BY John Wesolowski
President, Milazzo Industries, Inc.
Ice melting agents are essential for keeping sidewalks, driveways, and streets safe for people. However, for years, traditional ice melt products were often harsh and potentially dangerous for pets. Most of these products, while effective at melting ice and snow, would cause burning paws, digestive issues and even toxicity if ingested.
Over time, consumer awareness of these health risks and a growing demand for pet safety have driven the evolution of pet-friendly ice melters. With consumer demand for safer, pet-friendly options, manufacturers started researching alternative ingredients that could effectively melt ice without posing risks to animals. Early versions of pet-friendly ice melters emerged, typically using urea or magnesium chloride as primary ingredients.
Urea, a compound commonly used in fertilizers, is less corrosive than traditional ice melt chemicals and much safer for pets. While these urea-based melters were gentler, they had limitations—specifically, they were not as effective in extreme cold along with the environmental issue of causing excess nitrogen and phosphorus both in the soil and water.
Today’s pet-friendly ice melters try to manage the need for melting the ice and snow along with offering a safer alternative to be used around your family pet. Modern products often blend ingredients like magnesium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate, and eco-friendly additives that improve melting efficiency without the harsh side effects of traditional chemicals. These compounds are effective at lower temperatures and are far less irritating to pets’ paws and skin. Advanced pet-friendly ice melters even contain ingredients that promote safety in other ways, such as by including color indicator to help pet owners see where ice melt has been applied, reducing the chance of overuse.
With a wide range of products on the market, pet owners now have more choices than ever, look beyond the printing on the bag and consider:
- Ingredients: Each component in the melter will offer different results and the consumer should understand what product they are using to melt the ice and snow.
- Temperature Range: Consider how cold your region gets and choose a product that will work effectively in those temperatures.
- Application Instructions: Following recommended application guidelines ensure that even safe products are used in pet-friendly amounts.
The evolution of pet-friendly ice melters demonstrates how our society views pets as a valued member of the household. The safety of the family pet is as important as the safety of each family member. Today, pet owners can confidently choose ice melters that prioritize safety and effectiveness, allowing them to protect their families but the final factor will always be the use of common sense along with good housekeeping of the walkway.
Once you sprinkle the ice melting agent you should allow the product to melt the ice and snow without your pet freely walking on the chemical. When the ice is melted, sweep off any residue to not only guarantee comfort for the pet but to mitigate over application that will sit on the walkway causing safety concerns such as tripping when you are walking on the area.
The ice melting industry like other industries will be ever changing to answer the demand of the consumer. It is particularly important to rely on a supplier that has a history of quality products with the goal of safety. ■
This article was contributed by PFMA member Milazzo Industries, Inc.
