Just like with people, some dogs need a little bit of skin moisture support. Paw balms are a great way to maintain the health of your dog’s paws by softening and protecting the skin. Paw balms can also support paw pad health for dogs with hyperkeratosis 1, which can lead to uncomfortable paw cracking and increase the risk of infections in and on the paws.
Using reviews, you can find the perfect product to support the health of your dog’s paws. To make this easier, we’ve found the 10 best products for dogs’ paws. Whether you need the best paw balm for hyperkeratosis, something to coat and protect your dog’s paws, or just something that will maintain soft, supple skin on the paws, there’s a product here that will help your dog out!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
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Best Overall
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Dermoscent BioBalm |
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Best Value
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Frisco Paw Balm Stick |
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Premium Choice
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Petsmont Organic Paw Balm |
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Project Paws Nature’s Butter Paw Balm |
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Petsonik Paw Repair Lavender Scented Paw Balm |
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The 10 Best Paw Balms for Dogs
1. Dermoscent BioBalm – Best Overall
| Primary ingredient: | Soybean oil |
| Package size: | 67 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The best overall paw balm for dogs is the Dermoscent BioBalm, which is also the best paw balm for hyperkeratosis and may reduce the chance of infections from cracks in the paws. This paw balm is a little pricier than most, but it is effective and is free of mineral oil and petroleum-based ingredients. It helps trap moisture on your dog’s paws, keeping the skin supple and healthy. It’s waterproof, so it will remain on your dog’s paws, even if they get wet. You can also use it on your dog’s nose, callouses, and hot spots. It contains tea tree oil and has a strong scent, which some people find unappealing.
2. Frisco Paw Balm Stick – Best Value
| Primary ingredient: | Coconut oil |
| Package size: | 5 oz. |
| Price: | $ |
The best paw balm for dogs for the money is the Frisco Paw Balm Stick, which is easy and convenient to use thanks to its stick form. It’s a good option for travel due to the convenience of the product, and it’s a budget-friendly pick. It contains multiple types of waxes and oils to moisturize and condition even the driest of paws. It forms a protective barrier on your dog’s paws, protecting them throughout the day. It’s free of mineral oil, parabens, dyes, and synthetic fragrances. It has a strong smell that some people report their dogs find highly unpleasant. But overall, this is one of the best dog paw wax products on the market.
3. Petsmont Organic Paw Balm – Premium Choice
| Primary ingredient: | Organic shea butter |
| Package size: | 2 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Petsmont Organic Paw Balm is the premium paw balm pick. This paw balm protects the paws against the elements, including sand, ice, hot surfaces, and rough surfaces. It’s hypoallergenic and made with sensitive skin in mind, containing soothing ingredients like aloe vera, vitamin E, and collagen booster. It can also be used on hot spots, itchy areas, and callouses. It’s USDA Certified Organic and absorbs quickly, softening the paws without causing buildup. Not only does it soften the paws, but it can also increase the grip your dog has on slick surfaces, like hardwood floors. Multiple users report their dogs enjoying the taste of this balm and licking it off quickly after applying, so it may be difficult to keep it on your dog’s paws.
4. Project Paws Nature’s Butter Paw Balm
| Primary ingredient: | Shea butter |
| Package size: | 2 oz. |
| Price: | $$$ |
The Project Paws Nature’s Butter Paw Balm contains rich, soothing ingredients for irritated paws and to protect the paws. It’s made in Minnesota and can protect your dog’s paws against ice, heat, snow, salt, gravel, and other rough surfaces. It’s easy to apply and can be used on rough, irritated skin almost anywhere on your dog’s body, as well as on dry, flaky nails. For maximum efficacy, this product should be applied 2–3 times per day for at least 2–3 consecutive days. It sells for a premium price, so it is more expensive than most other options.
5. Petsonik Paw Repair Lavender Scented Paw Balm
| Primary ingredient: | Shea butter |
| Package size: | 2 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Petsonik Paw Repair Lavender Scented Paw Balm protects and heals rough, irritated paws and skin, making it a great multipurpose product. It’s non-greasy and doesn’t leave a residue, so it shouldn’t track on your floors or leave a film on your dog’s paws. It’s easy to apply, and a little bit goes a long way. It features a soothing lavender scent that will soothe your dog’s skin and mind. The scent is pleasant and not overwhelming. It’s made with an easy to open lid, so this may be a good option for people with arthritis and other difficulty opening products. The manufacturer doesn’t recommend continuing to use this balm once paws are healed, and they recommend switching to their paw moisturizer product.
6. Pet MD 3-in-1 Pet Balm
| Primary ingredient: | Shea butter |
| Package size: | 2 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Pet MD 3-in-1 Pet Balm contains multiple rich ingredients to keep your dog’s paws soft and supple, including avocado oil, shea butter, olive oil, and almond oil. It absorbs quickly, but the manufacturer recommends melting the product in your hands before use for maximum efficacy. They also recommend distracting your dog until the product absorbs because they are likely to try to lick it off. It’s great for hyperkeratosis, itchy skin, callouses, and cracked paws. Regular use can help prevent infections caused by damage to the skin on the paws. It’s made in the USA and can protect your dog’s paws from the elements.
7. Dogphora Detox Diva Paw Souffle
| Primary ingredient: | Coconut oil |
| Package size: | 4 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Dogphora Detox Diva Paw Souffle is one of the more expensive products reviewed, but it contains more product per container than most paw balms, making it a budget-friendly pick. This rich formula supports the health of your dog’s paws by healing and soothing irritated and damaged skin. It won’t leave stains on furniture and won’t leave residue on your floor. It protects against the elements and is made in the USA. It does not list other uses on the packaging, so this may not be the top pick for a multipurpose product. Also, the price may be a deterrent for some people, even though more product is included.
8. Hemp Well Hemp Balm
| Primary ingredient: | Shea butter |
| Package size: | 75 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Hemp Well Hemp Balm is organic and made with USA-grown hemp. It’s free of THC and forms a protective barrier on your dog’s paws, holding moisture in and preventing new damage from occurring. It can aid in healing irritated skin and is a multipurpose product. It won’t stain fur or leave a residue behind, and it’s made with hypoallergenic ingredients. It contains multiple ingredients that support overall skin health. This is one of the more expensive products reviewed, especially since it comes with a little less product than most other paw balms.
9. Vets Preferred Paw Balm
| Primary ingredient: | Mineral oil |
| Package size: | 2 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Vets Preferred Paw Balm is safe and non-toxic, and it features multiple skin soothing and protecting ingredients, like coconut oil, white beeswax, and yellow beeswax. It soothes and heals cracked paws, and it protects against the elements. It creates a breathable barrier on the feet to allow for airflow without losing protection. This balm is thicker than most, making it difficult to use. Some users also report the packaging to be difficult to open, which can make things very frustrating when trying to access the product. It’s prone to separating in the container, especially in warm temperatures.
10. Forticept Paw-Forte Antimicrobial Protection Balm
| Primary ingredient: | Benzethonium chloride |
| Package size: | 3 oz. |
| Price: | $$ |
The Forticept Paw-Forte Antimicrobial Protection Balm is a nice pick for dogs with irritated skin prone to infections. It creates a barrier to help skin heal and is made with hypoallergenic ingredients. It contains antimicrobials, which can help heal skin with pyoderma, hot spots, dermatitis, and rashes. It helps maintain an optimal moisture balance in the skin and protects against the elements. Some people report this balm making their dog’s feet prone to slipping on smooth surfaces, like hardwood and tile floors. It does have a distinct smell, which some people find unappealing or report their pets finding unappealing.
Buyer’s Guide – How to Pick The Best Paw Balms for Dogs
Choosing the Right Paw Balm for Your Dog
Paw balms aren’t rocket science, thankfully! However, this also means that it may take some trial and error to find the best dog paw protector. Some factors can impact how effective a product is for your dog, and there’s more to it than just the state of your dog’s paws. Allergies, infections, injuries, the environment, diet, humidity, and more factors can impact your dog’s needs.
To pick the right paw balm for your dog, start by identifying the first ingredient in the products you’re most interested in. If you’ve found a coconut oil-based product not a good fit in the past, then you’ll know to avoid that as one of the first few ingredients in the product you need. However, shea butter or avocado oil may make a great substitute if coconut oil failed in the past.
When all else fails, talk to your dog’s vet! They will be able to narrow down the reasons that your dog’s paws may need a paw balm in the first place. Medical conditions, environmental factors, and age-related factors can all play a part in your dog’s paw health, and it may be necessary to rule out a serious or complex issue.
- Related Read: 6 Best Dog Boots – Reviews & Top Picks
Conclusion
Hopefully, you found these reviews useful in your search for the right paw balm for your dog. The top pick is the Dermoscent BioBalm, which is pricey but very effective in protecting and healing irritated paws. The most budget-friendly option is the Frisco Paw Balm Stick, which is easy and convenient to use and travel with. For the premium product pick, you’ll love the Petsmont Organic Paw Balm, which is a great option for protecting and healing your dog’s paws.
- Related Read: Can I Put Vaseline on My Dog’s Paw? Plus Tips For Usage
Featured Image Credit: Miriam Doerr Martin Frommherz, Shutterstock
