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Pet Care & Health
What You Need to Know About De-Icing Salts to Keep Pets Safe
If you live in cold country, you know that snow and ice removal can be accomplished by melting, scraping or shoveling the cold, wet, slushy or hard stuff away. Adding chemicals to it first can make the job a whole lot easier!
The purpose of these chemicals is to lower the freezing point of water. In addition to melting the snow and ice, they also prevent it from reforming and sticking to surfaces. These de-icing chemicals typically consist of salts (sodium, magnesium calcium and potassium chlorides), alcohols and glycols – not what you’d want inside your pet!
Unfortunately, that is what can happen when our pets go out exercising and answering nature’s call. The chemicals attach to their fur and paws and then they ingest when they groom themselves. The salts and other chemicals will irritate paws, and depending on the type of deicer used in your neighborhood, your pet’s problems can range from tummy upsets to kidney failure.
Prevention
Be sure to take precautions this winter when your pup heads outdoors:
- When walking your pooch, stay clear of surfaces coated with chemicals.
- Accustom your dog to waterproof booties.
- If your dog won’t wear paw attire, wash paws with a warm damp washcloth, and then dry after every walk. Keep hair growing between paws pads trimmed short to prevent chemicals and ice balls from sticking. Apply paw wax to pads before going out, but still, wipe clean after walks.
- Try pet-safe alternatives around your home, and ask your city officials to do the same. Morton® Safe-T-Pet® Ice Melt® was developed by veterinarians and is a pet-safe way to melt snow and ice. Completely free of salt and chloride, it is effective to 10°F. Kitty litter and gravel won’t melt ice but can provide traction to help prevent people and pets from slipping on slick surfaces.
- Never let pets drink from puddles or eat snow since either could contain toxic chemicals.
Signs, Symptoms & Treatment
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much. A small dog or cat needs only to ingest less than ½ Tablespoon, or 3 Tablespoons for an extra-large dog, for fatal results to occur!
Within 3 hours of licking de-icing salts from their paws, drinking it from a puddle of melted snow or by whatever means the animal ingests the toxin, these signs and symptoms may occur:
- Burns to the lips and skin
- Cracked paw pads
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Shortness of breath
- Disorientation
- Seizures
Quickly get your pet to your veterinarian or animal emergency center where treatment for hypernatremia (too much salt) will include administration of IV fluids and monitoring electrolytes and blood levels. This is a serious condition.
Providing traction to slippery sidewalks and roadways is important to preventing injury however, we must also protect our furry family members in regards to the ways in which this task is accomplished. Let snow create a winter wonderland, but keep it a safe time for all by protecting precious paws and every inch of those furry bodies!
Keep Your Pet Safe This Winter 
Here at PetFirst, we know accidents and illnesses happen to all pets. PetFirst is here for every dog and cat. From common colds to more significant health problems, pet insurance can help cover unexpected vet visits.
Pet insurance provides peace of mind that if your pet gets sick or injured, you don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of his treatment. You can just focus on your pet’s care.
Already have a PetFist Insurance Policy? If you have any specific questions or concerns and want to start a live video call with a veterinarian to discuss them, simply download the new airVet app. All calls on airVet are already covered as part of PetFirst policies.
