Pets and Deicing – What’s Safe for Your Furry Friends?

In places around the world, the winter season can be tough on you and your animals – and for obvious reasons. Colder temps and slick roadways make for disasters in waiting.

Disaster lurks right outside your door, too. Slippery steps and sidewalks and icy driveways can mean broken bones if you don’t salt right away.

Dangers of De-icers

Depending on the type of de-icer you use, you can damage surfaces outside your home and the chemicals can linger long after the snow has melted away, harming your lawn and other outdoor flora.

But what about your cat or dog? Letting them outside to do their business is a normal part of pet ownership, but in the winter it can be bad for their health. Why?

When you let your pet outside, they probably walk right through areas in which you’ve applied salt or some other type of chemical deicer – especially if they ingest it.

When your pet is walking outside on surfaces you’ve spread de-icer, it’s inevitable that some of it will become trapped in their paws. Most likely, they’ll begin licking it off once they return inside. It’s imperative that you choose a de-icer that’s safe for use around pets.

Just How Dangerous is De-icer Around Animals?

The majority of chemical de-icers have compounds that are potentially lethal to your pets if they ingest too much. While your cat or dog would have to consume a lot for it to be seriously detrimental, even a little bit of de-icer can cause stomach upset. If your pet gets sick on your carpet, you can clean it with an all-natural pet stain and odor remover.

If the de-icer you’ve chosen contains calcium salts, your pet doesn’t even have to eat any. Mere contact with their fur or paws can cause irritation to their delicate skin.

So, can you find non-chemical de-icers that are safe for your pets? And do they remove ice as well as chemical-based products?

The short answer? Yes. There are many options to effectively remove ice around your home during the winter that won’t pose a risk to your pet’s health.

Natural De-icer Alternatives

Finding a product that’s safe for your lawn and your pets is simple if you turn to all-natural products.

For instance, say you have to walk to the market. Along your walk, salt from the sidewalk gets trapped in your boots. When you walk across your snow-covered lawn to reach your doorstep, you track that salt across your lawn. This can melt down into your grass’ root system and cause dehydration. Any salt compounds you put on your driveway can end up in your lawn from runoff, as well.

By using an all-natural de-icing agent, you’re not only sparing your pet any sickness, but you’re also protecting your shrubs, lawn, and trees.

If you can’t find an all-natural de-icer for the winter months, this homemade de-icer recipe will do the trick:

• Half-gallon tepid to warm water
• One tablespoon rubbing alcohol
• One teaspoon of Tri-Nova Natural Dish Soap

Thoroughly mix the ingredients and pour over any icy surfaces outside your home, including steps, driveways, and sidewalks. You may need to reapply as necessary to remove all ice.

Using all-natural products will keep your family and your pets safe this winter season.