We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
Your cherished fur baby’s paws are pretty resilient. After all, they can withstand countless energetic sprints on rough terrain and brutal landings. However, dog paws are not indestructible and need protection from harsh elements. Paw wax provides a solution for this and more. Here’s what you need to know…
Paw Wax, Composition, and Types
Paw Wax is a specially formulated paw cream for dogs derived from a blend of waxes used to promote overall paw health. It creates a semi-permeable barrier over your pup’s skin and lubricates it with minerals and vitamins found in the blended wax. Paw wax may contain mineral jelly, bees wax, vitamin E, and lanolin. 100% Natural paw wax should be non-staining, non-toxic, and non-allergenic. DIY natural dog paw balm may include coconut oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter.
Mineral jelly serves as a natural emollient while bees wax forms a protective barrier against harsh environmental elements. It’s also ideal for hydration as it acts as a humectant which retains water molecules to your pup’s skin. Bees wax comprises Vitamin A which is beneficial for exfoliating an animal paw.
Vitamin E is perfect for pooch paws as it wards off bacteria. This is helpful when your pup has damaged, dry paws vulnerable to contaminants. Lanolin may help moisturize and condition dog paws that have become cracked and dry. Coconut oil acts as a moisturizer, hydrates paws, can soothe sunburned paws, and has antibacterial properties. Sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter are great moisturizers too.
There are several types of paw wax for varying needs. Show dogs require wax for that tacky feel that enables them to grip slippery, show floors better. This is imperative as precision is vital to maintain the ideal posture, walk, and agility during shows.
Mushing dogs use mushing paw wax as a protective measure against bleeding and cracking. This type of wax may also counter snowballing, where those bothersome pieces of snow get stuck between your furry friend’s paw pads. Some dogs may also require healing dog paw wax or paw balm.
Why You Should Use Paw Wax Now
Even if your dog isn’t best in show, there are still many instances in which paw wax could benefit your pup. First up, cold weather! The fatty tissue in a dog paw may take longer to freeze; however, extreme exposure may cause frost bite, cracks, and dry skin on dogs. Your dog may also develop paw abrasions in chilly weather.
Ice chunks or snow may promote blood circulation issues which may cause your pup’s paws to split when jumping. Chemicals and salts used in streets to melt ice may also cause paw burns. Luckily, you can prevent this by keeping paws warm and applying some soothing dog paw balm!
Summer has its own challenges for your Fido as paw sweat glands may not be enough for cooling off and scorching pavements may cause blisters. Your pup may also lose layers of paw pad due to this, which could increase paw sensitivity. Left to his own devices, your Fido would simply walk on heated surfaces like concrete, sand, or asphalt, and grow accustomed to the discomfort. The onus is on you to prevent paw ulceration by applying dog paw balm.
Over-walking and walking over uneven terrain could also lead to white paws and paw punctures. This is where healing paw wax is beneficial. Hard wood floors are aesthetically beautiful and effortless to clean, but these are often hard for dogs to navigate on, due to its smoothness.
Dog paw wax is useful here as it adds a tacky feel to paws, which gives your pooch a better grip. Paw cream for dogs is therefore crucial to prevent unnecessary injuries caused by sliding and falling on smooth flooring. Injuries here could include mild bruising, torn ligaments and muscles, damaged nerves, or hip displacement. Continuous falls may also cause arthritis.
Using Paw Wax and Making Your Own
Apply a sparse coat of lotion for dogs to your pup’s paw pads and between toes. This should dry in a few seconds and you may use as necessary.
If you prefer making your own natural products, try the following. You’ll need a digital food scale, a small saucepan, and approximately two dozen empty lip balm tubes. Other necessities include four tablespoons of beeswax, two tablespoons of sunflower, olive, or almond oil, one tablespoon of shea butter, and two tablespoons of coconut oil.
Using minimal heat, melt all your oils in your saucepan. Don’t forget to constantly stir the mixture until everything has dissolved. Place your blended mixture of natural goodness into your lip balm tubes and let it set for a bit. Lastly, add lids and label. Be sure to store at room temperature, protecting the wax from harsh heat. When stored correctly, this wax should be good for up to 2 years.
Top Notch Balm
Two of the top USDA organic certified paw lotion for dogs includes the Four Legger organic paw pad healing balm and the Pawstruck Ruff relief balm. The Four Legger balm serves as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that moisturizes and heals dry damaged paw skin. It can also be utilized for chapped, rough, and irritated skin and is unscented and hypoallergenic. Ingredients here include organic hemp oil, rosemary extract, St. John’s wart, vitamin E, beeswax, and all-natural calendula oil.
The Pawstruck Ruff relief variation comprises all-natural extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba wax, GMO-devoid vitamin E, all natural beeswax, and carnauba wax. This toxin-free lotion for dogs is ideal for flaky, dry dog paw skin. It also soothes itching and bleeding that occurs when your pup walks on scorching or freezing terrain.
Other esteemed products include Urban Releaf’s Paws and Pups healing silk, Musher’s secret paw wax, and Paw Nectar dog paw balm. Urban Releaf is petrochemical and alcohol free. It also contains no parabens or sterates. Ingredients here include tee tree oil, organic shea butter, and rosemary oil. This product essentially makes hardened paws supple. It’s also vegan.
The Musher’s variation has a great stain-free blend of yellow and white beeswax, candelilla wax, vitamin E, and carnauba. This type is ideal for mushing dogs, even though you may apply it when taking your dog for ordinary walks. It moisturizers dry paws, heals abrasions, and soothes burns caused by hot surfaces.
Paw Nectar dog paw lotion comprises a blend of lavender oil, soothing aloe, certified all-natural avocado oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, rosemary seed extract, and vitamin E. These are all fantastic moisturizers.
You may also use Four Paws paw guard, PawzMaxwax, or Paw Defense wax. Four Paws paw guard contains lanolin that helps protect your Fido’s paws from rough surfaces and cracks from salt and scorching surfaces. PawzMaxwax provides ultimate protection from chemical burns resulting from melting ice.
Paw Defense assists with protection against abrasive surfaces and contains vitamin E to help soothe your pup’s paws. Nutri-Vet pad guard wax also guards your fur baby’s paws against skin irritants and scratches. Irreparable damage can also occur when harmful microbes enter the smallest wound. This wax is vital here, as it binds wounds. Whatever the need, be sure to familiarize yourself with each type for best results.
