Here at the homestead — in addition to the 3 dairy goats, 21 chickens, 50+ quail, and rabbits, we breed, train, and compete champion bird dogs.
Presently, our kennels are filled with 10 professional hunting companions — all of whom we love and find much joy in!
And as we’ve grown in our knowledge of animal husbandry, we have created several herb and natural remedies in order to maintain the health of all of our animal friends.
With the necessity to brave the harsh elements of the desert southwest, I knew really quickly that I need to create a balm that would protect and heal our puppies paws. You see… they are on a strict weekly training schedule and at times — as they run through the desert — their little pads get irritated.
Paw Wax was my solution.
Dog & Cat Paw Wax
I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to share this recipe with you!
But, it couldn’t have come at a better time…
Since the weather is changing this time of year, I decided recipes relevant to this week’s theme of “Get Ready for Cold” such as lip balm, Winter Skin Ointment, Pickled Garlic, and this Paw Wax would be fun and super easy to make!
So, I figured it was time to type out this recipe and share it with you all too!
Supplies Needed
-21-24 standard lip balm tubes or 6-1 oz tins
-a small digital kitchen scale, optional
-small pot or double boiler
Paw Wax Ingredients
- 2 oz. (approx. 2 tbsp.) olive , sunflower, or sweet almond oil
- 2 oz. (approx. 2 tbsp.) coconut oil (this is my current favorite coconut oil)
- 1 oz. (approx. 1 tbsp.) shea butter
- 4 tsp. beeswax
Paw Wax Instructions>
- In a small pot – or double boiler – over low heat melt the oils, shea butter, and beeswax. Stir continuously until all is melted and well blended.
- Pour the mixture into lip balm tubes and/or tins.
- Let them cool on the counter until hard.
- Cap and label.
- Keep away from extreme heat.
- Use within 1-2 years.
*This recipe will make enough to fill approximately 21-24 standard lip balm tubes or 6-1 oz. tins.
How To Use
Harsh weather conditions (extreme heat or cold) can cause your cat or dog to get dry/cracked paws. This paw wax recipe is perfect for the paws and should be applied liberally, as needed for prevention or treatment.
Perfect to apply before your dog or cat:
- is exposed to hot pavement (while running/walking with you)
- walks on snow and/or ice
- goes hiking with you
- hunts in rugged terrain
Notes
-For additional protective benefits add 20 drops of vitamin E oil.
-To increase the healing properties of this wax, the coconut and olive/almond oils can be infused with skin-loving herbs such as: calendula, lavender, rose petals, chickweed, comfrey root, and/or marshmallow root.
-Learn more about natural and herbal remedies for animals by adding these books to your home library:
- Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils & Hydrosols with Animals
- The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat
- The Backyard Homestead Guide to Raising Farm Animals
- Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
Where Can I Get This Stuff?
-Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for this remedy! It’s your one-stop-shop!
–Starwest Botanicals has a beautiful selection of Bulk Herbs and Natural Products for Healthy, Natural Living!
–The Bulk Herb Store carries many of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.
If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making your own paw wax, this is a decent one you can purchase pre-made that should do the trick for your furry friends.
Do your pets paws get sore and crack due to weather like ours do? If so, this recipe will help!
Benefits of Brushing With Tooth Powder – How to Make Your Own
Oh my goodness, how exciting!!! 🙂 I really want to view your clip, but when I follow the link, I can’t figure out what to click on that page? What is the title of your clip?
Hi Jerica! It is SUPER exciting 🙂 I’ll actually be on in the morning — Friday Sept. 20th — 9 am GMT (12pm EST). The show streams live on ABC15 Arizona’s website. I’ll be sure to post the link to my segment clip on my fb page as soon as it’s available after the show.
YOU WERE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go, girl 🙂
I just want to verify that the Shea butter is 1oz. and equals 2 tablespoons. Your recipe shows 2 oz. as approx. 2 tablespoons in the two previous ingredients. Thanks for sharing this.
Oops! Nice catch…and thank you for pointing that out 🙂 That is a typo and should read approximately 1 tablespoon of shea butter. I’ll edit that right now. Thanks again Gail!
I used this wonderful recipe, but it seems to be too hard to spread easily. What can I do to adjust this and what did I do wrong?
How exciting, Andrea! As a long time reader it is exciting to see how far you have come over the last few years! Thanks for the recipe. We recently moved to Virginia and have been taking our dog hiking with us. This recipe will come in handy!
How funny, I was just thinking last night/this morning about how I need to make something up for my pup’s pads! Thank you for sharing!
Replace a teaspoon of olive oil for neem oil stir in well when cooling. Makes sore pads heal much quicker. Also makes a sore spot aka hot spot heal quicker without a vet bill.
If this winter is anything like last winter, my dogs will definitely need this. Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot wait to try this!
Sounds great – do the dogs lick it off, though?
Yes, good question, just what I wanted to know, as so far, my dog has licked of any protective wax I try to put on.
My dog licks it off, but I make sure to put a thick coat of it on to keep her from licking it all off. I put it on her pads at night (we don’t go hiking as she is not good in the car or around new people or dogs, as she was severely abused before I got her) her pads are excessively dry, my vet was actually surprised they hadn’t split completely.she eventually gets bored of licking at it and settles down. With a thick enough coat, she doesn’t get it all off
This is so awesome. Thank you for sharing with us. Can you add something like Lavender oil for pain?
I have been looking for something like this. I also live in AZ and have extreme issues with our Pugs’ paws getting really dry. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe! My shi tzu can totally use this. 🙂
Hi, I came across this on Pinterest. My 1 year old puppy has a bad allergy to grass. Her paws are cracked and raw. The vet has her on steroids and antibiotics, but I feel this is an unhealthy way to live the rest of her long life. I wouldn’t allow it for my children, I won’t allow it for my dog. So, here is my question… do you think this would benefit her at all? If so, are there any additional ingredients I should add?
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Can’t wait to test this out! Just thought I’d mention though, that your measurement conversions are still off. 2oz of anything is 4 tbsp, not 2. 1 oz is equal to 2 tbsp. each tbsp is equal to 1/2 oz. You may wish to adjust to reflect the intended amounts.
Great recipe, I have active border collies and this would come in handy. can you add essential oils to the mix??
Thanks
My nephew is allergic to tree nuts.
Can I make this recipe without the almond oil and Shea butter?
Thanks
Denise
I should also add I have a successful dog walking business and I would love to pass this recipe along to my clients.
I made this paw wax and use it, but mine turned out a bit gritty. It still melts when rubbed in. Any idea why and how to fix it? Thanks!
Donna, It’s the shea that’s making it gritty. Try adding the shea to melt after all the other oils have melted and cool quickly in the fridge.
Thank you, Jayne!
This sounds great! I’ve been using Mushers’ Secret (Amazon) but it’s expensive. I wonder if this will do as good a job at preventing ice balls from forming between their toes, and also under my horses’ hooves? I’m definitely going to try it, especially since I have all the ingredients. Thank you!
Does anyone find their dogs paws more slippery after applying musher’s secret?
Im just wondering about the comfrey. I love this recipe and I am all for the natural approach but came across this and thought I would share….”Comfrey contains small quantities of alkaloids that can cause liver damage or cancer if taken in large quantities or prolonged period of time. Therefore, if comfrey is to be used internally, use it for short periods and in moderation. Also, do not use comfrey in pregnant or lactating pets or those with pre-existing liver disease.
Since the alkaloid concentration is ten times higher in the root than the leaves, DO NOT use comfrey root internally. Comfrey dried leaves, on the other hand, contains very little alkaloids so use the dried leaves if needed.” – See more at: http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/unsafe-herbs.html
thank you for sharing! I tried making this today and it turned out very greasy, how do I fix that???
thank you!
Tried this recipe and it turned out to firm to rub on there paws. What can I add to soften the recipe to a more usable consistency?
I suggest adding a bit more shea butter:)
If it is too hard, you can melt it back down and add more oils. If it is too soft, you can melt it back down and add more beeswax.
Im very allergic to coconut…can I use something else?
I was going to order the paw wax off of Amazon, but I’d much rather make my own & be able to give it out to family/friends with pets… thanks for the recipe & also to others for posting adjustments to the recipe!!!
Thanks for sharing! I’m wondering if you have any solutions for dry/cracked noses? Would this same stuff help? My poor puppy suffers from it constantly. I tried putting just coconut oil on her nose for a while, and that did seem to help some, but she licks it off, which I imagine doesn’t help. And just as an fyi, we have tried changing her food multiple times, eliminating common allergens, etc. with no effect.
Made this today and loved it. We used it on our pets and selves. It did wonders for my dry hands.Thanks for sharing.
Can this be reheated to put in different container
Never tried…
Amazing!
Im so excited to see this!
Weve been having the longest and most intense heatwaves as of late, the girls literally cannot go outside for long because even the grass is boiling.
It feels amazing.
Ive made one for everyone in the family and shared the link among friends whom are as excited as i am!
Cost me about $35 for everything, I have three containers full and i havnt even used a quarter of the ingredients.
Amazing! cant thank enough :3
I can’t wait to try this!
It really depends on your climate if you’re somewhere colder use less beeswax. In the meantime yours will still work but you need to let it warm up in your hands. Or if your pooch isn’t liking it you can use it on yourself and make a new batch. Very similar to lip balm recipes!
I use this recipe on my husky. It has made her paws healthier and she is able to run longer using it. Thank you
I was just wondering what the weight of the beeswax is and how much of the marshmallow root is needed to infuse the wax? I cannot wait to try this!!
I just made this using marshmallow root…amazing!! I used a scale to measure and it turned out perfect! I did 2oz each of sweet almond oil & coconut oil, 1oz each of shea butter and marshmallow root in a double boiler on low heat for 30 minutes. I strained the oils through cheese cloth, wiped out the bowl (to remove any excess root fiber), transferred the oil back into the bowl, & added 1/2oz beeswax. Once everything was melted I transferred it into 2oz jars (they are the same size opening as my Pittie’s paw). I will definitely make this again & likely give it as gifts to friends with pups.