An active dog is a happy dog. But there comes a time when your dog loses his spark, walks slowly with a limp, doesn’t run as much, and sits idle, compulsively licking his paws more than ever.
If this is the case, the problem might lie below in their paws. Just as extreme heat or cold causes our feet to crack, dog paws can get dry, chapped, and irritated too. Most dogs suffer this fate come winter.
Though cute-looking socks and shoes can prevent this fate, only a few dogs are comfortable in them. This is where paw balms for dogs save the day. In addition to preventing cracks and irritation, they also nourish your dog’s paws.
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Why Your Dog Might Need A Paw Balm In Winter
Winters in the United States can get unreasonably cold. This drastic drop in the temperature takes a toll on your dog’s overall health, especially the paws. The curb on the usual walk route is now colder, there is snow in the streets sprayed with deicing chemicals that wreak havoc on your dog’s paws.
Once there are cracks in your dog’s paws, the cold makes them itch like hell too. Chapped paws can turn a comfy winter into a nightmare for your doggo, where he is in unrealistic pain and almost unable to walk as he did.
Just as you start wearing winter boots to tread through the snow, your dog’s paws need an invisible layer of protection in the form of dog paw balms.
Benefits Of Using Paw Balm For Your Dog
Dog paw balms are thick ointments that you can apply to the skin of your dog’s paws. Applying the balm to his paw pads before walking will protect them from the extremes of excessive heat and cold. It is a healthy practice to reapply the balm once you’re back home from the walk.
If you need further convincing to use paw balm for your dog, here are four reasons to do so:
Paw Balms Protect Against Extreme Weather
The tiny little nuts in your dog’s paws can crack open due to extreme cold. Snow trapped in the paws, if not cleaned, can also cause frostbite.
If you think it’s okay to skip balming your dog’s paws in the summer, try walking barefoot on the concrete on a sunny summer afternoon. Paw balm works as an insulator against the heat by moisturizing them and acting as a calming barrier.
Dog Paw Balms Protect Against Wear And Tear
If we were to walk barefoot all our life, we’d have lifelong calluses on the sole of our feet. Though a dog’s paws are relatively strong, they are conditioned for the wild and not concrete floors.
In the long run, his favorite walks can cause considerable wear and tear to his paws, causing him immense pain and discomfort. Dog paw balms prevent this wear and tear and save you and your dog a whole lot of pain and suffering.
Paw Balms Soothe Irritation And Repair Damage
Paw balms work wonders by treating blisters, burns, wounds, and allergy-related pain in dogs’ paws. The natural ingredients in the balm do a great job of alleviating the pain and repairing the damage to the paws of your fido.
Dog Paw Balms Are A Great Treatment For Hyperkeratosis
Have you ever heard of a dog that grows enormous amounts of hair on the nose and paws? This is due to hyperkeratosis, a condition where too much keratin production leads to excessive hair growth.
This can cause your dog’s paws to thicken, crack and bleed. Dog paw balms are a sure-shot way of ensuring that the worst does not come to pass.
What Does an Ideal Dog Paw Balm Look Like
Now that we’ve established that dog paw balms are crucial for your dog’s health. Let us dive deeper into what an excellent paw balm should be made up of.
Firstly a dog paw balm should be safe and non-toxic to your dog. Secondly, the balm should penetrate the tough skin of the walls and seal in moisture. When you start looking at the product labels of dog paw balm products, ingredients such as shea butter, vitamin E, and oils of coconut, jojoba, and olive may keep popping. These oils are natural moisturizers and are effective yet gentle on his paws.
For dogs that like to frolic in the snow, dog paw wax made of carnauba or beeswax will safeguard your dog’s paws against the adverse effects of prolonged exposure to snow.
If your dog is the “always hungry” type, then spend more on an unscented balm rather than having your dog lick the scented balm right off his paws as soon as you apply it.
5 fantastic dog paw balms for winter
Now that we have turned you into a dog paw balm, it’s time to help you pick the best dog paw balm for winter. The below list contains products that are unique in their own way. Feel free to pick one that appeals to you and your doggo the most.
Musher's Secret Dog Paw Wax
This dog paw balm by Musher is touted as the “best paw wax ever” in dog owner circles. The paw wax is made from 100% natural ingredients, has partial to no scent, and does not stain your floor or bedding as it gets absorbed in the paws super quickly.
It is available in jars of 60g, 200g, and 1lb (454g) and offers the following:
- Cures cracks and calluses
- Perfect option for dogs with sensitive skin
- Prevents paws against extreme weather conditions
This wax can be applied in summer and winter, but users in colder regions find it more valuable than those in warmer regions. Applying it a few times a week will keep your pet’s paws healthy, tender, and strong.
Extra note: If your dog starts to slip while walking, it means you’ve applied too much. Just take a tissue and wipe off the access, and your pupper is good to go.
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What we like: The product is entirely made from 100% natural ingredients and is best for winter conditions.
- Great for the winter season
- Unscented and non-staining
- Forms a breathable protective layer
- Variety of sizes available
- Packaging of the product shows leakage issues during transport
Burt's Bees Care Plus: Lotion
This paw and nose lotion by Burt’s Bees is a superfast-acting product that does a great job at:
- Fighting hyperkeratosis
- Repairing cracked and dry skin
The product spreads quickly into the cracks of your dog’s paws and gets absorbed easily. It is popular amongst dog parents due to its quick relief and fast-acting properties. This lotion is also super effective on dog noses as it heals snout cracks with just a couple of applications.
The product does have a hint of fragrance, but the product reviews show no sign of it being an issue for dogs.
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What we like: It contains the nutritional and medicinal seabuckthorn and “kelp,” a natural source of vitamins and proteins.
- Quick results
- Most affordable
- Contains kelp and seabuckthorn
- Burt's Bees is a trusted brand
- Some dogs might like a standard balm over lotion
Vets Preferred Advanced Pad Protection
This product makes another great balm for summer as well as winter. The cold-pressed natural oils and waxes in this paw wax make walking immensely enjoyable for your dog.
The product is carefully designed to:
- Relieve itchy paws
- Protect, moisturize, and soothe cracked skin
- Reduce Swelling
Despite containing wax, Vets Preferred Advanced Pad Protection isn’t greasy and leaves no stain at all.
It is safe for your dogs to lick this wax as it is 100% natural. Apply a thin layer over your dog’s paws before a walk and thoroughly wipe it off once you’re home. You can reapply this product as and when needed.
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What we like: It contains cold-pressed waxes and natural oils which makes it 100% natural.
- Effective itch relief
- No sticky stains
- Acts quickly
- 100% Natural
- Strong fragrance might be an issue for some dogs and owners
- Only size available is 2oz
Natural Dog Company Skin Soother Stick
4th on our list is the Natural Dog Company Skin Soother Stick which is a balm for treating various skin ailments and irritations . This product makes an essential addition to any first-aid kit for your pup’s skincare.
Again, this one is all-natural and organic, made with ingredients like cocoa butter, vitamin E, almond oil, lavender, and chamomile oil. It is easy to use as well – just clean the area before application and then rub it into the affected area generously.
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What we like: It comes in a stick form, making it even easier to apply. It is also non-toxic if ingested, so there’s no need to worry if your dog licks their paws.
- Quick Results
- Non-toxic if ingested
- Easy to apply stick form
- All-natural and organic
- A bit pricier
VetriScience Express Ease Soft Chews
Reading the reviews, you will find that it is the best paw balm for dogs with infections. This product helps your dog to say goodbye to foot-chewing urges, hot spots, and calluses.
This is what Dermapaw Dog Skin & Paw Treatment Does For Your Dog:
- Helps against yeast and bacterial infections
- Promotes hair growth in affected areas
- Heals and protects raw and damaged skin
You should initiate this product to your dog by applying it once before bedtime, and then once your dog is accustomed to it, you can use it whenever you feel your dog needs it.
The gentle formula doesn’t sting the eyes, and your slurp monster is safe even if he ingests it out of hunger or curiosity.
The only drawback of this balm is its strong smell. So if you or your dog is sensitive to smell, then avoid this product despite the benefits it offers.
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What we like: This product is wonderfully effective against infections.
- Gentle formula which is safe for dogs
- Fights bacterial and yeast infections
- Comes in 2.3 oz and 4.7 oz packaging
- A dog's favorite to lick off
Conclusion – Safe Walks In The Snow!
To live a “pawfect” life, a dog’s paws must be in perfect health. And to ensure that your dog stands tall on his four feet, you must pamper and protect its paws whenever necessary.
The above list mentions products that treat all-paw, nose, and skin-related ailments. Whether your dog likes scented or unscented balms, or whether he likes lotions or waxes, you can pick any one or more dog paw balms and see what works best for your fido in the long term.
Have your doggy taking to the wind jumping on and off the bed, and crashing into objects mid-zoomies forever.
When you make the right choices, caring for your dogs becomes easy and enjoyable. We help you get better at it every day.
