Each and every apothecary and aromatherapy item we sell is individually handcrafted right here at The Blissful Dog in far northern Minnesota. Before you ask, yes, it gets THAT cold and we have snow 6+ months of the year.
When The Blissful Dog began, 20+ years ago, our Nose Butter was whipped shea butter...one ingredient. We learned after shipping tins to a friend in Texas that whipped shea butter does not stay whipped when it is mailed in 100° F summer heat.
After a lot of research, classes, trial and error and fun experimentation we determined what we feel is the best recipe for each of our products.
We are always testing new ideas, tweaking products and trying different ingredients to provide the best products for your dog's health and well-being and your peace of mind.
Ska∂i is always available as a test subject. She has very strong opinions and is not shy about sharing them!
Our five butters build upon the Nose Butter® base. Ingredients are chosen specifically for each issue our dogs have, such as rough paws, elbow calluses, minor skin issues, insect issues and added to the tried and true Nose Butter foundation.
Tili is a very patient Nose Butter® model, unlike her sister, Ska∂i, pictured above.
• Shea Butter
• Almond Oil
• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Beeswax
• Cocoa Seed Butter
• Shea Butter
• Almond Oil
• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Beeswax
• Cocoa Seed Butter
• St. John’s Wort Oil Infusion
• Comfrey Oil Infusion
• Calendula Oil Infusion
• Dash of Essential Oils; Cedarwood, Cypress & Lavender
• Shea Butter
• Almond Oil
• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Beeswax
• Cocoa Seed Butter
• Chamomile Oil Infusion
• St. John’s Wort Oil Infusion
• Comfrey Oil Infusion
• Calendula Oil Infusion
• Dash of Essential Oils; Cedarwood, Cypress, Lavender & Ylang Ylang
• Shea Butter
• Almond Oil
• Olive Oil
• Castor Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Beeswax
• Neem Oil
• Argan Oil
• Cocoa Seed Butter
• Chamomile Oil Infusion
• St. John’s Wort Oil Infusion
• Comfrey Oil Infusion
• Calendula Oil Infusion
• Dash of Essential Oils; Cedarwood, Cypress, Lavender & Ylang Ylang
• Shea butter
• Olive oil
• Almond oil
• Coconut oil
• Neem oil
• Argan oil
• Castor oil
• Cocoa seed butter
• Avocado oil
• Beeswax
• Infusions of Chamomile, Calendula, Comfrey & St. John’s Wort Oil
• Dash of essential oils; Lemongrass, Cedarwood, Citronella, Geranium & Rosemary
Lemongrass and Citronella are used for one reason...they safely work to help banish bugs. We know those two may not be everyone's fave scent, and we get it, but as long as the bugs hate it, we'll keep using them.
Shea butter is a cold pressed oil from the Shea tree nut, found in West Africa. Shea butter has exploded in popularity for body care, hair care and of course, Blissful Dog butters!
Shea Butter Superpowers
• Moisturizes by restoring lipids
• High fatty acid content (linoleic, oleic, stearic & palmitic acids)
• Maintains tissue elasticity
• Quickly absorbed without being oily
• Creates a moisture holding barrier
• Has Anti-inflammatory properties from triggering cytokines
• Contains high levels of Vitamins A and E for anti-aging, antioxidant protection
• Also known for some degree of sun protection
Almond Oil is best known for its ability to soften, soothe, and re-condition the skin. It made from raw almond kernels and exceptionally rich in fatty acids.
Avocado Oil
• Excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids
• Contains vitamins A, D and E.
• Provides deep moisturizing
• Serves as a protective barrier
Avocado InfoMisinformation, confusion and incomplete information regarding avocado safety for dogs makes the rounds of the internet every few years. The confusion arises from the fact that avocados contain a substance called persin. Persin is a substance found in the avocado pit, skin, bark, and leaves of certain varieties. It is not found in avocado oil.
As with many plants, what parts of the plant are used and how it is processed is critical to understanding the benefits or issues of a plant.
Beeswax is a multi-purpose substance secreted by worker honeybees. Beeswax has a higher melting temperature, so it helps the various butters in the tubes keep their shape and ship bit better.
The use of beeswax is what prevents us from having our products be vegan, BUT it is such a powerful ingredient compared to the alternatives, we feel it is worth it.
This hard, shiny oil comes from certified organic Castor beans.
Castor oil acts as a barrier agent and offers protection against harsh conditions and extremes.
Note: There are none of the properties of the ricin that has been in the news (and Breaking Bad). The processing procedure that makes it oil eliminates that possibility.
First and foremost cocoa seed butter does not contain theobromine and is not toxic to dogs.
Cocoa Seed butter is a solid butter made by pressing the roasted seeds of the Cacao tree.
• Has low melt point & softens at body temperature
• Adds a rich, creamy, thick consistency to our butters
• Due to the processing methods used there is no chocolate smell or caffeine
Bliss Bit! None of the active ingredient in dark chocolate is in the Cocoa Seed Butter we use. So, no harm to your dogs or ours!
Coconut oil is renowned as a general moisturizing oil with a plethora of purposes.
• Serves as a protective layer for skin/nose tissue
• Helps retain moisture in skin/nose tissue
• Soothes inflamed & irritated skin
• Helps calm skin sensitivities
Olive oil is a well known healthy addition to all of our diets (canine and human). It also has many benefits when used on our skin (and our dog's skin).
Olive oil plumps and moisturizes nose tissue with a combo of vitamin E and A.
Dry, itchy skin is also often relieved by using olive oil. Of course, we add this wondrous oil liberally to all of the butters!
Oil infusions are made by steeping dried herbs or flowers in the chosen carrier oil, usually olive oil or jojoba oil, for an extended period of time. This is a slow-infused process.
Using oil infusions is another way to gain the benefits of both the carrier oil and the herbs used. Additionally, the carrier oil can boost the the herbal benefits by helping the herbal components be absorbed more effectively. Win/Win!
CALENDULA OIL is great for dry and damaged skin, skin inflammations, etc. It is an all around great addition to products for skin or noses, paws or elbows. The plant has been used medicinally, in food, as a fabric dye, and cosmetics. Calendula oil has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as combating rough or scaly skin.
CHAMOMILE INFUSION
Of course, Chamomile is beloved the world over for its benefits as a calming, soothing tea.
Chamomile is relaxing, cleansing, moisturizing, soothing, calming, cooling and anti-inflammatory. , Chamomile is well known for reducing calluses and often used in spas.
COMFREY OIL
This infusion is made from certified organic Comfrey leaves (Symphytum officinale) infused (steeped) in a base of olive oil.
For over 2000 years Comfrey has been documented in use for general wound healing, treatment of bruises and skin cell growth. Comfrey grows throughout Europe, North America and western Asia.
As in any ingredient, herbal or lab created, there is appropriate usage of Comfrey and the flip side is there are a few caveats.
Our Comfrey infusion is made from the leaves, not the root. The root is not used as it contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which the leaves do not.
Comfrey is a tried-and-true herbal component of many products. We feel the benefits far outweight the negative info online. We use a very small amount of the Comfrey oil infusion in Boo Boo Butter, Paw Butter and Elbow Butter. There is no scientific way that a dog could ingest enough to reach toxic levels.
Personally, I would rather research and share info than have a knee-jerk reaction and eliminate a good ingredient rather than have to explain why we use it a bit more.
ST. JOHN’S WORT OIL
Many are familiar with St. Johns wort as a treatment for depression. This versatile plant helps us feel better inside and out!
Used externally is is a valuable anti-inflammatory which can help speed the healing of wounds, bruises, bee stings, other bug bites, and mild burns. Some people swear by St. John’s wort for joint pain.
Neem oil is known for its ability to treat problematic skin conditions,
both therapeutic and medicinal use. Neem oil is anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Neem oil is used widely in creams, dental products, hair care products, and in gardens for natural pest control.
Neem oil is a naturally occurring pesticide found in seeds from the Neem tree. It has a hundred-plus-year history of controlling pests and diseases. We love Neem oil!
JOJOBA OIL
Jojoba is actually not an oil, but it is a liquid wax ester. Cold pressed from the Jojoba plant, it has fabulous moisturizing properties and is used extensively in the cosmetic industry.
GRAPE SEED OIL
Grape Seed Oil is a light oil that is rich in vitamins and minerals which makes it a nourishing addition to any product, especially massage oils, intended for dry, damaged or irritated skin.
Blissful Disclaimer: Google enough and you’ll find articles, websites, etc proclaiming that absolutely anything is bad for you, your dog, your cat, your pet unicorn and the environment. It seems to be the nature of the world we live in at this time.
We have worked long and hard to ensure every product we offer is safe and will do no harm. There are NO active ingredients in any of our products.
Our products are formulated to be safe, even in the case of a very greedy dog eating an entire tin of Boo Boo Butter. In most cases it WILL NOT hurt your dog if they lick some off or eat the whole tin (but put it up, they don't need all those calories and fat). They may have pudding poo (that's professional terminology) from eating too much fat.
That said, of course there is a very slight possibility of an individual dog having an individual reaction to an individual ingredient.
If your dog has any symptoms of irritation etc. after using any of our products, stop using them.
* Note: Our Blissfully Clean Dogs Shampoos, Conditioners and Sprays are made by trusted experts in their fields. More on each product's ingredients on the individual product pages.