By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Most Australian dog owners never see ice melt, but it matters more than you might think. People take dogs to alpine towns and holiday shacks in the high country, frosty inland mornings send some households to the shed for salt, and plenty of Australians move overseas with their pets. Ice melt products are salts and related chemicals. Even the ones labelled pet safe can irritate paws or upset the stomach, and rock salt licked off paws or eaten from a bag can cause dangerous salt poisoning.
Key takeaways
- Traditional ice melts contain sodium chloride (rock salt), calcium chloride or magnesium chloride. Calcium chloride is particularly irritating.
- "Pet safe" products often use other salts or compounds, which are less irritating but can still cause problems if eaten in quantity.
- Paw irritation, cracked pads and stomach upset are the most common problems.
- Eating a lot of rock salt can cause salt poisoning, with vomiting, wobbliness and seizures.
- Wipe paws after walks, store products sealed and call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738 if your pet ate any.
- Related: signs of poisoning in dogs, what to do if your dog is poisoned, road trips with dogs.
What is in ice melt
- Sodium chloride (rock salt). Cheap and common. Irritates paws and causes salt poisoning if eaten in large amounts.
- Calcium chloride. Releases heat as it dissolves, which can irritate or even burn skin and the mouth.
- Magnesium chloride and potassium chloride. Generally milder on paws but still salts.
- Calcium magnesium acetate, urea and glycol-based products. Often marketed as pet friendly. Gentler, but large amounts can still upset the stomach.
"Pet safe" is a marketing label, not a guarantee. It usually means the product is less irritating and less toxic than rock salt, not that a dog can eat it.
How pets are exposed
- Walking on treated paths and then licking their paws
- Eating pellets from the ground or a split bag
- Drinking melted slush from puddles
- Chewing on a bag left in the garage, ute or holiday house
Signs of trouble
Paw and skin irritation:
- Licking or chewing at the feet
- Red, cracked or sore pads
- Limping after walks
Stomach upset:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced appetite
Salt poisoning (after larger amounts):
- Excessive thirst and urination, or the opposite, not drinking at all
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Wobbliness or weakness
- Tremors or seizures
- Confusion or collapse
Small dogs and cats are at higher risk because it takes less to cause harm.
What to do
- Rinse paws in lukewarm water and dry them well.
- Offer fresh water, but do not force large amounts.
- Do not try to make your pet vomit with salt or hydrogen peroxide.
- Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Have the product packaging ready.
When it is an emergency
Go to a vet straight away if your pet ate ice melt from a bag or container, has repeated vomiting, seems wobbly or confused, or has tremors or seizures. Salt poisoning needs careful hospital treatment because correcting sodium levels too fast can also cause harm.
How vets treat it
For paw irritation, vets may clean and assess the pads and suggest protection while they heal. For salt poisoning, vets give carefully controlled intravenous fluids and check blood sodium levels repeatedly, correcting them slowly over hours to days. Seizures and other complications are treated as needed. Outcomes are better with early treatment.
Other winter and travel hazards
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol). Sweet tasting and extremely toxic to dogs and cats. Even a small amount can cause kidney failure. Mop spills straight away and store bottles sealed.
- Seawater. A dog that gulps seawater at the beach can also develop salt poisoning.
- Homemade playdough and salt crafts. A surprisingly common cause of salt poisoning in dogs.
- Cold. Short-coated, small and elderly dogs may need a coat in alpine weather.
Prevention
- Use ice melt sparingly, or use sand or grit for traction instead.
- Choose products with gentler ingredients if you must use one.
- Store bags sealed and off the floor.
- Wipe paws and bellies after every walk on treated paths.
- Consider dog booties or a paw balm your vet recommends.
- Keep fresh water available so your dog does not drink from puddles.
FAQ
My dog licked its paws after walking on salted paths. Should I worry?
Usually a small lick causes only mild stomach upset. Rinse the paws and watch for vomiting or excessive thirst.
Are pet-safe ice melts safe if eaten?
They are less toxic than rock salt, but eating a lot can still cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Treat any large ingestion as a reason to call your vet.
Are cats affected too?
Yes. Cats groom ice melt off their paws and coat, and their small size means it takes less to cause harm.
Can dogs go to Australian ski resorts?
Rules vary and many alpine areas sit in national parks where dogs are not allowed. Check before you travel.
Talk with a vet
If your pet has licked or eaten ice melt, salt or another winter chemical, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you judge the risk and decide what to do next. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Pet Poison Helpline. Ice melts safe for dogs.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt is toxic to pets.
- ASPCA. Keeping pets safe during winter: the dangers of ice melts.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia). 1300 869 738.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.