A homemade balm—of natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax—is the perfect ointment to keep his paw pads healthy. Not only does our skin need a little extra love during the winter months, but our pups will benefit from extra care too!
All of these non-toxic ingredients are approved by the American Kennel Club. Shea butter is known to smooth, soften, and hydrate the skin. Beeswax is known to help heal chapped skin, making it the perfect ingredient for a homemade balm. Lastly, the combination of coconut and olive oil in this recipe adds additional hydration to leave your pet’s paws feeling silky smooth. Apply by massaging a thin layer of balm into the skin of paw pads as often as needed. Don’t worry if your dog licks it off of his paws, it’s safe.
Note: This balm will keep for up to a year if stored in a cool, dry place.
What you will need:
- 2 small glass jars with lids, 4 ounces
- Large mason jar
- 1/4 cup Shea butter
- 1/4 cup Coconut oil
- 1/4 cup Hemp oil
- 1/8 cup Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Beeswax pellets
How it’s done:
Add shea butter, coconut oil, hemp oil, olive oil, and beeswax pellets to a large mason jar; stir to combine. (Tip: Use a mason jar that you don’t mind dedicating to crafting purposes, as it will be hard to get completely clean again.)
Fill a medium pot with enough water to cover the jar’s contents by a few inches, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer. Place the jar into the pot; continue to simmer until the ingredients are completely melted, about 10 minutes.
Once melted, carefully remove jar from the pot, and pour the melted oils into small glass jars. Allow the mixture to cool down to room temperature and solidify before using.
*The original recipe can be found at marthastewart.com*