DIY Musher’s secret – Dog Paw Wax

Those of us in the north where we have cold weather and snow it’s a good idea to use some type of conditioner on the bottom of our dogs paws to protect them from the elements. 

Here is a recipe I have been using on my dogs for years. 

 

Supplies Needed

  • 2 cup glass microwavable container
  • 1 jar that will hold 8 oz or multiple containers.  (I use a wide mouth 1/2pint mason jar)
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    Ingredients

    • 7 oz mineral oil  (food grade)    
    • 1 oz. natural beeswax

    Variation – You can mix up your oils, but keep in mind you don’t want to put any fragrance or essential oils in the recipe as your dog may lick at their paws when you are done with your walk and oils can be absorbed through their skin.   Check that the oils you want to use are ok for dogs.  As long as you use 7 ounces of oil to 1 ounce of natural beeswax the recipe should work for you.  

    • 2 oz olive oil
    • 2 oz coconut oil
    • 1 oz mineral oil (food grade)   
    • 2 oz shea butter
    • 1 oz natural beeswax

     

     Instructions

    1. Put all ingredients into a glass container, I prefer a 2 cup glass measuring container.
    2. Microwave on 50% for 3-4 minutes (time varies with microwaves) until the wax is melted.
    3. Pour the mixture into your container
    4. Let cool on the counter until hard.

     

    How to Use

    1. Rub the mixture generously on your dogs paw pads before going outside.  
    2. Reapply if you are out for numerous hours.  

     

    Tips

    1. Keep away from extreme heat
    2. Use within 1-2 years (the oils go rancid after a year or two, I have found that the food grade mineral oil doesn’t go rancid as fast as the other oils do)
    3. Use when brining your dogs for walks, hunting, snow shoeing, cross country skiing and if they are playing out side in the snow for an extended period of time.  
    4. It reduces the snowballs that accumulate between the paw pads too.

     

    Where to get ingredients

    Natural Beeswax  – We, Bee Wrangler, sell beeswax in 2 oz bars
    Food grade mineral oil – Your local stores carry this.  Walmart, Target, Cub…… check by the pharmacy section
    Olive, coconut, shea butter oils – Your local grocery or whole food stores