Patent attributes
An apparatus (10) for cleaning an animal's paw broadly comprises an elongated rigid cylindrical sidewall (12) having an end wall (14) and an open rim (16) which substantially seals to an animal's paw as the paw is withdrawn from the apparatus (10). The rim (16) is preferably fluted such that the paw is guided into the apparatus (10) without snagging or catching. A cleaning element (20) may be located within the apparatus (10) to assist in cleaning the paw. The cleaning element (20) may be a sponge (34), a brush (38), a plurality of projections (40), or other related object. In use, the apparatus (10) is partially filled with a liquid (18) and the paw is inserted through the rim (16) and into the apparatus (10). A user then agitates the paw within the apparatus (10) such that the paw is cleaned by contacting the cleaning element (20). The user then withdraws the paw from the apparatus (10), thereby creating a suction effect which draws additional dirt and debris away from the paw.
