Should I oil my dog's pads?

You might find that you already have some effective items in your home that can be used to care for your pet’s paws. It’s crucial to opt for balms that contain safe, natural ingredients and avoid products with artificial fragrances or chemical components, as these can irritate or harm your dog’s paw pads. Castor Oil: Extracted from castor beans, this oil forms a protective barrier on the paws and has anti-inflammatory properties, offering a dual action against dryness and irritation. Vaseline: As an old veterinary remedy, Vaseline remains one of the most effective treatments. It creates a lasting barrier that locks in moisture, promotes healing, and protects the paw pad. Shea Butter: Applying shea butter to the paw pads can significantly soothe, smooth, and hydrate the skin. Beeswax: This is a fantastic choice for healing chapped skin and dry spots. Beeswax acts as a moisture barrier and is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, making it safe if ingested by your pet.

Apply a high-quality paw care product to each of your dog’s paw pads before the walk. This creates a protective layer that keeps the sensitive paw pads safe from external influences such as salt and snow. It is recommended to apply another thin layer of paw care to the pads, especially if the dog’s paws are stressed, rough and/or cracked. Natural, fatty substances such as coconut oil or deer tallow are therefore more suitable. They also form a reliable protective layer around the paw pads, but are completely harmless to health if the dog actually licks off the paw care. We recommend our LILA LOVES IT paw care – a soothing and purely natural care product with coconut oil, lavender, calendula and beeswax. Vaseline – and by the way also the very “natural” sounding milking fat are so-called mineral oils, i.e. by-products of petroleum production. They can be potentially harmful to health and should therefore not be ingested by dogs. Another problem with petroleum jelly and milking fat is that the substances clog the pores and prevent the skin from breathing naturally.