5 Best Ink Pads Safe For Dogs: Get Your Dog’s Paw Print!
Written by Tim de Jong
The best ink pad for dogs is the Pearhead Clean-Touch Ink Pad, a mess-free pad where your dog's paw never touches the ink. For bigger paws, go with the Green Pollywog Clean Touch Inkless Ink Pad, and for a complete keepsake set, the Luna Bean Paw Print Kit. Clean-touch and inkless pads are the safest choice because there's nothing on your dog's paw for them to lick off.
There’s something special about a dog’s paw print, but getting a good one can be tricky. Below we compare the 5 best ink pads safe for dogs and share tips for a crisp print.
How does a safe ink pad work for dogs?
First things first, let’s talk about how an ink pad works. An ink pad is a small, flat surface that is covered in ink. With normal ink pads, your dog’s paw would simply get covered in ink, and then you would have to quickly press it onto paper.
Dog-safe "clean-touch" ink pads work differently. Depending on the brand, there is either a protective film between the paw and the ink, or an inkless formula that only shows up on the special treated paper that comes with the kit. Either way, the print appears on the paper without getting your dog’s paw covered in ink. That matters because regular stamp ink isn't made to be licked, and dogs almost always try to lick their paws clean – not to mention the inky paw prints on your floor.
Creating an ink paw print is a great way to commemorate your dog, and it’s also a fun activity to do with your kids. With these safe ink pads, you can rest assured that your dog’s paw is safe from harmful chemicals.
What is the best ink pad safe for dogs?
Now that we know how an ink pad works and why it’s important to use a dog-safe one, let’s take a look at the 5 best options.
At a glance
5 picks, each best at something different
Check priceBest overall
Pearhead Dog Paw Print Clean-Touch Ink Pad
4.9
Check priceBest runner-up
Clean Touch Ink Pad By Tiny Gifts
4.9
Check priceBest for multiple uses
MengNi Baby Footprint Handprint
5
Check priceBest for larger dogs
Green Pollywog Clean Touch Inkless Ink Pad
4.7
Check priceBest features
Luna Bean Paw Print Kit
4.8
1Pearhead Dog Paw Print Clean-Touch Ink Pad
Our top pick overall, and a great budget choice, is the Pearhead Pet Paw Print Clean-Touch Ink Pad. This ink pad is a great option if you’re looking for a one-time-use pad, as it’s only good for two prints.
Your dog won’t touch the ink with their paw, which means no worries about them licking it off and getting sick. This Ink Pad is also great for a variety of crafts, not just paw print prints.
What we like the most: It’s great for one-time use, so you don’t have to pay extra!
Pros
- Perfect for one-time use
- Your dog won't touch the ink
- Great for a variety of crafts
- Very affordable
Cons
- Not suitable for larger dogs
- Ink pad can only be used up to 2 times
2Clean Touch Ink Pad By Tiny Gifts
Very similar to the first ink pad on our list, the Clean Touch Ink Pad By Tiny Gifts is also a great choice for a one-time-use ink pad. This ink pad is made for use on babies, and the ink doesn't touch the skin, so it's a gentle option for your dog too.
Like the Pearhead ink pad, the Clean Touch ink pad is also great for a variety of crafts. It’s a bit more expensive than the Pearhead ink pad, but it’s still very affordable.
What we like the most: We love how this ink pad uses premium ink, creating better prints that will last longer.
Pros
- Comes in 3 sizes
- Great for a variety of crafts
- Uses premium ink
Cons
- A bit more expensive
3MengNi Baby Footprint Handprint
This product comes with not 1, but 4 ink pads! This is great if you have multiple dogs or if you want to use it for other crafts as well. The MengNi ink pads are also made for babies' hands and feet, which makes them a gentle choice for your dog.
Like every other ink pad on this list, this one also avoids the ink touching your dog’s skin. The MengNi ink pads are also very easy to use and produce great prints.
What we like the most: We love that this ink pad comes with 4 ink pads! This is a great value for the price.
Pros
- Comes with 4 ink pads and 8 imprint cards
- Produces great prints
- Great value for the price
Cons
- N/A!
4Green Pollywog Clean Touch Inkless Ink Pad
Coming with all the features of the previous ink pad, this one is great for larger dogs. If you have a Newfie or another large breed, this ink pad is perfect for you! The Green Pollywog ink pad is also great for babies and children.
What we like the most: We love how this ink pad is specifically designed for larger dogs! This is a great option for those with big dogs.
Pros
- Perfect for larger dogs
- Also great for babies and children
- Can be used 3-5 times
- Has a large imprint area
Cons
- A bit more expensive which is to be expected
5Luna Bean Paw Print Kit
This paw print ink pad kit comes with everything you’ll need to make a paw print memory. The clean-touch, mess-free Luna Bean ink pad means your pet’s paw will never come into direct contact with the ink! This bundle also includes two frames, four imprint cards, four magnets, and a stencil.
What makes this ink pad unique is the letter stencil. This allows you to personalize your paw print keepsake with your pet’s name or a special message.
What we like the most: We love how you can create a custom paw print keepsake with this ink pad. The stencil is a great touch!
Pros
- Comes with 2 frames, 4 imprint cards, 4 magnets, and a stencil
- Can be used to create a custom paw print keepsake
Cons
- A bit more expensive which is to be expected
FAQ – Best ink pads safe for dogs
Will these ink pads hurt my dog?
No, these ink pads are safe for dogs. The ink will not come into direct contact with your dog’s skin. Just follow the instructions that come with your kit. If your dog has a cut or sore on its paw, wait until it has healed before taking a print.
How long will the prints last?
The prints should last a long time if they are stored properly. We recommend storing them in an album or frame.
Can I use these ink pads more than once?
Yes, you can use most of these ink pads multiple times. However, after using them more than 2-3 times they may start to produce lighter prints.
Can I use these ink pads for other crafts?
Yes, you can use most of these ink pads for other crafts such as baby handprints or footprints.
The Bottom Line – Best ink pads safe for dogs
These are the best ink pads safe for dogs that we could find. All of these ink pads are safe for your dog and will produce great prints. Whether you want to create a paw print keepsake or simply have some fun with your dog, these ink pads are a great option! If you're making a keepsake for a dog who has passed, our list of dog memorial gifts has more ideas, and personalized dog tags are another way to put your dog's name on something special.
