SubscribePet Safe Ice Melt for a Worry-Free Winter
If you have pets you’ll want to use pet safe ice melt to protect them from toxic ice melt chemicals.
It is a fact that ice build up is a slippery hazard and it must be removed. You have pets and want to protect them from toxic ice melt chemicals, so you purchase a bag of ice melt that is labeled as ‘pet friendly’ and has a picture of a cute dog. But how do you know the product is actually pet safe ice melt?
Well, if you are reading the label for answers, unfortunately most of the information you need is either missing or misleading. Exposure to ice melt accounts for one of the top types of poisoning reported by pet parents in the winter. When it comes to pet safe ice melts and winter safety, here is what pet parents need to know.
Don’t Guess When It Comes To Your Pet’s Care
Don’t Guess When It Comes To Your Pet’s Care
Pet Safe Ice Melt: Why Conventional Melts Can Be Harmful
Most industries require that pet safe labeling claims be earned through testing. For example, lawn and garden products have pet safety standards they must meet and submit before going to market. However, ice melting products are completely unregulated by any state agency, the EPA, the USDA, or the FDA. As such, industry standards were never developed and testing to prove performance promises are not required.
The lack of regulatory oversight includes marketing claims on labels: consumers should know that there are no rules for ice melt products in regards to using terms like ‘pet safe’, ‘pet friendly’, ‘natural’, ‘eco-safe’,‘gentle’, etc on the label. These are simply marketing terms that are intended to catch the eye of a conscientious consumer who is looking for products that won’t harm their pets.
In addition, anybody who has purchased these ‘pet safe ice melt’ products knows that they pay a premium for these products. Most pet parents see it as a small price to pay to protect their pet in the winter, but the truth is the vast majority of all pelleted deicing products, including products labeled as ‘pet safe’ or ‘pet friendly’ contain one or more of three toxic chloride salts.
While these ingredients can help melt ice, they are unfortunately toxic to pets, plants, soil, and aquatic wildlife, and water sources. Furthermore, they damage concrete and metal. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends avoiding exposing your pet to ice melt pellets. In general, pet parents should avoid using any ice melt products that contain the following:
- Sodium chloride
- Calcium chloride
- Magnesium chloride
- Ethylene glycol
- Propylene glycol
Characteristics of Pet Safe Ice Melt
As we’ve already discussed, what you read on the label is not regulated, so it can be challenging to find a product that is actually pet and environmentally safe. The next time you see ‘pet safe ice melt’ or ‘works down to 5 degrees’, remember that each product has based that promise on their internal criteria and not an industry standard.
So how do you find a product that is actually a pet safe ice melt?
One way to find a safe product is to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation. Beyond that, your best bet is to contact the company and ask questions about the ingredients, their claims of pet safety, and effectiveness of their product. Ask the company if the product has been tested by an independent third party for safety, toxicity, and effectiveness, and if so, ask to see those test results. If they don’t have those results, then choose a different company.
Is calcium chloride safe for pets?
Calcium chloride is a salt that is commonly used in ice melt products. The biggest concern regarding this product is the potential for paw irritation. A secondary concern is accidental ingestion of calcium chloride, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Because of these concerns, calcium chloride is not considered a safe ice melt ingredient.
Isn’t magnesium chloride pet friendly?
Magnesium chloride salts are commonly used in deicing products that are labeled ‘pet friendly’ simply because they are the ‘least awful’ of the chloride salts. But make no mistake: magnesium chloride will upset your pet’s tummy if they ingest it and will cause paws to dry out, crack, and bleed if not washed off.
What about urea ice melt products?
Otherwise known as carbonyl diamide, urea is a fertilizer that is an effective ice melt until approximately 25°F. Any colder and it just doesn’t work. Although urea is safer for pet tummies, the pellets will still dry out pet paws and stick between paw pads. Keep in mind that pet safe ice melts don’t have to disclose all their inputs on the label (even when safety claims are made), which creates the potential for dangerous additives, such as salt, to be added in order to increase their effectiveness in cold weather.
Top Pet Safe Ice Melts on the Market
Play Safe Ice Blocker
Key Attributes: Safety professionals use ice melt as a last resort. For the past decade, airports, highways, local street departments, etc. have found that using liquid ice blockers to prevent ice down to -15°F from bonding is the best practice.
Price range: $22-$24/bottle
Highlights: Ice blocking liquids are cheaper, safer (surfaces never get icy slick), and better for the environment – there is no runoff, no threat to lakes, streams, watersheds, and ingredients are plant safe. They work fast, can be evenly applied, and liquid ice blockers are safe for concrete. And unlike salts, because ice blocker liquid smells a little like vinegar, it’s actually a repellant to pets.
Things to Consider: requires pre-treatment of surfaces before it snows and reapplication after snow storms, requires storage space for jugs
Safe Paw Ice Melter
Key Attributes: One of the best ice melts for concrete, Safe Paw granules contain a unique balance of patented dual-effect compounds, chloride-free, salt-free, acetate-free, and 100% safe for the environment. The liquid component starts melting ice instantly while breaking its surface tension, speeding up the melting process.
Price range: $25-$27/jug
Highlights: concentrated, economical formula that requires less product to melt ice, lasts for 72 hours, contains a proprietary agent that increases traction on icy surfaces, convenient and easy to use.
Things to consider: cannot be used on concrete that has been installed within the past 12 months, does not work in temperatures lower than -2 degrees F
Paw Pleaser Granules
Key Attributes: Paw Pleaser uses granules of a fertilizer called urea to melt ice. This product is 100% salt-free, is pet and child safe, and specifically designed to reduce all environmental impacts.
Price range: $14-$16/jug
Highlights: Urea is most effective as an ice melt in locations that have light winters with moderate temperatures. In these areas, this product will not only melt ice and provide traction, it will also benefit your lawn and plants.
Things to consider: Urea is only effective at melting ice down to 25 degrees F and contains high levels of nitrogen. If you live in an area that has heavy winters or is near a watershed, run-off from this product can burn plants and contaminate local water-ways.
Tips for Using Ice Melt Safely Around Pets
No matter what pet safe ice melt you choose, here is some practical tips to help you effectively remove ice and keep your pets safe and healthy this winter:
- Spread ice melt thinly and evenly to minimize residue, avoid overuse, and prevent buildup on paws.
- After the product melts the ice, use a shovel to clear the area of slush.
- Even if you use pet-safe ice melt, your neighbors may not. Rinse and dry a pet’s paws, legs, and belly after walks, and inspect the paws for any irritation. Apply paw balm to moisturize and soothe any irritation.
- To lessen the risk of toxicity, supervise your dogs while outside, and watch for any signs of ice melt toxicity, such as vomiting, drooling, dry and cracked paws, or excessive paw licking. If noticed – call your veterinarian.
- Do not let your pets play or walk on any ice melt products.
- Consider using booties or applying wax-based petrolatum or lanolin to your dog’s paws as an extra layer of protection against ice melt when they go outside.
- Use kitty litter or sand instead of ice melt. These items will not melt ice but will provide additional traction on slippery surfaces.
Help keep your pets and other pets in your neighborhood safe from accidental ice melt toxicity this winter by using an ice melt product that is actually safe for pets. You will gain the peace of mind that comes from doing your part, and it will be one less thing to worry about.
