What Kind of Rock Salt Is Safe for Animals?

In the winter, rock salt is used to melt snow after a big storm. Although rock salt is excellent for snow and ice melting, it can be dangerous for your dogs and other animals. The two main concerns in animal safety are that the animal may consume a poisonous amount of the rock salt and the animal̵7;s paws touching the salt can dry out their paws.

  1. Pet-Friendly Products

    • There are many different brands of pet-friendly rock salt available. The key is to read the labels because the products that are pet-friendly will specifically say so. A general rule of thumb should be that if it does not explicitly say the product is pet-friendly, it is not. Additionally, if the product has ingredients with hygroscopic chemicals, such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, avoid using them.

    Where to Purchase

    • Pet-friendly rock salt can be purchase at any home improvement store. Many more eco-friendly products can be purchased online or in specialty stores. Wherever the product is purchased, read the label. Do not be persuaded to purchase a specific brand simply because it has a cute looking animal on the package. It can still be hazardous to your pet.

    If Your Animal Comes in Contact With Unsafe Rock Salt

    • Anytime your pet is outside in the snow, ice or sleet, clean them off when they come inside. Unsafe rock salt products could have gotten on him and if you clean him off before he can ingest it, it will help his health. Pay attention to your pet, if he starts acting strangely and you think he came in contact with something poisonous, call his veterinarian or the ASPCA as soon as possible.

    Rock Salt Alternatives

    • Although there are pet-friendly options, they usually contain urea, which is not effective at melting ice. Items, such as cat litter, sand and non-salt products, can be used in place of rock salt. Since these types of products have similar texture to salt, they also provide traction. Using these types of products are a sure way to keep your pets safe.