Product Info

Dry Dog Paws

Paw Butter….for dry, cracked, rough paw pads. Handcrafted by me from 100 percent Organic Shea Butter, Minnesota grown organic beeswax, organic castor oil, organic avocado oil, organic almond oil, organic cocoa seed butter, organic coconut oil, St. John’s Wort Oil, Calendula Oil, Mullein Oil,  Vitamin E oil, 100% Therapeutic Grade Aromatherapy from Young Living Oils, and a LOT of LOVE.

Of course, our dog’s paws do need have a certain amount of “toughness” to them. They don’t need to be “baby-butt” soft. But their pads don’t have to be rough, dry and scratch when you touch them or they jump on your legs. (Yeah, my unruly dogs jump up on my legs – oh well). Paw Butter softens enough to be more comfortable for you and them!

Dry Dog Paws Prevention Tips

Pedi Time: If you hear that clicketey, click as your dogs comes to you…nails are too long! If you are not comfortable cutting your dog’s nails have your vet or groomer show you how. If you loathe doing it make a standing monthly appointment and let the pros do it!
Snip and Trim: Trim paw hair regularly to avoid painful matting. Simply comb hair out, especially from between the toes, and trim even with the pads.

Paw Peering: Check regularly between toes for anything that should not be there: thorns, rocks, glass, anything undesired.

Moisturize: Dry dog paws can be prevented. Paw Butter™ – that is all I am going to say on this. So there. Well, one more time Paw Butter helps dry dog paws feel better.

Deep Tissue Paw Massage: Start with the big pad and then move onto the toe pads. Relax and enjoy the bonding time!

Build Up: Just as we need to build up to a new exercise regimen, so do our dogs. Do not take them for a long walk across rocky terrain with carpet soft paws. Think walking barefoot across sharp rocks. Paw Empathy.

Apply First Aid: Since their paws meet the earth so often there is more chance for injury. Little cuts (less than 1/2 inch or so-use common sense) can be cleaned with an antiseptic pad. Bigger cuts or one that is bleeding a lot need to be seen by a vet. Boo Boo Butter can be used for after care.

Hot! Hot! Hot Dry Dog Paws: Test with your forearm skin to see if a surface is too hot for your dog to walk comfortably on. If it hurts you, chances are it will hurt them. Hot sidewalks and sand can burn! Your dog wants to be with you and will suffer to do so. For minor burns, clean with antibacterial cleanser, for serious burns, visit your vet immediately.

Froze Toes: We call it froze toes when the dogs dash outside in Minnesota winter (science fiction cold) and stop and hold a foot up within minutes. Ice and snow crystals can freeze inside their paw pads and hurt! Plus, chemicals and salt can be toxic!  After outdoor walks, wash your dog’s paws in warm water to rinse away salt and chemicals. You may consider a pair of booties for your cold-weather friend.

An Ounce of Paw-vention: Keep it clean and clear. Make sure there are no nails, broken glass or anything that can cut your dog’s paw pads when you go on a walk. Remember – if you wouldn’t like to walk on it barefoot, neither will your dog!

Dry Dog Nose Info

The “My dog’s nose is dry”. We have all heard that a warm or dry dog nose means a dog is sick and that all healthy dogs have moist, wet noses.

In actuality, dog’s noses can be a bit warm and all is still just fine. Just as we have moments when we may feel a little hotter or flush and then fine in a few minutes, so can our dogs. So, a bit of a warm nose, with no other symptoms of illness is no cause for concern. Of course, lethargy, fever or other symptoms may necessitate a trip to the vet.

A dry, cracked crusty nose CAN be cause for attention. Of course, (blatant plug), we want you to get Nose Butter™ and take care of it…but let’s look at the WHY of the crusties.

Nasodigital Hyperkeratosis is an idiopathic (unknown cause) condition that is marked by the excessive formulation of nose or footpad crusts that vets call keratin. It is common in older dogs. Thick, crusty, hard, dry crud accumulates on the top of the nose, paw pads, or both. The accumulated crusty, dry keratin is usually most visible on the top of the nose and at the edges of the paw pads. This is not life-threatening and is considered cosmetic, but we want to eradicate this condition!Nose Butter and Paw Butter are the key line of defense…not getting all infomercial on you. But that is why I created this line of products…it all started with Frenchie crusties that did not want to go away!

The paw pad variety of this is called Footpad Hyperkeratosis. Hyperkeratosis runs in bloodlines and  results in severe digital hyperkeratosis (overgrowth of crusts and crud) by 5-6 months of age. Once again, not life threatening, but needs to be addressed for their comfort and your peace of mind.

Sensitivities to plastic bowls can cause some nose issues. Switch to stainless shell or a well-made ceramic pronto. All those bad chemicals that we now know were in water bottles have often been used in pet food bowls!

There is another, serious condition, called Pemphigus foliates, which DOES need veterinarian intervention. It is characterized by blisters on the dry nose of a dog. They can burst and form crust that can covers the nostrils and makes breathing difficult. This is an autoimmune skin disease that is so very common amongst our modern dogs and cats. I repeat, your dog’s dry nose in this case would certainly need a vet’s attention.

Some dogs may even be sensitive to the sun and need a bit of sunscreen…The Blissful Dog Sunscreen option will be available in spring of 2013!

This is intended to give you a bit of info on the various conditions that can cause your best friend to have a dry, crusty dog nose. If you need more info, visit the Merck Vet manual site, email us or Google it!

Official The Blissful Dog Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a substitute for veterinarian care. Please consult your veterinarian if your dog needs medical care.

How do I use Nose Butter™?

If your Nose Butter™ is in a tin, open the tin and scoop out a dab that is appropriate to the size of your dog’s nose and rub it on their nose. You can rub it in if you wish, or not. Give a cookie, treat or toy to distract them if you wish to.

If your Nose Butter is in a tube, point the tube away from their eyes and apply a bit amount across the top of the nose. Like a swipe of lip balm. Start with less and add more, if you need to. The tube version has a bit more beeswax, which keeps it in the tube, so it may take a bit longer to melt into your dog’s nose.

If your dog’s nose is crusty repeat 2-3x a day. After 1-3 days, test the crust with a bit of tissue and to see if it will rub off. If it does not easily come off, keep applying until it easily, without picking, crumbles off.

Use as needed for maintenance. Some dogs need daily application (senior dogs, for example), some weekly…each dog’s nose is different.

What is the Difference Between the Tin and Tube Nose Butter?

Good question! The Butter analogy, it is an obvious one, but it works. Nose Butter in the round tin is like whipped butter in a tub. It is fluffier and melts fast.

Nose Butter in the tube is a denser consistency like a stick of butter. Nose Butter in a tube may easier to apply for some people, but may take a teeny bit longer to melt into the nose. Hint: Use less of the tube product, just a swipe is enough! By the way, the Nose Butter in the slide-top tins, the little .25 and the .50 is the same formulation as the Nose Butter in the Tube. This recipe, the denser variation, is poured directly into the tubes and little slide-top tins.

My dog hates having her face touched? What Now?

Here are a few suggestions…sneak up on her when  she is sleeping and gently tap it on her nose. If she wakes up, look away, be casual and act like you did not do anything. Or, give a cookie or highly coveted toy or chew and then quickly dab the Nose Butter™ on. It takes Steve and I both to apply Nose Butter to 12 pound Gio. Embarrassing.

Some dogs are frightened by being held closely and controlled. Flat-faced dogs may stress a bit more because their breathing is already compromised, so they instinctively try to prevent having their noses covered. Yet another reason not to use Vaseline, Baby butt stuff or any other super-thick product that does not “breathe” on their noses.

Is Nose Butter Safe? What if my dog licks it off?

Absolutely! There is nothing in our Nose Butter™ that can harm your dog. Even if they eat the whole tin, the worst it should do is give them, ummm, “pudding poo.” May we suggest you give them a cookie or toy or have a fun game of chase or a quick dog massage right after you put Nose Butter™ on their nose. This will distract them for a bit and allow it to melt into their nose.

If you have multiple dogs they may lick it off each others noses, give them each a cookie to distract them all long enough for it to melt in. Or dab it on before they go to bed, if you utilize sleeping crates.

Her nose is pink after the crusty crud came off? Is that OK?

That is new skin! Just like after a sunburn or facial peel exposes our new skin, your dog’s new nose leather is tender. When that crusty crud, which may have been on there for months (or years) melts away with the Nose Butter, the new skin underneath may be tender and pink. In just a few days the pigment will fill in and look great again.

How long does Nose Butter™ last?

Shea butter has an un-refrigerated shelf life of 18-24 months.

My Nose Butter™ melted?

As you may have guessed shea butter is well, a butter, and it will melt when it gets hot. The melting temperature of shea butter is 89-95 degrees. Little metal tins of shea butter sitting in a postal vehicle will melt when it is hot. The good news is that the heat will not affect the amazing effects of your Nose Butter™.

Put the tin into the fridge and let it harden back up. It may settle a little bit, just use a tiny bit less on your best buddies nose. On rare occasion, there may be some teeny, tiny fat bubbles in the shea butter, once again, it will not affect the way the Nose Butter™ works, it is purely cosmetic and a result of the melting! Think of them as little fat bubbles that melt and give extra goodness.

If I have a brindle French Bulldog and a fawn Pug do I need to get two different Nose Butters™?

As much as I would love for you to buy one for each dog, I have to tell you…the Nose Butter™ is the same product inside.

Paws and Elbows need more emollients and a different kind of support than elbows with pressure calluses. Boo Boo Butter™ is more of a salve and has a lot of healing, helpful herbal infusions that are not necessary for most noses. So, those products are chemically different from Nose Butter.

Who makes Nose Butter™?

Every single tube, tin and batch of Nose, Paw, Elbow and Boo Boo Butter is handcrafted individually by ME. I know you may think it would be easy to toss the ingredients in a bowl and pop it into tins, but trust me…there is a lot more to it than that.

So many factors can affect the outcome of handcrafted, organic products from humidity to variances in the consistency of the various ingredients to a drought in some far away land. Since everything is organic there may be some very small change from one batch to the next. I actually age my products for a bit and test some of each batch on my own dogs (and me). So, I suppose I should state that my products are truly tested on animals!

Each oil and butter is chosen for a different property – some soak in faster than others, some have a larger molecule and act as a barrier to seal the ingredients and others have healing properties that help revitalize. Each ingredient was added for a very specific synergystic reason.

Hopefully this Nose Butter info was of help – as always, if you have a question, just ask!

Shipping for The Blissful Dog - Your order is tucked into a cute fabric bag and packed in either a bubble envelope or a cardboard box and sent First Class. My goal is for you to get your Good Stuff FAST! There is a Priority Mail option if you want to be sure your Blissful Stuff arrives even faster.

I strive to ship with 24-48 hours of receiving your order (not counting Sundays and holidays). We do have to go into town to ship International orders (45 miles away), so sometimes International orders may take 2-3 days to leave here.

I don’t get out much, but if I am going to be away from The Blissful Dog International Headquarters (aka-home) for more than a long weekend I will ship from my travels OR pop a note up here on the website.

Shipping Info USA 

The shipping charges are based upon the weight of the item you have selected and the exact USPS charges. There are no added handling or service charges. For some reason handling charges bother me…

Usually the USPS gets packages from here in the far north to their destination within the US in 3-5 days. Of course, there are exceptions, but that is a good rule of thumb – er – paw.

International Shipping Info

The shipping charges are based upon the actual weight of the item you have selected and the exact USPS charges. There are no added handling or service charges.

International time frames vary from country to country. Sadly, I have had some orders take 3-4 weeks to arrive to some countries. I wish I had that teleportation thing worked out and I could just zap your items to you, but until then the USPS will have to do.

I honor and feel your pain on how expensive international shippings is. Using the exact weight allows me to offer you the best rates possible. Tracking is not available after your package leaves the US. I wish it were, but I am at their mercy.

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