We can all agree that dogs are some of the best animals to keep as pets. Still, when it comes to overall hygiene and keeping our homes tidy, having a dog makes cleaning incredibly tricky. From wet and muddy paws to puddles of water around the water bowl — canines aren’t the neatest animals around.
We cannot blame them — messiness is in their nature, after all. But, that doesn’t mean we cannot do something about it. Dog doormats are a particularly neat “invention” — we can use them to remove debris and moisture from the dog’s paws, thus keeping our floors dry and clean.
The problem? We couldn’t just pick one doormat — here are the top five best doormats for dogs in 2020.
Best Doormats for Dogs in 2020
Dog Gone Smart Dirty Dog Doormat
Just one glance at the Dog Gone Smart doormat can tell you a lot about how effective it will be at eliminating both moisture and dirt from paws. Its absorption rate is its best feature — and there’s a good reason for that.
The manufacturer paid close attention to the design, so there are plenty of colors to choose from. They also made the microfiber strands long enough to catch most of the dirt once the dog walks over the mat. Those same strands are highly absorbent, so they’ll also dry off the paws in no time at all.
Now, some dogs would prefer to avoid slippery surfaces, such as doormats. Luckily for them, this particular model comes with a non-slip bottom. It’s sturdy enough not to slip away even when a dog is in quite a rush to get through the door.
But are there any downsides? Unfortunately, no product is perfect, and the same stands for this dog doormat. We have found that the embroidered paw design is not as durable as the other parts of the mat. Furthermore, like with most dog doormats, the thick strands might prevent you from opening and closing your door without catching and moving the mat. We’d suggest using tape to secure the mat to the floor — better to be safe than sorry!
Pros:
- Great design and color options
- Multiple sizes available
- Highly absorbent
- Thick strands that easily catch dirt
- Non-slip bottom
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- Can get caught under the door
- The embodied paw print is prone to unraveling
My Doggy Place Ultra Absorbent Mat
Now, nobody can say that a dog doormat can make or break the interior design of our home. However, we love paying attention to details, which is why we consider the My Doggy Place mat one of the best dog doormats on the market, at least design-wise!
The first thing we noticed about this mat is that it is incredibly soft. The microfiber chenille feels luxurious and high-quality, which is what you should be looking for in a durable dog doormat. The design is exquisite, as well. You can take your pick out of a variety of colors, some of which are quite modern (mint green is all the rage, after all).
But the functionality of this mat is the most crucial part, so it’s good to know you won’t be disappointed with the absorption rate. As it turns out, microfiber chenille is capable of drying off doggy paws quite fast, so there’s no need to worry about your puppy ruining your floor with water. What’s more, the thick strands are able to get into the paws to remove dirt without hurting the dog or getting lodged in between the pads.
This doormat even has a non-slip bottom. If you have a slightly bigger dog, it will be able to handle both the weight and the roughness of its paws. However, as with most mats, it can also bunch up when you try to open the door. A bit of tape should fix that, but remember not to push the door too hard — you might rip out some of the strands!
On the bright side, this doormat can also serve as a doggy bed due to its plushy and extra thick design.
Pros:
- Great color range
- Extra thick doormat
- Thick, not too long strands
- Available in a few sizes
- Machine-washable
- Non-slip bottom and durable stitching
Cons:
- Can get caught under the door
Soggy Doggy Microfiber Doormat
Some dog breeds are fairly massive, and most dog doormats cannot handle them. Luckily for dog owners all over the world, Soggy Doggy thought about them too. This doormat is available in two sizes — large and extra-large — and it can comfortably accommodate larger canines, such as Labradors and German Shepherds.
But what makes this particular doormat great? Well, it is well made, as the strands are super thick and consist of woven, ultrafine strands. They sort of look like noodles, but unlike those, they are super absorbent and able to pick up water and dirt quickly. What’s more, the doormat dries quite fast overall.
Now, that isn’t to say there are no downsides to this doormat. For one, it is machine-washable — to an extent. According to users, you can throw it in the washing machine, but don’t expect it to come out completely free of excess water.
It seems that it’s too thick for some machines. One user even says that they had to wring the doormat outside before throwing it back in for another cycle. On top of that, the bone part of the design isn’t as durable as the remainder of the mat. Worst of all, this is one of the most expensive dog doormats available.
Pros:
- Extra thick and large
- Great for larger breeds
- Super absorbant
- Dries fast
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- Too thick for some washing machines
- Will bunch up when you open the door
- Expensive
Dog Gone Smart Large Runner
For longer hallways and beautiful floors, we would always recommend getting a runner instead of a doormat. You should want to make sure the moisture stays in the mat — and a runner allows you to cover a bigger surface.
This particular Dog Gone Smart runner caught our attention because the design is quite eye-pleasing. Of course, the functionality of this product is comparable to the mat from the same company we’ve already talked about. The microfiber strands are of a good length, so they will be able to capture all sorts of dirt. What’s more, the material offers a good absorption rate, and there are some beautiful colors to choose from too.
However, the same problems that plague the doormat happen to be the only downsides of this runner as well. The strands make the runner super thick, so opening and closing the doors without making it bunch up is tricky. Additionally, the paw print might unravel pretty quickly, so the runner may lose the design appeal in just a few months.
Still, the quality is definitely there, and the stitching is superb. If you would like to get a runner for your hallway and not fiddle with small doormats, we’d definitely recommend this model.
Pros:
- Good length
- Appealing design
- Highly absorbent
- Non-skid bottom
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- The embroidered paw print is not durable
- Will prevent you from opening the door properly
iPrimio Microfiber Pet Doormat
For most dog owners, functionality is vital — they aren’t looking for an exciting design or the thickest strands. That’s why we have decided to include the iPrimio doormat on this list. This mat is the most affordable model we could find that still does a decent job and can keep your home clean and tidy.
There are only two colors available — dark and light brown/khaki. That may not be enough for some dog owners, but it’s just enough for those who are looking for something that can easily go unnoticed. The mat looks like a plain rug without any bells and whistles and only has a simple paw print on it that reveals its real purpose.
As far as the absorption power goes, the mat boasts an absorption rate of 3000, which is standard among dog doormats. That allows it to effectively absorb plenty of moisture and remove a lot of dirt from the dog’s paws. It’s made of microfiber, after all, so you can expect it to work quite well.
However, it’s not as well made as you might assume — it’s not cut precisely, so it looks a bit crooked, no matter how you move it. Furthermore, despite the non-slip bottom, it still slips and slides all over the floor, so it could be a hazard as well. On top of that, the paw print design is poorly made with some thin thread — it’s barely visible in real life.
Pros:
- Absorbs well
- Comes in two neutral colors
- Large enough for bigger breeds
- Affordable
- Machine-washable
Cons:
- The paw print is barely visible
- Moves a lot
- Loses its softness after you wash it
What to Look for in a Dog Doormat
Removes Debris
Of course, the dog doormat we go for has to do the very thing we bought it for — it must remove debris.
Will it be able to eliminate everything the dog tries to get into our home? Probably not. In most cases, dog doormats cannot replace washing, so even if we get one — there’s no getting out of cleaning those paws. Still, it should remove the majority of the debris, such as leaves, small pebbles, mud, etc.
Highly Absorbent
Apart from removing debris, a dog doormat should be able to absorb moisture trapped in the dog’s paws. If you live in a particularly rainy area, you already know what we’re talking about — there’s nothing worse for your floor or carpeting than wet doggy paws!
Luckily, the best dog doormat can and will absorb most of the moisture and prevent the dog from ruining the house with water. To get the best results, opt for a doormat made out of particularly absorbent material, such as microfiber.
Dries Fast
We all know that there’s no point in trying to dry anything with a wet towel — and the same goes for dog doormats too. If the doormat is already soaking wet, it won’t absorb moisture or remove the debris off the dog’s paws. Therefore, before swiping your credit card, remember to check just how fast the doormat can dry. It should dry relatively fast for you to rely on it at least twice a day to prevent dirt, moisture, and mud from entering your home.
Doesn’t Move Around
Dogs are lively creatures, so they will want to “dance it out” on the mat to dry off their paws. For them to be able to do that, the doormat needs to have a non-slip bottom. Otherwise, the dog could easily use it as a slipping slide, or worst of all — get scared and never want to walk over it again.
Now, some doormats will have a great non-skid bottom that not even the door can move. Cheaper models, however, almost always look like regular rugs underneath. It’s imperative to splurge on a better-quality doormat then; there’s a chance the dog might not even want to use the mat if it moves around. In any case, nobody wants a “traveling” wet doormat anyone can slip on, right?
Machine-Washable
Finally, we all want convenience and ease of use, which is why dog owners should opt for machine-washable dog doormats. Once the doormat gets all dirty and muddy, shake it out outside to remove some of the debris and then throw it in the wash.
Is a Dog Doormat Really Necessary?
Now, depending on the dog breed, as well as the length of fur, we might not be able to avoid washing the dog’s paws after a lengthy walk. Thus, some of you might wonder if getting a doormat is necessary at all. Given you’ll have to use good old soap and water to get the debris and mud out — is there a point to spending additional cash on something just the dog can use?
As it turns out, no — a dog doormat is not really a necessity for most dog owners. However, it does come in handy if we want to maintain the cleanliness of our home. The dog doormats we’ve talked about should stop the dog from dragging copious amounts of mud around the house. Furthermore, they ought to help dry off the paws a bit by absorbing the moisture, thus protecting our carpets until we can get the dog into a shower/tub.
Will It Cost You a Pretty Penny?
Still, most dog owners are worried these special doormats will cost them a lot more than the regular kind. That’s why they’ll try to get away with using a regular mat — and fail to protect their home from debris and moisture.
Regular doormats are not as absorbent as doggy doormats, and they usually aren’t thick enough to catch all the dirt. In essence, their job isn’t to clean paws but shoes, which makes them less effective than some models we have mentioned. In any case, our shoes will not try to jump onto the couch or bed!
