Super Easy Homemade Dog Paw Balm For Fido

What is Dog Paw Balm? This strange-sounding concept is simply a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin, specifically, the skin on the pads of your pup’s paws. This isn’t about pampering your pooch, it is more of an item to keep in your canine first aid kit.

I know what you are thinking: “is paw balm necessary?” Well, here is the quick answer: In most cases, all the pain, suffering, and frustration caused by paw injuries can be avoided by using dog paw balm. Not only can it help to heal and repair cracked and damaged paw pads, but it can also help to prevent a dog paw injury from happening at all.

It is perfect for anyone who has ever asked: What can I use to moisturize my dogs paws?

So there, the quick answer is yup.

This can be expensive, depending on what ingredients you are looking for and where you shop. A small tub can run anywhere from $15-40, and half of what is on the commercial market has ingredients that I wouldn’t want my Tazuna to ingest.

DIY Easy Dog Paw Balm

I looked around and checked out ingredients. I know we don’t feed it to our dogs, but they have a tendency to lick themselves where they are hurt. That means, when you aren’t looking, they will probably lick their little pookas soon after you apply the dog paw pad balm.

Let’s just take a look at Vaseline as some people talk about simply using that on their dog’s paws.

Dog Paw Balm vs Vaseline

First of all, petroleum jelly can create the illusion of moisturized, hydrated skin, all the while suffocating your pores… so it won’t really do your pup much good in the long run, even if it is beyond cheap when compared to the prices I already mentioned.

Vaseline itself is just petroleum jelly and is not toxic to dogs… if it is processed correctly. (Not all petroleum jelly/ off brands are) Moderation is the key, like anything. If your pup has eaten a large quantity of Vaseline, this may cause more severe signs of vomiting and diarrhea. Severe vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Dehydration will typically require treatment by your veterinarian…and the domino effect has begun.

I hope you got that pet insurance we have talked about before.

Dogs DO like Vaseline as they are attracted to fats and the basis of Vaseline are fat type molecules called hydrocarbons. It smells like food so the dogs eat it.

FYI: Dogs will eat their own poop too, that doesn’t mean I want to rub it on them.

Paw Balm Benefits

Paw balm can help prevent damage to the skin on your dog’s paw pads, but it can also help to soothe and repair sore, damaged, and cracked pads with their healing and moisturizing properties.

Dog Paw balm for winter / snow

If you walk Fido during the snowy winter and don’t have dog booties for their feet? The Ice Melt is hurting them. That salt used to melt ice on driveways, roads, and sidewalks. Prolonged contact can lead to chemical burns on dog paws. If your dog is limping by end of a walk, de-icing products may be hurting his feet.

Dog Paw balm for summer

Those sidewalks get really hot and if it hurts YOU to walk barefoot on them, your pooch fares the same fate. while you have options like taking your walks in the morning or evening when it is cooler, paw balm is your friend.

We use beeswax as the main ingredient because beeswax has a melting point of 120 degrees Fahrenheit—making it an ideal balm for the summer months!

How to Apply Dog Paw Balm

This is pretty easy to do – put a little on your finger and then hit every pad on your pup’s paws. Then go back and rub it in. It is that easy.

Slather it on your pup’s paws to treat dry, cracked, chaffed, chapped, or damaged footpads. It’s also safe to use on your pup’s skin. And because it’s all-natural, there’s little to worry about should your dog lick it off.

Like anything that is new – your pup will be curious and slightly uncooperative at first. Use your calming words, praise, and give treats. They will catch on pretty quickly.

I want to note: This balm is on the harder side, kinda like Chapstick. If you would like it a little softer, you can use a little less wax and another tablespoon of olive oil. This is just my preference.

DIY Dog Paw Balm

This is a beyond easy recipe to make, takes only about 5 minutes to make one 4-ounce jar, and can be doubled or tripled at a time to stock up.

You will want this in your Dog Travel Set, first aid kit, and it even makes a great gift idea.

Dog Paw Balm Ingredients:

Seriously, these items are easy to find on Amazon – I linked to them for you.

• 1/4 Cup Beeswax
• 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1 Tsp Vitamin E Oil
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
•  A Container

Lickable Dog Paw balm

In a microwave-safe dish, melt the beeswax. You want to heat it in 20-second intervals and string it after each heating.

Stir in the other ingredients and mix until fully combined. You may need to heat a little more to make sure it is fully mixed and 100% liquid.

Pour into a container and allow to cool before using.

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