Homemade paw balm for dogs: a safe two-ingredient recipe

Key points

• Paw pads dry out from hot pavement, cold, road salt, beach sand and rough surfaces.
• Two ingredients are enough: one part beeswax to three parts olive or coconut oil, by weight.
• No essential oils, tea tree, cocoa butter or zinc oxide ointments: dogs lick their paws and swallow it.
• Apply a thin layer to clean, dry paws, and distract your dog for about ten minutes so it soaks in.
• Bleeding cracks, limping, very thickened pads or constant paw licking are reasons to see the vet.

A homemade paw balm for dogs is one of the few grooming products that's genuinely worth making at home: with beeswax and olive or coconut oil you'll have, in ten minutes, an ointment that protects and softens dry or cracked paw pads. And since your dog is going to lick their paws no matter what, the key is that everything in it is safe if swallowed.

That's why this recipe has no essential oils, no tea tree and no zinc oxide creams, which show up in many recipes online and shouldn't go anywhere near a dog's mouth. Below you'll find the exact ratios, how to apply it so it doesn't get licked off in two minutes, and which cracks or pad changes a balm can't fix and need a vet.

Why paw pads crack

Paw pads are the thickest skin on a dog's body, with a layer of fat underneath that cushions every step. Even so, they dry out and crack for several reasons:

• Hot pavement: on an 86 °F (30 °C) day, asphalt in the sun can go above 131 °F (55 °C). Besides drying the pads out, it can burn them.
• Cold, snow and salt: the de-icing salt spread on roads and sidewalks in winter is very drying and irritating.
• The beach: hot sand and salt water, especially if the paws aren't rinsed afterwards.
• Rough surfaces: concrete, gravel, mountain trails or lots of running on a track.
• Central heating, frequent baths and age: older dogs tend to have drier, harder pads.

A balm helps keep pads supple and acts as a thin barrier, but it doesn't toughen the skin, and it's no substitute for dog boots when the ground is really harsh.

What goes in the balm and why it's safe if they lick it

Beeswax: forms a film that protects the skin and holds in moisture. Buy pure cosmetic-grade beeswax pellets, with no fragrance or dyes. In the small amount a dog licks off their paws, it does no harm.

Extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil: both soften the skin and absorb well. You already have olive oil in the kitchen, and it makes a softer balm. Coconut oil is solid below about 75 °F (24 °C) and makes a firmer balm. Both are safe in small amounts; in large amounts they can cause diarrhea. We explain this on the olive oil and coconut oil pages.

Texture	Ratio by weight	For a 60 g (2 oz) jar
Soft, easy to spread (winter)	1 part wax : 3 parts oil	15 g wax + 45 g oil
Firm, holds up better in heat (summer)	1 part wax : 2 parts oil	20 g wax + 40 g oil

What it should never contain

• Essential oils (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella): they irritate the skin, some are toxic to dogs, and here they go straight into the mouth.
• Baby ointments or diaper rash creams with zinc oxide: if licked, they can cause vomiting.
• Cocoa butter: it contains theobromine, the toxic substance in chocolate. There's not much of it, but there's no need for it at all.
• Human creams with fragrance, steroids or numbing agents: only if your vet prescribes them.
• Alcohol, vinegar or lemon: they sting terribly in a crack.

How and when to apply it

• After a walk: wash the paws with lukewarm water, dry them well, including between the toes, and apply the balm.
• Before snow, the beach or rough ground: a thin layer acts as a barrier. Rinse and dry the paws when you get back.
• At night: the best time, because it has hours to soak in while your dog sleeps.

Use very little: a pea-sized amount per paw for a medium-sized dog. Massage it in for about 30 seconds and distract your dog for ten minutes with a game or a lick mat. For maintenance, two or three times a week; if the pads are very dry, daily until they improve.

Two practical warnings: don't apply it right before your dog walks on hardwood or tile floors, because it makes them slip; and don't put it on open wounds. It also works on a slightly dry nose, but if the nose changes color, cracks or forms crusts, have your vet look at it.

When a balm isn't enough

Book a vet appointment if you notice:

• Deep cracks that bleed, cuts or a pad that's lifting off.
• Limping, heat, swelling or pus between the toes.
• Nonstop licking or chewing of the paws, red skin between the toes, or fur stained reddish-brown by saliva: this is usually an allergy or a yeast infection.
• Very thickened, hard pads, or pads with small horn-like growths (hyperkeratosis). It can be down to age or breed, but it's also a sign of several diseases, including leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that is very common in Spain and the rest of southern Europe (rare in the US and UK unless your dog has lived in or traveled to those areas).
• A lump oozing between the toes after a walk through dry grass: it may be a lodged grass awn (a foxtail, as they're called in the US).

It's an emergency if your dog has been burned by hot pavement or sand: pads that blister, are bright red or are peeling off. Cool the paws with cool water for about ten minutes and take your dog to the vet the same day.

More paw care ideas in our homemade dog deodorant and in homemade grooming and care.

What you need

• 15 g (0.5 oz) pure beeswax pellets (about 2 tablespoons), unscented
• 45 g (1.6 oz) extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil (about 3½ tablespoons)
• A saucepan and a heatproof bowl for a double boiler
• A spoon or small whisk for stirring
• Two clean, dry 30 ml (1 oz) tins or small jars with lids
• A label and a marker

Step by step

1. Weigh the ingredients

   For a soft balm, 15 g (0.5 oz) of wax and 45 g (1.6 oz) of oil. If you want it firmer or you live somewhere hot, 20 g (0.7 oz) of wax and 40 g (1.4 oz) of oil.

2. Melt in a double boiler

   Set the bowl over a saucepan of water on low heat, without letting it boil hard or splash water inside. Stir for 5-8 minutes until no wax pellets are left. Don't heat it directly over the flame: the wax scorches and smokes.

3. Test the texture

   Dip the tip of a cold teaspoon in the mixture and leave it in the fridge for a minute. If it sets too hard, add a little oil; if it's soft and greasy, a few more wax pellets.

4. Pour and let it cool

   Pour into the jars and leave them at room temperature for 1-2 hours without moving them. Put the lids on once they're cold so no condensation forms.

5. Label and store

   Write down the date. Stored in a cool, dark place it lasts about six months; if it smells rancid, throw it out. If you used coconut oil, keep it in the fridge in summer.

6. Apply it

   On clean, dry paws, spread a thin layer, massage for 30 seconds and distract your dog for about ten minutes. If they lick a little, that's fine.

Frequently asked questions

What can I put on my dog's dry paw pads?

A balm made of beeswax and olive or coconut oil, with no fragrance or essential oils, applied in a thin layer to clean, dry paws. It's safe if your dog licks it and helps keep the skin supple. If the pads bleed, are very thickened or your dog is limping, a balm isn't enough and your vet should take a look.

Is it bad if my dog licks paw balm off their paws?

No, as long as it's a beeswax and olive or coconut oil balm: the small amount they lick won't hurt them. If they eat a whole jar, they may vomit or get diarrhea; keep an eye on them and call your vet if it doesn't pass or they seem lethargic. Be especially careful if they've had pancreatitis, because a lot of fat can upset them.

Can I use Vaseline on my dog's paws?

Petroleum jelly isn't toxic in small amounts, but it isn't the best option. It doesn't absorb, it makes paws slippery and, if licked in quantity, it has a laxative effect. A homemade beeswax and oil balm protects just as well, absorbs better and is safer if swallowed. Also avoid creams with fragrance or zinc oxide.

How do I know if the pavement is too hot for my dog's paws?

Press the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds: if you can't hold it there, it's too hot for their paws. In summer, on an 86 °F (30 °C) day, asphalt in the sun can go above 131 °F (55 °C). Walk early in the morning and late in the evening, look for dirt or grass in the shade, and check their pads when you get home.