You can use sunflower or sweet almond oil instead of olive oil if you prefer. Store the balm at room temperature. It should be good for 1-2 years.

You still want to use a vitamin E cream designed specifically for dogs. Any cream meant for people will be too strong for a dog’s sensitive paws.

You can use paw wax if you prefer. Paw wax and balm don’t tend to be dramatically different from one another. Don’t use moisturizer or lotion designed for people. It tends to make a dog’s pow pads too soft, which can make them prone to injury.

If your dog goes immediately to lick the oil or balm off of their paws, distract your pup with treats or playtime for a few minutes.

It is possible to over-moisturize, but you don’t need to worry about that until the signs of dry paws are totally gone. You can also tell if your dog’s paws are too dry if they lick them frequently.

Different breeds and energy levels require different levels of attention. A laid-back bulldog who takes calm strolls will likely need less moisturizing than a hyper border collie who runs miles a day.

Brush your pup’s paws off with a clean cloth if you go out in the snow or rain. The moisturizer may cause debris or dirt to stick to your dog’s paw pads.

Stay away from trash piles or loose asphalt. These surfaces can wedge all kinds of contaminants and junk in between your dog’s pads. Keep an eye out for shattered glass on your walks—especially if you live in a city. It can be hard to see translucent glass on the ground, but it can seriously hurt your dog’s paws.

You can use a little bit of water to remove any caked-on dirt or dust if you’d like.

Go slow the first few times you put booties on your dog. A lot of dogs get a little freaked out and confused when you put boots on them for the first time.

You can take your pup to a groomer if your dog doesn’t sit still for you to do this.

Discoloration or visible damage is another sign that your dog needs some medical attention. If you ever need to perform first aid for your pup’s paw, flush it with cold water or use a cold compress to soothe symptoms and carry your dog to the vet.