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Dunk your pet’s paws in a pan filled with warm soapy water to get off residue and wipe clean. And, if those paws arent so salty, even a wet towel wiped on the paws and belly will do the trick. If your pup’s paw pads are looking cracked and dry, a slathering of paw wax can help get them back in shape.
Symptoms of salt poisoning, according to the ASPCA, include “drooling, vomiting, diarrhea [and] loss of appetite.” In severe cases, this can lead to seizures, coma and even death — which is why Loftin strongly encourages dog owners to clean paws thoroughly after coming home from a wintry romp.
Salt Burns to Dog/Cat Paws
Rock salt crystals can adhere to an animal’s paw pads and cause itching and burning when it is applied to a driveway and then your pet walks on it or on a salt-water slush that results from the melting of the snow or ice. Additionally, it may cause bacterial infection, redness, soreness, and inflammation. Although rock salt can adhere to fur and burn other parts of your pet’s body, the paws are the main source of concern.
You can deice without rock salt by using a “pet-friendly” deicer, sand that has been lightly salted, shoveling, blowing snow, or hiring a snow plow service. To prevent ice buildup without using rock salt, you could also install snow-melting mats that are suitable for use on walkways, stairs, or driveways.
Additionally, protect your dog or cat from the cold by washing off his paws after coming inside from an outdoor adventure. If your breed has long hair, you should regularly trim and groom it in the winter. You might also think about purchasing “booties” to protect your dog’s paws from salts, and you can take your dog out to a non-salted area when it’s time to go outside rather than just letting him or her run free.
Your dog might not cotton to the idea of wearing boots in the beginning, but they are excellent for keeping salts off your dog’s feet. Our dog boot of choice is the Muttluk boot, a brand that comes in a variety of sizes. If your dog is new to boots, give him or her an adjustment period inside your home before going outside in the snow.
All sidewalk salts, with the exception of urea based de-icers, have a drying effect on animals’ paws. With repeated exposure to sidewalk salt, your dog’s paws will dry, itch and perhaps crack. Dogs that have cracked, dry paws, experience a burning sensation when they walk on sidewalk salts. Dogs that lick salt from their paws may experience stomach upset, vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Toy breeds, dogs with short hair, and dogs with thin frames, like greyhounds, value the extra warmth that a sweater provides. Some sweaters that fit closer to the body can actually calm your dog. Avoid sweaters with zippers, buttons, and appliques because they can all be chewed and swallowed. Make sure two fingers can be easily inserted between the sweater’s neck and the “armpit” area. Make sure your dog’s collar can accommodate the wider opening if the sweater has a turtleneck since the collar may need to be fastened over the sweater’s neck. Visit the following link to learn more about animal clothing for the winter.
The safest de-icers for dog feet are those with urea as an ingredient or those with magnesium chloride as the main ingredient, but those can be toxic if consumed by people with kidney disease. Animals’ feet are safer when using urea-based de-icers, which, ironically, are made of natural gas rather than urea. However, they typically only function at temperatures no lower than 10 degrees. Spreading urea near plants that are sensitive to too much of a good thing should be avoided because it contains significant amounts of nitrogen, a natural plant fertilizer.
All salts, if ingested in large enough quantities, are harmful to dogs, especially to dogs with kidney disease, in which case the result may be fatal. Never let your dog eat snow near-to-where sidewalk salt has been spread and never let him or her lick standing puddles on sidewalks or streets during winter where the salts can be dissolved in solution.
FAQ
Can I salt my driveway if I have a dog?
When you spread rock salt on your driveway, your pet can get irritated and burned when they walk on it or on the salt-water slush that results from the salt melting the snow and ice. Additionally, it may cause bacterial infection, redness, soreness, and inflammation.
Is road salt toxic to animals?
Road salt, as opposed to regular table salt, contains contaminants like heavy metals that can harm our pets. These substances can cause excruciating burning and cracked feet that dry out the pads and irritate the skin severely.
Can dogs walk on road salt?
Salt can irritate a dog’s paws and cause chemical burns. It can result in mouth burns and gastrointestinal issues like vomiting and diarrhea if consumed.
What kind of road salt is safe for dogs?
#2. Purchase magnesium chloride pellets instead. Magnesium chloride is less toxic to humans and dogs than sodium chloride, which makes it safer to be around. Additionally, because magnesium chloride pellets are rounded, they won’t cut or irritate your pet’s paws like sharp crystals will.