Dog Paw Balm: What You Need to Know

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that the pads on a dog’s paws can become very dry and cracked over time. This is just normal wear and tear in addition to walking, running, or even hiking on harsh environments such as on pavement or hot roads.

Taking care of your dog's paws is an important part of the overall care that you should be providing to your dog on a regular basis. In addition to dry paws, your dog's skin can also be dry and irritated.

There are steps you can take to help your dog deal with these conditions, such as talking to your dog's vet and getting the appropriate creams, balms, or paw moisturizers. 

What Causes My Dog to Have Dry Paws?

There are several reasons why your dog's paws could be becoming dry and cracked. Most of these reasons involve the weather, but there are other things that can happen to cause your dog to have dry paws, such as allergies. Knowing what is causing your dog to have dry paws and/or dry skin will help you to better determine what should be done to fix this issue.

Walking on Hot Pavement

Walking your dog every day is a wonderful way to get exercise and bond with your dog, however, you need to be mindful of the temperatures outside before hitting the pavement to go for a walk with your pooch.

If you personally cannot put the palm of your hand down on the pavement and hold it there, you can be sure that the pavement is far too hot for your dog's paws. 

The hot weather can severely dry out the pads of your dog’s paws as well as cause them pain. This is where remedies such as DIY dog paw balm would come in handy to help protect and heal your dog’s paw pads. Be sure to also keep your dog cool and hydrated on hot summer days.

Allergies

Your dog can be suffering from environmental allergies that affect their skin and paws. Your dog doesn’t wear shoes when walking around outside, therefore they are being directly exposed to environmental allergens. 

These allergies can also manifest as dry, irritated skin. You will notice your dog biting or scratching at their paws or skin they may be suffering from some sort of allergy, either environmental or diet-related. You may notice a reduction in your need for dog dry skin treatment if you can discover what is triggering these allergic reactions. 

Cold Weather

Cold weather can be just as harmful as hot weather is for your dog’s paws and skin. If you notice that your skin is becoming dry and cracked as the weather gets colder in the wintertime, it's safe to assume that your dog’s skin and paws are feeling the same way. You may want to begin to incorporate a dog lotion into your dog care routine to help alleviate any symptoms of dry skin that your dog could be facing in the wintertime. 

What are Natural Ways I Can Prevent/Treat Dry Dog Paws?

The first step to helping your dog with their dry paws and skin is prevention. As a dog owner, it's important for you to understand what can cause your dog to have dry, cracked paws and/or dry, irritated skin so that you know how to prevent and treat it. 

Hydration

Making sure that your dog drinks enough water to stay hydrated is important in helping to prevent dry skin and paw pads. This is especially important in the hotter months of the year when dehydration occurs so much faster. Keeping fresh water down for your dog in your home is important, just as it is to have water available when out walking or exercising with your dog in nature.

Check out this easy to make refreshing watermelon recipe for your pup!

Dog Paw Balm

There are some specially made brands of paw balm that are made specifically for dogs. These balms are non-toxic and made to help treat and prevent dry, cracked paw pads in dogs.

It's not advised to use balms that are made for humans on your dog's paws, as they could be toxic and cause them to become sick. We recommend our all-natural, made in the US organic paw balm. It absorbs quickly and works just as fast, giving your dog softer paws in no time!

Omega 3

Omega fatty acids are an important nutrient to incorporate in your dog’s diet as well as your own when focusing on combating dry skin problems.

These omegas, most commonly found in fish, help to decrease inflammation and hold hydration in skin and hair. Or in the case of your dog, their fur as well as their skin. There are many ways you can add omega 3 to your dog's diet. One way is to use a specially made salmon oil formula that you can directly add to your dog's food like our Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil Formula.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil can be used to soothe cracked and dry paws in dogs. This is because coconut oil has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

Conclusion

The last thing you want is for your dog to be suffering from dry, cracked paws or dry, irritated skin. As a dog owner, it's your responsibility to know and understand the causes of dry and cracked paw pads and skin in your dog.

Such as different weather conditions or environmental allergens that your dog may be facing outside. Now that you know what the causes are for your dog’s dry and cracked paws you will better know how to treat and prevent this from happening. 

What can I put on my dog for dry skin?

There are a lot of natural options to help relieve your dog of their dry and itchy skin. Oatmeal and coconut oil are two great options that are 100% natural and have been proven to be effective time and time again over the decades.

How to moisturize dog paws?

Coconut oil or balms that are created specifically for your dog’s paws can be used to help treat or prevent dry, cracked, and irritated skin on the pads of their paws. A vet can also recommend different treatments for dry paws if you are unsure of which route to take with your dog.

Can you put Vaseline on a dog?

Vaseline is said to be nontoxic for your dogs, but it is not a recommended course of treatment for your dog’s dry skin or paw pads. They may be tempted to lick it off and there isn’t much evidence to support the use of Vaseline and its effectiveness on dogs.