Best Grooming and Paw Wipes for Dogs and Cats

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Grooming wipes are pre-moistened cloths for a quick clean between baths: muddy paws after a walk, salt after a winter outing, a dusty coat or a messy rear. This guide covers when a wipe is enough and when it is not, what to look for on the pack, the three wipes in our catalog and others that reviewers tried, for both dogs and cats.

How we wrote this: hands-on notes come from Rover, whose tester tried 12 dog wipes with Rover’s test dogs, including Remy and Lucy (first published February 2022, updated March 2025), and from Cats.com, where Liz Coleman tried cat wipes on her own cats (updated January 2026). Paw care and safety advice comes from the American Kennel Club, the ASPCA and Cats Protection. Product facts come from the makers’ own pages (copies from June and July 2026). We did not test these wipes ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings.

When a wipe is enough, and when it is not

The AKC says dog wipes or other moist wipes labeled safe for pet use can clean muddy, sandy or salty paws quickly and are easy to carry when you travel, but you may need a warm, soapy washcloth for serious messes. A wipe is a between-baths tool, not a bath. For how often a full bath makes sense, see how often to bathe a dog.

Winter is when wiping matters most. The ASPCA warns that chemicals from ice-melting agents can be dangerous if your pet licks them off bare paws. After each winter walk, it advises washing and drying your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals, then checking for cracks in the paw pads or redness between the toes. It also suggests carrying a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws.

Cats mostly groom themselves, but Cats Protection says you may need to help if your cat has long or matted fur, cannot groom as well because they are older or have mobility problems, is wearing a cone after an operation, or has come in with something stuck in their fur. In that last case it is better for you to remove it than for your cat to lick and swallow it. Cats Protection adds that a change in grooming habits can be a sign of a problem: if your cat suddenly grooms less or more than usual, see your vet.

What to look for in grooming wipes

Made for pets, and for the right pet

Use wipes labeled for pets. The AKC’s advice is to use wipes labeled safe for pet use, and Rover says it is important they be dog wipes, as household cleaning wipes and even baby wipes are not a good fit. Then check whether the pack says dogs, cats or both. In Rover’s test, several dog wipes, including the Earth Rated, Burt’s Bees and Wet Ones for Pets wipes, were not labeled for use on cats. That matters most with scented wipes: the ASPCA says cats are especially sensitive to essential oils. For a cat, choose a wipe labeled for cats, and if you are unsure, ask your vet.

Scent

Many wipes come scented or unscented. Fragrance-free wipes suit pets or people who are sensitive to smells. Scent is personal: Rover’s tester loved Earth Rated’s lavender, while she found the Wild One wipes’ eucalyptus scent did not come through, and user reviews were split between people who love it and people who cannot stand it.

Size and thickness

A big, thick wipe can do all four paws in one go. Pogi’s sheets are 8 x 9 inches (Pogi’s) and Earth Rated’s are 8 x 8 inches (Earth Rated). In Rover’s test, a single Paws & Pals wipe was enough to clean all four of Remy’s paws after hours of rain, while the earthbath wipes were smaller than many others despite their “extra large” label.

Packaging that keeps them moist

The seal was the most common complaint in both hands-on tests. Rover found the Burt’s Bees pack hard to reseal, the Furbliss seal less sticky over time, and the Nature’s Miracle pack hard to pull one wipe from at a time, which is a real problem with a wriggly dog. Cats.com found the sticker seal on Pogi’s may let wipes dry out. The earthbath click-top tub closed tightly in Rover’s test. Rover’s fix for a weak seal: keep the opened pack in a plastic bag or container.

Where on the body

Read the pack before you wipe a face. Rover lists the Earth Rated wipes for paws, bodies and rears but not around the ears and eyes, and earthbath tells you to avoid eye contact (earthbath). Some wipes also limit how often you use them: Rover notes Paws & Pals suggests no more than three times a day.

Disposal

Do not flush grooming wipes. Pogi’s and earthbath both say so on their pages. Rover notes Earth Rated’s plant-based wipes can go in a compost bin.

How to wipe your dog’s paws

1. Wipe each paw, top and bottom, with a fresh side of the wipe as it gets dirty.
2. Get between the toes. The AKC says salt and dirt can build up between the toes, around and between the pads and under the nails, leading to irritation. Gently part the toes as you clean to check for debris and irritation.
3. Dry thoroughly. The AKC and the ASPCA both say to dry the feet after cleaning. A towel by the door helps; see how to dry a wet dog.
4. Look before you finish. Check for cracked pads or redness between the toes, as the ASPCA advises. If a paw looks sore, cut or swollen, or your dog keeps licking it, see your vet rather than treating it yourself.

Some dogs dislike having their paws handled. Rover’s tester found a pack that was quick to open, take one wipe from and reseal helped with Lucy, who dislikes having her paws cleaned. Short sessions and rewards help too; for treats, see our sister site inthekibble.com.

The wipes we list

Pogi’s Dog Grooming Wipes: large and fragrance-free

Pogi’s Dog Grooming Wipes are 8 x 9 inch textured bamboo-fiber sheets made with aloe vera, vitamin E, Hawaiian awapuhi and cucumber extract. They come fragrance-free or with a light green tea scent, in tubs of 100 or 400 or in travel packs. Pogi’s lists no alcohol, parabens, chlorine or synthetic fragrance (Pogi’s).

Cats.com named them its best cat wipe overall. Liz Coleman found they had no perceptible scent, a thick quilted texture and the right balance between soggy and dry, and that they were big enough for a whole cat or a larger dog’s paws. Her one complaint was the sticker seal. Pogi’s now sells them as dog wipes, so check with your vet before using them on a cat.

Earth Rated Dog Grooming Wipes: thick, with a scent choice

Earth Rated Dog Grooming Wipes are thick 8 x 8 inch wipes for a dog’s paws, body and rear, made with chamomile, aloe vera, shea butter and vitamin E. They come unscented, lavender, or white tea and basil, in packs of 100 or 400 or as 60 XL wipes (Earth Rated).

Rover named the lavender version its best scented dog wipe. Its tester found them tough on mud and grime and gentle on Remy’s paws and backside. Rover says to keep them away from the ears and eyes, while Earth Rated’s page lists gentle outer ear cleaning, so follow the label on your pack. They are for dogs only.

earthbath Hypoallergenic Grooming Wipes: no fragrance, tight lid

earthbath Hypoallergenic Grooming Wipes are for dirty paws, undercoat, drool and quick clean-ups between baths. The ingredient list includes aloe vera, Hawaiian awapuhi, vitamin E and chamomile, and names no fragrance. earthbath says they are safe for pets over 6 weeks old, and advises asking your vet before trying a new product on a pet with sensitivities and stopping if irritation develops (earthbath).

Rover named them its best wipe for the coat. Its tester cleaned Remy’s paws with them after he played in a muddy yard, and liked the fragrance-free formula and the click top that kept the wipes moist. The catch: the sheets were smaller than many others in the test. earthbath sells a separate wipe for cats.

Other wipes reviewers tried, not in our catalog

• Vetnique Labs Furbliss Pet Wipes: Rover’s best overall, for coat, ears, eyes and paws on dogs and cats, though the seal got less sticky over time. Cats.com picked them for hairless cats.
• Paws & Pals Unscented Grooming Wipes: Rover’s most durable; one bamboo wipe cleaned all four muddy paws. Labeled for dogs and cats, up to three times a day.
• Burt’s Bees for Dogs Multipurpose Wipes: fragrance-free and easy to find in stores, per Rover, but the pack was hard to reseal. Not for cats.
• Wet Ones for Pets: Rover’s budget pick for dogs. Cats.com tried the cat version and found it economical but not as durable as some, with tear-off sheets.
• earthbath Hypo-Allergenic Cat Grooming Wipes: Cats.com’s pick for cats with sensitive skin, with a seal that stayed shut.
• Wild One Dog Grooming Wipes: Rover’s biodegradable pick, with a divisive eucalyptus scent.

FAQ

Can I use baby wipes on my dog?

It is better not to. The AKC recommends wipes labeled safe for pet use, and Rover says household cleaning wipes and even baby wipes are not a good fit for dogs. Pet wipes are made for pets, who will often lick their paws afterward.

Can I use dog wipes on my cat?

Only if the pack says it is safe for cats. Several dog wipes in Rover’s test were not labeled for cats, and the ASPCA says cats are especially sensitive to essential oils, so avoid scented dog wipes on a cat. Choose a wipe labeled for cats, or ask your vet.

Should I wipe my dog’s paws after every walk?

After winter walks, yes. The ASPCA advises washing and drying your pet’s feet and stomach after each walk to remove ice, salt and chemicals, since ice melt licked off paws can be dangerous. The rest of the year, a wipe is handy whenever paws come back muddy or sandy.

How often can I use grooming wipes on my dog?

Follow the pack. Earth Rated describes its wipes as gentle enough for daily use, while Rover notes Paws & Pals suggests no more than three times a day. If your dog’s skin or paws get red or irritated, stop and ask your vet.

Can grooming wipes replace a bath?

No. Wipes are for quick clean-ups between baths. The AKC says serious messes may need a warm, soapy washcloth, and nothing cleans paws better than a bath.

Can I flush pet wipes?

No. Pogi’s and earthbath both say not to flush their wipes. Put them in the trash, or compost them only if the maker says they are compostable.

For more on clean paws and coats, see the dog and cat grooming buying guide, the best dog paw washer, how to walk a dog in winter, the best dog boots and how to bathe a cat.