The Best Doormats We’ve Found For Muddy Puppy Paws (2024)

Updated on 08/05/23

• Our Picks

• What to Look For

• FAQ

• Why Trust The Spruce?

The Waterhog doormat from Bungalow Flooring has a fun and functional raised design featuring dog paws and squares. The incredibly durable mat is made in the U.S. with 94% recycled materials. It has a strong backing made of natural rubber that will not harm surfaces, including hardwood, marble, and concrete. Unlike these, some mats are sticky and can damage floors when they get hot or wet.

Waterhog mats are skid resistant and they come in five muted colors from charcoal to khaki. They are available in just one size, which works as a mat where all the human and canine traffic comes into the house or does double-duty as a place to catch spills under food and water bowls.

The Waterhog lives up to its name, holding 1.5 gallons of water per square yard of fabric, according to the company. The ribbed design and rubber edging keep the liquid trapped so your entryway stays dry. To clean, shake it out or vacuum it, then squirt with the hose and line dry. The company makes many doormats in other designs and colors and also offers dog mats personalized with your pet’s name.

_{Materials: Polyester and rubber | Dimensions: approximately22.5 x 35 inches | Colors: Blue, charcoal, brown, khaki, gray}

This popular, durable mat is waterproof and sturdy. It keeps dirt and water locked in so you and your pup don’t spread a mess all over. When you’re ready to clean, sweep it with a broom or use a vacuum or hose. But for real grime, just toss it in the washing machine.

The mat is made of phthalate- and BPA-free PVC plastic that feels like soft rubber. It has a subdued plaid design and comes in six mostly muted colors, as well as two sizes. The anti-slip bottom keeps the mat from skidding across the floor, even when it’s wet. The mat doesn’t shed fuzzy bits and, if it gets wrinkly, just pop it in the dryer for a few minutes.

_{Material: PVC | Dimensions: 35 x 23 inches, 42 x 35 inches | Colors: Black, brown, green, gray, khaki, taupe}

Available in 18 colors and six sizes, there surely has to be a microfiber doormat from My Doggy Place to fit any decor and any size doorway. The mats are made from soft but tough chenille with a rubber backing to keep the floor dry underneath. They have five times the absorption rate as similar rugs, according to the manufacturer.

Besides the great selection, these mats are easy to use because they can be machine washed, then tossed in the dryer on low. The edges are double-stitched for sturdiness and to keep them from unraveling. The backing helps to keep the mats in place, although they can sometimes go sliding when a very eager dog comes bounding in the door. At least the muddy paw prints stay on the mat and not the floor.

_{Materials: Microfiber, rubber | Dimensions: 18 x 24 inches, 31 x 20 inches, 36 x 26 inches, 60 x 36 inches, 96 x 24 inches | Colors: 19 colors}

This “Must Love Dogs” mat makes sure that only dog people (and dogs) cross your home’s threshold. This durable mat has a thick, bristly surface that can help scrape dirt and grime off the bottom of dirty shoes and paws. But it’s soft and not too rough on bare feet or paws. The mat is made from durable natural rubber that can be hosed off or swept with a broom, and it dries quickly.

The mat is only 1/4 inch tall, so you won’t have trouble with low-slung doors scraping across it. This particular version with the dog message only comes in brown, but a similar mat is available in 10 other colors. It’s much more affordable than many other mats and comes in two sizes.

_{Material: Natural rubber | Dimensions: 29 x 17 inches, 35 x 23 inches | Colors: Brown (for dog message) plus 10 other colors}

This Astroturf mat from Grassworx has a bit of a retro feel. You (or your parents) may have grown up with something that looks like one of these popular green mats on the front porch. The sturdy blade-like top makes it easy to scrape off dirt and dust, yet it’s still comfortable and not bristly. Dirt settles in the mat until you’re ready to clean it, then just shake it and hose it off and let it dry. Directions also say it’s machine washable.

The mat has a cute daisy in the upper corner that adds a touch of whimsy. According to the manufacturer, it can hold as much as one pound of dirt a week. There’s no skid-resistant backing and it only comes in the green, daisy design. It’s made in the United States and is resistant to mold and fading in the sun.

_{Material: Astroturf | Dimensions: 17.5 x 23.5 inches | Colors: Green}

Ruggable washable rugs and doormats come in all sizes, shapes, and designs—but the key feature is that they’re washable. They come in two pieces: a cover and a bottom pad. In this case, the doormat cover is made of a bristle material and the heavy-duty bottom is made of natural rubber. Just detach and toss the cover in the washing machine when it needs a deep clean.

The bristly top of this doormat traps mud and dirt in between cleanings. It features a bright blue barking dog with a design that’s made to resist mold, as well as keep it from fading in the sun. Ruggables aren’t inexpensive, but true fans think the two-piece washable rugs are worth it.

_{Materials: Bristle, rubber | Dimensions: 36 x 24 inches | Colors: Bright blue and brown}

Final Verdict

Our top overall pick is the Bungalow Flooring Waterhog Doormat. The durable mat is skid-resistant, made of mostly recycled materials and comes in five colors, featuring a cute and functional dog-bone design. For another great option that can be tossed in the washer and dryer, check out the My Doggy Place Microfiber Doormat. The microfiber mat comes in 18 colors and six sizes.

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FAQ

• How do you clean a doormat?

  For regular care, shake your doormat, sweep it with a broom, or use a vacuum. If your mat needs a deeper clean, check the label. Any mat can be hosed down and then left to air dry. But some mats are machine washable and can be placed in the dryer for quick and thorough cleaning.

• How do you get dog urine out of a doormat?

  We’ve seen this before when a puppy heads to the backdoor to go outside for a potty break and doesn’t quite make it all the way outdoors. If it’s a rubber mat, hose it off and let it dry. If it’s made of absorbent material, use a stain and odor remover made specifically for dog urine. Test a small inconspicuous area first if you can to make sure the colors don’t run. Then spray as directed, blot, and rinse well.

  “To remove urine, an enzymatic detergent can be very helpful at breaking down the proteins so they can be washed away,” says Jessica Ek, spokesperson for the American Cleaning Institute. “For harder-to-clean doormats, adding some baking soda and letting it sit before vacuuming it up can help absorb any lingering odor.”

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