Natural Dog Paw Balm: Easy to Make

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Your favorite furry friends accompany you on many of the steps you make in life. If it is time to give their paws a little TLC, give this dog paw balm recipe a try. Ease their discomfort by using this dog paw balm containing beeswax.  It is easy to make and Rover will surely appreciate for the effort.

Can of homemade dog paw balm and brown dog foot image.

In the same way beeswax protects our skin from the snow and cold, it can help the pads of your dog’s feet. Cracks in the pad can be very uncomfortable, this recipe for dog paw balm helps promote healing.

Benefits of DIY Dog Paw Balm

While our furry friends are better suited for walking barefoot outdoors, they too can suffer from dry, cracked skin. Walking in the ice, snow and salt on sidewalks and roadways is not kind to your pup’s paws.

We can’t protect them from everything, sometimes need to go outside regardless of the weather. But, we can help prepare them for those cold snow days with a natural moisturizer.

If your pets are like mine, you can expect them to be licking anything you put within reach. That’s why I like homemade dog paw balm – I know exactly what it contains.

Labels ingredients needed to make DIY dog paw balm recipe.

Materials

  • beeswax
  • oils
  • shea butter (optional)

Beeswax

Made by honey bees, this wax is used to construct the interior parts of their hive (honeycomb). Humans also enjoy using beeswax. In fact, it is used in many lotions, potions and salves-and for darn good reasons.

Beeswax is a humectant that helps lock in existing moisture. It has a relatively low melting point and combines well wit other natural oils and waxes. If we can make beeswax lotion for ourselves – surely our furry friends deserve some soothing too.

When choosing beeswax for your dog paw balm recipe, you don’t have to be too choosy. It should be clean and free of dirt, etc – but the color of beeswax does not really matter. Dark wax works well and is and often less expensive than bright yellow.

Oils & Butters

Of course, we can’t make a spreadable dog paw balm with only wax – it is too stiff. We need to use a portion of oils or butters that can change the consistency of the final product.

You can use regular olive oil or even coconut oil. However, many people like to use a combination of Sweet Almond Oil and coconut oil with a bit of shea butter if you have it. These ingredients are a perfect hydration trio for dry skin – human or pup.

Some recipes for homemade dog paw balm use cocoa butter. But, I do not prefer it as it smells too enticing. I fear that it may promote licking.

Making It

Step by step instructions for making homemade paw balm with beeswax.

1. Begin by melting your beeswax safely. Slow and steady. The safest way to melt beeswax is with a double boiler. It is a forgiving craft material but will ignite if dangerously overheated.

2. Once the wax is liquid – add the other ingredients to the same pot and let all melt together.

3. Pour the mixture into a storage container that has a lid. Any heat safe container will work – but be sure you can get your fingers in to remove the dog paw balm when you are ready to use it.

4. Be sure to put a label on the container. I can’t tell you how many little containers of “beeswax” something I have sitting around.

Harley dog smelling beeswax dog paw balm on his foot pads image.

Storage

After making your dog paw balm, store it in a container with a lid. No special storage methods are required but keep the container away from heat or it will liquify. This paw balm will last for months (or more) without spoiling. 

Using Paw Balm on Your Dog’s Feet

To use- apply a small amount to the pads of Rover’s feet and rub it in well. You can wipe away any excess to prevent tracking.

Only a small amount is needed to form a protective barrier between your dog’s feet and harsh weather. As always, test a small amount of the product on one paw at first to ensure your pup has no allergies.

Thanks to my nephew Harley for being my model. He thought the beeswax dog paw balm smelled pretty good but thankfully did not try to eat it.

Expert Tips

Feel free to substitute other healing oils in the recipe if you wish – sunflower oil, mango butter, etc. However, the basic inexpensive oils will work just fine for a lot less cost.

I prefer to avoid using scent in dog paw balm. It is best if the pup doesn’t realize anything is on their skin. Fragrances – even essential oils – may cause excessive licking or even be dangerous to your dog. Save those for your human lotions etc.

Special tip – its a good idea to keep some honey on hand. Dogs can eat honey in small amounts.

More Ideas for You

If you should feel yourself a bit jealous, consider making some beeswax balm for your feet– it is great for cracked heels. And, these lotion bars with beeswax are nice to have on hand during Winter too.

If you are in a rush and limited on ingredients and time – consider making this petroleum free jelly for use on pup’s feet or your dry skin. Just a light coat is all that is needed.

This homemade paw balm can be a great preventative treatment for all the furry members of your family.  And, you can enjoy the fact that you know exactly what is in the recipe.

**This recipe is for informational-entertainment purposes only. Any one (including dogs) can be allergic to anything. If you are concerned about this product, please consult your veterinarian before using.

Can of homemade dog paw balm and brown dog foot image.

DIY Dog Paw Balm Recipe

Charlotte Anderson @ Carolina Honeybees, LLC
Step by step directions for how to make your own homemade dog paw balm using beeswax and other natural ingredients.
5 from 3 votes

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Supplies
 

Instructions
 

  • Using a double boiler (I love this little insert for my wax making projects) melt your beeswax.
    Beeswax is flammable and using a double boiler with water in the bottom pot is the safest method of melting.
    Don’t rush things. Beeswax is solid and will take the longest time to melt so I like to start with it first.
    Beeswax for paw balm melting in pot image.
  • Once most of the beeswax is melted, add the other ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, sweet almond oil and allow all to melt.
    When all are liquid, stir to combine the ingredients well.
    Butters and oils melting for paw balm recipe image.
  • Remove from heat and pour ingredients in your storage containers. This recipe makes enough for a 5-6 oz jar. You can easily double it if you wish.
    You can use containers or any size – even small glass canning jars. But keep in mind that you will be dipping your fingers in the dog paw balm to apply it. A container with a large opening is best.
    Pouring melting ingredients into small container image.
  • Let the balm cool and harden and then add a cap and label. If the dog paw balm is for your dog, there is no need for a fancy label.
    However, do be sure to label the container in some way or you may forget what it is.
    Labeled tin of homemade dog paw balm image.
Learn more about bees and using products from the hive!Join me on Pinterest – @carolinahoneyb
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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