Pet Safe Ice Melt and Other Winter Hazards for Pets

Snowy sidewalks and icy driveways might be part of winter life, but they can be risky for pets. Learn about the dangers of salt, ice melt, and other winter hazards for dogs and get tips for making your dog's winter adventures safer.

Winter officially starts on December 21, but the weather usually starts to shift much earlier bringing snow, ice, and slick walking conditions. Products like salt and ice melt are widely used, so it's important to know the risks and best practices to keep your dog safe on their winter adventures.

In this article, we'll cover some common winter hazards for pets and share practical ways to keep your dog safe, including choosing pet-safe ice melt and using protective options like dog boots during cold-weather walks.

What is Pet Safe Ice Melt?

Winter can be a dangerous time of year for your fur friend. The road salts and ice melts we use to keep our streets and sidewalks safe for us are less than safe for pets.  Ice melts work by melting ice (they are also used to melt snow), but they are not without dangers to pets.

Common ice melt ingredients such as magnesium chloride and potassium chloride can burn your pet's paws after prolonged exposure and can prove toxic if ingested.

Types of Road Salts & Ice Melts

When shopping for pet-safe ice melt, you'll encounter a lot of different brands and types of ice melt on the market. Some even proclaim themselves non-toxic and biodegradable. However, any melter ingested in large amounts can prove dangerous.

Here's a quick breakdown of the most common products made to melt ice and snow:

Classic Rock Salt 

One of the most common is sodium chloride-based, which is basically rock salt that melts ice. The term ‘rock salt' is a bit misleading. It might sound safe and natural, but it's not. Exposure to rock salt can quickly irritate your dog's skin, and ingesting it in large enough quantities can lead to a risk of poisoning.

Ethylene Glycol-Based 

Ethylene glycol-based ice melts are extremely dangerous. They contain the same active ingredient as antifreeze, which is deadly when ingested. Even ingestion of a small amount by furry friends can rapidly cause kidney failure, gastrointestinal upset, stomach issues, and death if eaten.

Propylene Glycol-Based 

Pet-safe ice melts are often made with a propylene glycol base, which is considered more gentle than other chemicals. Some brands use urea as the active ingredient, which is relatively pet-safe but not as effective as other types.

Even though this type of ice melt is considered generally safe for canines, it's still not meant to be ingested. It can also be harmful to other pets, like cats, so be aware of what your dog may be tracking back into your house.

Calcium Chloride & Magnesium Chloride

These are two common salt-based ice melts. While both are effective in the right conditions, they each have their own drawbacks. 

Calcium chloride ice melts are generally considered unsafe for pets. Both ingestion and skin contact can be dangerous for pets, as they can lead to irritation or toxicity.

Magnesium chloride melts are considered safe for pets, as they are non-irritating to the skin with limited exposure, but ingestion is still risky.

Both are commonly used for sidewalks and parking lots, but calcium chloride works in temperatures as low as -25°C, making them more popular for commercial use in very cold climates.

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) 

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA). CMA is frequently used on roads, asphalt, stone, and other surfaces to remove heavy and dangerous ice buildup. It is extremely powerful and highly corrosive. 

Usually, CMA is combined with other ingredients, such as rock salt to further boost its strength. Typically, CMA is considered less toxic than chlorides if ingested, but it can burn your pet and is somewhat expensive. 

Are Pet Friendly Ice Melts Really Safe?

Even the best pet-friendly ice melters are not completely safe. Of course, they are safer than standard ice melts and road salts, but pet-safe ice melts are not without risk.

Exposure to the pet's skin can still cause chemical burns and irritation, and some ice melts are toxic when ingested. 

Dog Ingestion of Ice Melt

A dog eating snow can accidentally ingest ice melt, or the pooch might lick his feet after a long walk and accidentally lap up ice melt. The ingestion of even a small amount of the melt can be dangerous to your furry friend. 

Ingestion of commercial melt products leads to mild to severe toxicity, depending on the type of ice melter used on concrete surfaces

Your dog may exhibit the following symptoms:

• • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Excessive thirst 
  • Trouble walking
  • Salivation 
  • Sudden drop in blood pressure
  • Increased urination 
  • Muscle tremors
  • Kidney failure 
  • Seizures 

Treatment of Ice Melt Ingestion in a Dog 

Ingesting around 4 milligrams of sodium per kilogram of body weight can easily lead to the death of the animal. Sadly, the mortality rate hovers at 50 percent or greater regardless of treatment.

If you suspect your dog has ingested ice melt, then prompt life-saving veterinary care is imperative, especially for small dogs, which are very susceptible. Give the animal access to freshwater to help flush out the highly toxic salt and quickly seek emergency veterinary medical care.

Paw Damage From Ice Melt

When your dog walks across the ice melt, it can damage the animal's delicate paw pads and lead to skin irritation by causing severe chemical burns. The ice melt can become stuck in the paws and lead to chaffing, cracking, redness, blistering, and bleeding. 

Here are a few things you can do to protect your dog's paws from chemicals, salts, and other ice melts that you may encounter:

• • Use dog boots or paw-protecting waxes
  • Rinse your dog's paws after walking outdoors
  • Vary your route to avoid roads, sidewalks, and pathways that are heavily treated with ice-melting chemicals (bus routes, parking lots, etc.)

Dog Boots to Protect From Ice Melts

When you walk your dog in areas that use ice melt, dog boots are one of the best tools to keep your pet safe. Boots not only provide warmth when walking on snow and ice but also keep their paws dry and protected from salt and other ice melt chemicals. 

Not every dog needs boots for warmth, but even the flooffiest pawed doggos can feel the burn and discomfort that ice melts can have on their paws. Check out our full selection of dog boots and socks to find the right style for your dog. 

Pet Safe Ice Melt FAQs

What is pet-safe ice melt made of?

There are many kinds of ice melts, and many claim to be pet-safe even if they aren't 100% safe. Common ingredients include propylene glycol, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, and urea.

What is the safest ice melt for dogs? 

While no ice melt is 100% safe, ice melts made from Crystalline amides are the safest on your dog's paws. With that in mind, no ice melt is safe to ingest, so monitor your dog on walks to stop him from eating ice melt or snow or ice that has come in contact with ice melts.

How can you tell if ice melt is pet-safe?

If you are purchasing ice melt, look for products labelled as such. Unfortunately, you won't be able to know if the chemical ice melts used by the city, businesses, or even your neighbours are pet safe, though, so always use paw protection on walks.

Is it too cold to walk my dog?

Whether temperatures are too cold to walk your dog depends on the breed, age, health, and coat of your dog, as well as the current temperature and weather conditions. Generally, if it's too cold for you to stay outside comfortably, it's probably too cold for your dog as well, especially for smaller, short-haired breeds or puppies.