As the winter season gets underway, folks are starting to throw down calcium chloride and salt to melt snow and ice.
But dogs can be really sensitive to those chemicals. Veterinarian Dr. Mike of Animal General has advice for pet owners.
“We recommend always during this weather when there’s salt on the sidewalks because not all of them are all dog safe or pet safe they irritate dogs so we always tell people when they come in just take a damp cloth and wipe their paws,” said Hutchinson.
Don’t’ let your dog eat any salt or snow that has been treated with ice melt and to contact your vet immediately if they are exposed to ice melt.
Ice treatments that are labeled as “pet safe” can still upset their stomach.
Dr. Mike says dogs at first may be resistant to having their paws wiped, but eventually they get used to it.
Owners of dogs that develop cracked or bleeding paws due to the salt and wiping can consider buying doggy booties.