Dry cracked noses and rough pads are one of those small things that nag at a dog all winter, and a balm is the usual answer: something waxy you rub in that stays put long enough to soften the skin, rather than a lotion that soaks away in a minute and leaves you no further forward. This one comes from Pets Calm Down and is made in the UK.

Balms of this kind work by sitting on the surface instead of being absorbed straight off, which gives the skin underneath time to hold on to its own moisture. That is also why they are applied thinly and rubbed in properly rather than smeared on. A tin suits paws better than a pump bottle, because you can get a fingertip's worth out with cold hands and close it one-handed while still holding a foot. Applied at bedtime, most of it stays on rather than being licked off.

• Nose and paw balm supplied in a tin
• Made in the UK by Pets Calm Down
• For dogs
• One option, with no variants to choose between
• Applied topically, thinly, and rubbed in

Who it's for: Dog owners after a simple topical balm for dry noses and hard-working pads, who are happy to have us check the pack details first.