If you own a dog, then you most likely know what a dog paw balm is and what’s it for. If you want your dog to be healthy and protected against irritants, then you have to make sure to put some paw wax on his furry little paws.
If you’re having a hard time choosing which one to buy because of all the brands on the market, then this guide should help you find the best dog paw balm. We’ve got a list of the best products you can buy.
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Last update on 2023-10-02 // The links above are affiliate // Images from Amazon
How to Choose the Best Dog Paw Balm
Before we get to the list, it’s really important that you understand what dog paw wax is and how it works so that you know how to choose the best one.
First of all, a dog pad cream is a type of substance used to protect your dog’s paws and keep them hydrated. When a dog’s paw is dry, it might bleed or even crack, especially during the cold weather. The wax moisturizes the paws so that the bleeding can be prevented.
It also protects the paws from toxic substances that your dog may step on while walking on the roads. The problem is that dogs sometimes love to lick their paws when they get home. If they do this, they might eat some of these chemicals.
By using paw balms, they won’t be infected. It’s like letting your dog wear dog boots but without the actual boots. Now that you know more about what dog paws are, let’s talk about what to look for when buying a dog paw balm.
Types
There are many types of moisturizers that you can use on your dog’s paws. Generally, there are several types that you can buy. While all of them pretty much have the same effect, it’s really their texture and the preference of your dog that makes the difference. They are available in 5 different types: paw butter, soothers, lotions, waxes, and balms.
Ingredients
The next thing that you have to take note of are the ingredients used. The more natural the ingredients are, the better for your dog. You have to choose the brand without any harmful ingredients in them. Some of the ingredients that you may want to avoid are mineral oils and petroleum.
You may also want to avoid zinc oxide, lidocaine, diclofenac, hydrocortisone, and calcipotriene. Though they may be safe for humans, they’re extremely toxic to dogs. Some of the ingredients that are safe for dogs include shea butter, vitamin E, beeswax, coconut oil, rosemary extract, and lavender oil.
It’s better to buy a natural dog paw balm rather than one with chemicals.
Price and Brand
The last thing to look out for is the price and brand of the moisturizer you want to buy. Since you’re applying the product on your dog’s paws, you want to make sure that you buy the best one there is. In order to buy the best dog paw moisturizer, you have to choose the right brand.
The most ideal way is to look at reviews of the product you’re eyeing on. The 12 brands that we’ve listed below are some of the best that you can find in the market.
12 Best Dog Paw Balms and Waxes
Paw Nectar Organic Paw Wax
Designed for Soothing and Healing Your Dog’s Damaged Paws
This is one of the best paw wax products you can find in the market. It’s made of 100% organic paw butter which is very safe for both dogs and humans. It also has a 100% money back guarantee in the event that you’re not satisfied with your purchase.
What We Like:
- Made of a deep penetrating formula for faster effect
- Completely organic
- Very affordable
What We Don’t Like:
- Easily crumbles
- The texture is not so smooth
Musher’s Secret Pet Paw Protection Wax
The Perfect Dog Paw Protection
The best thing about this wax is that it contains a generous amount of vitamin E. As it’s really easy to apply, you won’t have any trouble putting it on your dog’s paws. It can protect him from hot roadsides, melting ice, melting salt, and even hot sand.
Basically, it’s an ideal product for hunting, mushing, or walking activities.
What We Like:
- Contains a significant amount of Vitamin E
- Can protect against both heat and irritants
- Can heal wounds and scratches on the paws
What We Don’t Like:
- Might be a bit harsh for dogs with sensitive paws
Pawstruck Organic Nose & Paw Wax Balm for Dogs
Keeps your Dog’s Paw in Perfect Condition
This product is very well-known among dog owners as their dogs actually like the balm. Most dogs don’t like balms because of their odor and taste. However, Pawstruck’s balm is both tasteless and odorless which keeps your dog happy and healthy.
What We Like:
- Tasteless and odorless
- Creates a very soothing effect on your dog’s paws
- Can help with bad skin or hot spots
- Made only of organic ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, carnauba wax, jojoba, and vitamin E
What We Don’t Like:
- The quantity is a bit too little
4-Legger Nose and Paw Pad Healing Balm
The Ideal Healing Balm and Paw Moisturizer
This healing balm is special as it’s made of hemp oil to offer a healing effect on your dog’s paws. It also has a pretty pleasant smell just in case your dog smells or licks it. With this product, you can protect, nourish, moisturize, and even heal your dog’s damaged paws.
What We Like:
- Includes hemp oil which has powerful healing properties
- It can also be used on your dog’s nose and stout
- It is safe and made purely of organic ingredients
What We Don’t Like:
- The texture is too buttery
- The quantity is too little
Fur Goodness Sake All Natural Dog Paw Balm
The Perfect Paw Balm For Pet Owners Who Prefer All-Natural Products
Pet owners who love to soothe their pets poorly paws with natural products will be impressed by the Fur Goodness Sake balm. It’s made to effectively treat sore, cracked skin without any added nasties at all.
One of the most impressive aspects of the product is that it is a balm rather than a cream. This simple change in consistency makes a huge difference when it comes to absorption because it is able to rapidly penetrate the skin layers. As it sinks in, it soothes the cracked skin for instant relief, calming inflammation for a much more comfortable pooch. Even better, because the serum is water based it helps prevent further cracking by helping the paw to retain moisture.
Customers with pets prone to cracked paws and noses will love that Fur Goodness Sake balm can be used on both areas of the animal. Even better, the formula is human grade and contains bamboo and kale extract, and Abyssinian oil plus beneficial vitamins, so you can feel totally confident that you’re giving your pet the very best quality product available.
Why We Like It:
- Suitable for the nose and the paws
- Contains human-grade natural ingredients
- Serum quickly soothe and calms inflammation
- Serum works to encourage the skin to hold moisture to prevent further issues
What We Don’t Like:
- May be difficult to apply
- May need to be reapplied frequently to boost long-term paw skin hydration
Burt’s Bees Paw & Nose Lotion for Dogs
A Healthy and Organic Lotion for Your Paw Friends
Burt’s Bees is a brand that’s been known ever since 1984 for their lotions which are healthy for both cats and dogs. Some of the main ingredients of this product, in particular, are rosemary which is used for moisturizing and olive oil which is used for a smoothening effect.
What We Like:
- Made of 97% natural ingredients
- Can be used on your dog’s nose
- Can balance the pH of your dog
- Can also be used on cats
- Paraben and artificial ingredient free
What We Don’t Like:
- Taste too good so dogs might lick it off
- Not very good for noses
Natural Dog Company Paw Soother
The Perfect Pocket-Sized Balm For Pup’s With Sore Paws
Natural Dog Company paw soother comes in a handy 15-ounce trial pack which is about the size of an average lip balm. It’s super-handy to keep in your pocket and reapply to your pet’s paws whenever they get any sore cracks and dryness appearing.
Made with nourishing ingredients the handcrafted balm is made to sooth cracked paws and protect them in the case of very cold, or very hot weather. A pet with scars, wounds, dry skin and allergies can also benefit from the quickly absorbed product, which is also safe if they do happen to lick it off.
Nature-conscious pet owners will love that the balm is totally vegan, which means it is totally plant based and isn’t tested on animals. Even better, it contains no nasties, and instead is rich in moisturizing and healing ingredients such as: calendula, jojoba, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E.
Why We Like It:
- Vegan
- No nasties
- Bursting with nourishing ingredients
- Easy to apply
What We Don’t Like:
- Strong smell may bother some sensitive pets
- May be considered pricey for the size
ResQ Organics Pet Skin Treatment
Skin Treatment Formula and Hair Grower in One
As it is made of a combination of manuka honey, aloe vera, olive oil, hemp oil, and more, this skin treatment formula features an antibacterial and antiviral effect. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect which makes it perfect for healing and keeping your dog’s paws healthy.
What We Like:
- Contains vitamins A to E
- Contains a high volume of amino acids
- Can cure insect bites, itchy skin, burns, and wounds
- Can help treat ringworm
What We Don’t Like:
- Easily sticks to the fur
- Pretty expensive
pawlife Dog Paw Balm
Natural Moisturizing and Healing Balm
The pawlife paw balm is formulated only with natural ingredients to treat your dog’s cracked, dry, or sensitive paws. Unlike other balms, this balm does not contain any amount of synthetic additives at all. It is made with 100% pure Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Shea Butter. The pawlife balm comes with a warm and pleasant vanilla scent perfect for you and your dog. Aside from the paws, this balm can also be applied to dog’s chapped noses.
The pawlife balm guarantees protection and healing for cracked paws caused by salt, heat, or ice or snow. This balm is moisturizing, soothing, and healing without leaving any sticky residue. Rest assured that after application, this balm will not leave any stains or grease the floor or rugs. It is a no-nonsense and perfectly formulated product best used as paw protection that works very well.
What We Like:
- Made only with natural ingredients
- Applicable on both cracked and dry paws, and dog’s chapped noses
- Has a mild vanilla scent
- Works perfectly well on paw-related problems caused by ice/snow, heat, and salt
What We Don’t Like:
- The balm is slightly harder compared to other balms
The Company of Animals Pet Head Oatmeal Natural Paw Butter
Ideal for Use in Both Hot and Cold Weathers
This oatmeal-based paw butter has a soothing and moisturizing effect that works on both winter and summer time. As it has a smooth consistency, it’s easy to apply on paws and even noses. It’s also free of any harmful ingredients like DEA or petroleum.
What We Like:
- Comes with a very nice and fresh smell
- Features a very smooth texture
- Contains natural vitamin E and F
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not have very effective moisturizing properties
- It has an artificial vanilla smell
Bodhi Dog Paw Balm
Great Choice for Cold Weather
The Bodhi Dog paw balm is a specially-made for your dog’s paws which is certified organic. It’s made of a combination of jojoba oil, shea butter, hemp seed oil, beeswax, and calendula extract. As it’s a natural, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic, you don’t have to worry about your dog being exposed to chemicals.
What We Like:
- Very good for soothing wounds, bleeding, and dry paws
- Works very well in cold weather
- Contains help seed oil and calendula for optimal healing properties
What We Don’t Like:
- Might be a bit too strong for some dogs
- Not good for dogs if they lick the serum
Paw Magic Organic Dog Paw Butter
Great for Dealing with Hyperkeratosis
This organic dog paw butter from Paw Magic is of top quality as it is made of enriched organic coconut oil which has a great moisturizing effect that can help cure hyperkeratosis and wounds. If your dog is suffering from dry and cracked paws, applying this butter will help alleviate the pain almost immediately.
What We Like:
- Safe for both humans and animals
- Very effective in moisturizing skin
- Doesn’t stick on the fur
- Doesn’t cause any type of irritation on the skin
What We Don’t Like:
- Contains castor oil which might give the dog diarrhea if ingested
FAQs
Q: What causes dry paws?
A: There are several reasons why a dog’s paws may dry up. One of the most common reasons is the weather. During winter or summer, paws tend to dry out. In the summer, the paws may even get burned or scorched due to hot roads.
Other reasons are chemicals and allergic reactions to these chemicals. For instance, when your dog steps on melting ice in the winter, he will be exposed to chemicals. Also, when your dog walks all over your lawn during the summer, his paws might get an allergic reaction to fertilizer.
Q: Can you ignore dry paw pads?
A: While dry paws don’t really sound that serious, it’s quite a serious problem for dogs. A dog’s paws are really smooth and soft. Therefore, if your dog’s paws are dry or cracked, then it could be a problem. Your dog could have a hard time walking on the ground, especially on rough surfaces such as pavements and sidewalks. Some cases of cracking or dryness may even lead to paw bleeding which could ultimately lead to infections.
This is why it’s very important to buy a good brand of dog paw lotion or dog paw wax to prevent dryness. You especially need dog paw balm for winter and for summer when dogs are very vulnerable to cracked paws.
Q: Can I make paw balm at home?
A: Yes, it is possible to make a paw balm at home. Typical paw balms are made of olive oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and shea butter. With the appropriate amount of these ingredients, it’s possible to make a homemade dog paw balm or wax.
With homemade ingredients, you can at least be assured of your dog’s safety. However, these are just the most basic ingredients that you can give your dog. The balms and waxes found on our list above are made of more beneficial ingredients that even contain vitamins for your dog’s paws.
Conclusion
As dog owners, it’s our responsibility to make sure that their health is in good condition. This means that we have to help them prevent having any sort of paw conditions or infections.
In fact, I would say that a dog paw wax is as important as a dog shampoo or even dog nail clippers for that matter. It’s totally essential to the needs of your dog. You’ll need them if you want to ensure your dog’s paw health.
7 Replies to “Best Dog Paw Balms. Buying Guide and FAQ”
Which product works best to repair dogs cracked/callous dry pads caused by being burnt by not sidewalks (in florida) ? Thanks
Users with the same problem as yours report that Paw Nectar and PET HEAD Oatmeal Paw Butter work great for Florida heat.
Also, you may want to try Fur Goodness Sake Dog Paw Balm.
I have a male shichon 2 years old, He licked excessively on his paws and by his privates. His veteran thinks he is allergic to grass, even licks when he is in the snow, all year long, I even tryed different foods, plus benadryl (help alittle when on it with the benadryl ) and even tryed Natural Care hot spot itch relief spray with tree oil , aloe Vera and Chamomile he freaks out when i put it on him. WHat can i do to help him,
I’m not sure if balms will help against the allergy. You may give it a try though as balms usually help with itchy paws as well (4Legger for example).
What do you think of the brand “ kin+kind” Nose and Paw? It has aloe in it that concerns me. But the application is smooth and easy. Please advise if aloe in any paw pad Product is okay thank you!
Hi Mari,
Green/clear gel inside the aloe is healthy and excellent for soothing the skin and paws. It’s white liquid around the edges that is toxic if consumed and can cause diarrhea and vomiting. It’s unlikely that the balm you mentioned includes this white stuff along with the green one, and even if some small amount is present and your pet is fond of licking his paws or nose, the amount wouldn’t be enough to cause any problems. Anyway, it’s always better to double-check it with the manufacturer.
I am enjoying these dog loving comments. I have two goldens I love w/ more than my heart and when I have questions, as an adjunct to my vet, I will be query you lovely dog lovers!!!