Pet Digest

Dog Paw Sanitizer: Necessity or Pandemic-Era Fad? Over the past few years, dog paw sanitizers have found their way onto pet store shelves and into viral videos—but are they truly necessary, or are they just another product of pandemic-driven anxiety? What Is Dog Paw Sanitizer? Dog paw sanitizers are marketed as a way to clean and disinfect your pet’s paws after walks, especially in urban environments where sidewalks, parks, and roads may be contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, or viruses. Some come as sprays, foams, or wipes, and many claim to be "safe if licked." But how much of this is actually needed—and is it even safe? --- The COVID-19 Influence It’s no surprise that the popularity of paw sanitizers surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many pet owners became extra cautious, fearing viral transmission via surfaces, including their pet's paws. While it's now widely understood that COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets—not surfaces or pets—some o...