De-icing the Safe (and Pet-Friendly) Way for Your Family
Wouldn’t it be great if once the holidays ended, we could move immediately to spring? Unfortunately, the majority of the country will still be digging out from snow and bracing chilly winter winds for the next few months. One common winter-weather danger is slides and falls from icy sidewalks, making it especially important to clear the slippery stuff. It’s important to make sure, that your de-icing products are safe, as traditional de-icers have the potential to harm your pets and their little paws.
The most important thing to do is remove snow promptly with snow and ice chippers, but life often gets in the way, leaving such tasks by the wayside. Let’s be realistic: If ice does build up, there are some great, natural de-icers that won’t harm the grass, shrubs, or most importantly, your children and pets.
Be wary of de-icers that claim to be pet friendly, as this label isn’t always true. Instead of spreading chemicals on your sidewalks and driveways, try a natural solution, like alfalfa meal. The nitrogen in alfalfa facilitates ice melting, as well as provides traction while the ice is melting.
Although you can control what chemicals are used on your own property, your animals will likely come in contact with de-icers used throughout your community. According to Dr. Albert Nunez, a holistic Florida veterinarian, “Sodium chloride, which is a common ingredient in de-icers, can kill grass and shrubs, but it can also hurt your pets if ingested in large quantities. In addition to the risk of upsetting your pets’ stomachs, this ingredient can also irritate their paws. Calcium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride will also have the same effect. If you suspect that your animal has been poisoned, call your vet immediately.”
Dr. Nunez goes on to say, “If your pets do come in contact with de-icers, make sure to wipe off their paws to limit the potential of their paws becoming irritated and also limit the potential of ingestion when they clean their paws. You can also use sesame oil or other natural oils on your pets’ paws to help alleviate the dryness and cracking that can result from the salt used to melt ice.”
-Beth Swanson
June 14th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Pets Pets and its always about Pets, Things were not the same for me 1 year ago, I had a broken relationship and needed something to active charge my life, I got a cute little puppy and I must say she changed me ( THough housebreaking her was a Pain )
Great Post! Thanks
June 14th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Thank you (I write as a little white poodle is curled up on my lap). Gotta love them!
June 17th, 2009 at 12:45 am
A great Pet blog you have here. Now frankly I am not much into pets, I am trying to train my Little Pomerian House Breaking… and Not really sure how to train her. She looks cute but she going down on the bed is worse.!
June 17th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Thank you Kate!
August 17th, 2009 at 10:05 am
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.