As a proud dogmom of two (Aren’t they sweet?), it hurts me to see either of my babies in pain, and I take as many precautions as possible to ensure they are safe from harm’s way. However, as terriers, they tend to have a mind of their own and love to explore, especially when off their leash. There’s only so much I can do, and I have lost count of the number of times they have gotten an “owie” on their paws. Aside from getting dog booties, the best step to take is precaution… which is where paw salve comes into play! Paw protectants are especially important in the cold and dry months, as paws are more likely to become cracked or wounded.

I prefer to make my own lotions/scrubs/salves whenever possible when it comes to me or my babies, so I have control over the ingredients. With the amount of toxins, additives, preservatives, and unnatural ingredients in commercial products, DIY-ing it gives me peace of mind. Plus, it’s usually cheaper!

And the best part about this recipe? It’s only one ingredient, and simply needs to be massaged onto your little one’s paw pads. My coworker’s dog was visiting the office the other day, so he was the guinea-dog (that’s our valiant soldier to the right). While we had some difficulties initially getting him to sit still enough to put it on, his paw did seem more visibly moisturized, with less cracks and irritation. However, we did notice that as he continued to walk around, the coconut oil eventually rubbed off completely. We recommend applying our Roots and All coconut oil before heading to bed to assure that the oil has a chance to soak in. 

Pure coconut oil is non-toxic and edible (obviously) for both dogs and cats, so even if they want to lick some of it off of their pads, they are in the clear! Please note to only use 100% coconut oil with no additives, as any additional ingredients may not be safe for animals to consume.

How did it work for you? Be sure to let us know in the comments or tag us in your own pooch picture using the hashtag #tryrootsandall!