Urban Dog
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • New York
  • Miami
  • About
  • Contact
Navigation
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • New York
  • Miami
  • About
  • Contact
Urban Dog
Shop
Urban Dog
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • New York
  • Miami
  • About
  • Contact

Rock Salt and Your Dog

  • Posted on August 11, 2017July 31, 2018
  • 3 minute read
  • 3.7K views
  • Clark Beasley, Jr.
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Rock Salt and Your Dog

What Problems Does Rock Salt Pose?

The Snowmageddon is slowly moving up the coast and part of our preparation is getting Bodhi (who happens to love the snow) ready as well. The maintenance staff at the development where we live on the East Side of New York City uses rock salt, or ice melts, heavily.

rock salt and your dog
Maintenance Team

They salt the sidewalks, the steps, the walkways, (which are different from the sidewalks), and if you stood in one place long enough I am sure they would salt you as well.

Blue Rock Salt
Blue Rock Salt

I did a bit of research to find out what exactly is in this rock salt. I mean, it’s blue! I know salt can come in a variety of colors but it’s such a beautiful blue I thought it had to be artificial… and it is. My research says it’s a “blue indicator” which is often added to the salt mixture called Streamline’s Blue Ice Heat Melt. It’s one of many colorings and additives available to assist in melting the snow and ice.

Purple Rock Salt
Purple Rock Salt

According to their website, Blue Heat Ice Melt is “less harmful to vegetation and SAFER for children and pets.” I am not sure what “safer” means in this instance, but that gives me pause for concern. Think of it like this, this product can melt ice up to minus 15 degrees. That means it produces chemical heat!

The rock salt mix also contains an additive called thymolphthalein (yes, it’s a tongue twister). All I could learn from the Internet, is that it’s an acid base indicator and it turns blue when the pH is between 9.3-10.5

What does all this mean to us? The short answer is that we should put some sort of protection on our dogs’ feet and be wary of them eating snow containing rock salt.

Rock salt
Saatchi in Boots

The salt can cause irritation to your pets’ feet. If your pet ingests the salt it can cause anything from stomach irritation to seizures, and in extreme cases even death.

White Rock Salt
White Rock Salt

Here are some tips from the Pet Place website on how to prevent ice melt (i.e.: rock salt) problems. Pay special attention to number seven.

1.  Keep all bags of rock salt out of the reach of your pet. Keep ice melts in sealed pet proof containers.

2.  Don’t walk your pet in areas where rock salt or ice melts have been used. (This may not be possible.)

3.  Clean your pet’s paws after coming in from outside when exposure to ice melts was possible. You an use a damp cloth or even a product such as the Paw Plunger to clean your dog’s feet.

4.  Don’t let your dog drink from puddles of melted snow. These may contain ice melts.

5.  Fit your dog with dog boots to protect your dog’s feet and keep them clean.

6.  If you use ice melts, hose down and wash off all traces of the ice melts when the weather improves to minimize further exposure to your pet.

7.  Beware of “Pet Safe” ice melts. Some products are labeled as pet safe but there are no regulations to prove that they are. Based on our product research, you should consider all ice melts as potentially dangerous.

If you ever suspect that your pet has ingested ice melts, please contact your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic immediately.

You can go back and look at Urban Dog’s interview with Dr. Christina Moore to remind yourself what you should do to protect your pet in the winter.

Good luck!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Clark Beasley, Jr.

Clark is a fanatic animal lover, pet owner and actor living in NYC. He has been interested in animals and animal behavior since childhood, when he would disappear in department stores in Virginia Beach and stare at the aquariums for hours. Clark's first dog at age five was a Chihuahua, and his passion for canines never waned. Having owned several different breeds over the years, from a cute Cocker Spaniel to a commanding Rhodesian Ridgeback, he has gained abundant knowledge through reading and experience. Today Clark is co-owner of Urban Dog's mascot Bodhi with Sean. He is also a self-confessed Animal Planet / "Nat Geo" addict who stays up till all hours feeding his animal "habit." Professionally, Clark himself has appeared on TV on Nickelodeon, plus acted in numerous Off-Broadway plays and highly-regarded regional theaters. His other favorite thing in life besides animals is world travel.

Previous Article
Homemade Dog treats

Recipes for Homemade Dog Treats Your Pooch Will Love!

  • Posted on August 11, 2017July 27, 2018
  • Clark Beasley, Jr.
View Post
Next Article
Rock salt

Five Questions for Dr. Moore: Cold Weather Pet Care

  • Posted on August 11, 2017November 14, 2018
  • Sean Sheer
View Post
1 comment
  1. Matthew Billman says:
    January 6, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    How do we make NYC pet safe and friendly? Can we sign a petition for the city and residences to only use pet friendly salt? I have a dog that loves to play in the snow and his eyes are destroyed from rolling around and getting salt in them. It’s ridiculous and to me, theres a simple solution.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent trip to Georgia

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Urban Dog Events Calendar
  • Previous
  • Next
April 2021
MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday SSunday
29March 29, 2021 30March 30, 2021 31March 31, 2021

12:00 pm: Paws to Read

March 31, 2021 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Reading events at the Museum of The Dog for kids, both in-person and online.

March 24 and 31
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm

Museum of the Dog
101 Park Avenue (Entrance on 40 Street)
Manhattan

Click here for more.

Read more

1April 1, 2021 2April 2, 2021 3April 3, 2021 4April 4, 2021
5April 5, 2021 6April 6, 2021 7April 7, 2021

12:00 pm: Paws to Read

April 7, 2021 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Reading events at the Museum of The Dog for kids, both in-person and online.

April 14, 21, and 28
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm

Museum of the Dog
101 Park Avenue (Entrance on 40 Street)
Manhattan

Click here for more.

Read more

8April 8, 2021

12:00 pm: National Pet Day Brunch

April 8, 2021 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Celebrate National Pet Day in Chelsea. Click here for details.

April 11, 2021
Noon to 2:00 pm

The Wilson
132 West 27 Street
Manhattan

 

Read more

9April 9, 2021 10April 10, 2021 11April 11, 2021

3:30 pm: Learn First Aid for Dogs

April 11, 2021 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Learn First Aid for Dogs at Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn.You will be taught basic techniques including how to assess a situation including vital signs and correct physical handling of an animal experiencing trauma. Topics covered include bleeding, bite wounds, cardiac arrest, choking, burns, frostbite, shock, and poisoning. Participants will receive a mini-emergency kit of a roll of gauze, tape, bottle of peroxide etc. Dogs are welcome but class will use a prop to demonstrate technique. Click here for more.

April 11
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse
165 2nd Street
Brooklyn

Read more

12April 12, 2021

5:45 pm: Bark at the Park

April 12, 2021 5:45 pm – 11:15 pm

It's back! Join the Mets and North Shore Animal League America for Bark At The Park at Citi Field. Bring your canine companion and support the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world. Sit together with fellow dog lovers in designated Coca-Cola Corner seats. A portion of the dog ticket and of the human ticket will benefit North Shore Animal League America. Dogs will only be allowed in the Coca-Cola Corner at Citi Field. Click here for more.

April 12
6:10 pm to 11:10 pm

Citi Field
41 Tom Seaver Way
Queens

Read more

13April 13, 2021 14April 14, 2021

12:00 pm: Paws to Read

April 14, 2021 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Reading events at the Museum of The Dog for kids, both in-person and online.

April 14, 21, and 28
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm

Museum of the Dog
101 Park Avenue (Entrance on 40 Street)
Manhattan

Click here for more.

Read more

6:00 pm: ONLINE: Pet Behavior and the Pandemic

April 14, 2021 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Sign up for this online seminar on pet behavior during and after the pandemic. Click here for details.

April 14
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The Animal Medical Center
510 East 62 Street
Manhattan

Read more

15April 15, 2021 16April 16, 2021 17April 17, 2021 18April 18, 2021
19April 19, 2021 20April 20, 2021 21April 21, 2021

12:00 pm: Paws to Read

April 21, 2021 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Reading events at the Museum of The Dog for kids, both in-person and online.

April 14, 21, and 28
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm

Museum of the Dog
101 Park Avenue (Entrance on 40 Street)
Manhattan

Click here for more.

Read more

22April 22, 2021 23April 23, 2021

6:00 pm: A Weekend with Tom Davis

April 23, 2021 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Professional canine educator and speaker, Tom Davis, will be doing a live event in Brooklyn. This event will have limited working and audit spots due to covid restrictions and the safety of participants. Tom is known for teaching and educating dog owners in his very interactive, empowering training sessions. We will be covering relationship building, basic obedience, remote collar introduction, behavior explanations, and much more! 

April 23, 2021
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

April 24, 2021
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

April 25
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

230 Bogart Street
Brooklyn

Read more

24April 24, 2021

9:00 am: A Weekend with Tom Davis

April 24, 2021 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Professional canine educator and speaker, Tom Davis, will be doing a live event in Brooklyn. This event will have limited working and audit spots due to covid restrictions and the safety of participants. Tom is known for teaching and educating dog owners in his very interactive, empowering training sessions. We will be covering relationship building, basic obedience, remote collar introduction, behavior explanations, and much more! 

April 23, 2021
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

April 24, 2021
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

April 25
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

230 Bogart Street
Brooklyn

Read more

10:00 am: Maria Hernandez Park Dog Rub Cleanup

April 24, 2021 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join us for an all-volunteer based cleanup at the park's dog runs. Light refreshments, work gloves, and cleanup supplies will be provided. Masks are required and we ask that all volunteers respect social distance guidelines. Click here for more.

April 24
10:00 am to noon

Maria Hernandez Park
Knickerbocker Avenue and Starr Street
Brooklyn

 

Read more

25April 25, 2021

9:00 am: A Weekend with Tom Davis

April 25, 2021 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Professional canine educator and speaker, Tom Davis, will be doing a live event in Brooklyn. This event will have limited working and audit spots due to covid restrictions and the safety of participants. Tom is known for teaching and educating dog owners in his very interactive, empowering training sessions. We will be covering relationship building, basic obedience, remote collar introduction, behavior explanations, and much more. Click here for more.

April 23, 2021
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

April 24 and 25, 2021
9:00 am to 6:00 pm

230 Bogart Street
Brooklyn

Read more

26April 26, 2021 27April 27, 2021 28April 28, 2021

12:00 pm: Paws to Read

April 28, 2021 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Reading events at the Museum of The Dog for kids, both in-person and online.

April 14, 21, and 28
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm

Museum of the Dog
101 Park Avenue (Entrance on 40 Street)
Manhattan

Click here for more.

Read more

7:00 pm: Drop-Off Puppy Socialization Class

April 28, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm

Drop off your their puppies for a 75 minute socialization class. Kate Perry's training team will supervise the puppies during playtime, as well as working on our “Pay Attention” commands, leash etiquette, handling, noise desensitization, and more. Puppy Parents will receive supplemental training materials, videos, and lesson plans by email to accompany what their pups learned in class. This curriculum is for puppies 8-18 weeks. Click here for more.

April 28
7:00 pm to 8:15 pm

City Tails NYC
55 Leroy Street
Manhattan

Read more

29April 29, 2021 30April 30, 2021 1May 1, 2021 2May 2, 2021
Urban Dog
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
An Online Resource for Urban Dog Owners. © 2018 Urban Dog Company LLC

Input your search keywords and press Enter.