Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt Is Dangerous To People And Pets

• Dangers of Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt
• Dangers Of Using Sodium Chloride Ice Melt
• Ice Melt Safe For Concrete And Pets
• Dangers of Using Calcium Chloride As Ice Melt
• Safe Ice Melt Alternatives That Are More Effective Too
• How Does Safe Paw Work?
• Tips For Using Safe Paw For Maximum Protection
• Other Ice Melt Products

Dangers Of Using Sodium Chloride Ice Melt

Sodium chloride is the main ingredient in many of the most popular salt-based ice melt on the market, like Safe Step 8300 and Road Runner ice melt. While these rock salt products melt ice at moderately cold temperatures, they present significant concerns for family members, children, pets, soil, wildlife, water bodies, and infrastructure.

Large doses of sodium chloride can cause sodium toxicosis in dogs, and an intake of 4g/kg of sodium chloride can be fatal. Dogs ingesting high amounts of this ice melt can develop hypernatremia. It occurs when the level of sodium increases in the blood. It can lead to dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, and in severe cases, to death also. 

Salt absorbs water quickly and competes with plants for moisture when present in high concentrations in the soil. Even though there is enough water in the soil, this might cause drought-like conditions for vegetation. 

People who are at risk for high blood pressure are especially vulnerable to increased salt levels in drinking water. One of the reasons behind this is the use of salt-based ice melt. The sodium ferrocyanide added to rock salt to keep it from clumping during storage is another health danger. It poses a hazard by seeping into local water supplies.

Sodium chloride or rock salt is one of the most toxic elements that can pose a threat to our furry friends. It is critical to keep an eye on pets when you are using rock salt as the ice melts around your home. It can be tough to keep track of this in the winter when you have to cope up with other winter woes. 

When pets walk on a pavement that has been treated with rock salt to eliminate ice, salt pellets may become caught in between their paw pads. It might cause irritation or burns on or between your pet’s pads, which can be highly uncomfortable. De-icing with rock salt has several negative consequences for the wildlife in your area. 

Rock salt can damage your concrete and can even corrode the metals. It is more disastrous for new concrete that is less than a year old. It can damage asphalt, stone, and brick also. 

Dangers of Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt

This chloride-based magnesium ice melt does work in extreme colds. When the temperature drops below about 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the melting process slows significantly and may stop entirely. In other words, you must wait a long time before the salted area is safe to walk on or drive on. Your waiting will be in vain in very cold weather and might pose a danger if you believe the ground is safe, yet it remains covered in ice and very slippery.

The second reason to avoid magnesium chloride ice melt products is that they are dangerous to pets, children, wildlife and adults too. The Material Safety Data Sheet for magnesium chloride lists many harmful effects including:

• Eye irritation and burn from contact
• Skin irritation and burn (including in the mouth and throat) when touched or ingested
• Gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea when ingested
• Respiratory irritation when MgCl2 dust is inhaled
• Metal fume fever when inhaled or ingested that causes flu-like symptoms, fever, chills, cough, weakness, chest and muscle pain and increased white blood cell count

Is magnesium chloride safe for pets? The answer is a big NO. Simply walking on an area that has been salted, exposes them to all the above magnesium chloride side effects. The salt will contact the skin on their paws. If they scratch or rub their face, it will get in their eyes. Animals like the taste of salt, and if they ingest it, an illness will result. Extreme exposure is fatal. The magnesium chloride brine also has side effects on pets and us.

Think about the dangers to young children. Kids often put things in their mouth from the ground, and if they taste something salty, they’re likely to continue. The Illinois Poison Control (IPC) blog says about salt-based ice melt including magnesium chloride, “Always call the IPC if your kiddo samples some of this stuff.” Less dangerous consequences of contact for kids are the same as those for pets: irritation of the skin, eyes, mouth, and throat and stomach upset.

These dangers are present too for wildlife such as squirrels, birds and many other animals known to ingest salt when they find it. Finally, the person doing the salting is at risk for skin contact and inhalation of magnesium chloride dust found in every bag or bucket of the product.

Note: Veterinarians and pediatricians warn that the dangers are much the same for other common ice melt products including sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and calcium magnesium acetate.

Understanding The Magnesium Chloride Risks For Pets

The biggest concern of a pet owner in winter season is keeping their pet safe from the harsh weather and even harsher chemicals on the road that may burn their delicate paws. Magnesium chloride is a very common salt that you may find in several products. No doubt, it’s effective at melting ice but at what cost? It poses specific risks for pets that every pet owner should be aware of. This section will explore the toxicity of magnesium chloride when pets are exposed to it, the symptoms it can cause, and measures to protect our furry friends.

Pet Exposure To Magnesium Chloride

The reason why magnesium chloride is used in almost every other ice melt product is because of its ability to lower the freezing point of water. That means it can effectively melt ice even at lower temperatures. However, its chemical properties can make it dangerous if pets come into contact with it. When pets walk on surfaces treated with magnesium chloride, they can pick up residue on their paws and fur. If they lick their paws clean, they ingest the chemical, which can lead to serious health issues.

Magnesium Chloride Toxicity

Magnesium chloride has two main chemicals- magnesium and chlorine. The toxicity of magnesium chloride results from its chloride component. Chloride component can lead to hypermagnesemia and hyperchloremia in pets. These conditions disrupt the normal electrolyte balance and can impair kidney function and nervous system operations. Magnesium chloride toxicity in pets is a serious risk that requires immediate attention from a veterinarian.

Magnesium Chloride Symptoms In Pets

Exposure to magnesium chloride can cause various symptoms in pets, which include:

• Irritation: Pets may exhibit signs of irritation such as redness or chemical burns on their paws or around their mouth.
• Gastrointestinal Upset: Ingesting magnesium chloride can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, dehydration.
• Respiratory Problems: If inhaled, the dust from magnesium chloride can cause respiratory distress, coughing, and other breathing issues.

Protecting Pets From Chemicals

To ensure the safety of pets around ice melt products:

• Always choose pet-safe ice melt products that do not contain harmful chemicals like magnesium chloride or any other chloride-based product.
• Washing their paws after walks is important. After walks, clean your pet’s paws and underbelly to remove any ice melt residue.
• Consider using pet booties during walks to provide a physical barrier between the chemicals and your pet’s paws.

Magnesium Chloride For Pets: A Safe Alternative?

We’ve already discussed the risks and challenges magnesium chloride can pose for pets and pet owners. Given their severity, using magnesium chloride around pets is not advisable. Is magnesium chloride safe for pets? No, it is generally considered unsafe due to its irritating and toxic properties. Pet owners should look for safer alternatives that offer effective ice melting capabilities without the associated health risks.

Pet safety during winter months requires careful selection of ice melt products and awareness of the ingredients they contain. Always opt for products that are not just labelled safe but are actually safe for your pets. And how do know that? Well, avoid any product that contains chloride in any form or CMA as an ingredient.  Always check the ingredients before buying an ice melt.

Ice Melt Safe For Concrete And Pets

Dangers Of Using Calcium Chloride As Ice Melt

Calcium Chloride products melt at high temperatures due to a chemical interaction with water that creates heat pockets, then refreezes. Calcium chloride is effective down to -65 degrees Fahrenheit, but it quickly refreezes.

Is calcium chloride safe for pets? Not at all. It causes dry paws, local discomfort, and several gastrointestinal problems in pets. Hygroscopic chemicals like calcium chloride cause the problem of dry paws. These chemicals take moisture from the air. It is best to avoid using these chlorides in areas where animals will spend a lot of time.

Safe Ice Melt Alternatives That Are More Effective Too

Once you decide to avoid salt-based ice melting products, the question is obvious: Is there a safe road salt alternative?

Yes! The good news is that there is a product with a patented blend of ingredients that is both safe to use and more effective for melting ice than magnesium chloride and other salt-based options.

Safe Paw is the only ice melt product of its kind on the market, and it meets the stringent requirements of the United States governmental agencies for ecological friendliness. This means that Safe Paw ice melt won’t harm you, your pets, children, wildlife or the larger environment including your lawn and plants. Another great product to consider is Traction Magic. It is not an ice melter, but it works instantly and will get your car out of ice in an emergency. Like Safe Paw, it is also an eco-friendly and completely safe product.

How Does Safe Paw Work?

This blend contains two ice-fighting ingredients, each with a unique purpose. The patented outer core liquefies immediately when contacting the ice and begins to melt and break up its surface. This allows the crystalline amide core to penetrate deep into the ice to complete the melting process.

Safe Paw’s proprietary formula also contains glycol, widely used to thaw ice and prevent further freezing. Therefore, it not only melts existing ice, Safe Paw coats the surface to inhibit ice from forming the next time bad weather strikes.

Safe Paw is effective to a lower temperature, -2F, than magnesium chloride (+15F) and some other salt-based products (+20F to +24F). Plus, unlike rock salt, it is completely safe and won’t harm the environment.

If you are looking for an ice melt safe for concrete and pets, you can use with complete peace of mind, Safe Paw is the right choice for pets, people and the planet.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Tips For Using Safe Paw For Maximum Protection

To get the most out of Safe Paw, keep it indoors and at room temperature. Before the winter rains come, spread Safe Paw.

To aid in the melting of black ice, roughen the ice layer. Use a shovel to scratch the snow before applying Safe Paw. In the same way, you can also remove snow from smooth icy surfaces. This roughing reduces the surface tension between ice and the surface. Safe Paw may now begin functioning right away, providing you complete protection from slip and fall.

If your car becomes stuck in the snow or ice, Safe Paw can come in handy as a traction aid. To boost grip, clean the ruts and sprinkle Safe Paw around the tires.

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Other Ice Melt Products