Overview
- Dogs Trust Merseyside advises owners to wipe dogs’ paws after every walk to remove rock salt and grit from pads and between toes.
- Salt and grit can cause soreness, cracking, burns and bleeding on paw pads, with ingestion potentially leading to stomach upset or salt poisoning.
- Reported symptoms of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, tremors and seizures, with severe cases risking kidney damage or coma.
- The charity highlights antifreeze as a major hazard due to ethylene glycol, which is highly toxic and attractive to dogs because of its sweet taste.
- Owners are told to store de‑icing products securely, avoid use around pets and contact a vet immediately if antifreeze ingestion is suspected.