With snow on the ground in every U.S. state except Florida, everyone is trying to dig out from under snow and ice. Sand, salt and chemical de-icers are commonly spread across sidewalks and roads to keep people and cars from sliding around.
However the salt and chemicals used to melt snow and ice can be dangerous to your dog. Many dogs lick their feet after a romp in the snow, so if your dog has walked on a chemical de-icer, he can ingest the toxic chemicals. These chemical de-icers are also bad for the environment too because they typically include phosphates, which are known to be detrimental to fish.
Rock salt used on sidewalks and roads aren’t any better for your dog than the chemical de-icers. Salts can cause the pads of your dog’s paws to crack and peel. Even worse, when your dog’s fur collects ice and snow, the salt can come with it. Salt can burn your dog’s skin, which makes her susceptible to infection. The ASPCA says dogs can develop “sores, infection and blistering” after walking on rock salt or chemical de-icers.
And these products aren’t good for the environment either: Salt-based melters have been shown to cause erosion, kill plants and poison birds. While kitty litter is frequently recommended as a substitute for rock salts and de-icers, it isn’t an environmentally-friendly option. The kitty litters that work contain clay, and while clay creates traction on ice, it’s not an eco-friendly option. For green traction, consider using sand instead.
So what to do about those icy walks and driveways? The good news is that there are many pet-safe, environmentally-friendly products on the market. Here are a few recommendations:
Safe Paw Ice Melter
Safe Paw’s award-winning, non-corrosive, salt-free, pet-friendly product promises to effectively melt ice without harming your dog’s paws — or the environment, your asphalt or concrete for that matter — and it keeps your sidewalk and/or driveway ice-free for up to three days.
The product is comprised of “a crystalline amide core infused with special glycols, provides a non-corrosive composition with a two-way timed-release action,” the company said, adding that the product “attracts solar heat to provide extra melting-power during daylight hours.”
Safe Paw has been featured on Martha Stewart’s TV show and the Green Guide as safe and environmentally friendly. It’s available at PetSmart and Amazon.com.
