Here’s the scenario grooming wipes exist for: you stop at a trailhead two hours from home, your dog finds the one mud puddle, and there’s no hose, no tub, and a hotel room that will charge a cleaning fee if he shakes out on the duvet. A pack of thick wipes turns a disaster into a two-minute paw-and-belly job. A pack of thin, dry wipes turns it into a forty-minute one.
The honest note most roundups skip: Earth Rated wipes are the default recommendation in the category — they’re consistently #1 in Dog Grooming Wipes on Amazon — but they have a documented weak spot. After a formula and packaging update, a meaningful number of long-time buyers on Chewy report drier wipes, a changed lavender scent, and needing more wipes per cleanup than they used to. They’re still good wipes; they’re just not the wipes your friend raved about in 2021. This guide covers the full Earth Rated lineup — the classic grooming wipes, the XL size, and the vet-developed eye and ear wipes — plus one alternative, with the complaints owners actually report.
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Earth Rated Dog Grooming Wipes at a Glance
| # | Product | Key spec | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Earth Rated Grooming Wipes (400ct) | 8″ x 8″ · lavender/unscented/white tea | Best overall value | Check Price |
| 2 | Earth Rated Grooming Wipes (100ct Unscented) | 8″ x 8″ · unscented | Best starter pack | Check Price |
| 3 | Earth Rated XL Pet Wipes (60ct) | 11″ x 12″ · unscented | Best for big dogs | Check Price |
| 4 | Earth Rated Vet-Developed Pet Eye Wipes (70ct) | 5″ x 5″ · fragrance free | Best eye wipes | Check Price |
| 5 | Earth Rated Vet-Developed Pet Ear Wipes (70ct) | 5″ x 5″ · wild oat | Best ear wipes | — |
| 6 | Pogi’s Dog Grooming Wipes (100ct) | 8″ x 9″ · fragrance free/green tea | Best alternative | Check Price |
Prices shift constantly — check before you buy. Counts and sizes are manufacturer figures.
1. Earth Rated Grooming Wipes (400ct) — Best Overall Value
This is the flagship: 8″ x 8″ textured wipes in a tub of 400 (also sold in 100-count packs), in lavender, unscented, or white tea & basil scents. The formula is hypoallergenic with aloe, shea butter, chamomile, and cucumber, USDA Certified 98% Biobased, cruelty-free, dermatologist-tested, and free of alcohol and parabens. They’re marketed for paws, body, and bum — the three zones that matter on a trip — and the brand holds the #1 spot in Dog Grooming Wipes on Amazon.
The honest part: the complaints are well documented. Multiple long-time buyers on Chewy report that after the packaging/formula change, the wipes arrive noticeably drier than before, the lavender scent changed, and cleanups that used to take two wipes now take four. One common workaround owners share: transfer the pack to a resealable bag (or keep the snap lid shut religiously) to hold moisture. Also note the wipes aren’t flushable despite older marketing that suggested otherwise, and 8″ x 8″ is small for a full wipe-down of a big dog — that’s what the XL exists for.
Specs: 400ct tub (also 100ct) · 8″ x 8″ textured wipes · lavender, unscented, or white tea & basil · aloe, shea butter, chamomile, cucumber · hypoallergenic, alcohol/paraben-free · USDA 98% Biobased · not flushable.
Pros: category bestseller with thousands of ratings (~4.7/5 on Chewy); thick textured sheets; good ingredient list; scent options.
Cons: documented drying-out after formula/packaging change; lavender scent changed per long-time buyers; 8″ x 8″ small for big-dog full-body jobs; not flushable.
Verdict: Still the default pick — buy the 400ct and keep the lid sealed. Check the price on Amazon.
2. Earth Rated Grooming Wipes (100ct, Unscented) — Best Starter Pack
Same wipe as #1, in the 100-count snap-lid pack and the unscented variant. This is the one to buy if you want to test the formula before committing to the 400-count tub, and it’s the right choice for the travel bag — the smaller pack rides in a daypack or glove box without taking over. The unscented version is the most genuinely odor-neutral; interestingly, some owners report the unscented wipes have a faint “weird scent” of their own, while others (including allergy-prone owners) say it’s truly neutral.
Specs: 100ct snap-lid pack · 8″ x 8″ textured wipes · unscented · same hypoallergenic formula as the 400ct.
Pros: small pack is travel-bag friendly; unscented for sensitive noses; cheaper trial than the tub.
Cons: same drying-out reports as the 400ct; per-wipe cost is higher than the tub.
Verdict: The try-before-you-buy pack — get this first, then buy the 400ct if your dog agrees. Check the price on Amazon.
3. Earth Rated XL Pet Wipes (60ct) — Best for Big Dogs
If your dog is 60+ lbs, the 8″ x 8″ standard wipe feels like cleaning a kitchen with a postage stamp. The XL wipes are 11″ x 12″ — roughly triple the surface area — and they’re the same thick, durable material with the aloe/shea/chamomile/cucumber formula. Unscented only, hypoallergenic, 60 count per pack. They also top the Dog Grooming Wipes bestseller list alongside the standard wipes.
The trade-offs: fewer wipes per dollar, and a 60-count pack of 11″ x 12″ sheets is bulky for a daypack (better as the car/hotel base-camp pack). Some owners note the XLs come folded and can be awkward to pull one-handed mid-cleanup.
Specs: 60ct · 11″ x 12″ wipes · unscented · same hypoallergenic 98% biobased material · dogs and cats.
Pros: real coverage for large breeds — fewer wipes per cleanup; same trusted formula.
Cons: pricier per wipe; bulky for a small travel kit; can pull out awkwardly folded.
Verdict: The big-dog essential — one XL replaces two or three standard wipes. Check the price on Amazon.
4. Earth Rated Vet-Developed Pet Eye Wipes (70ct) — Best Eye Wipes
These are a different product from the body wipes: 5″ x 5″, fragrance free, developed with a US-licensed veterinarian for removing dirt and eye discharge. The eye wipes exist because the regular grooming wipes aren’t meant for faces — Earth Rated’s own comparison chart steers tear-stain duty to these. They’re also a top seller (#1 in Dog Grooming Wipes).
Owner feedback is genuinely mixed on this one, which is why it matters: several buyers report the eye wipes run on the dry side — one reviewer found they didn’t break down weepy buildup without more rubbing than she wanted near the eyes, and another found them thinner and smaller than expected, needing multiple per eye. The gentleness is the selling point, not the scrubbing power. For heavy tear staining on white dogs, these are a maintenance wipe, not a stain remover.
Specs: 70ct · 5″ x 5″ wipes · fragrance free · vet-developed for eye discharge · hypoallergenic.
Pros: properly formulated for the delicate eye area; fragrance free; vet-developed.
Cons: commonly described as too dry for real buildup; small size means several wipes per cleaning; won’t fix heavy tear stains.
Verdict: A solid gentle option for daily eye corners — but don’t expect miracles on stains. Check the price on Amazon.
5. Earth Rated Vet-Developed Pet Ear Wipes (70ct) — Best Ear Wipes
Completing the trio: 5″ x 5″ ear wipes in a wild oat scent, vet-developed to remove dirt and wax buildup, with aloe vera and chamomile to soothe. Earth Rated claims one wipe handles both ears. Owners generally like these more than the eye wipes — they’re handy for floppy-eared breeds that collect gunk on hikes, and buyers note they stay moist in the package for months.
Complaints to know: some owners find 5″ x 5″ on the small side for big floppy ears, and wipes are for maintenance — if the ears smell bad or the dog is head-shaking, that’s a vet visit, not a wipe situation. (No verified Amazon.com link was available for this one, so it’s listed without a link.)
Specs: 70ct · 5″ x 5″ wipes · wild oat scent · vet-developed for dirt/wax removal · aloe + chamomile · hypoallergenic.
Pros: stays moist in the package; convenient for floppy ears after hikes; mild non-chemical scent.
Cons: small for large floppy ears; maintenance-only — won’t treat infected ears; Amazon.com link unverified.
Verdict: The companion to the eye wipes — good maintenance tool for floppy-eared travelers.
6. Pogi’s Dog Grooming Wipes (100ct) — Best Alternative
If Earth Rated’s drying-out reports put you off, Pogi’s is the closest rival: bamboo-fiber wipes at 8″ x 9″, textured and thick, with vitamin E and aloe vera, free of parabens, alcohol, and harsh chemicals, in fragrance-free or green tea scents. They come in 100-count packs, 120- and 240-count travel packs, and a 400-count bulk pack — the travel packs are the standout, genuinely designed for a bag.
The honest framing: Pogi’s draws the same category complaint as everyone else — once opened, wipes dry out fast if the lid isn’t kept sealed, and some owners find them thinner than Earth Rated. They’re a strong alternative, not a clearly superior product. Pick these if you want the travel-pack formats or prefer bamboo fiber.
Specs: 100ct (also travel and bulk packs) · 8″ x 9″ textured bamboo-fiber wipes · fragrance free or green tea · vitamin E + aloe vera · paraben/alcohol-free.
Pros: genuinely travel-friendly pack formats; bamboo fiber; good ingredient profile.
Cons: same dry-out risk once opened; some owners find them thinner than Earth Rated.
Verdict: The best non–Earth Rated option — grab the travel packs for the road. Check the price on Amazon.
How to Choose Grooming Wipes for a Traveling Dog
Size the wipe to the dog. An 8″ x 8″ wipe cleans one paw-and-a-half on a Lab. For dogs over ~50 lbs, the XL 11″ x 12″ wipes pay for themselves in fewer sheets per cleanup. For small dogs, the standard size is plenty.
Pick the right wipe for the right zone. Body wipes are not face wipes. Earth Rated’s own guidance: paws/body/bum for the grooming wipes, eye discharge for the eye wipes, wax for the ear wipes. Using body wipes (especially scented ones) around the eyes is a common mistake.
Unscented is the safe default for travel. Scented wipes smell nice in the bag, but lavender can read as perfume in a hotel room or car, and some dogs find scented wipes less pleasant to tolerate on their bodies. For multi-dog or sensitive-skin situations, unscented wins.
The lid is half the product. Every brand’s top complaint is drying out, and most of it is packaging: resealable snap lids left open, or tubs stored warm in a car. One widely shared owner trick is decanting wipes into a zip-top bag for the trail while keeping the tub at base camp.
Don’t use wipes as a bath replacement. Wipes handle surface dirt and odor; they don’t degrease skin or resolve hot spots, ear infections, or tear staining. If the problem survives three wipes, it’s a vet or bath situation.
Check the count economics. The 400-count tub is dramatically cheaper per wipe than the 100-count pack. Buy the tub for home, the 100-count for the travel bag — not the other way around.
Bottom line: the Earth Rated Grooming Wipes (400ct) remain the best default for most dogs — thick, well-formulated, and the best per-wipe value. Go XL for big dogs, add the eye and ear wipes if you travel with a floppy-eared or tear-stain-prone breed, and try Pogi’s travel packs if Earth Rated’s drying-out reports bother you or you want bamboo fiber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Earth Rated dog grooming wipes safe for puppies?
Yes — Earth Rated states the grooming wipes are safe for all breeds and life stages. As with any wipe, avoid the eyes, and watch for irritation on very young puppies with sensitive skin.
Can I use grooming wipes on my dog’s face or tear stains?
Not really. Earth Rated directs tear-stain and eye-discharge cleaning to its vet-developed Eye Wipes, which are fragrance-free and formulated for the eye area. Regular grooming wipes (especially scented) shouldn’t go near the eyes.
Why are my Earth Rated wipes dry?
This is the category’s #1 complaint. Common causes: the snap lid left open, heat in a parked car, or a batch that’s simply drier after the formula/packaging change some long-time buyers report. Keep the lid sealed, store at room temperature, and consider a zip-top bag for opened packs.
Are dog grooming wipes flushable?
Earth Rated’s grooming wipes are not flushable — dispose of them in the trash. Very few pet wipes are truly flushable despite marketing language.
How many wipes do I need for a road trip?
For a week with one medium dog doing trail walks: budget 3–5 standard wipes a day (paws after walks, body wipe-downs, butt cleanups) — a 100-count pack covers a trip with margin. For a large mud-prone dog, pack XLs instead; one XL replaces two or three standard wipes.
Earth Rated vs. Pogi’s — which is better?
They’re close rivals with similar formulas. Earth Rated has the deeper lineup (XL, eye, ear variants) and the bigger track record; Pogi’s has better travel-pack formats and bamboo fiber. Buy Earth Rated for the ecosystem, Pogi’s for the road.
