If you live in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, or basically anywhere where it rains more than twice a year, you know the “Post-Walk Panic.”
You just got back from a great walk. Your dog is happy. But as you stand at the front door, you look down and realize your dog’s paws are caked in a thick, grey slurry of mud, pine needles, and god-knows-what. One wrong move, and that mud is going to be permanently stamped into your $2,000 cream-colored West Elm rug.
For years, my “system” was a pile of old beach towels by the door. It was a disaster. I’d try to wipe Cooper’s paws, he’d wiggle, the towel would get soaked, and I’d still find muddy streaks on the hardwood floors ten minutes later.
Then I saw the Dexas MudBuster on a TikTok ad. It looked like a plastic coffee mug with silicone bristles inside. It cost about $20. I was skeptical. How could a cup of water do what three towels couldn’t?
I’ve been using it for six months now, through a Vermont winter and a rainy spring. Here is the unfiltered truth.
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What Exactly is a MudBuster? (The Design)
The concept is stupidly simple, which is probably why it works. It’s a BPA-free plastic tumbler. Inside, there’s a removable sleeve of soft, thick silicone bristles.
When you add a little water and insert your dog’s paw, those bristles wrap around the entire paw—including the “hidden” mud between the toes and the pads—and scrub it clean as you twist the cup.
Why it’s better than a towel: A towel only cleans the bottom of the paw. The MudBuster gets inside the crevices where the real mess hides.
The Testing: The “Spring Mud” Challenge
I decided to put the MudBuster to the ultimate test after a particularly nasty thunderstorm. Cooper (my Lab) had been digging for “imaginary moles” in the backyard. His paws weren’t just dirty; they were encased in sludge.
The Process:
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Fill it up: I filled the MudBuster about 3/4 full with warm water (Cooper hates cold water on his toes).
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The Dip: I guided his front paw into the cup. (Note: He was confused the first time, but he didn’t fight it).
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The Twist: I twisted the cup back and forth about five times.
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The Reveal: I pulled his paw out.
The Result: The water in the cup was black. Like, coffee black. But Cooper’s paw? Totally clean. No grit, no sand, no slimy mud. I just had to do a quick “pat dry” with a small rag, and he was cleared to enter the house.
Is it Actually “Portable”?
Dexas markets this as “portable,” and for once, the marketing is right. It fits perfectly in the cup holder of my Ford F-150.
If you take your dog to the park or go hiking in places like Runyon Canyon or the Appalachian trails, you can keep this in the car. Before the dog jumps into the backseat, you do a quick “4-paw dip,” and your upholstery is saved.
Pro-Tip: Keep a jug of fresh water in your trunk. The MudBuster is useless if you don’t have water to fill it with at the trailhead.
The “Sizing” Trap: Don’t Make This Mistake
The MudBuster comes in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. This is where most people mess up.
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Small: Best for Yorkies, Chihuahuas, and Cats. (Yes, people use it for cats!)
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Medium: This is the “Goldilocks” size. It fits most Labs, Goldens, and Doodles.
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Large: This thing is massive. It’s for Great Danes, Mastiffs, and Bernese Mountain Dogs.
My Advice: If you have a dog with very thick “feathery” hair on their legs (like a Springer Spaniel), go one size up. You need the extra space to accommodate all that fur along with the water.
Winter Use: More Than Just Mud
In the US, winter brings a hidden danger: Road Salt and De-icers.
If you walk your dog on city sidewalks in Boston or Chicago, those chemicals will burn your dog’s pads. They lick their paws afterward and get sick.
The MudBuster became my “Salt-Remover” last winter. Instead of just cleaning mud, I was rinsing off toxic chemicals. For $20, it probably saved me a $300 trip to the emergency vet.
Comparison: MudBuster vs. The “Dip & Bucket” Method
| Feature | The Old Bucket Method | Dexas MudBuster |
| Mess Level | High (Splashes everywhere) | Low (Contained in the cup) |
| Cleaning Depth | Surface only | Deep between pads/toes |
| Portability | Impossible | Fits in car cup holder |
| Dog’s Reaction | Often hates it | Usually tolerates/enjoys it |
| Cleaning the Tool | Hard to clean a bucket | Dishwasher Safe |
The “Human” Complaints (The Honest Stuff)
It’s not perfect. Here are the things that annoyed me:
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The Splash Factor: If you fill it too high and put a big paw in, water will overflow. (Keep a towel under it for the first few tries).
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The “Wet Sock” Problem: The paw is clean, but it’s still wet. You still need a small rag to dry the paw off. The MudBuster doesn’t dry; it only washes.
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Drying the Tool: If you don’t take the silicone sleeve out and let it air dry, it can get a bit of a “musty” smell after a week. Just toss the silicone part in the top rack of the dishwasher once a week.
The Science of Paw Health: Why Cleanliness Matters
As a pet parent, it’s easy to think of mud as just a “cleaning” issue. But it’s actually a health issue.
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Pododermatitis: This is a fancy word for skin inflammation on the paws. It happens when moisture and dirt get trapped between the toes for too long.
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Allergens: In the spring (especially in the South), your dog picks up pollen and allergens on their paws. They bring that into your bed. Washing their paws with the MudBuster reduces their (and your) allergy symptoms.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If your dog is a “couch potato” who only goes out on a manicured lawn, you don’t need this. Save your $20.
But if you are a Hiker, a Beach-Goer, or live in a rainy climate, the Dexas MudBuster is probably the best ROI (Return on Investment) you will ever get on a pet product. It saves your rugs, saves your car, and keeps your dog’s paws healthy.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars. (Losing half a star only because I still have to dry the paws afterward).

Hi, I’m Dev Pratap. I’m a pet travel enthusiast and a tech geek who believes our four-legged friends deserve the best gear available. I started Pet of Paradise to cut through the marketing noise and provide pet parents with honest, data-driven reviews.
From measuring under-seat gaps on major US airlines to testing the signal strength of GPS collars in real-world conditions, I personally oversee the testing of every product we recommend. My mission is to ensure that your next pet tech purchase is a smart one, focusing on safety, durability, and practical value. When I’m not analyzing the latest pet gadgets, I’m usually planning the next big road trip with my dog.


