What is Dog Paw Balm?

Paw balms for dogs are thick ointments you apply to your dog’s paw’s skin. The best dog paw balm repairs and protects dry, cracked skin like human moisturizing creams. 

They’re instrumental in the winter to maintain your dog’s paw pads in good shape, as snow, ice, salt, and deicing chemicals can wreak havoc on them. You can use some paw balms on your dog’s nose as well. 

Putting paw balm for protection on dog

How to Apply Dog Foot Balm

The best time to apply the balm is before going to bed or resting, so it has plenty of time to absorb. Using it right before a game or a workout is not a good idea.

  1. Gently rub a tiny bit of balm from the surface with your finger. Massage this into your dog’s paw pads until you achieve a lovely gloss and a smooth, even coverage. Try to keep your dog still for a few minutes during and after application by tummy massages, brushing, treating bribery, and other methods. If you have another person to assist you, this will be beneficial if you have a particularly wiggly dog because they will distract your dog. If not, a licking mat dipped in peanut butter would be an excellent diversion! The frequency of application depends on the degree of your dog’s broken paws as well as product recommendations. 
  2. Rub or dab the balm onto the paw’s surface with clean hands or delicate cloth. To keep your dog from licking the cream off, immediately give them a treat or distract them with a toy. Allow your dog to play or run around the home for a few minutes before allowing him to do so. If you have hardwood or tile surfaces in your home, paw balms may make their paws slippery until the cream penetrates completely.
  3. Balms and waxes are excellent techniques to help hydrate and repair the skin if you see a crack or sore region on your dog’s paw. Call your veterinarian if the damage or inflamed spot is significant or worsens after many weeks of treatment.
  4. Remember never to use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to clean your dog’s paws, and apply a balm several times throughout the day, most importantly, before going to bed.

The Best Dog Paw Balms for This Year

  1. Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax: Best Overall for Winter and Dogs on Trails and Walks.
  2. Natural Dog Company | All Natural Organic Healing Balm: Best Used as A Moisturizing Travel Stick.
  3. Paw Pad Protection Balm for Dogs: Best for All Extreme Weather Season Conditions.
  4. Pet Head Oatmeal Natural Paw Butter: Best for Paw and Nose.
  5. Burt’s Bees for Pets Dog Grooming Supplies – Paw Lotion for Dogs: Best for Paw and Nose.
  6. ELAIMEI Dog Paw Balm: Best Natural Organic Paw Balm for Dogs.
  7. Dog Paw Balm Soother & Moisturizer – with Natural Shea Butter: Best for All Extreme Weather Season Conditions.
  8. Palmer’s for Pets Dog Grooming Supplies: Best for Paw and Nose.
  9. Natureland Organic Paw Wax for Dogs and Cats: Best for Sore Paws.

Your Dog Paw Balm Buying Guide

Safety

Only using balms explicitly did the damage for pets. Human products may contain harmful substances to dogs (if they lick them off) or ineffective on their tough paw pads.

Application Method

The majority of paw balms are viscous ointments that come in jars, tubs, or tins. Scoop a small amount out with your fingertips and apply to your dog’s paw pads. Some paw balms are thinner, more like moisturizers, and come in squeeze bottles. Squeeze a small amount onto your dog’s pads or apply with your fingertips. 

Stick dog paw balms, like lip balm, deodorant, or stick sunscreen, are also available. You don’t have to get your hands dirty by rubbing these directly onto your dog’s paw pads.

Ingredients

Different waxes, such as beeswax or plant wax, oils, such as coconut, olive, or avocado oil, shea butter or cocoa butter, petroleum, and lanolin, are used to create different dog paw balms. Some are enriched with CBD oil and incorporate extra chemicals to defend against yeast or germs.

The Best Dog Paw Ointments Unpacked

Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax: Best Overall for Winter and Dogs on Trails and Walks

Amazon’s Choice Award in Dog Paw Protectors by Musher’s Secret

Package Dimensions‏: ‎ 3.62 x 1.3 x 0.55 inches (9.2 x 3.3 x 1.4 centimeters)

Manufacturer‏: ‎Natural Dog Company

About This Item

Natural Dog Company | All-Natural Organic Healing Balm: Best Used as A Moisturizing Travel Stick

About This Item

Paw Pad Protection Balm for Dogs: Best for All Extreme Weather Season Conditions

Amazon’s Choice Award in Dog Paw Protectors by Vets Preferred

About This Item

Pet Head Oatmeal Natural Paw Butter: Best for Paw and Nose

Specifications

Brand: Pet Head

Scent: Coconut

Item form: Cream

Item weight: 0.15 pounds (0.07 kilograms)

About This Item

Burt’s Bees for Pets Dog Grooming Supplies – Paw Lotion for Dogs: Best for Paw and Nose

Amazon’s Choice Award in Dog Fish Oil Supplements by Burt’s Bees

Specifications

Brand: Burt’s Bees Natural Pet Care

Manufacturer: Fetch for pets

Animal Type: Dog

About This Item

Information on the Product

Burt’s Bees has been working with nature to make skin-nourishing products since 1984. We feel that pets are family members; thus, we give them the same natural attention and care that we provide to our own. 

Burt’s Bees For Dogs Paw and Nose Lotion is a gentle treatment created with Rosemary and olive oil that hydrates your pet’s dry and cracked nose and paw pads and taps into nature’s powers.

For your peace of mind and a happy dog, Burt’s Bees for Dogs Paw & Nose Lotion contains some of nature’s finest ingredients. Because we wanted a powerful but compassionate solution to provide protection and soothing nourishment to dogs and pups with rough skin that needed a little more love, Burt’s Bees uses all-natural ingredients.

The formula is manufactured with the highest quality ingredients and is 99.7% natural. To receive the most moisturizing results, use as needed and gently massage the lotion into the pet’s skin. Burt’s Bees Paw & Nose Lotion has a pH balance ideal for your dog or puppy. 

This delicate yet effective cream is fragrance-free, sulfate-free, colorant-free, and free of harsh or harmful chemicals. This is an excellent natural alternative for dogs who enjoy long walks but need to heal their paws and nose pads without using a thick or medicated balm due to the rigid pavements. 

Our goal is to use the natural healing power of ingredients to develop high-quality products that keep your pet healthy, happy, and looking their best.

ELAIMEI Dog Paw Balm: Best Natural Organic Paw Balm for Dogs

Dog Paw Balm Soother & Moisturizer with Natural Shea Butter: Best for All Extreme Weather Season Conditions

Palmer’s for Pets Dog Grooming Supplies: Best for Dogs Skin and Paw 

Amazon’s Choice Award in Dog Grooming Wipes by Palmer’s for Pets

About This Item

Natureland Organic Paw Wax for Dogs and Cats: Best for Sore Paws

Amazon’s Choice Award in Dog Paw Protectors by Natureland

Brand: Natureland

About This Item

FAQs Dog Paw Butter

What is the Best Way to Put on Dog Paw Balm

Scoop up a tiny amount of thick paw balm ointment and rub it into your dog’s paw pads. Thinner paw balms can be squirted directly from the bottle onto your dog’s paw pads and massaged in. It’s unnecessary to rub stick paw balms into the paw pads with your fingertips. Instead, always follow the paw balm’s recommendations for how much and how often to apply it.

Can You Use Dog Foot Lotion on Canine Noses?

You can apply most dog paw balms on the dog’s nose as well as his paw pads. Ensure the paw balm you’re using is safe to use on a dog’s nose by reading the package label.

Close up shot of dog nose

Does My Dog Need Paw Balm?

Paw balms are an excellent method to keep your paws moisturized and protected from irritants. In addition, paw balms provide a barrier between your dog’s paw pads and the ground if your dog walks on ice salty sidewalks frequently. Paw balms can also relieve itchy and dry paws, so if your dog has allergies or hyperkeratosis, balms can help. 

Balms will hydrate your dog’s paws like a lotion if they are more challenging than usual. However, if your lucky dog has healthy, silky feet, a balm is unlikely to make a difference.

Can I Use Vaseline on My Dog’s Rough Paws?

Although Vaseline is theoretically benign to dogs, we do not suggest its use. Vaseline appears to be a favorite food of dogs. But, according to our veterinarians, it also has a reputation for producing belly issues. 

Although it’s not an exact science, most veterinarians will advise you to bring your pet in for a checkup if you suspect they’ve consumed a significant amount of Vaseline.

There’s no reason to use Vaseline instead of a more appropriate pet product. We advise you to stay away from it entirely.

Can I Use Olive Oil on My Dog’s Paw Pads?

Yes, olive oil is an entirely safe treatment for your canine companion. Is it, however, effective? Yes, for hair. Probably for paws and skin. Olive oil contains antioxidants, vitamin E, and fatty acids, all of which are beneficial to your dog’s coat. Unfortunately, olive oil does not perform a good job retaining moisture in the skin.

While olive oil is technically an occlusive agent (think saran wrap for human skin), it isn’t the ideal choice for your dog’s skin. It’s high in oleic acid, which might cause tiny pores in your dog’s skin’s outer layer, enabling moisture to escape.

If you absolutely must use store-bought oil, opt for argan oil. It contains many linoleic acids and is a superior moisturizer for dog paws and people.

If My Dog Licks the Paw Balm, Will It Make Them Sick?

It’s not a big problem to eat a bit of all-natural paw balm or wax. However, those items are for dogs. If your dog eats Vaseline or any human substance, they are likely to have stomach problems.

As a result, we recommend opting for certified organic balms made entirely of natural ingredients. Unfortunately, it’s a reality that part of what you put on your dog’s body will end up in their stomach.

Dog licks nose

Why Trust I Love Veterinary

You should have faith and trust. I Love Veterinary because it provides a wealth of knowledge about your pet; how to care for them while watching them grow in the best possible way. Do you have any queries about veterinary? I Love Veterinary will assist you in answering them.

I Love Veterinary’s Final Verdict When it Comes to the Best Dog Paw Balms.

Even if their paw pads are damaged, dry, or uncomfortable, dogs have no issue rushing forward. You must keep an eye out for limping, licking, or gnawing, as well as noticeable cracks and blisters. 

You should take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as you notice a problem. While you’re there, you can talk about dog paw balms and whether they’ll help your dog in the future.

You can’t put your dog in a bubble to keep them safe from the elements. And being locked up inside all day would make them uncomfortable. So it’s preferable to give their tootsies some TLC now and again. Unless, of course, your dog adores shoes.

Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax is our discussions’ best dog paw balm. It offers your dog protection against sand, dirt, snow, heat, and hot pavement.