Oak Hill, WV (WOAY) – Frigid temperatures can make walking on area sidewalks and parking lots extremely slick.
While using salt to melt snow and ice may be your first choice, salt can pose health risks for your pets.
Sidewalk treatments can irritate paws and even cause severe toxic effects if your pet ingests salt products.
Early signs that your pet may have consumed sidewalk salt include sluggishness, excessive drooling, tremors, seizures, and, in severe cases, death if untreated.
Animal health providers recommend applying paw wax to create a barrier against salt crystals.
Cleaning paws with warm water to remove salt residue and even avoiding areas where salt may have been applied.
Monitor your pets’ health by checking for paw discomfort or unusual behavior, such as excessive licking, that might indicate salt ingestion.
If your pet is experiencing any adverse effects from coming in contact with salt treatments, seek help from your veterinarian immediately.
