LUDINGTON, Mich., Jan. 28,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The majority of ice melt
products on store shelves claim to be "pet-friendly" or "pet safe."
Realistically, any chloride-based deicer is not completely safe for
pets—but alternative, non-chloride deicers are less effective at
melting snow and ice, according to Rose Waypa, Technical
Services Specialist at OxyChem, producers of calcium chloride
products including PELADOW® Premier Snow & Ice
Melter.
Given that most people want to keep themselves safe from
slipping and falling on icy walkways while keeping their pets safe,
too, OxyChem experts recommend choosing the most effective deicer
for melting ice and being prepared to take some basic precautions
to keep pets safe.
The good news is that the odds of pets being seriously injured
by contact with chlorides is low, and the recommended precautions
are easy to take. The important takeaway, says Waypa, is that it's
up to pet owners to keep their pet safe from exposure to any
deicer, rather than trusting manufacturer claims of "pet
friendliness."
First Step: Read the Label
Before purchasing a deicer,
read the ingredients. (In some cases, you may need to do some
detective work and search online for a list, since manufacturers
are not required to provide an ingredient list.) If the word
'chloride' is included in the ingredient list, you'll know to take
precautions with pets coming into contact with the product—no
matter what the label may claim about pet friendliness. If the word
chloride isn't on the ingredient list, the product may be
pet-safe, but is unlikely to effectively melt ice and snow.
Products containing urea (carbonyl diamide) are more expensive,
perform poorly at temperatures under 25º F and, while frequently
labeled as safe for pets, can still irritate a dog's stomach,
although to a lesser extent than products containing chloride.
While sand or kitty litter can provide some traction on slippery
surfaces, neither product will melt ice.
All types of ice melt products have a potential to be hazardous,
according to the Pet Poison Helpline. The organization goes on to
say that, in general, most deicer exposures are limited to
gastrointestinal upset and local dermal irritation—but there is a
potential for more serious, life-threatening side effects if a
large quantity of the product is ingested.
Understanding the Impacts of Chloride-Based Deicers on
Pets
The most important thing a dog owner can do is to be
sure that any deicer product is kept out of reach of pets (and
children as well).
The ingestion of any chloride-based deicer can cause varying
degrees of symptoms and health issues, and prolonged paw pad
exposure to a chloride-based deicer can cause chemical burns.
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals), the biggest danger from ice melt products
comes if the product is left where a pet has easy access and can
eat a large amount. Large ingestions of chloride can lead to more
significant symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, or
ulcers.
How to Keep Pets—and People—Safe This Winter
First and foremost, keep all deicers out of reach of pets and
children. Homeowners, municipalities, and businesses that want to
keep people safe from ice-related accidents typically choose
chloride-based deicers because they are highly effective at melting
ice and snow. To protect your pet, the ASPCA suggests having your
dog wear paw booties as a barrier between paws and deicers (as well
as other natural elements); wiping their paws with paw wax (with
the caveat that if your pet licks the wax, they may experience some
gastrointestinal upset); and wiping the dog's feet with a damp
cloth after coming inside.
Why to Choose Calcium Chloride Deicers
When deciding
between chloride-based deicers, opt for the one that maximizes
effectiveness while minimizing the amount of product needed to do
the job (thus limiting your pet's exposure to
chlorides). PELADOW® Premier Ice Melter from
OxyChem provides superior low-temperature performance and faster
melting speeds than other deicers. PELADOW delivers 2x more ice
melting capability than rock salt, 3x more than magnesium chloride,
3x more than urea (aka carbonyl diamide), and 7x more than
potassium chloride. In 30 minutes, 28 lbs. of calcium chloride can
melt 1,000 sq ft of ice, which would require 50 lbs. of magnesium
chloride—allowing you to introduce up to 15% less chlorides into
the environment. With PELADOW you can clear walkways more quickly
while exposing your pet to less chlorides.
Despite numerous claims to the contrary, no deicer is safe for
pets. Choosing PELADOW calcium chloride can allow you to achieve
your goal of providing safe and clear walkways while introducing
less chlorides into the environment. By taking some simple
precautions, you can keep your pets safe and your walkways
clear this winter.
Sources:
Ice Melt Toxicity in Pets | ASPCApro
Ice Melts Safe For Dogs | Pet Poison Helpline®
Which deicer is safest for our pets?
ASK THE VET: Pet-friendly de-icers work at colder temperatures than
rock salt
Why De-Icers Can Be Dangerous for Dogs | Rover.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/are-ice-melt-products-really-safe-for-pets-302362172.html
SOURCE OxyChem
