As a paw parent, you know how important it is to take care of your Fido’s paws. Paws are the first contact point between your dog 🐶 and the world. They can get exposed to various hazards such as rough surfaces, hot pavement, ice and more. These can cause dryness, cracking, irritation and injury to your dog’s paw pads, which can affect their comfort and mobility.
That is why many dog owners use dog paw balm. But what is dog paw balm? How does it work and what are the benefits of using it? Let us reveal the functioning of dog paw balm and its benefits to your furry companion.🐾
What is Dog Paw Balm?
Many pet owners protect their pet’s paws by covering them with socks or making them wear boots. These are some preventative measures that may benefit the dog 🐶 however, this does not serve as a permanent solution 💡. Therefore, owners may consider using paw balm to protect the paws.
It is a thick ointment that can be applied to dogs’ paw pads to moisturize, protect and heal them. Dog paw balm can help prevent and treat common paw problems such as hyperkeratosis, blisters, cuts, burns and infections. It can also provide a soothing effect for your dog and prevent them from licking or biting their paws.
How Dog Paw Balm Works?
Your dog’s paw pads are a layer of skin over fatty tissue. These pads, among other things, are your dog’s shock absorbers. And just like human feet, they can be sensitive to the temperatures 🌡️ and textures of surfaces.
Paw balm works by creating a protective layer on the paw pads. It protects against any dirt 🧹 and germs they inevitably come into contact with. Without paw balm, the dog’s paws are vulnerable to cuts, damage and even infection which can be very painful for your pets and costly if you have to take them to the vet.
Paw balm also serves as a barrier in extremely cold weather, which is crucial since snow can sometimes get into dog paw cracks and result in frostbite.[1] Paw balm, on the other hand, also functions as a protective covering in extremely hot weather to keep your dog cool and safe.
Benefits of Paw Balm
There are many benefits of using a dog paw balm uk which include:
- Moisturizing paw pads
- Protecting paws from chemicals, ice, concrete and other rough surfaces
- Treating blisters, cracks, cuts, burns and irritation on paws
- Alleviating discomfort for dog paw hyperkeratosis. It is a health condition in dogs that causes paw pads to thicken and crack
How Often Should You Apply Paw Balm?
How frequently you should apply paw balm truly depends on your own preference. If you observe that the cracking of your pet’s paws is not improving, you can always apply extra to help ease the dryness of their paws 🐾 and reduce some of their suffering. You can also use paw balm as a preventive measure to protect your dog 🐶 from infection.[2]
Pet experts advise applying it roughly 2-3 times a day depending on the cracking or damage to the paw. When it comes to reducing the dryness and cracking of your dog’s paws, the paw balm may not be as helpful since you are not giving it enough time to absorb or your dog is licking it off.
For this, you should apply the balm when the dog relaxes during sleep time. So, he would probably not try to lick his paws 🐾 or you can provide some chew toys to distract the dog while you apply the balm.
Tips and Advice for Dog Paw Care
Paw pads might burn from walking on hot ground. Avoid letting your dog 🐶 out during peak hours when it’s extremely hot outside. It is preferable to take those walks in the morning before the sun has had a chance to truly heat up the environment or in the evening. If the road is too hot for your bare foot, it will also be hot for your dog’s paws.
It’s also important to regularly clean your dog’s paws to remove any dirt, salt, chemical residue, etc. Here’s a quick guide on how to clean dog paws?
Similarly, when there are freezing temperatures 🌡️, sharp pieces of ice can cut into your dogs’ paws. The added irritation from frozen and salted walkways can cause great pain. Some sort of protective covering like dog shoes would be recommended for any extended outdoor time during chilly weather. One of the most crucial things is to keep the dog 🐶 safe from salt and ice melt on their pathways.
To prevent ice ball buildup, keep the fur on the underside of the paw short. If your dog develops ice balls, soak their feet in room temperature 🌡️ water to eliminate them before applying paw balm. When applying a topical treatment like dog paw balm make sure the product is dog-friendly and non-toxic if ingested. And, if you’re ever unsure, just ask your veterinarian. 👩⚕️
FAQs
Is dog paw balm necessary?
Dog paw balms provide protection against extreme temperatures. Paw balm can be used as a preventative measure, as well as a treatment in response to uncomfortably hot or cold weather. Cold weather can dry out your pup’s paws leading to cuts and cracks whereas hot weather can cause rashes and irritation on the paws.
Is paw balm good for dogs?
Paw balm can be soothing and it forms a protective layer on sore skin. However, if a large amount is eaten, it has the potential to cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Thus, you need to make sure that the dog does not lick off the balm in large quantities.
What is dog paw balm made of?
Paw balm is made up of organic and natural ingredients, like mango butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, candelilla wax, chamomile, cajeput, calendula, rosemary and natural vitamin E.
Can I put coconut oil on my dog’s paws?
If you find that your pup’s paws are dry or cracked, you can use coconut oil to help soothe and heal them. Make sure to rub the coconut oil thoroughly into your dog’s paws or your dog will lick off all of the oil!
What are the benefits of paw balm?
There are many benefits of using a paw balm. Apart from moisturizing the paw pads, it protects paws from chemicals, ice, concrete and other rough surfaces. It also treats blisters, cracks, cuts, burns and irritation on paws.
Overview
Dog paw balm is a must-have product to keep the pup’s paws healthy and happy. It can help moisturize, protect and heal your dog’s paw pads from various environmental factors and injuries. It can also improve your dog’s comfort and well-being by reducing pain and irritation.
There are many types of dog paw balms available on the market, with different ingredients and applications. You should choose the one that suits your dog’s needs and preferences and always check the label for safety and quality. You can apply dog paw balm as often as needed, depending on the condition of your dog’s paws and the weather. 🐶🐾
If you decide to use paw balm for your dog, be sure to follow our tips on how to apply dog paw balm correctly.
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