Garden and pest control
Is rock salt and de-icers toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as road salt, grit, ice melt
Cats
ToxicDogs
ToxicDe-icing salts irritate paws and, if licked off or eaten, can cause vomiting and dangerous salt poisoning. Wipe paws after winter walks.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Rinse paws with lukewarm water and dry them.
- If your pet ate salt or grit and is vomiting, wobbly or very thirsty, call your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Sore, cracked paws
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Excessive thirst
- Wobbliness, tremors or seizures (salt poisoning)
How much is dangerous
Licking paws usually causes only irritation; eating a mouthful of salt or grit can cause salt poisoning.
Keeping it safe
- Wipe paws after every winter walk
- Use pet-friendly de-icer at home
- Consider dog boots or paw balm
The details
Salt poisoning upsets the balance of sodium in the brain and can be serious. It is also seen when dogs eat homemade salt dough decorations or swallow a lot of seawater.
Questions owners ask
Is rock salt and de-icers toxic to cats?
Yes — toxic.
Is rock salt and de-icers toxic to dogs?
Yes — toxic.
How much is dangerous?
Licking paws usually causes only irritation; eating a mouthful of salt or grit can cause salt poisoning.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Rinse paws with lukewarm water and dry them. If your pet ate salt or grit and is vomiting, wobbly or very thirsty, call your vet.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts