De-icing salts (calcium chloride, magnesium chloride) cause GI burns and electrolyte disturbances.
Dogs that lick salt off their paws after winter walks ingest it without you realising.
Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride generate heat on contact with moisture, causing thermal and chemical burns to the mouth, paw pads and gut. Sodium- and potassium-chloride formulations are less burning but cause hypernatremia/hyperkalemia. All can damage paw pads from outside contact.
Sources
Rinse paws after walks in winter. Any direct ingestion warrants veterinary advice, especially if a large quantity.
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal poison hotline immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a vet.
callFind Emergency Vet