Is paw paw ointment safe for your dog?

If you’re a loving dog owner, you know our furry friends sometimes encounter discomfort and skin issues, such as splinters, dryness, or itchiness on their paws or snout.

As a popular household remedy, you might wonder if Paw Paw ointment can be safely used on your dog?

The short answer is yes, but I advise you to do your best not to let your dog ingest it.

Update: Did you know you can get Paw Paw ointment especially for Dogs, called Paw Balm?

Let’s delve into this topic and provide some guidance on when and how to use Paw Paw on your dog:

Why use Paw Paw ointment on your dog?

Paw Paw ointment, like the well-known Lucas’ Papaw Ointment in Australia (the red tube), is primarily designed for humans and has a range of uses, from soothing dry and cracked skin to helping heal minor wounds and insect bites.

While it’s formulated for human skin, it can be applied to your dog’s paw pads or snout in specific situations such as the following:

Dryness and cracking

Paw Paw ointment can provide your dog much needed relief for dry or cracked paw pads, especially during harsh weather conditions.

If you live in an area where your dog commonly picks up little splinters, then Paw Paw ointment can help sooth the pain and sometimes help the splinters naturally work their way out.

Minor wounds

Paw Paw may aid in the healing process of minor cuts, grazes, or small wounds that your dog might pick up during outdoor adventures.

For best effect only apply just enough to cover the area, and monitor your dog to ensure they don’t lick it off. Usually they won’t, as for most dogs it’s not an appealing taste.

Itchiness and irritation

For this one I highly recommend you consider the cause of the itchiness and irritation as most of the time this is dietary sensitivities (what’s in your kibble?) or environmental sensitivities (what’s in your garden?).

The soothing properties of Paw Paw can offer your dog relief from itchiness caused by allergies or minor skin irritations.

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However, it’s essential to exercise caution and follow some guidelines to ensure your dog’s safety.

What you should be careful of

When using Paw Paw ointment on your dog, please be careful of the following:

Ingestion

Dogs are known to lick substances applied to their skin.

While Paw Paw ointment is generally considered safe if ingested in small amounts, large quantities could lead to digestive discomfort or diarrhea.

To prevent this, apply a thin layer and monitor your dog to ensure they don’t excessively lick it off.

If your dog shows any signs of sickness or diarrhea, wash the area the Paw Paw ointment was applied and cease using it on your dog.

Allergies and sensitivities

Some dogs may be sensitive or allergic to certain ingredients in Paw Paw ointment. Most dogs are fine, but some tend to react to almost everything.

If in any doubt, do a patch test first by applying a small amount to a small area of your dog’s skin and observing for any adverse reactions before using it more extensively. If you can, wait 24 hours to see if any reactions develop.

Non-toxic ingredients

Lucas’ Papaw Ointment in Australia, for instance, is made from a blend of natural ingredients, mostly papaya grown freshly in Queensland, pharmaceutical-grade petroleum jelly, and wax.

This combination is generally safe for topical use on dogs. If ingested, it will most likely cause a laxative effect or digestive discomfort.

Always check the ingredient list of any Paw Paw ointment you plan to use to ensure it does not contain harmful additives.

You can find the ingredients of Lucas’ Papaw ointment on their website.

Final thoughts about using Paw Paw ointment on dogs

In conclusion, Paw Paw ointment can be a useful tool in your pet care arsenal for addressing specific skin issues your dog may encounter.

However, it’s crucial to use it judiciously, ensuring your dog doesn’t ingest excessive amounts and monitoring for any signs of sensitivity or allergy.

I highly recommend using a reputable brand like Lucas’ Papaw Ointment to ensure safe and natural ingredients. Your dog’s well-being is paramount, and a little extra TLC can go a long way in keeping their paws and snout healthy and happy!

If you’ve had success using Paw Paw on your dog, let us know in the comments!

Hugs!

Gina & Maisy