Ever thought of taking a print of your dog’s paws? Yes, it sounds a bit weird but it is not wrong at all. There can be plenty of reasons why you might want to take your furry friend’s paw prints. Some take their dog’s paw prints for school art projects whereas some take it for mold casts to represent them as a member of their family.

People also get tattoos of their dog’s paw prints to immortalize them. Whatever the reason is, it is always a good choice to take the prints of your dog. And if you are also curious about how to take one of those, this article for you.

Dog Paw Print Kits

There are some dog paw print kits available in the market that help you in getting a cast of your dog’s paws. Cremation and memorial services take a paw print for you as a memorial in case your dog has passed away recently. But it is always better to take your dog’s paw prints by yourself which can also be DIY project and bonding experience with your dog.

A necessary thing to consider first before taking a print is to make sure that your dog’s paws are clean. If not, a quick wipe down with a moist towel is all that it takes. However, you should not do anything if your dog’s paw is cut or injured. Here are some ways that you can use to take your dog’s paw prints:

Paints

If you choose to use paints, make sure that they are child safe. Any paint that is easy to clean will work very fine. Washable finger paints and body paints work best and as they don’t cost too much, they are worth trying. Furthermore, water-based or tempera paints are also good for printing as they are non-toxic.

A dog’s paw print using paint. Image Source: Clipart-library

When you are done selecting the appropriate paint, just dip your dog’s paw in the paint and then gently press it onto a robust paper for a few seconds. Afterward, lift your dog’s paw straight up and wash it properly. At last, expect to take more than one print to confirm that you get a good print.

Dough

When it comes to taking a paw print of your dog, the dough is one of the safest ways to take a good imprint. First, mix a cup of flour with a cup of salt adding water until you have enough to kneed for making a ball. Cover the resulted mold with some wax paper.

Dough method of printing dogs’ paw. Image Credit: Pinterest

After covering the mold, press your dog’s foot into it. Then you can bake the pressing at a temperature of about 200 Fahrenheit for approximately 2 or 3 hours. Lastly, just be sure to check the pressing at a regular interval, otherwise, it might crack.

Inks

Ink is another great option to imprint your dog’s paw. Despite resulting a bit messier sometimes, it is still one that deserves a recommendation. Always remember to choose a non-toxic and archival ink for imprinting as it is less likely to fade in comparison to others.

Printing a dog’s paw using ink method. Image Source: YouTube

After choosing a suitable ink, just apply it to your dog’s paw properly and then press it to a clean paper or a wooden plank. Make sure that the print has resulted correctly. At last, don’t forget to wash your dog’s paws after printing as they can lick it. Though non-toxic, it is not good for dogs to lick ink.

Safety Measures to follow while printing your dog’s paw

After discussing the ways to print your dog’s paws, here are what you should consider while printing:

  • Don’t forget to wash your dog’s paws after applying ink and paint methods to print.
  • Never use these methods if your dog’s paw has a cut or injury. It can worsen the condition.
  • Make sure your dog’s paws are clean before applying any of these methods.
  • You should not let your dog lick the ink or paint. It doesn’t matter whether if they are non-toxic, they, in no possible way, are meant to be licked.
  • Use paints and inks that are child safe and washable.

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