This product has long been a favorite with pet owners for its effectiveness and non-greasy texture. Plus, it dries in seconds after you massage it into your dog’s paw pads. Originally created in Canada specifically for sled dogs, it contains food-grade waxes, including white and yellow beeswax and vitamin E.

The product absorbs quickly to prevent it from spreading to floors and carpets. (Hint: If it’s greasy, you’re applying too much.) It moisturizes and soothes paw pads but also protects against ice and snowball build-up between toes and salt residue.

Another plus is that it can be used on other areas, including the snout, ears, nipples, elbows, and other hot spots. Speaking of hot, Musher’s Secret Paw helps on hot pavement, too.

The convenient screw-on lid container comes in three sizes, and the product has an indefinite shelf life. It’s safe for use on dogs and cats, as well as on the sole, heel, fetlock, base of tail, and ears of horses. For best results, apply two to three times a week.

_{Ingredients: White and yellow beeswax, carnauba, candelilla wax, vegetable oils, vitamin E | Sizes: 60-gram, 200-gram, 1-pound jar}

This product, created by a French musher for his sled dogs, absorbs rapidly into paw pads and noses. It contains all-natural ingredients and is made without mineral oil or petroleum-based ingredients, which is appealing to some pet parents. The ingredients are certified organic and grown in Europe, and the product is made in France.

Most pet owners report there’s almost no scent, so it doesn’t seem to bother dogs, even when rubbed onto the nose. It can also be rubbed between the toes to prevent snowball buildup or used for protecting paw pads from hot asphalt or sand.

_{Ingredients: Soybean oil, essential oil of cajuput, glycine max seed oil | Sizes: 1.67-ounce jar}

If your pup’s nose is dry and scaly, this handy stick makes it super-easy to apply to his snout. It’s made from natural ingredients, such as shea nut butter, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and vitamin E. It’s also non-toxic and fragrance-free, so it’s less likely to be irritating to an already-sensitive snout.

It also contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives and is a favorite of vets and pet parents alike. 

_{Ingredients: Kukui nut oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, chamomile, hempseed oil, shea nut butter, jojoba oil, candelilla wax, vitamin E, rosemary extract | Sizes: 2-ounce stick; 1-ounce, 2-ounce, 4-ounce tin}

Stick forms of paw balms can be easier for some pet parents to apply than formulas that come in a tin or jar. All you need to do is rub the stick onto their paw pads, then lightly massage in.

PetLab Co.’s Paw Balm combines carnauba wax and shea butter with coconut, sunflower, hemp, rosemary, sweet almond, and grape seed oil, providing not only skin moisturizing but a multi-factor protective layer that enables healing of your dog’s paws.

It contains no dyes and is manufactured in the United States with globally sourced ingredients.

_{Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, carnauba wax, coconut oil, sunflower oil, rosemary oil | Sizes: 2.4-ounce stick}

This gel product works on cracked paw pads, noses, and elbows, and can be used on dogs, cats, and horses. The clear, greaseless gel consistency is easy to apply on some dogs, especially squirmy dogs, because it absorbs quickly. It doesn’t leave a residue behind (residues may stimulate your dog to lick even more, aggravating the problem).

The product not only soothes dry skin but also reduces excess keratin. It’s often recommended by vets for dogs that have hyperkeratosis.

_{Ingredients: Microencapsulated salicylic acid (6.6 percent), urea | Sizes: 1-ounce tube}

If you need a pocket-sized paw-soothing product for when you’re on the go with your pooch, this lip balm-sized container is just right. It’s made from all-natural ingredients, including coconut oil, mango butter, calendula extract, and jojoba oil.

This plant-based product is easy to apply, but it’s only for use on paw pads.

_{Ingredients: Cajeput essential oil, calendula extract, rosemary extract, jojoba oil, hempseed oil, coconut oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, candelilla wax, vitamin E | Sizes: 0.15-, 2-ounce sticks; 1-ounce, 2-ounce, 4-ounce tins; 5-pack travel sticks}

To hydrate and soothe a dog’s skin, Skout’s Honor Prebiotic Pet Balm is loaded with natural ingredients, including castor seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, and manuka honey, which provides natural antimicrobial properties. The gentle formula is unlikely to irritate sensitive skin, and it can be used preventatively to keep your dog from experiencing dry skin on their paws or nose.

The alcohol and fragrance-free balm is packaged in a tin that should be sealed entirely after each use to keep it from drying out. To use, you must first break the top layer with your fingertips and then warm it with your hands before applying it to your dog.

The Prebiotic Pet Balm is non-greasy, and a little bit goes a long way. All the ingredients used are considered safe for a pet’s digestive tract, but always limit your dog’s licking of the areas of application as much as possible.

_{Ingredients: Castor seed oil, coconut oil, beeswax, olive oil, shea butter, castor wax, inulin, fructose, argan kernel oil, vitamin E, calendula flower extract, manuka honey | Sizes: 2-ounce jar}

There’s a reason why this staple from Vermont has been around since 1899. Its simple yet effective four-ingredient formula relieves and protects dry, cracked skin with no stinging. Plus, Bag Balm is budget-friendly.

The long-lasting moisturizer works extremely well on paws and noses. No surprise, it’s highly recommended by users in numerous forums on Reddit, including subreddits for poodles, German Shepherds, and general dog advice. One user even suggests Bag Balm as a great treatment for elbow calluses.

It’s formulated with a strong scent to discourage pets from licking it off, which could also prove to be a big turn-off for pets as well as their parents. Still, if you and your dog can get over disliking the smell, Bag Balm is well worth keeping on hand.

_{Ingredients: Petrolatum, lanolin, 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate, paraffin wax | Sizes: .25-ounce, .33-ounce, 2-ounce tubes; 1-ounce, 4-ounce, 8-ounce tins}

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment earns a solid reputation when it comes to healing the dry, cracked skin of humans. But did you know that it is also safe to use on pets? This petroleum jelly product is clinically proven to heal dry skin while providing a water-resistant layer of protection.

Trusted by dermatologists and veterinarians, Aquaphor can be used on paws, noses, and other chapped areas of a pet’s skin. However, since it’s made primarily of petroleum products, it is strongly advised to prevent your dog from licking it off their skin.

^{Ingredients: Petrolatum, mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol, panthenol, glycerin, bisabolol | Sizes: 7-ounce, .35-ounce (2-pack) tubes; 14-ounce jar}

Another effective, affordable option is Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Pet Formula, designed to relieve dry, chapped skin on your dog’s paw pads and nose. Unlike Aquaphor, this cream balm contains no petroleum products, parabens, phthalates, or fragrance. It’s also plant-based and cruelty-free.

Pet parents like that it uses cocoa butter and vitamin E to help keep their dog’s paw pads and nose soft and smooth, and at a very affordable price. One Amazon reviewer reports, “…this cocoa butter balm worked very quickly to moisturize my dogs nose and his paws!! Leaving each area softer each time I used it. My dog did try to lick it off, so I am happy to report it is safe and non-toxic. The smell is also great!” Palmer’s does recommend that you distract your pup long enough to allow the balm to absorb into their skin, so they’re less likely to ingest too much cocoa butter, which can cause stomach upset.

_{Ingredients: Paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), cera microcristallina (microcrystalline wax), butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, dimethicone, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, tocopherol, tocopheryl acetate, panthenol, prunus amygdalus Dulcis (sweet almond) oil, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, avena sativa (oat) meal extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, zea mays (corn) oil, isopropyl myristate, beta-carotene (Cl 40800) | Sizes: 3.5 fl ounces}

Dog Palace is a trusted purveyor of high-end, well-insulated, and safety-conscious dog houses for pups of all sizes and behavioral profiles. The Insulated Dog House is its baseline model, and will be a perfect fit for most dog owners; at a little over $300, it is an investment but not prohibitive, and certainly not out of line with the quality of the product.

Built from thick plastic and fortified with serious, industrial-grade insulation (2 to 4 inches thick), there’s little risk of your dog getting chilly even without the built-in central heater. This can be controlled by remote, giving you precise control over the climate inside your canine’s palace.

The square footage inside, the size of the entranceway, and the thickness of the floor lend themselves to dogs sized petite to large (shoulder height of 26.5 inches or less) The door can be used with or without a protective flap which is easy for dogs to move through comfortably and provides additional protection against both the elements and predators.

If it sounds like a dauntingly big space to clean and generally maintain, think again. The Dog Palace house has a clever raised, slanted floor design which is designed to make drainage easy and comprehensive. It’s easy to access all corners of the house for quick cleaning, too. With all factors considered, this basic Dog Palace model is the most worthwhile investment on the market if you are serious about keeping your pup (or small pups) protected against frigid weather conditions and happy outdoors year-round.

Dimensions: 47.5 x 31.5 x 38.5 inches | Weight: 76 pounds | Materials: Plastic | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

To get a well-made and appropriately sized house for puppies and small-breed dogs, it’s sometimes necessary to look into product design for other small animals—namely, cats. The Outdoor Heated Multi-Kitty House from trusted pet brand K&H is spacious but modest at 21.5 x 26.5 x 15.5 inches, and perfect for outdoor use thanks to its highly weather-resistant polyester and well-insulated design. The heated pad covers half of the house’s floor, meaning your growing canine can get on and off easily if they’re overheated.

Depending on the weather or your dog’s specific behavioral profile, you can leave flaps on or off the entrance to the house. If you are concerned about electric safety with the house out in the elements, the 20-watt heated bed has been tested by MET labs and functions above safety standards in both the United States and Canada—that is, well-protected from potential water damage or other hazards. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that in very extreme conditions, you’ll want to keep the house in a covered area like a garage or porch because the exterior of the house is not fully waterproof.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 26.5 x 15.5 inches | Weight: 6.9 pounds | Materials: Polyester | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

Made of plastic with high-grade, recycled insulation lining its walls, the larger version of our favorite overall heated dog house from Dog Palace keeps the chill and snow out handily. The built-in heater assures that you can get the climate in the house however your oversize pup prefers it; owners can adjust the temperature with a remote-controlled digital thermostat.

There are plenty of other features that help this Dog Palace model earn its price tag. It is incredibly spacious, with a 4-foot diameter and height. While you can go bigger and sturdier (and pricier) with houses fit for multiple dogs, this model may do you just fine as a shared hub for two or three smaller-sized canines. It is also easy to clean and sanitary, with a raised floor with drainage built in.

If you are looking for a dog house splurge, the Dog Palace CRB Premium house is certainly an option that is unlikely to disappoint, and it comes with a 10-year warranty to assure longevity.

Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 46 inches | Weight: 96 pounds | Materials: Plastic | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

If you are looking for a heated item to pop into a dog house or travel crate to provide some extra warmth, this highly affordable heated indoor pad, this comfy Frisco mat may be the perfect accessory for you. To prevent overheating and promote safety, the mat includes a choice of two different temperature settings as well as a timer function. The latter allows you to keep the pad on only as long as your pup needs it, whether that’s four or 24 hours. There’s a comfy polyester edge that makes the pad a great sleeping spot as well.

The pads aren’t only for petite dogs, either; they are available in 18-, 24-, 30-, and 36-inch versions. These are designed to be travel-friendly, so they are ultra-portable—easy to move back and forth from your car to different spots in your house or store out of sight.

Dimensions: 18, 24, 30, and 36 inches | Weight: 3.858 pounds | Materials: Polyester | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

Fully waterproof and powered by a steel-wrapped power cord, K&H’s outdoor heated pad for canines has been well-tested and dubbed safe from the elements by the electronics inspections experts at MET Labs and adheres to safety standards in the United States and Canada. Luckily, it is also extremely comfortable for pups, with a soft foam base and a fleece cover (totally safe for your washing machine, so don’t worry about clean-up). The pad has proven to be perfect for use in sheds, garages, barns, and elsewhere.

The electrical imprint for a bed this size isn’t bad either: its 25 x 36-inch surface area is heated by just 60 watts of power. Owners can use a thermostat to exactly control the amount of heat their lounging pup(s) is/are receiving to prevent overheating, since the bed automatically warms to your dog’s body temperature.

Dimensions: 25 x 36 x 1.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Materials: Orthopedic foam and PVC | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

This pad from K&H is the perfect heating solution for an igloo-style dog house. It is easy to fit through the opening of any enclosure and available in three different sizes to fit whatever size of igloo you have at home. The pad takes up half the size of the igloo with its half-round shape, giving your pup the choice to be on or off it,

You should be able to place the Igloo-Style Heated Pad at most desired locations in your house thanks to its 66-inch power cord. Don’t worry about overheating or energy conservation: The pad heats only when your pup is on it. Unlike many pads on the market, the K&H Lectro is safe for both indoor and outdoor use. Also, its automated on-and-off feature saves you time manually tweaking the temperature and timer.

Dimensions: 17.5 x 30 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Materials: ABS plastic and fleece | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

For heated dog house options that are affordable and easily transportable, tent-style homes are an excellent investment. K&H—perhaps the most reliable brand in the dog-house game—has a high-quality heated tent house model that we highly recommend. Made of nylon and equipped with a removable orthopedic foam bed, the Thermo-Tent is a comfy and low-maintenance option, easy to assemble and collapse without tools and move around your home as needed.

Like all K&H products, the tent is certified by MET Labs and exceeds all North American safety standards. It is perfect for use inside the home or in garages, porches, and other semi-outdoor areas. If you are looking for a secondary house option during the cold months, the Thermo-Tent will work perfectly, but since the heated floor is removable, it also works as a home for your pup year-round.

Dimensions: 19 x 24 x 16 inches | Weight: 3 pounds | Materials: Nylon | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

In many ways, the Akoma Hound Dog House Heater is the ultimate all-purpose heating solution for indoor dog houses. It adjusts to a wide range of temperatures—between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit—and can heat dog houses of up to 75 cubic feet, which means it will serve almost any size of puppy domicile you maintain in your house. To prevent overheating, the heater only runs when needed, and the temperature and other elements can be controlled by smartphone or tablet through Bluetooth.

To keep your dog(s) safe, the power cord is wrapped in stainless steel spring and chewproof. If you are using the heater in an igloo-style dog house, It can be mounted on a sturdy docking bracket to prevent being knocked over or other accidents. The heater incorporates a heat shield so that your dog can touch the lower half without any danger. If all of the customizability and the safety precautions aren’t enough to recommend the Akoma heater, it is also designed to be extremely resilient, thanks to a 300W heating element.

Dimensions: 10 x 4.5 x 10 inches | Weight: 2.7 pounds | Materials: Plastic | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes

Clawsable’s Outdoor Heated Dog Crate provides a cozy environment for your pet, even when you’re on the road. The collapsable design allows you to store the crate when it’s not in use, and then set it up for travel or temporary backyard use. This crate features a cushioned, waterproof cover, a solid bottom, and an adjustable heating pad operated by a remote control.

The Clawsable crate comes in three sizes (small, medium, and large), and is easy to set up, requiring no tools. Its space-saving design has two doors allowing you to situate it in small spaces and still gain access to your pet. Additionally, the heating pad’s temperature and duration can be adjusted to your pet’s needs, but requires an electrical hookup to function.

This crate is certified by MET Labs, assuring strict electrical safety standards.

Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.5 x 19.3 inches (small), 29.9 x 18.9 x 21.7 inches (medium), 35.8 x 22.8 x 26.0 inches (large) | Weight: 14.33 pounds (small), 18.85 pounds (medium), 30.2 pounds (large) | Materials: Metal, Oxford cloth | Requires Electrical Connection: Yes