• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered by Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • Daily Treatx
  • Dog Breeds
    • Beagle
    • Boxer
    • Chihuahua
    • Corgi
    • Dachshund
    • German Shepherd
    • Golden Retriever
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Pit Bull
    • Poodle
    • Shih Tzu
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Top Dog Names of 2020
    • Top Male Dog Names
    • Top Female Dog Names
    • Cool Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Grooming
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-GB
    • en-CA
    • es-ES
    • sv-SE
    • de-DE
    • fr-FR
    • nl-NL
    • it-IT
    • nb-NO
    • fr-CA
Search

Why De-Icers Can Be Dangerous for Dogs

SharePin It
dog deicer ice salt winter

Why De-Icers Can Be Dangerous for Dogs

Caring for Your Dog
By Elisabeth Geier

ShareTweetPin It

With winter weather raging, cities all across the U.S. are using plows, shovels, and chemical deicers to keep streets and sidewalks safe. But many common deicers are dangerous for dogs, and can irritate their paws and even cause serious illness if ingested.

Thankfully, there are plenty of pet-safe alternatives to harsh chemical de-icers. This winter, make smart choices to keep your dog comfortable and safe (and keep yourself from slipping and sliding all over the place).

Advertisement

What’s in those De-icing Products, Anyway?

Momma let me wear my orange booties instead of my hardcore boots today… they protect me from all the salt on the city streets! I still don't much care for the weird feeling on my feet, tho! #boots #saltysidewalks #freezing … #dogs #minpinstagram #adoptdontshop #miniaturepinscher #dogsofinstagram #instadog #dog #cutedog #chuckthewonderdog #dogsofig #minpinsquad

A post shared by ChuckleBuckle (@chuckthewonderdog) on Jan 18, 2016 at 6:29pm PST

Chemical deicers are products that lower the freezing point of water and make it easier to clear compacted snow and ice. They’re typically used to help clear icy roads and sidewalks, and provide traction for people and cars.

Slippery sidewalks are hazardous to your health, but chemical deicers can be dangerous for your dog. Some of the most common deicing ingredients that are dangerous for pets include:

  • Sodium chloride: Plain old salt. Ingesting a large quantity of sodium chloride can be deadly for dogs; mild ingestion will at least lead to gastrointestinal upset. Salt can also irritate dogs’ paws.
  • Potassium chloride: Another salt compound, potassium chloride is severely irritating if ingested.
  • Magnesium chloride: Sold in crystal and flake form, magnesium chloride is a very popular deicer. It can cause stomach problems if ingested in large amounts, and particularly dangerous for dogs with renal disease who are sensitive to large amounts of magnesium.
  • Calcium salts (calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, and calcium magnesium acetate): Calcium salts are the most hazardous of all ice melts. Ingestion can cause major gastrointestinal distress, and they are most likely to cause external irritation on skin and paws.

The good news is, your dog would have to eat a huge amount of deicer to become truly ill. However, even a small amount may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, and any salt-based deicer has the potential to cause chemical burns and irritation on your dog’s skin.

Dog-Friendly Ice & Snow Treatment

I don't like the snow. It's to colddd ????????????❄ #trixie #chihuahuafanatics #chihuahualife #chihuahualifestyle #chihuahuamoments #chihuahuarule #cutedog #dailychihuahua #chihuahuasofinstagram #chihuahuadogs #dogmodel #dogoftheday #instapet #pawsomechihuahua #pet #pet_empire #pet_of_instagram #sendadogphoto #sweetdog #trebletrixie #colddog

A post shared by Treble ???? Trixie ???? (@trebletrixie) on Jan 7, 2017 at 8:56am PST

Thankfully, there are plenty of safer alternatives to chemical deicers, some even marketed as specifically “pet-friendly.” Some natural or non-harmful alternatives include:

  • Kitty litter. Yup, kitty litter (the cheap, plain clay kind, nothing with special crystals or scents). While it won’t actually melt snow or ice, kitty litter provides traction on slick surfaces.
  • Sand. Similar to kitty litter, sand doesn’t make ice and snow go away, but it makes a gritty surface for better traction.
  • Safe Paw and other pet-safe commercial deicers designed to melt ice without harming animals

“Pet-safe” deicers are typically made with an ingredient called urea. Urea is less toxic than other deicing ingredients, but it can still cause issues if not processed specifically for pet safety. Remember to always check the label; the product should be salt- and chloride-free, and labeled as kid- and pet-safe (if it’s not safe for kids, it’s not safe for your dog).

How to Protect Your Dog’s Paws

Ruffwear booties are sturdy and designed for snow.

You can use pet-safe deicers at home, but of course, you can’t control everybody else in town. If you live in a place where the city salts the roads, you may need to take extra precautions for your dog.

There are a few ways to protect your dog’s paws from salt:

  • Avoid walking places where salt is used (this may mean steering your pup onto a snowy lawn rather than walking in the street).
  • Wash your dog’s paws after a winter walk (wipe them down with a warm, damp washcloth and dry with a microfiber towel)
  • Use booties to protect your pup’s feet
  • Apply paw salve or wax like Musher’s Secret
  • Contact your city officials and ask them to use pet- and environmentally-friendly deicers. Affordable alternatives like sand and gravel may be an option in your town!

De-icing is one of the necessary evils of winter, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous to your pet. Armed with knowledge, preparation, and pet-friendly products, you can make this winter a wonderland for your dog!

_

ShareTweetPin It

Elisabeth Geier

Elisabeth Geier is a writer, teacher, and animal advocate with extensive animal handling experience and a soft spot for bully breeds and big orange tabbies.

sidebar

By Elisabeth Geier

Share This Article

ShareTweetPin It

Tips & stories by dog people, for dog people

Powered by Rover.com

Popular Posts

  • Just Watch These Border Collie Puppies Meet Sheep for the First Time
  • Cat Shaming: Rank These 52 Cats Getting Hilariously Roasted for Their Crimes
  • Rescue Dog Kratu Plays His Way through Agility Competition and We Are Here for It
  • 8 Dog Supply Organizers to Declutter Your Pet’s Stuff
  • Sit Back and Get Cozy With These Dog-Themed Reality Shows, Streaming on HBO Max

The Dog People Newsletter

Sign up and get $25 off pet sitting and dog walking!

Powered by Rover.com

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
Advertisement
© 2021 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.