My dog is one of those dogs who is convinced he will melt if his paws so much as touch water. And although this doesn’t stop him from sleeping with his ear in the water bowl (yes, I’m completely serious!), he will hold out going outside to go to the bathroom until he is literally going to burst. The other day he stood at the dog door starring out at the rain, and I could practically hear him thinking “How badly do I really have to go? Is it possible that I can make it to the edge of the lawn, pee, and get back inside before the rain actually falls on me?”

The fact of the matter is that regardless of rain or cold or snow, your furry family will still spend at least some portion of the day outside. And if you live in a place where ice commonly forms on the streets and sidewalks, odds are that your dog or cat will encounter some form of ice melt during his outdoor excursions. While de-icing of sidewalks and driveways may prevent deadly falls, the ice melt products themselves can be deadly.

60 percent of American households use salt-based ice melt products in the winter. Salt-based ice melts sit on ice and snow for a long period prior to penetrating into the ice. When let outside, dogs (and oftentimes young children) frequently eat the ice and snow thereby ingesting the ice melt. Ice melt pellets can also freeze to pets’ paws. Once inside, the ice melt pellets begin to melt, and the pets lick their paws - again ingesting the ice melt. The danger is that the salt can heat up as high as 175 degrees and not only burn your pets’ skin but their mouth and digestive system. These burns can easily be serious enough to warrant a trip to the veterinarian.

Salt-based ice-melt products are also damaging to homes. Salt and salt residue left over from these products (and tracked in on paws and shoes) causes permanent damage to asphalt, concrete, wood decks, floors and rugs. And salt based ice-melt products burn and kill lawns and plants and contaminate well and drinking water supplies.

To keep your pet, house,  and yard safe this winter:

• Avoid using ice-melt products (products that use salt usually list sodium chloride or potassium chloride in their ingredients) and opt for using a pet-friendly ice melt on your driveway and in your yard.
• Wipe your pets paws, chest and belly with grooming wipes (cats too!) when they come in from the outdoors. This will remove any ice melt that is sticking to their paws or fur.
• As much as possible, discourage your pet from snacking on snow and ice (if they insist on eating something cold, I recommend ice cubes from your freezer).