Nashville, TN – As first frost and black ice form across Tennessee this weekend, veterinarians are warning pet owners to take precautions during early-morning walks. While temperatures will climb during the day, the road salt and de-icers used overnight can still burn paw pads, irritate skin, and cause toxic reactions when pets lick or ingest them.
Common ice-melt products contain sodium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride, chemicals that melt ice effectively but can cause painful irritation to a dog’s paws. Even short contact can lead to cracking, redness, or burns. When pets lick their feet after exposure, they risk swallowing toxic amounts of salt, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, or lethargy. In more severe cases, veterinarians say salt poisoning can lead to seizures or kidney failure.
Veterinarians across the state warn that many road treatments and parking lot de-icers may also contain industrial byproducts or heavy metals, which make them more dangerous if ingested repeatedly through the winter.
To reduce risk, experts recommend rinsing paws with warm water after each walk and drying them completely. Applying a paw balm or protective wax before going outdoors can prevent irritation, while trimming fur between the toes helps reduce salt and ice buildup. Booties can provide reliable protection for dogs that tolerate them, and pet owners should choose chloride-free, pet-safe ice melt around their own homes.
With overnight lows dropping into the 20s and 30s across middle and eastern Tennessee, veterinarians caution that early frost and black ice could create slippery conditions through Monday morning. Even small traces of salt from road treatments can cause irritation or chemical burns to pets’ paws.
As the first frost and ice spread across the Volunteer State, experts remind residents that the biggest cold-weather threat to pets isn’t always the temperature—but the chemicals left behind to fight it.
