A good deal of the itching that gets blamed on food is simply what the dog walked through. Grass pollen, road salt, mud and whatever the field was sprayed with all sit on the paws and belly after a walk, and a dog that licks at its feet all evening is often just carrying the day home. Wiping the paws down at the door takes under a minute and removes the cause rather than treating the symptom.

These are pre-moistened cloths with a mild formula, made for use between baths rather than instead of them. The cloth is soft enough for the places a flannel is awkward: between the toes, around the muzzle, in the folds of a wrinkled face and under the tail. The point of a gentle formula in those spots is that it will not strip the skin's own oils if you reach for it every day, and each wipe is compact enough to keep in a coat pocket or a car door where the mess actually happens.

• Pre-moistened wipes for use between baths
• Mild formula to help calm sensitive or itchy skin
• Lifts dirt, mud and pollen from paws, coat and wrinkles
• Kind enough for delicate areas including faces and folds
• Suitable for both dogs and cats
• Compact enough to travel in a bag or a car

Two things worth knowing. Wipes clean the surface, they do not treat a skin condition. If your pet is scratching hard enough to break the skin, losing hair in patches, or the skin is hot, red or smells yeasty, that needs a vet rather than a wipe. And keep them away from the eyes and out of the ears; the ear canal is not somewhere to put anything on a cloth.

Who it's for: Dog and cat owners dealing with muddy paws, seasonal pollen, or a pet who needs freshening up without a full bath.