The terrain our dogs run through isn’t for the faint of heart. Their paws take a beating on sharp rock, ice covered snow, dense forest, and rolling prairies covered in cacti and sand burrs—just to name a few. These environments can leave your pup with sore, raw pads, sidelining them for days at a time. Conditioning before the season is always a must to help prevent running through their paws, but that can only go so far during the long season. These ointments can help keep your dogs’ paws healthy and improve resiliency, offering your dog paw protection through the toughest months.
Blue Foot Pad Toughener Blue Foot Pad Toughener Made to strengthen paw pads, the Blue Foot Pad Toughener is made to improve pad resiliency through daily application. Made with hunting dogs in mind, the ointment acts as a skin toughener to keep your dog healthy throughout the season, while also serving as an antiseptic to heal cuts and sores. Apply before a hunt or field trial to protect your dog’s paws in harsh terrain.
$9; dogsunlimited.com
Musher’s Secret Musher’s Secret The most well-known brand to bird dog enthusiasts is the ointment in the blue and white container, Musher’s Secret. Developed in Canada by sled dog competitors, Musher’s isn’t just for winter (although it shines by keeping snowballs from forming in-between paw pads) but for early season as well. Natural food-grade waxes and oils help to condition pads while also protecting your dog’s paws by acting as an invisible boot. Good for sand, rough terrain, snow, ice, and more.
$16–$40; musherssecret.com
Tuf-Foot Tuf-Foot Used by both human athletes as well as for sporting dogs and horses, Tuf-Foot helps to toughen skin tissue thanks to a unique blend of ingredients based on herbs and balsams that Aboriginal tribes used to protect their feet in the harsh Outback. A convenient spray bottle allows for easy application and serves to both heal and protect sore paws. Apply daily to prepare your dog’s paws before the hunt, and twice weekly to maintain paw protection for your dog.
$15; tuffoot.com
Paws R Protected Paw Protected A favorite among Gun Dog staff, this all-natural paw protector balm is from Dogs R Treed—a small company in Idaho that understands the needs of working dogs. Available in a container or convenient twist up tube for easy application, the balm is made with aloe, waxes, hydrating oils, butters, and Vitamins A, D, and E. The Paws R Protected balm is for conditioning, healing, and preventing pad wear.
$27–$29; dogsrtreed.com
Alpha Dog Nutrition Paw Relief Alpha Dog Nutrition Paw Relief More than just a conditioner, the Paw Relief Wax from Alpha Dog Nutrition has antimicrobial ingredients to help fight off harmful bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties to ease pain. Hydration elements such as shea butter, jojoba oil, and Vitamin E help heal cracked paws. The wax provides an all-natural barrier to help prevent harmful debris, chemicals, and bacteria from making direct contact with your dogs’ paws.
$15–$20; alphadognutrition.com
