We will dive into why paw and nose balms are such an important thing to have in your animal medicine cabinet.
Paw balms help to repel salt, ice, automotive oils, debris on your pet’s paws during your daily walks. Harsh winter months or hot summer days can take a toll on your pup’s paws. It is a good idea to check your animal’s paw pads regularly for cracked, scaly, inflamed, bleeding skin. If you notice them licking their paws excessively or pay more attention to them, they could be experiencing discomfort or pain. Are they limping? The pain and discomfort could be so great that they cannot bear weight on their paw.
What Does Paw Balm Do?
In extreme weather conditions, paw and nose balms creates a semi-permeable layer between your pup’s paws and the ground. Depending on the ingredients used, some may have more properties than others. Overall, paw and nose balms offer:
- A protective barrier
- A waterproof coating
- Antibacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory properties
- Nourishes the skin
- Tones and Moisturizes the paw pads
- Helps with Inflammation and Irritation
- Balances bacteria that causes itching and odour from yeast buildup.
Choosing The Right Paw and Nose Balm
The fact that our animals lick themselves and have particular sensitivities to certain ingredients, it is important to have something all natural and basic to apply on their pads. As tempting as it might be to apply your favourite lotion on their cracked nose or feet, it is not safe for our furry friends. You only want to apply products that are safe enough for them to lick and or consume. Another thing to keep in mind is that some natural products may contain essential oils that could be toxic to cats and dogs. There are wonderful essential oils that have great benefits for our animals, you just need to make sure they are pet safe. You also need to make sure that your cat or dog doesn’t have sensitivities or allergies to certain essential oils. If unsure, stick with a basic balm until you know for certain.
What Is Paw and Nose Balm Made With?
An all natural paw and nose balm will generally can be made with:
- Beeswax
- Shea butter
- Coconut Oil
- Olive oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Avocado Oil, Calendula Oil
- Oat Flour
- Lanolin Oil
- Vitamin E Oil
- Essential Oils that are animal safe
- CBD Oil as a pain reliever
They can be made as lotion bars that melt on contact or as an ointment.
How to Use Paw and Nose Balm?
You want to use it sparingly and best to apply when your animal is resting or sleeping, preferably at the end of the day so it has time to soak into their paw pads. There are oils in paw and nose balms so you want to rub them in well. You don’t want them treading around the house with oily paws on your floors and furniture. In extreme hot or cold weather conditions, it’s a good idea to apply the paw and nose balm daily before they venture outside as a preventative and for protection.
In the winter months, homes can get very dry inside as we all have experienced in colder climates. It is a good idea to apply the paw and nose balm regularly to keep their paws healthy, protected, soft and supple. These balms or not only great for dogs, but for cat paws as well, not to mention our paws too!
Now we know the importance of paw and nose balms for our fur babies and the importance of paw health in the long run. If you would like to purchase a paw and nose balm for your cat or dog, click here.