PawSpa
Developing a more effective way to clean dog’s paws.
| 2023 | Academic Project — Individual |
The Problem
Many dog owners face the daily challenge of cleaning their pets’ paws after they have been outside, especially in urban or muddy environments. Resulting in poor cleaning habits and dirty living spaces. Current solutions are inconvenient, messy, and often stressful for both owner and pet.
Interview Insights
I talked with three dog owners to understand the methods they currently use to clean their dog’s paws.
Dog owners described cleaning their dog’s paws as a hassle and are usually unprepared, mostly utilizing washcloths or paper towels.
They are looking for an easy-to-use, convenient, and inexpensive solution.
Observation/Enactment
Overall found the process requires a lot of preperation without a paw cleaner device. The painpoint is remembering to gather the cleaning supplies and placing it nearby beforehand.
Existing Solutions
Manual MudBuster Cleaner $15.95
Successes
Offers different sizes
Affordable
Relatively portable
Detachable parts for easy cleaning
Improvements
Bristles could provide better scrubbing
Does not provide a lid or towel, limiting portability
Without a handle to hang from, storage could be tricky
Automatic Cleaner $35.99
Successes
Potential to be more effective with spinning bristles
Relatively portable
Improvements
Only one size available
Higher price point
Noise and movement has the potential to cause stress
Overly complicated
Has to be charged
Product Testing
While using the MudBuster I looked for pain points to know what to improve upon.
The device lacks ergonomic design for the human user due to the stiffness of the plastic body, limiting user control.
Additionally, the bristles were too flexible to fully clean the paw and it was difficult to see the water level due to the opaque silicone interior.
How might we design a portable dog paw cleaner that offers a hassle-free and enjoyable process for both pet owners and their furry companions?
Mockups
Experimenting and testing ergonomics, flexibility, bristle placement, and built in towel concept.
Rhino Ideation
3D printed model for scale
A more effective way to clean your dog’s paws with everything in one place.
Improved bristles and a user-friendly, flexible, ergonomic form.
Dogs can only see variations of blue & yellow
A muted blue with a pop of yellow to grab the human user’s attention
Materials
*Dishwasher safe
