Soothe Your Pup’s Paws: 12 Easy and Natural DIY Paw Balm Recipes

a small tin of diy paw balm for dogs sitting on a snowy surface

Last Updated on November 26, 2024 by Dr. Wendy Wilkins, DVM, PhD

Our furry friends deserve the best care, especially when it comes to protecting their precious paws. Whether it’s hot summer pavement or icy winter sidewalks, a dog’s paw pads are exposed to a variety of harsh elements that can cause discomfort and damage.

That’s where DIY paw balms come to the rescue! With simple, natural ingredients, you can whip up a soothing, protective balm right at home. Not only are these recipes easy to make, but they’re also free of harmful chemicals, ensuring your pup stays happy and healthy.

Check out these 12 essential DIY paw balm recipes that will keep those paws in tip-top shape! (Tip: You can click on the “source” link to find the complete instructions for making each paw balm recipe.)

a jar of diy paw balm for dogs on a wood table surrounding by raw ingredients

How to Make Your Own Paw Balm for Winter

Source: American Kennel Club (AKC)

  • 2 oz. (approx. 2 tbsp.) olive, sunflower, or sweet almond oil
  • 2 oz. (approx. 2 tbsp.) coconut oil
  • 1 oz. (approx. 1 tbsp.) shea butter
  • 4 tsp. beeswax

These ingredients are melted together over low heat, stirred until well blended, and then carefully poured into containers like lip balm tubes or tins. Once cooled and hardened, the balm is ready for use to help soften and protect your dog’s paw pads or nose.

Martha’s Pet Paw Balm

Source: Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup shea butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/8 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup beeswax pellets

This DIY paw balm combines the moisturizing properties of shea butter and coconut oil with the protective qualities of beeswax. It’s designed to soothe and heal your pet’s paws, especially during harsh weather conditions.

The addition of olive oil enhances the balm’s ability to penetrate deeply, providing lasting hydration. Easy to make and free from harmful chemicals, this balm ensures your furry friend’s paws remain soft and healthy.

miniature schnauzer dog looking at a jar filled with diy paw balm for dogs

TLC DIY Paw Balm Recipe

Source: TLC Pet Food

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup natural beeswax
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons shea butter
  • 10 drops vitamin E

This homemade paw balm combines natural beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, and vitamin E to create a soothing and protective treatment for your dog’s paws. It’s designed to shield against harsh weather conditions and rough surfaces, keeping your pet’s paws healthy and comfortable.

The blend of oils and butters provides deep moisturization, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in hydration. Easy to make at home, this balm is a cost-effective way to care for your furry friend’s feet.

SPCA’s DIY Paw Balm for Pets

Source: Ontario SPCA

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz olive oil
  • 2 oz coconut oil
  • 1 oz shea butter
  • 4 teaspoons beeswax

This DIY paw balm combines olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax to create a soothing and protective treatment for your pet’s paws. It’s designed to shield against harsh elements like salt and ice, which can cause irritation during winter walks.

The blend of oils and shea butter provides deep moisturization, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in hydration. Easy to make at home, this balm is a cost-effective way to care for your furry friend’s feet.

tin of diy paw balm for dogs on a marble countertop, leash and collar in background

Garden Therapy’s DIY Dog Paw Balm

Source: Garden Therapy

Ingredients:

This nourishing paw balm brings the healing power of calendula-infused olive oil together with the moisturizing properties of coconut oil and shea butter. Beeswax adds a protective barrier to shield paws from harsh elements, while vitamin E oil enhances skin health.

Perfect for soothing cracked or irritated paws, this balm is easy to make and provides your furry friend with the ultimate paw protection and care!

Homemade Paw Balm by Epoch

Source: Epoch Pets

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon shea butter
  • 4 teaspoons beeswax

This DIY paw balm combines olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax to create a soothing and protective treatment for your dog’s paws. It’s designed to shield against harsh elements and rough terrains, keeping your pet’s paws moisturized and healthy.

The blend of oils and shea butter provides deep hydration, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in moisture. Easy to make at home, this balm is a cost-effective way to care for your furry 

yellow lab looking at a tin full of diy paw balm for dogs, calendula flowers scattered beside

DIY Paw Wax to Protect Your Dog’s Paws

Source: My Brown Newfies

Ingredients:

  • 4 teaspoons beeswax pellets
  • 2 tablespoons organic shea butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

This homemade paw wax combines beeswax, shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil to create a protective and moisturizing barrier for your dog’s paws. It’s designed to shield against harsh elements like snow, ice, and rough terrains, keeping your pet’s paws healthy and comfortable.

The blend of natural ingredients provides deep hydration, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in moisture. Easy to make at home, this paw wax is a cost-effective way to care for your furry friend’s feet.

DIY Whipped Dog Paw Balm and Body Butter

Source: Dalmatian DIY

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup shea butter
  • 1/4 cup mango butter
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons sweet almond or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot flour (optional)

This homemade whipped balm combines the moisturizing properties of shea and mango butters with the nourishing benefits of coconut and sweet almond (or olive) oils. The optional arrowroot flour helps reduce greasiness, resulting in a light, fluffy texture that’s easy to apply and quickly absorbed.

Ideal for soothing and hydrating your dog’s paws and skin, this natural blend helps protect against environmental elements, keeping your pet’s skin soft and healthy.

blonde poodle laying onf floor with a jar of whipped paw balm in front of it, winter boots in background

Handcrafted DIY Paw & Nose Balm

Source: Happy & Handcrafted

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup shea butter
  • 1/4 cup beeswax

This homemade balm combines olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax to create a soothing and protective treatment for your dog’s paws and nose. It’s designed to moisturize and shield against harsh elements, keeping your pet’s skin soft and healthy. The blend of natural ingredients provides deep hydration, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in moisture.

Easy to make at home, this balm is a cost-effective way to care for your furry friend’s sensitive areas.

Wildwood’s Homemade Paw Balm for Cats and Dogs

Source: Through the Wildwood

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (200g) blend of coconut and olive oil (equal parts)
  • ¼ cup (50g) beeswax
  • 1 handful of dried calendula flowers

This DIY paw balm combines the healing properties of calendula-infused oils with the protective benefits of beeswax. The blend of coconut and olive oils provides deep moisturization, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in hydration and repel water, ensuring the balm stays on active paws longer.

Ideal for soothing chapped or raw paws, this natural salve is easy to apply and can be stored for several months.

a hand holding a jar of diy paw balm for dogs while other hands hold a dog's paw, ready to apply the balm

FS Protective Paw Wax

Source: Frugally Sustainable

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. (approximately 2 tablespoons) olive, sunflower, or sweet almond oil
  • 2 oz. (approximately 2 tablespoons) coconut oil
  • 1 oz. (approximately 1 tablespoon) shea butter
  • 4 teaspoons beeswax

This all-natural paw wax combines nourishing oils with shea butter and beeswax to create a protective barrier for your pet’s paws. It’s designed to shield against harsh elements like hot pavement, snow, ice, and rugged terrains, keeping your dog or cat’s paws moisturized and healthy.

The blend of ingredients provides deep hydration, while beeswax forms a barrier to lock in moisture. Easy to make at home, this paw wax is a cost-effective way to care for your furry friend’s feet.

DIY Paw Balm for Dogs by Honest Kitchen

Source: The Honest Kitchen

Ingredients:

  • 6 teaspoons beeswax
  • 3 tablespoons shea butter
  • 3 tablespoons coconut or olive oil
  • Optional: a few drops of lavender essential oil
  • Optional: Vitamin E oil

This homemade paw balm combines beeswax, shea butter, and your choice of coconut or olive oil to create a soothing and protective treatment for your dog’s paws. The beeswax provides a solid base that helps lock in moisture, while shea butter and the lavender oil offer deep hydration and nourishment.

diy paw balm for dogs  in a small tine, marble countertop, leash and collar in background

Conclusion

Your dog’s paws are their gateway to exploring the world, and taking care of them is a small act of love that goes a long way. With these 12 DIY paw balm recipes, you have a treasure trove of options to suit your pet’s unique needs, whether it’s soothing cracked pads, shielding against the elements, or just giving them a little extra pampering.

Making these balms at home not only saves money but also ensures you’re using safe, natural ingredients.

So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and create a balm that keeps your pup’s paws as happy as their wagging tail! 🐾

Author

  • Dr. Wendy Wilkins DVM PhD.

    Dr. Wendy Wilkins is an experienced veterinarian and epidemiologist with over 20 years of expertise. She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a Doctorate in Epidemiology from the University of Saskatchewan. Throughout her career, Dr. Wilkins has excelled in clinical practice, academia, research, and regulatory veterinary medicine. She is a respected voice in knowledge dissemination, delivering factual information in a readable and understandable manner through articles, books, and public engagements.

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