via merchantIf you aren’t into the idea of colored pellets, Dr. Lanza recommends Scotwood Industries Road Runner Pet-Friendly Ice Melt, a colorless and odorless ice melt made out of magnesium chloride. Amazon shoppers are huge fans of the product, claiming that it works quickly to melt snow and ice on everything from lawns and shrubs to concrete without leaving behind damage. They also note that the granules are rounded and don’t get stuck in pet paws like other brands. It also works in colder climates, down to -15 degrees.
Shoppers are also impressed with the price, maintaining that the ice melt offers a lot of bang for the buck.
Pros
- Colorless
- Melts in temperature down to -15 degrees
- Reasonably priced
- Rounded granules that don’t get stuck in pet paws
Cons
- Shoppers wish that it came in larger sizes
via merchantDr. Lanza recommends Morton Safe-T Pet Ice Melt as one of the top-value pet-safe ice melts. While made by a company famous for salt, this high-quality, vet-developed product is surprisingly affordable. Another plus? It also comes with a convenient handle for easy dispensing.
The natural, salt and chloride-free pellets won’t damage pet paws and the blue hue enables you to see where you’ve already applied the product, to make snow and ice removal easy.
Pros
- High-quality and affordable
- Vet-approved and pet-safe
- Blue color aids application
- Safe for wooden decks and ramps
Cons
- Takes more product for effective melting
- May damage concrete
- Only melts down to 10 degrees
via merchantNatural Rapport Pet-Safe Ice Melt, an eco-friendly formula is a top-seller on Amazon. The green pellets come in a shaker jug making it easy to sprinkle everywhere outside. The time-release formula gradually and continually melts ice and prevents re-icing, so you won’t have to continue reapplying. Another bonus? The eco-friendly formula contains biodegradable soil supporting compounds, so it won’t harm your grass or vegetation.
The biggest complaint from Amazon shoppers is the price, as it costs a bit more than the average pet-safe ice melt.
Pros
- One of the most popular pet-safe ice melts on Amazon
- Eco-friendly
- Won’t damage yard, vegetation, concrete or metal
- Applies easily
Cons
- Only available on Amazon
- Priced higher than other pet-safe ice melts
Why You Should Trust Us
As a seasoned product tester and reviews writer, I have years of experience weeding out the best products in a number of categories. I’m also the owner of two large dogs and a cat who lives on 1.5 acres of land in Pennsylvania, and have personally tested out various pet safe ice melts on my lawn, driveway and porches. I also enlisted the help of Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, MBA, DACVPM, Chief Veterinarian at Petco and Seren Lanza, DVM at VCA Darien Animal Hospital in Connecticut. I also incorporated the wisdom and research of Amy Shojai, CABC, Affiliate Pet Editor at Large for Family Handyman. She’s also an award-winning pet journalist and the author of 35 pet titles.
How Veterinarians Selected the Best Pet-Safe Ice Melts
At Family Handyman, we are dedicated to finding the best products for your home and yard. We know that pet safety comes first, so we enlisted veterinarians, who are familiar with the dangers posed to animals by traditional snow and ice melting products, to weigh in on the best pet-safe ice melts. We also researched products and poured through thousands of reviews to compile a list of the best pet-safe ice melts.
FAQ
What kind of ice melt is safe for pets?
Ice melts made from urea and magnesium chloride are safe for pets. Those made with calcium salts, including calcium carbonate, calcium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate, and those containing sodium chloride and potassium chloride, are not safe.
Is magnesium chloride ice melt safe for pets?
Yes, magnesium chloride ice melts are safe for pets according to both the vets we interviewed.
Sources:
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