DIY Working Dog Paw Wax
DiY Working Dog Paw Wax
As many of you know we have a good amount of working dogs and every morning and several times a day they make a round of the perimeter of our property chase any away that they find. In the summer that’s under the cool forest canopy, but in winter they are running through snow and ice sometimes as deep as their bellies.
However, as much as they like the snow, winter is not the best time to be barefoot, even for dogs. The snow can cake between their toes, forming balls of ice that make walking difficult. When they bite their feet and lick them to get the ice balls off, they can make the problem worse. Sometimes the cold and dryness of winter makes their feet crack and bleed. Then the continued abuse of snow and dry weather can compound the injury.
There is something that you can do to help your working dog in winter. When your dogs are walking on ice, snow, or frozen mud they can end up with cracked and sore paws. You can protect their paws in the same way that you protect your own heels from cracking with a moisturizer made with natural food grade oils and beeswax. Calendula is safe for pets and helps to heal cracked skin quickly. Beeswax helps keep snow and ice from caking on the bottom of your dog’s paw, making walking difficult.
The high wax content of this paw wax prevents ice from adhering to the bottom of the paws. It forms a protective barrier against salt and chemicals, with continued use. Should your dog be exposed to salt or chemicals, wash off the dog’s feet with a mild soap and water, dry completely, and reapply paw wax.
Working dogs especially benefit from the added protection of beeswax and calendula. While scent is not generally recommended for dogs, the rosemary and lavender essential oils in this recipe offer anti-fungal, anti-microbial benefits. These oils are not harmful to pets in the dilution used in this recipe.
Commercial organic paw wax can cost as much as $20 for a 2 ounce tube. Make it at home with quality organic ingredients in 10 minutes, for just a few dollars. This recipe makes three 2 ounce tins.
DiY Working Dog Paw Wax
Yield 3 – 2 oz. tins
Ingredients:
4 tbsp. calendula infused olive oil*
2 tbsp. shea butter
1 tsp. carnauba wax
2 tbsp. beeswax
¼ tsp. vitamin E
30 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)
15 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
Method:
Make a double boiler using a glass measuring cup and a saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water so it comes halfway up the side of the measuring cup. Place calendula infused olive oil, shea butter, carnauba wax, and beeswax into the measuring cup. Simmer the saucepan over medium heat until all the ingredients are melted. Remove the measuring cup from the saucepan. Stir in vitamin E, rosemary, and lavender essential oils.
Pour into 3 – 2 oz. tins. Allow to cool completely before capping, to prevent condensation from forming on the inside of the lids.
Label the tins and date. This paw wax will last a year without spoilage. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as mold or an off-smell, discard and make a fresh batch.
To Use:
Apply to your dog’s paws before going outside, at least once a day. Be sure to rub it between the toe pads to prevent ice build-up. If the dog has cracked or broken skin, apply twice a day to encourage rapid healing.
The wax dries quickly on the paws.
