6 Best Door Mats for Dogs: For Cleaner Paws and Floors!

When selecting a doggy door mat that is right for you it’s important to consider the following;

• Size –  does your dog bound through the door at great speeds? If so, a mat that covers a larger surface area will have more chance of absorbing moisture, dirt and debris compared with a small, standard size mat. This is especially true for big dogs.
• Absorbency – be on the look out for absorbency ratings, moisture wicking capabilities, and trapping ability i.e. how the mat traps dirt/mud and liquid to prevent tracking and seepage through to the floor beneath it.
• Non-slip backing – is the mat going to be used on a hard surface? If so, a non-slip backing is especially important for safety reasons.
• Durability – will the mat be used in a high-traffic area by multiple pets? If so, a more robust, heavy duty mat is probably more suitable.
• Ease of cleaning – some options are machine washable, while some aren’t. Some can be easily vacuumed, others cannot. Be mindful of drying times for high absorbancy mats too as these can sometimes be long depending on your climate.
• High vs low profile –  be sure to check door clearance levels before selecting a plush or high-profile mat as they may not be able to pass over the mat without getting caught.
• Indoor/outdoor use – if you’re looking for an outdoor mat be sure to check weather ratings, fade resistance and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
• Appearance – is this important to you? Remember, mats that are marketed specifically as ‘dog door mats’ tend to be more about practicality than appearance and can sometimes look more like a bath mat than a traditional door mat! Don’t despair though, there are lots of other options out there (low-profile options for example).