Best Doormat for Dogs (2023): Paw Cleaning Mats for Dirty Pups

Sick of cleaning muddy paw prints? An absorbent doormat could be the solution! While even the best doormat for dogs can’t replace a proper wash, they are great for removing water and dirt from your pup’s paws. Here’s our list of the top mats on the market.

Are you worried about your dog’s wet paws ruining carpets? Or are you frustrated by MORE muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor?

I don’t blame you!

It sometimes feels impossible to keep a house clean when you have a dog – especially during the winter months. When heavy rain has made it wet and muddy outside, even letting your pet into the garden can result in muddy paw prints on your carpets and floors.

This is why dog doormats are becoming increasingly popular. These are usually made from absorbent materials to remove more water and dirt than the average mat. They are also great for dog water bowls (see our guide here) – especially if you’re pet likes to slurp!

It’s important to get a high-quality doormat though. Some mats are marketed “for dogs,” but aren’t any more effective than regular doormats. The best options are made from microfiber cloth, are easy to wash and absorb plenty of water and dirt.

To help you make the right choice, I’ve put together a list of dog doormat reviews. Each of the mats listed below can help dry wet paws, while providing great value for money. So, let’s get started!

Which Are the Best Dog Mats for Dirt & Wet Paws?

Before I get to my recommendations, it’s important to know what to look for in a doormat for dogs. The best mats are highly durable, as they’ll be on the front line of all the mud your dog brings in from outside. They should also be absorbent, easy to clean and have an attractive design.

With that in mind, here are my top picks.

Note: The mats in the reviews below are intended for indoor use only. Microfiber may not be suitable for outdoor dog mats, unless placed in a covered area.

If you just want to know the best pet doormat on the market, my #1 recommendation is the Dirty Dog Doormat by Dog Gone Smart. It’s a stylish mat that’s available in a variety of colors and sizes, plus it’s highly absorbent to remove more dirt and water.

What makes the Dog Gone Smart stand out though? The first thing is the absorption rate of the microfibre strands, which is up to twice as high as many competing mats (according to the manufacturer). This means your dog’s paws will be drier after coming in from outside.

It’s also great at trapping debris. While no doormat is going to remove all dirt from your pet’s paws, the Dirty Dog Mat certainly makes it easier to keep your home clean.

Aside from its dirt and moisture trapping features, the doormat has a non-skid bottom. This is important, as the more grip your dog has the more effective the mat will be at removing moisture. Having a non-slip bottom also makes the mat more suitable for nervous dogs that may avoid an unstable surface.

A bonus is the microfiber strands are much faster to dry than standard doormats. The Dog Gone Smart is also machine washable and is made with double basting for greater durability.

There are a few minor drawbacks of the Dirty Dog though. The first is that the thick pile fibers can catch on low door frames, so you might need to use tape to hold it in place (make sure this won’t damage your floor though). The paw embroidery also isn’t as durable as the rest of the mat, so don’t be surprised if it starts to unravel.

Note: There are three sizes of Dirty Dog Doormat available: medium, large and runner. I’ve included the runner as a separate product below, as it has a much larger surface area that isn’t suitable for all houses.

In a close second place is the My Doggy Place Ultra Absorbent doormat. Like the Dog Gone Smart in #1 place, it’s available in a variety of colors and three sizes. It’s also effective at absorbing moisture from a dog’s wet paws – which is the most important feature of a doggy doormat!

Like most pet doormats, the My Doggy Place is made with microfiber chenille materials. This increases the absorption rate compared to regular mats, so it soaks up water and dirt much more effectively.

It’s also highly durable. The stitching is tough and designed to withstand your dog’s rough paws, while the microfiber dries quickly.

Other features include a non-slip back, machine washable design and three sizes. You can also buy it with or without the paw print, depending on which you prefer.

As you would expect from an extra-thick doormat, not all doors can swing over it without catching. Don’t be surprised if your pet decides to use it as a bed either – the plush design makes it an attractive sleeping spot for most dogs!

So who should buy this product instead of the Dog Gone Smart? Both have similar absorption rates, features and prices, so you can’t go wrong with either. My recommendation is to pick the one that best matches your home’s interior decor.

If you have a large pet with a habit of treading mud through the house, the Soggy Doggy Extra Large doormat is one of the best options. With a huge 36″x60″ size and highly absorbent design, it’s a fantastic mat – but it’s also expensive.

The first thing to note about the Soggy Doggy is its size. It’s large enough for breeds such as golden retrievers and Labradors, and will protect more of your floor and carpets. As you would expect from a doormat for large dogs, it’s also durable and machine washable.

Most importantly, the Soggy Doggy doormat is great at removing mud and water. It’s made from microfiber chenille so it’s quick to dry and should last a long time.

The biggest drawback of the Soggy Doggy is the price. This is an expensive mat, although it goes a long way to justifying the cost with its large surface area and durable design. Still, if you’re on a tight budget, there are much cheaper dog feet cleaning options available.

If you have a long hallway – or just want your dog to walk over more mat before he reaches your carpet – a runner could be a great choice. My top pick is the Dog Gone Smart Large Dirty Dog Runner, as it has a large surface area (60″ x 30″) and the same features as the doormat by the same company.

Like the Dog Gone Smart Doormat, that’s my top recommendation, the Runner is available in several different colors (brown, gray, khaki, maroon and blue). It’s made with high absorption microfiber strands, so it can quickly remove moisture and debris from your dog. It also dries much faster than standard doormats.

Other features include a rubber non-skid back, so your pet feels more secure, and double basting for greater durability. The Runner also has several embroidered paw prints, which provides an attractive finishing touch.

As this is just the Dog Gone Smart doormat in runner form, it also suffers from some of the same issues. The main problem is that it’s too thick for many doors to pass over without snagging. The embroidered paw prints are also likely to unravel over time – especially if your dog likes to dig the mat.

The Runner is also considerably more expensive than the smaller versions of this doormat. This is to be expected, but it’s up to you whether the larger design is worth the extra cost.

If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive microfiber doormat, the iPrimio is a good option. It’s a plush mat that does a great job of removing moisture due to its extra thick design.

Like the other mats on this list, the iPrimio is made with microfiber strands to soak up more water than regular doormats. The absorption rate of 3000 GSM rivals some of the best doormats for dogs, plus it’s quick to dry.

Other features include a non-slip back, machine washable design and two colors. The paw print also adds an attractive finish to an already plush mat – although it doesn’t show up as clearly in real life as it does in the promotional pictures.

A bonus of the iPrimio is that it comes with an extra waterproof liner. This is optional, but is useful if you want to provide extra protection for your floor.

A drawback is that the thick design can make it difficult for doors to pass over the mat. I also don’t think it’s quite as durable as other options on this list, but that’s to be expected considering the lower price.

Can a Paw Cleaning Mat REALLY Replace Washing?

The short answer is: no. While manufacturers might hint that a doormat can remove all mud and water, this simply isn’t possible – especially if your dog just trots over the mat.

With that said, the best doormats for dogs can remove considerable amounts of water and other debris. Your pet will still need a wash after a muddy walk, but for preventing wet paws treading water through the house a mat is a great addition to any home.

One thing to note is that many microfiber mats are too thick for doors to open without snagging.

There are a few solutions to this, but my favorite is to get some double-sided tape and stick the mat in place. This only works if your door is lightly catching the rug – and make sure the tape won’t damage your floor or carpet – but it can stop the mat moving.

You may also want to buy a dog paw washer for cleaning paws after muddy walks. These are much more convenient than a shower – and less stressful for your dog, too.

How Much Should You Spend?

The amount you should spend on a doormat largely depends on the size you need. For medium-size mats (often around 31″x20″), there are some excellent options for around $25. For large mats, you should expect to pay at least $50 for products with highly absorbent designs.

The good news is that finding a microfiber mat is relatively easy on online shopping sites. Stores such as Amazon, Petsmart and even Walmart all sell a range of pet doormats.

Also, keep in mind that regular mats are much less effective at absorbing moisture and dirt – even if they have a “doggie” design. Many owners make the mistake of buying a “bunch of dogs”-style doormat without realizing that this is just for show, not for keeping your floors clean.

Summary

A high-quality absorbent doormat is a near-essential addition to any home with a dog. They are particularly important if your dog can go outside via a dog door, as you won’t always be around to dry his paws, but a doormat can make it easier to keep any home clean.

While a doormat can’t magically remove all dirt and water, it can help dry paws and remove excessive debris before your pet gets onto your carpets or hard floors.

My pick for the best doormat for dogs is the excellent Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog. It’s a stylish mat that’s available in three sizes and is highly effective at removing moisture and other debris. It’s also quick to dry and durable, so it’ll last a long time.

I hope this article has helped you choose the best doggy doormat for your home. If you have any questions or suggestions, please use the comments form below.