7 Best Pet-Safe Sidewalk Salt Options
- Molly Weinfurter
- a few seconds ago
- 5 min read
As the weather gets colder, many people spread road salt across their sidewalks and steps to ensure nobody slips and falls. While sidewalk salt is a great way to protect humans, it’s not always safe for pets. Walking my dog in the winter is difficult because if she steps on certain salts, her paws get overly sensitive, making her not want to walk on that foot anymore. So, the perfect way to keep both people and pets safe in the winter is to use pet-safe sidewalk salt.
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Is Sidewalk Salt Safe for Dogs?
While there are pet-safe sidewalk salt options, most de-icing products aren’t safe for dogs. Most of the products you’ll find at the store will hurt your dog’s paws. These items can cause chemical burns, dryness, and cracking on your dog’s pads, making it too painful for them to keep walking. Your dog could also face tummy troubles if they lick salt off their paws.
To ensure you use safe sidewalk salt, look for options that are specifically labeled as “pet-friendly.” Even if you don’t have a dog of your own, using these products can protect the neighbor dogs that walk by.
What Makes Sidewalk Salt Dangerous for Pets?
Sidewalk salt is typically made of sodium chloride, more commonly known as rock salt. When ice and water interact with rock salt, there’s a chemical reaction. As your dog walks on snow and ice, their paws become wet, so the chemical reaction occurs when their wet paws touch salt, causing pain and irritation.
Pet-safe sidewalk salt uses ingredients that can still get rid of ice without being dangerous to bare puppy paws. It usually doesn’t include salt at all, so most products are called an “ice melt” instead. Pet-safe options typically use calcium magnesium acetate, magnesium chloride, or urea. While these ingredients are gentler on paws, it’s still important to wipe off your dog’s feet when they come inside so your dog doesn't ingest the ice melt.
Best Pet-Safe Sidewalk Salt
Finding pet-safe sidewalk salt can be tricky. These options aren’t always available at the stores you’d normally buy salt from. So, I’ve compiled a list of some dog-friendly options to keep your dog and the dogs that walk past your home safe this winter.
This is the pet-safe sidewalk salt that I currently have. It comes in small blue spheres that are free from salt and chloride to keep pets, people, and plants safe. It also won’t harm machinery. This small container has a convenient handle to easily pour it across your sidewalk. It’s effective at low temperatures of up to -2°F. If you’ve never used a dog safe ice melt before, this is a great product to start with.
If you have a long driveway or lots of sidewalks surrounding your home, an 8-pound container of sidewalk salt might not be enough. This is the same product as the Safe Paw ice melt listed above, but it’s a 35-pound container, so it comes with plenty of product to cover all your walkways outside. If you’re looking to buy in bulk, this is the perfect product.
This is another pet-friendly ice melt that’s also safe for lawns and plants. The small blue-green chunks are made with calcium magnesium acetate and other eco-friendly ingredients that are easy on dog paws. Not only is it safe, but it’s also more effective than many traditional ice melt products. To ensure you get plenty of ice melt for your sidewalks, you can choose between 10-pound, 18-pound, and 35-pound containers.
This product is made of 100% magnesium chloride, which won’t burn your dog’s paws. The pieces are also round instead of jagged to ensure they don’t scratch paw pads. It instantly melts ice and snow at temperatures as low as -13°F. It leaves less corrosion on concrete than traditional sidewalk salt, and it leaves no residue behind. It comes in a 15-pound tub, which is a great size for the average home.
Snow Joe offers a 20-pound bag of pet-safe sidewalk salt. Except it isn’t salt at all. Instead, it’s made of calcium magnesium acetate and sodium chloride. It works quickly and is effective in temperatures as low as -12°F. The green crystals are easy to see in the snow, so you can tell exactly where you’ve already poured the ice melt. It also lasts longer than traditional sidewalk salt, meaning you don’t have to reapply it as often.
Eco Living Solutions has a strong snow and ice melt that works below -25°F. It’s made of calcium chloride, which acts fast to remove ice from all surfaces, including sidewalks, driveways, roofs, and gutters. The granules are smooth and delicate on your dog’s paws. Plus, it comes in an easy-to-pour 10-pound container. The only downside is that the ice melt is white, so it blends in with snow.
Finally, the Maple99 ice melt is made from medium grade solar salt that’s gentle on sensitive paws. Plus, the pieces have no jagged edges for added safety. It’s fully effective in temperatures as low as -5°F on a variety of surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, steps, balconies, and patios. Since it comes in a 35-pound container, there’s plenty of sidewalk salt for homes with a lot of walkways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pet-Safe Sidewalk Salt Effective?
Yes, pet-safe sidewalk salt effectively melts ice when used correctly. Some products even melt ice faster than regular sidewalk salt products.
Does Pet-Safe Sidewalk Salt Work When the Temperature is Negative?
Yes, many pet-safe ice melts work even when the temperature dips below zero degrees Fahrenheit. However, every product is different, so check the temperature limits of an ice melt before buying it.
How Do You Tell if an Ice Melt is Pet-Friendly?
Most pet-safe ice melts say “pet-friendly” or something similar on the label. You can also check the ingredient list to make sure there isn’t any traditional rock salt included.
Where Can You Buy Pet-Safe Sidewalk Salt?
Some pet supply stores sell pet-safe sidewalk salt in-store, but it’s easiest to shop for it online. Any of the products above are great choices.
Can You Make Your Own Pet-Safe Ice Melt?
Some dog parents have made a pet-safe ice melt by mixing Dawn dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and warm water. Pouring the mixture on icy paths melts existing ice and makes ice less likely to return.
What are Other Ways to Protect Dog Paws from Salt?
Having dogs wear dog boots or dog socks can protect their feet from salt and other dangerous surfaces. However, you’ll need to take some time to get your dog used to wearing them. Some paw balms may also provide a protective layer over your dog’s paw pads.
Keep Puppy Paws Safe with Pet-Safe Sidewalk Salt
It’s important to keep your sidewalks free from ice so nobody slips and falls while walking past. However, it’s also a good idea to keep dog paws in mind. Using pet-safe sidewalk salt ensures that the ice still melts off walkways without hurting any pets in the process. So, make sure you choose an ice-melting product that’s labeled as pet-friendly.