Today, millions of pet owners in the Netherlands celebrate the love they share with their four-legged friends. But alongside cuddles and wagging tails, dogs also bring plenty of moisture indoors in October. Research by Mattigo shows that the 1.7 million dogs in the Netherlands will step into homes with muddy paws more than 30 million times this month alone.

Millions of wet pawprints in October

According to figures from the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), October averages around 108 hours of rainfall—roughly 14.5% of the month. For dog owners, this means that of the 124 walks in October, about 18 will be rainy. With 1.7 million dogs, that adds up to 30.6 million rain-soaked walks, and many more wet pawprints on floors across the country.

Regional differences in rainfall

Not every dog celebrates World Animal Day in the same dry conditions. Along the coast, for example in Zeeland, autumn often brings heavier showers due to the still-warm seawater (source: KNMI). Inland areas such as Overijssel usually experience steadier but less intense rainfall. As a result, conditions for dog owners vary: in Zeeland, the risk of sudden heavy showers is higher, while in Overijssel rain tends to last longer.

More dogs since COVID

Since the COVID period, tens of thousands of dogs have been added to Dutch households. With them, the cleaning load and hygiene challenges at home have also increased. Wet paws not only mean extra mopping but also accelerate floor wear and tear.

A doormat as the solution

A high-quality doormat can make all the difference. Mattigo, specialist in custom-made doormats, shows that a good mat keeps dozens of liters of water and kilos of sand outside every year. “Many dog owners recognize the problem of muddy pawprints indoors,” says Gooswijn, owner of Mattigo. “With the right mat, life becomes much more comfortable for both owner and dog, plus, floors stay beautiful for longer.”

Tip for owners

With the right doormat and a towel after each walk, owners can easily keep millions of wet pawprints outside, making World Animal Day a celebration for dog, owner, and floor alike. For many dogs, it’s also a pleasant moment of care and bonding with their owner.

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Sources

• Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS): cijfers hondenpopulatie in Nederland, 2025
• KNMI: klimatologie, uurgegevens, www.knmi.nl
• KNMI – Buien (https://www.knmi.nl/kennis-en-datacentrum/uitleg/buien)
• Weeronline – “Dit weer is normaal in oktober” (https://www.weeronline.nl/nieuws/dit-weer-is-normaal-in-oktober)
• Landelijk InformatieCentrum Gezelschapsdieren (LICG) – richtlijnen uitlaten hond
• Dibevo – Van fokker tot Facebook: waar Nederlanders hun huisdieren vandaan halen (https://dibevo.nl/pers/van-fokker-tot-facebook-waar-nederlanders-hun-huisdieren-vandaan-halen)