Best Dog Wipes for Ears, Paws, Eyes, and More

Let’s be honest: giving your dog a bath is never easy—even when you have a pretty well-behaved pup that doesn’t mind the water. You’ve got to get the temperature right, then convince them to hop in (or stay in) while you shampoo their fur, all while hoping they won’t decide to give a good shake and send dirt, soap, and water all around your bathroom. 

“Unless your dog gets especially dirty or has a health problem, they shouldn’t need a bath more frequently than every 4 to 6 weeks or so,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian based in Fort Collins, Colorado. In fact, bathing your dog too often could strip the natural oils their coat and skin need to stay healthy.

But here’s the thing: your dog can definitely get dirty or smelly before that 4-to-6-weeks mark. That’s where dog wipes become extra helpful.

Dog Wipes: Why You Might Need Them

Dog wipes are wipes that are specifically formulated to be safe to use on your pup for cleaning and freshening up your dog’s fur and coat. 

There are several types of dog wipes and some have specific purposes for cleaning the eyes and ears, while others are meant to give your dog a general wipe down or a freshening up. 

For example, if you come home from a long walk and your dog’s paws are muddy, you can use dog wipes to clean off their feet (and protect your furniture). Or you can use a scented dog wipe to freshen them up between baths if they’re starting to get a little smelly. Wipes can also come in handy for cleaning around a dog’s eyes and mouth or even just wiping down their rear-end if it’s getting a little stinky. 

While liquid ear cleaners are often more effective, ear wipes can help clean the outside of your dog’s ears, especially if you have a nervous dog. “For dogs who are anxious about ear cleaning, wipes can help as an interim solution to remove some of the ear debris while you work on getting your dog used to ear handling and cleaning,” says Dr. Jamie Richardson, medical chief of staff at Small Door Veterinary. 

Wipes are also designed for specific breeds too, like Bulldogs, Pugs, or other dogs with wrinkly faces. You can use wipes to clean the folds in their skin a couple of times a week to help protect them from skin infections. 

Wipes can be used for more specific purposes, like wiping teeth and cleaning wounds.

The Best Dog Wipes

Having dog wipes on hand can help you keep your dog clean, fresh, and looking good. Here are our top picks for ears, eyes, and general use. 

Our List

• Best Dog Ear Wipes: Pet MD Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes
• Best Dog Paw Wipes: Pogi’s Grooming Wipes 
• Best Dog Dental Wipes: Petkin Fresh Mint Dog & Cat Plaque Tooth Wipes
• Best Dog Eye Wipes: Great Eyes Tear Stain Wipes 
• Best Antiseptic Wipes for Dogs: PetMD Chlorhexidine Wipes With Aloe 
• Best Dog Deodorizing Wipes: Nature’s Miracle Deodorizing Bath Wipes 
• Best Antifungal Wipes for Dogs: VetOne KetoHex Antifungal & Antibacterial Veterinary Formulated Wipes
• Best Allergy Wipes for Dogs: Med Pride Bamboo Fiber Pet Wipes 
• Best Puppy Wipes: Earth Rated Dog Wipes 
• Best Cucumber Melon Ear Wipes: DelRay Advanced+ Ear Cleaning Wipes

Best Dog Ear Wipes 

Our Pick: Pet MD Aloe Vera & Eucalyptus Dog Ear Wipes

While most veterinarians recommend liquid ear cleaner to clear wax out of your dog’s ear canal, you might want to clean the outside of your dog’s ear canals (or if they have floppy ears, the flap itself) because those can get pretty dirty too and these ear wipes will help you do that. They’re free of alcohol so they don’t sting, they’re gentle enough to not irritate sensitive skin, but they’re effective enough to remove dirt, wax, and discharge around the ear easily. 

Highlights

• Veterinarian-formulated
• Perfect for between-bath cleans
• Made in small batches in the USA
• Designed for sensitive skin

Things to Consider:

• Not as effective as a liquid ear cleaner
• Small wipes so not the easiest to hold
• Small container

Best Dog Paw Wipes 

Our Pick: Pogi’s Grooming Wipes

Available both as unscented and green tea leaf-scented, these wipes are made from sustainably harvested bamboo fiber and they’re large enough for you to clean all four of your dog’s paws with just one wipe. They’re free of irritating chemicals but actually strong enough to get your dog’s feet clean, even after a long day outside. Plus, you can buy them in a variety of pack sizes. 

Highlights

• Available in two scents and four-pack sizes
• Made of sustainably-harvested bamboo to be eco-friendly
• Large individual wipes are 8 by 9 inches so you can get a lot of cleaning done with one wipe
• No parabens, alcohol, or harsh chemicals
• Soothing ingredients including Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Hawaiian Awapuhi
• Works on paws and coat
• Can be used on cats, too

Things to Consider:

• Packaging isn’t the best so you may need to store in a zip-lock bag
• Unscented isn’t truly unscented

Best Dog Dental Wipes

Our Pick: Petkin Fresh Mint Dog & Cat Plaque Tooth Wipes

While brushing your dog’s teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste is still the best option, not all dogs will tolerate that type of brushing. Enter: dog teeth wipes, like these ones from Petkin. If you use them daily, you can help remove any food particles caught in their teeth and help prevent the build-up of plaque and tartar. These also contain baking soda to help remove stains.

Highlights

• Can help remove plaque and tartar
• A great option for dogs that won’t tolerate toothbrushes
• Affordably priced
• Work on cats and dogs
• Contains baking soda to remove stains. 

Things to Consider:

• Not as effective as regular brushing

Best Dog Eye Wipes 

Our Pick: Great Eyes Tear Stain Wipes

If your dog tends to get tear stains around their eyes, these wipes can help. They’re made with safe, non-irritating, and naturally-derived ingredients and they’re very gentle on your pup’s skin so you can easily wipe away any stains on their face. Plus, a regular cleaning with these wipes can minimize the chance that your pup will get an infection. They’re also a good choice for removing any goop, mucus, or drool stains on your pet’s face too. 

Read the full review of Great Eyes Tear Stain Wipes.

Highlights

• Easily removes stains around eyes and mouth
• Nature-derived ingredients
• Will gradually clear build-up of eye residue
• No sulfates, parabens, MEA, DEA, or alcohol
• Available at a discount with a subscription
• Safe to use weekly
• Made in the USA

Things to Consider:

• Not safe for puppies under 12 weeks
• You’ll need to re-saturate wipes by turning container upside down and shaking
• Wipes can dry out if the lid is not sealed correctly

Best Antiseptic Wipes for Dogs 

Our Pick: PetMD Chlorhexidine Wipes With Aloe

If your dog has a cut or scrape, rashes, or a healing infection, you will want to regularly clean the wound—and these wipes can help you do that safely. They contain chlorhexidine, which is an antiseptic antibacterial that won’t sting as you clean your dog’s injury, and you can use them on your cat or horse too. 

Highlights

• Antiseptic and antibacterial
• Large individual wipes so you can use one wipe to clean more
• Veterinarian-formulated
• Doesn’t sting
• Made in the USA

Things to Consider:

• Can be harmful if ingested so store them safely
• Need to turn container upside down to rehydrate wipes
• These wipes feel oily to the touch

Best Dog Deodorizing Wipes 

Our Pick: Nature’s Miracle Deodorizing Bath Wipes

Nature’s Miracle is a staple among pet parents for a reason: their products are great at fighting odors—and now you can fight some of your own pet’s odors by giving your dog a quick wipe down with their wipes. They’re available in two different scents and four different container sizes. They’re mild enough for everyday use and they’re safe to use on puppies. 

Highlights

• Mild enough for everyday use
• Alcohol-free
• Safe for all life-stages
• Two different mild scents
• Effectively removes dirt and pet dander, while fighting odors

Things to Consider

• Packaging lid isn’t the easiest to open
• Not made in the USA

Best Antifungal Wipes for Dogs

Our Pick: VetOne KetoHex Antifungal & Antibacterial Veterinary Formulated Wipes

If you have a wrinkly dog, like a Bulldog, or your dog tends to get fungal skin conditions or lesions on their skin or paws, these wipes can help clean, treat, and protect your dog’s skin. They’re veterinarian-formulated and very easy to use. They don’t sting either.

Highlights

• Medicated antifungal and antibacterial wipes 
• Great choice for wrinkly dogs
• Treats, cleans and prevents infections
• Safe for skin folds, paws, and other problem areas
• Can work for cats and horses too

Things to Consider:

• Only 50 wipes per container
• Not a substitute for veterinary care
• Not the best smelling dog wipes

Best Allergy Wipes for Dogs 

Our Pick: Med Pride Bamboo Fiber Pet Wipes

Made from sustainable bamboo, these wipes are good for the planet and dogs with allergies. They’re hypoallergenic and contain no alcohol or parabens, so they won’t irritate your dog’s sensitive skin, especially if they have allergies. In fact, they contain both vitamin E and aloe to help nourish and soothe the skin. Use on the face, paws, fur — or anywhere your pup needs a little wipe down!

Highlights

• Eco-friendly wipes made of sustainable bamboo fibers
• Hypoallergenic and enriched with vitamin E and aloe
• No alcohol or parabens
• Ultra gentle for dogs with sensitive, allergy-prone skin
• Can buy in bulk

Things to Consider:

• These do have a slight scent

Best Puppy Wipes 

Our Pick: Earth Rated Dog Wipes

While not exclusively designed for puppies, these wipes are so gentle that they’re safe to use on puppies, post-surgery dogs, and cats. Each wipe is large, so you can clean an entire puppy (and a lot of your adult dog) with one wipe. The ingredients are safe, you can buy an unscented option, and once you’re done cleaning your puppy, you can compost the wipes—which keeps the planet happy too. 

Highlights

• Safe enough to use on puppies and cats
• Free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates
• Large 8 by 8-inch wipes
• Compostable wipes
• Available in unscented or lavender
• Two size packages are available
• The company donates to shelters and rescues
• Can be used on paws, body, and rear-end

Things to Consider:

• Pricier than most wipes on this list
• Wipes are very thin
• Not made in the USA

Best Cucumber Melon Ear Wipes

Our Pick: DelRay Advanced+ Ear Cleaning Wipes

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DelRay’s Advanced+ Ear Wipes contain a light but aromatic cucumber melon scent, perfect for on the go or after bathing or swimming. For dogs with excessively dirty ears, these 100 wipes go a long way when used two to three times daily over several days. Each wipe is slightly over two inches for ideal finger gripping in the ear cleaning process.

Highlights

• Made in the USA
• Cucumber melon scent leaves ears smelling fresh
• May help prevent infections with regular use
• Advanced veterinary formula is designed to make ear cleaning quick and easy
• Perfectly portable for on the go

Things to Consider

• Some pet parents may not care for a scented product
• Multi-dog households may use the product up faster
• Always seek veterinary care if symptoms do not improve

Tips for Using and Storing Dog Wipes

While using wipes on your dog is pretty straightforward, there are some general safety tips and storage tips to keep in mind. 

Use wipes for their intended purpose. It’s important to remember that dog wipes are not all the same. If you pick up all-purpose wipes, you can usually use them on most areas of your dog and most breeds of dog, except for sensitive areas like the eyes (though you should still check the instructions to be sure). But other wipes are designed for specific purposes. 

For example, wipes designed for your dog’s eyes, ears, rear-end, or teeth shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Some might contain moisturizing properties for the skin, or antifungal properties. Make sure you use them for their intended purpose so you don’t irritate your dog’s skin or cause them harm.

Avoid heavy fragrances. In general, try to opt for dog wipes that have soft scents (or no scent). While you might enjoy scented wipes, the smell might be too much for your dog (who has a stronger sense of smell than you) and those perfumes might even irritate your dog’s skin. 

Keep packaging closed tightly. To make your dog wipes last as long as possible, reseal the container they come in. You can also put them in a plastic, resealable bag at home to give them extra shelf-life and keep them from drying out. 

Store them away from your dog. Be sure to keep your wipes out of reach from your dog. Most dog wipes contain ingredients that are not meant to be ingested and they could cause harm to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract if eaten. 

Don’t substitute baby wipes. Dog wipes are not the same as human wipes, so if you run out of dog wipes, don’t reach for baby wipes. Dogs and people have a different skin pH, so baby wipes might irritate, dry out, or make your dog’s skin itch. Plus, the ingredients in human wipes might not be safe for your dog if they were to lick them. So if you run out of dog wipes, just use a wet-paper towel.