Shea butter, beeswax,  coconut oil, olive oil and Vitamin E are all you need to make a healing and protective homemade paw wax for your dog’s paws!

Winter is a fun time for many dogs but the harsh weather that comes with it can be tough on your dog’s paws, nose and skin.

Not only are dogs prone to getting dry and cracked paws but their nose also is prone to get chapped which leads to a nose covered in cracks. 

Since my dogs spend a lot of time out in the winter and have had their fair share of dry paws and cracked noses, I always keep dog-safe paw balm on hand and use it a lot in the winter.

However, having 3 dogs, 2 of which have huge paws and big noses, making my own homemade paw balm has allowed me to save some money and create a recipe that uses all-natural products and keeps my pup’s paws and nose healthy and crack-free through the entire cold winter.

If you’re looking to ditch the store-bought paw balm and make your dog’s own dog paw moisturizer, this  DIY homemade paw balm recipe has been my go-to for several years now and what’s even better is that this paw wax works great on human hands too!

 

How DIY Dog Paw Balm Can Help Your Dog’s Paws 

Homemade DIY dog paw balm can help heal and soothe wounds on a dog’s paws and it can also help to reduce inflammation that the paws might have due to harsh winter conditions.

This DIY dog paw wax recipe not only contains shea butter but also Vitamin E oil which makes it great for dog paws and dog noses.

It will help to hydrate the pads of your dog’s paws and if you use it before your dog goes out in the snow, it will help keep snow and ice balls from forming on the bottom of their paws.

Unlike commercial dog balm products, when you make your own paw wax you can skip all the unnecessary ingredients. 

You can put this on your dog’s paw pads, your dog’s nose and their dry skin. 

Supplies Needed For DIY Paw Wax For Dogs

What’s nice about this paw balm recipe is that you don’t need a lot of ingredients and most of them you probably already have at home!

I used to make this recipe using lavender oil but over the years I’ve decided to keep that out of the recipe due to conflicting information about using essential oils with dogs.

Lavender oil is considered to be a calming oil and also soothes inflammation, but you don’t want a dog to ingest it.

That means if you want this homemade paw balm recipe to be safe and lickable, keep the lavender oil out of it.

And………..you should always speak to your vet if you have any questions about the ingredients that you’re using in this dog paw balm recipe.

• Organic shea butter
• Vitamin E oil
• Beeswax 
• Olive oil. Pure. Organic. Extra Virgin
• Coconut Oil
• Storage container
• Double broiler
• Measuring spoons

 

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 Recipe For Natural Homemade Paw Balm and Nose Balm

I just made another batch of this paw balm on 10/12/2022 in preparation for winter (we’re supposed to get snow next week in Ohio!) so everything included in this recipe is up to date and exactly what I used!

• 4 tsp. of beeswax pellets
• 2 TBSP of organic shea butter
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 TBSP coconut oil
• 1 tsp of Vitamin E oil

Beeswax

Beeswax is great for healing dry, chapped skin and it acts as the barrier in paw balm.

I would recommend getting beeswax pellets because they are much easier to melt and work with than a big block of wax that you have to shave by hand.

Organic Shea Butter

Shea butter is an excellent way to smooth, hydrate and soften the skin.

Over the years I’ve made this DIY paw and nose balm with 1 TBSP and 2 TBSP of shea butter and for me, I like the way it comes out using the 2TBSP. 

I feel like it’s easier to apply to my dogs because it’s a little softer so if you want it more like chapstick, use 1TBSP of shea butter in the recipe.

Olive Oil

Olive oil hydrates and is great for skin and coat health.

If you don’t want to use olive oil you can also substitute it for sweet almond oil or sunflower oil.

I’ve only made it with extra virgin olive oil. 

Coconut Oil

Another great way to keep skin soft and hydrated and it has antibacterial properties.

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E Oil has anti-inflammatory benefits and it can be great at reducing inflammation this is why it’s great to use on a dry, cracked nose!

If you don’t have vitamin E oil, you can still make this homemade paw balm recipe!

Lickable Dog Paw Balm Recipe

If you want to keep this homemade paw balm recipe lickable, all you have to do is omit the lavender oil!

Quick Step-by-Step Instructions 

It doesn’t take long to make this DIY paw balm, in fact, you’ll be done in less than 10 minutes!

1. Fill a small pot or pan about 1/3 – 1/2 with water.
2. Heat on low heat until the water gets warm
3. Place a small glass mixing bowl or measuring cup in the water creating a double boiler. (if you don’t have those you can also use a glass Mason jar)
4. 
5. Add beeswax inside the glass measuring cup stirring often for about 5 minutes 
6. When the beeswax is melted slowly add in shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil.
7. Mix until well blended. 
8. Remove from heat and add vitamin E oil. (be careful removing it as the glass will be hot)
9. 
10. Mix well. 
11. Pour the mixture into storage containers 
12. Allow mixture to cool (Usually about 1-2 hours) 
13. Cover with cap and label as needed

If you opt to use lavender oil, add that in last!

You can also add all the ingredients in at once and heat on low heat until everything is combined. 

If you opt to melt the beeswax first and then add the other ingredients, the wax might clump and you’ll have to heat it all together again.

Microwave Directions:

If you don’t want to use the double broiler method you can try making this paw balm recipe in the microwave. 

You’ll want to melt the beeswax first in small intervals.

When the beeswax is melted, combine the other ingredients until well combined. 

When the ingredients are all mixed well, pour them into the storage containers and allow them to cool before using on your pup’s paws. 

When you’re finished making the balm, make sure to wash all your dishes well!

Storing DIY Paw Balm

You can use any type of container that you would like such as a mason jar, one-ounce metal container, small metal gift card boxes or plastic deodorant containers.

I’ve used quite a few containers over the years but my favorite is the clear plastic deodorant container because it’s a lot easier to apply the paw balm to big paws.

The above recipe fills 1 plastic tube so if you using this paw wax recipe for gifts, adjust the recipe accordingly.

Store in a cool, dry place for up to 1-2 years.

(If it’s taking a long time for your paw wax to set, you can place it in the fridge or freezer to harden it up faster)

How To Use Homemade Paw Balm On Your Dog 

Using Paw Wax In The Winter

Paw wax for dogs is mostly used to help prevent snowballs from forming on the underneath of a dog’s paws in the winter but it can help to prevent accidental slips on the ice. 

If you’re going to apply the balm to your dog’s paw inside the house I would recommend that you do so by a door with a rug so that they aren’t slipping and sliding all over the floor. 

Using DIY Paw and Nose Balm In The Summer

When people think of using paw balm they usually think of only using in cold weather but you can also use it on your pet’s paws to protect them from hot surfaces during the summer. 

The same way dog paw balm prevents damage from extreme cold and dangerous chemicals like de-icing products, it also protects those sensitive paws from extreme heat conditions. 

Paw balm acts as a barrier between the bottom of a dog’s paws and the surface it’s making contact with. 

Using Paw Balm On The Nose

The nice thing about paw balm is that you can use it as nose balm too!

A dog’s nose often becomes dry and cracked in the winter due to exposure to harsh elements outside and dry air inside. 

If your dog’s nose is very cracked and dry and you suspect it’s due to something else, always talk to your veterinarian.

How Often Should I Put Paw Salve On My Dog’s Paws?

You don’t want to use paw balm or paw wax too often on your dog’s paws because you don’t want to make them overly soft. 

Soft paws can cause a dog to lose traction and slip and slide on floors or ice. 

Our vet recommends using paw balm about once a day and no more than twice. 

Speak to your vet if you have any questions about how often to use it on your furry friend.

Other Ways To Protect Your Dog’s Paws In The Winter

While DIY paw balm is great, it’s definitely not the only answer to protecting dog paws in the winter.

Dog Boots

Even the best paw balm isn’t going to protect like a good pair of dog booties.

Dog Boots are an excellent way to protect your dog’s paws from snow and ice and they help to protect dog paws on rough terrain or rough surfaces.

They may feel a little funny to your dog at first, but most will get used to them in no time. 

For bigger dogs like the Newfie, I use MuttLuks dog boots. 

Paw Maintenance

Keeping the hair on your dogs trimmed will help snowballs from forming on their paws and trimming their nails will help them have a better grip on slippery surfaces.

Always make sure that you are carefully trimming the hair underneath the paws too. 

And keep in mind that paw balm is just one step in caring for your dog’s paws in the winter. 

Paw wax is great for the pads but you should also pay attention to the skin between the pads. 

This area has a tendency to get red and irritated in the winter and it can be painful. 

In addition to paw balm, I use Douxo Wipes to clean, hydrate and combat yeast. 

Store Bought Paw Balm

If you don’t have time to make homemade paw balm or you don’t have the ingredients to make it on hand right now, there are plenty of good paw waxes available at your local pet store!

Shea Butter

If you’re looking for an easier way to moisturize your dog’s paws, instead of paw balm, you can use just plain shea butter. 

Shea butter also protects and moistures your dog’s paws and skin, just don’t use it too often!

 

DIY Paw Wax

Yield: 1 (2oz) container

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Save money and make your own all-natural paw balm using only 5 ingredients

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Ingredients

• 4 tsp. of beeswax
• 2 TBSP of shea butter
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 TBSP coconut oil
• 1 tsp of Vitamin E oil

Instructions

1. Fill a small pot or pan about 1/3 – 1/2 with water.
2. Heat on medium heat until the water gets warm
3. Place a small glass mixing bowl or measuring cup in the water creating a double boiler.
4. Add beeswax inside the glass measuring cup stirring often for about 5 minutes 
5. When the beeswax is melted slowly add in shea butter, olive oil, and coconut oil.
6. Mix until well blended. 
7. Remove from heat and add vitamin E oil. (be careful removing as the glass will be hot)
8. Mix well. 
9. Pour the mixture into storage containers 
10. Allow mixture to cool (Usually about 1-2 hours) 
11. Cover with cap and label as needed

Notes

We recommend using beeswax pellets in place of blocks of beeswax

Store paw wax in a cool dry place and it should keep for about 1-2 years

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Beeswax Pellets
• 
  Shea Butter
• 
  Vitamin E Oil

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