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10 Best Dog Paw Balms & Moisturizers – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Sophie Herlihy

By Sophie Herlihy

Moisturizing dry skin on dog's paws

Dogs are just like humans when it comes to needing skin care. They need protection from the sun, wind, and cold weather. And, just like people, dogs can suffer from dry skin. That’s why it’s important to use a good dog paw balm or moisturizer.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 10 best dog paw balms and moisturizers. We’ll review each product and tell you what to look for when buying one of these products. Keep your dog’s paws healthy with one of these top-rated balms, each backed with reviews from real dog owners!

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A Glance at Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Petsmont Organic Dog Paw Balm Petsmont Organic Dog Paw Balm
  • USDA certified organic ingredients
  • Fast absorbing
  • Quick results
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Bag Balm Pet Nose, Paw, & Hot Spot Moisturizer Bag Balm Pet Nose, Paw, & Hot Spot Moisturizer
  • Various sizes (0.25 oz to 8 oz)
  • Only four ingredients
  • Affordable
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Project Paws Nature's Butter Paw Balm Project Paws Nature's Butter Paw Balm
  • Effectively soothes and moisturizes
  • All-natural ingredients
  • Good for flaking claws
  • Petsonik Paw Repair Paw Balm Petsonik Paw Repair Paw Balm
  • Healing properties for cuts and sores
  • Beeswax creates a protective layer
  • Versatile
  • Dermoscent BioBalm Dog Balm Dermoscent BioBalm Dog Balm
  • Waterproof formula
  • Target hyperkeratosis
  • Rapid absorption
  • The 10 Best Dog Paw Balms & Moisturizers

    1. Petsmont Organic Dog Paw Balm – Best Overall

    Petsmont Organic Dog Paw Balm

    Ingredients: Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Beeswax, Organic Olive Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, Organic Plant-Based Collagen Booster
    Use(s): Paws, nose, skin
    Lifestage: Adult

    Our best overall pick for dog paw balms is this organic balm from Petsmont. This product has received lots of positive reviews from pet owners who say it’s helped soothe their dog’s paws. Petsmont Organic Dog Paw Balm is made with USDA-certified organic ingredients, so you can be sure your furry friend is safe using it.

    This balm was a hit with owners as the product’s fast absorption meant that there was little mess and no need for constant licking by dogs. The formula is non-toxic, so it poses no risk to dogs who manage to get a taste.

    Pros
    • USDA certified organic ingredients
    • Fast absorbing
    • Quick results
    Cons
    • Dogs tend to lick the balm off

    2. Bag Balm Pet Nose, Paw, & Hot Spot Moisturizer – Best Value

    Bag Balm Pet Nose, Paw, & Hot Spot Moisturizer

    Ingredients: Petrolatum, Lanolin, 8-Hydroxyquinoline Sulfate 0.3%, Paraffin Wax
    Use(s): Paws, nose, hotspots
    Lifestage: All

    There’s no need to look further than Bag Balm Pet Nose, Paw, & Hot Spot Moisturizer for the best dog paw balm for the money. This limited-ingredient balm is versatile to heal all sorts of issues on your dogs, from paws, noses, and hotspots on the skin. Petroleum seals the skin to reduce further moisture loss, and lanolin naturally nourishes dry spots.

    Its basic ingredient list is not only effective but formulated to be unappealing to dogs. The balm is not often licked off due to its taste and texture. Bag Balm has a proven track record, with the recipe remaining unaltered since 1899. It even dealt with the damage to search and rescue dogs who worked in the aftermath of 9/11.

    Pros
    • Various sizes (0.25 oz to 8 oz)
    • Only four ingredients
    • Affordable
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Hardens in cold climates

    3. Project Paws Nature’s Butter Dog Paw Balm – Premium Choice

    Project Paws Nature's Butter Dog Paw Balm

    Ingredients: Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Almond Oil, Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Avocado Oil, Cocoa Seed Butter, Castor Oil, Oil Infusions (St. John’s Wort, Calendula, Comfrey), and Essential Oils (Lavender, Cedarwood, Cypress, and Orange)
    Use(s): Paws
    Lifestage: Adult

    We chose Project Paws Nature’s Butter Dog Paw Balm as our premium choice due to a little larger price tag than comparable products. However, this product is packed full of amazing oils that nourish dry skin and soothe irritation. It’s widely praised within the reviews, and despite its cost and small size, only a little is needed for each application.

    This balm will restore dry and cracked paws, but it’s also suited for dogs’ claws as well, restoring moisture to the flakey keratin. The ingredients will nourish our own hands as you apply this product to your pooch paws, so you can have matching soft paws!

    Pros
    • Effectively soothes and moisturizes
    • All-natural ingredients
    • Good for flaking claws
    Cons
    • Costly

    4. Petsonik Paw Repair Lavender Scented Paw Balm

    Petsonik Paw Repair Lavender Scented Cat & Dog Paw Balm

    Ingredients: Natural Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, Lavender Extract
    Use(s): Paws, nose, skin, insect bites
    Lifestage: Adult

    We loved this paw repair balm from Petsonik Paw Repair Lavender Scented Paw Balm for its multi-use recipe. It targets dry, cracked paws, cuts and scrapes, and even insect bites. The general formula nourishes and soothes a wide range of skin irritations, leaving skin moisturized.

    The texture is quite greasy, which is to be expected, but it can take a while to absorb into the skin fully. Reviewing owners say they needed to spend some time with their dog after application to stop them licking the product off.

    Pros
    • Healing properties for cuts and sores
    • Beeswax creates a protective layer
    • Versatile
    Cons
    • Greasy texture transfers to carpets
    • Takes a while to sink in

    5. Dermoscent BioBalm Skin Repairing Dog Balm

    Dermoscent BioBalm Skin Repairing Dog Balm

    Ingredients: Soybean Oil, and Essential Oil of Cajputi
    Use(s): Paws, nose, hot spots, calloused pressure sores
    Lifestage: Adult

    With only two ingredients, Dermoscent BioBalm Skin Repairing Dog Balm has been dubbed a “miracle product” by some of their very happy reviewers. This deeply moisturizing balm specifically targets hyperkeratosis (thickening of the skin) of the feet and nose, treating cracks and calluses effectively.

    BioBalm is costly for the small 1.6-ounce tin it comes in, but this price doesn’t bother those who swear by its benefits. It gets to work quickly, and results are seen within a week if applied three times daily. A single daily application seems to keep skin moisturized and prevents recurrent issues.

    Pros
    • Waterproof formula
    • Target hyperkeratosis
    • Rapid absorption
    Cons
    • Costly
    • Small container

    6. Frisco Paw Balm Dog Stick

    Frisco Paw Balm Dog Stick

    Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Castor Oil, Babassu Oil, Soybean Oil, Candelilla Wax, Lavender Oil, Lanolin, Aloe Oil Extract
    Use(s): Paws, nose, elbow calluses
    Lifestage: Adult

    While many of these paw balms have ingredients great for our own hand health, not all of us want to get our own hands and fingers greasy while applying balm to our dogs’ paws. This palm from Frisco Paw Balm Dog Stick solves those frustrations with an easy stick application. This easy application also suits dogs who struggle to sit still; a quick swipe with the stick balm, and it’s over before they know it.

    While many reviewed this balm to be effective, others didn’t like its sticky texture. The essential oil blend has a potent scent, which may be nice for us, but it tends to be a little overwhelming for the extra-strong canine noses.

    Pros
    • Easy stick application
    • All-natural ingredients
    Cons
    • Strongly scented
    • Sticky texture

    7. Lucky Pup Slim Tin Dog Balm

    Lucky Pup Slim Tin Dog Balm

    Ingredients: Beeswax, Shea Butter, Lanolin, Coconut Oil, Canola Oil. Aloe, Vitamin E
    Use(s): Paws, nose, elbows
    Lifestage: Adult

    This balm from Lucky Pup Slim Tin Dog Balm is formulated to be fragrance-free and tasteless, so it won’t irritate your dog nor entice them to lick it off. As an added bonus for the humans, it’s also stain-free, so if your dog treks around the house after application, it won’t leave marks over your rugs or carpets.

    The tin itself is small—only 1 ounce—when many other similar products are 2 ounces. This size is convenient to take on the go but won’t last long with heavy use. Since beeswax is the primary ingredient, the balm needs melting or softening before use. This is best done using the heat of your hands, making the application a little messy.

    Pros
    • Stain-free formula
    • Waterproof
    • Fragrance-free
    Cons
    • Small tin
    • Needs melting

    8. Dogtor Doolittle Happy Pads Natural Dog Paw Balm

    Dogtor Doolittle Happy Pads Natural Dog Paw Balm

    Ingredients: Unrefined Organic Shea Butter; Organic Cocoa Butter, RSPO Coconut Oil, Carnauba Wax; Essential Oil Blend; Geogard 221 (EcoCert-certified preservative)
    Use(s): Paws, nose
    Lifestage: Adult

    Dogtor Doolittle Happy Pads Natural Dog Paw Balm keeps animals in mind not just for product use but also for manufacturing. It’s made of 100% vegan and non-toxic ingredients with cruelty-free processes.

    Reviewers really loved how quick the balm got to action, one owner seeing results in as little as four days with daily application. Their dog’s dry, cracked paws looked like puppy pads again in less than two weeks.

    Pros
    • 100% plant-based
    • Fast results
    Cons
    • Hard to apply

    9. Pawtitas Organic Paw Dog Balm Moisturizer

    Pawtitas Organic Paw Dog Balm Moisturizer

    Ingredients: Certified Organic Coconut Oil, Certified Organic Olive Oil, Natural Candelilla Wax, Certified Organic Jojoba Oil, Certified Organic Rosemary Herbal Oil, Certified Organic Carnauba Wax, Natural Non-GMO Vitamin E, Certified Organic Turmeric, Certified Organic Calendula Herbal Oil
    Use(s): Paws, elbows
    Lifestage: Adult

    Pawtitas Organic Paw Dog Balm Moisturizer has a 2-in-1 use. It can be applied as a protective layer before walking outdoors, protecting the pads from hot concrete or drying conditions. Secondly, it can be used as a general moisturizing treatment, soothing irritated and dry skin.

    The stick application is easy to use, but the biggest complaint is its size. Comparable to an ordinary tube of Chapstick, regular use of this balm quickly uses up the product, and while owners liked its effects, they didn’t like the price tag. The size of the tube would be suited to an on-the-go product or something to keep handy in a purse or car glove box.

    Pros
    • Stick application
    • Protective layer prevents burns
    Cons
    • The small tube runs out quickly
    • Greasy

    10. Burt’s Bees Care Plus+ Paw & Nose Relieving Dog Lotion

    Burt's Bees Care Plus+ Paw & Nose Relieving Dog Lotion

    Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Coco-Glucoside, Glyceryl Oleate, Xanthan Gum, Chamomile Flower Extract, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Beeswax, Honey, Citric Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol
    Use(s): Paws, nose
    Lifestage: Adult

    Burt’s Bees Care Plus+ Paw & Nose Relieving Dog Lotion is a well-known and trusted company for their products to nourish human skin; now your dog can get those benefits too! This moisturizer is lotion-based rather than ointment-based like our other picks. This lotion consistency is disliked for being overly runny, making it difficult to apply.

    It is also strongly scented, which is fine for the paws but can be irritating or overwhelming when applied to the nose. Despite these downfalls, the product works well, and there is a lot more product for a great price compared to tinned ointments.

    Pros
    • pH balanced
    • Effective hyperkeratosis treatment
    Cons
    • Runny, hard to apply consistency
    • Overly scented for nose use

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    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Paw Balm & Moisturizer

    Is your dog always licking its paws? Do they seem to be in pain when they walk or stand? If so, you may need to start using paw balm regularly. Paw balm is a great way to protect your dog’s paws from the elements and help keep them healthy. In this buyer’s guide, we will discuss the benefits of paw balm, how to determine if your dog needs it, and tips for applying it correctly.

    Benefits of Paw Balm for Dogs

    Protection and Prevention

    Paw balm can help protect your dog’s paws from the elements or tough terrain. It forms a barrier between the paw and the ground, which helps to prevent dryness, cracking, and other paw problems.

    Moisturizes and Heals

    Paw balm can also help to moisturize and heal cracked paw pads. If your dog’s paws are constantly getting wet and cold, the balm will help to seal in the moisture and repair damage.

    Soothes Irritation

    Paw balm can also soothe irritation and inflammation caused by allergies, contact dermatitis, or other environmental factors. Reducing irritation will increase your dog’s comfort, stop them from licking wounds, and can help them heal faster.

    Versatile Use

    While paw balms are clearly marketed toward paws, they can also be used for other dry, sore areas on your dog, such as the nose or calloused elbows. Other uses include hotspots, insect bites, cuts, and burns. Furthermore, many dog balms can be used for other pets such as cats and horses (they would likely nourish your own hands too!)

    Does My Dog Need Paw Palm?

    Not all dogs need paw palms. Dogs with thick hair coats or those that spend most of their time indoors will not need it as often as those that spend a lot of time outside or have thin hair coats. If your dog has never had any problems with its paws, you may not need to start using paw balm. However, it is always a good idea to keep some on hand in case of an emergency.

    Several factors can determine whether your dog needs paw balm. The most common symptoms of cracked paw pads include licking paws excessively, pain when walking or standing, redness or swelling, and excessive dryness. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms, then it’s likely that it could benefit from using paw balm.

    Drops of moisturizing cream on dry dog's paw pads
    Image Credit: Te9l, Shutterstock

    Causes of Cracked Paw Pads

    There are many different reasons why a dog’s paw pads may become cracked.

    Some of the most common causes include:
    • Exposure to the elements (cold, wind, rain, snow)
    • Contact with harsh or abrasive surfaces (concrete, asphalt, rocks)
    • Walking on hot pavement or sand
    • Exposure to salt or other chemicals used on roads
    • Licking paws excessively
    • Allergies or sensitivities to certain substances
    • Infections or injuries

    Tips for Applying Paw Balm

    Here are a few tips for applying paw balm correctly:
    • Be sure to clean your dog’s paws before applying the balm. Dirt and debris can prevent the balm from absorbing properly and may cause irritation. You can either use a gentle soap and water or a pet-friendly cleaner.
    • Gently massage the balm into your dog’s paws using circular motions. Be sure to get in between the toes and around the edges of the pads.
    • Try to prevent your dog from licking off the balm by distracting them with love and cuddles while the balm works its magic and is absorbed into the skin.
    • Allow your dog to lick its paws if they want to after a while. It’s natural for them to want to remove the residue. Balms are formulated to be safe for them to ingest and will not cause any harm.
    • Apply balm right before your dog goes to bed or its crate each night; this prevents them from walking about the house, potentially spreading greasy oils to the flooring.
    • If possible, apply the balm after each walk or outing. This will help to prevent any potential damage.
    • Keep a tube of paw balm in your car, purse, or backpack for on-the-go use.

    Now that you know the benefits of paw balm, how to determine if your dog needs it, and how to apply it correctly, it’s time to go shopping! There are many different brands and types of paw balm on the market, so be sure to do your research before choosing one. Look for a balm that is safe for dogs, is easy to apply, and contains all-natural ingredients like the ones on our list today.

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    Conclusion

    As dog owners, it’s natural for us to only want the best for our pooches. When it comes to soothing their paws, organic and non-toxic balms are essential because, let’s face it, no matter how much we discourage it, they will lick their paws clean!

    Our favorite balm was the Petsmont Organic Dog Balm, as we loved its natural, safe ingredients. Additionally, it’s backed by hordes of positive reviews from owners who say it’s truly effective.

    For great value, we liked Bag Balm. This generic product can be used for more than just your dog’s paws, and it’s beneficial in soothing a range of skin alignments for both your dog and yourself.


    Featured Image Credit: Te9l, Shutterstock

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