I use an old dish soap bottle.

It allows me to direct a stream of water between the toes, under the toenails, around the pads, down the legs, wherever mud might be hiding. I do this outside, and then bring Bax indoors to towel off.

Brush – I am thankful that we have a short haired dog. Usually, a vigorous rubdown with a big towel is sufficient to remove most dirt. For short-haired or long-haired dogs alike, a brush can be really helpful, especially if the mud is dry.

Handheld shower head, gentle shampoo – Sometimes there’s no way around it. The only way to get rid of the mud is to bathe your dog. To make bath time go smoothly, I highly recommend a handheld shower head (the MIU PET that Lindsay reviewed last month also dispenses shampoo) and gentle shampoo. You don’t want to bathe your dog every day, but I’ve resigned myself that Baxter is going to get more baths in Mud than in any other season.

Household cleaners – Despite your best efforts, mud may get past you. An arsenal of mops, carpet or upholstery cleaner and laundry detergent can help to keep your house looking clean, even though you might be knee deep in Mud.

That’s my list. What’s yours?

Let us know in the comments!

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