Chloride-based ice-melt granules have a nasty way of corroding metal, spalling concrete, and fouling waterways and soil, not to mention burning pets’ paws or making them sick. To avoid these issues, use an acetate or formate anti-icer instead. Most are liquids applied with pump sprayers (shown above); some are pellets sprinkled from scoops. Apply them before the flakes start to fly, and when snow does fall, the bottom ½-inch layer will turn into slush that’s easy to shovel, sweep, or blow away. Just reapply before the next storm. Here’s how products compare
Pet Safe Ice Prevention
| ANTI-ICER | INGREDIENTS | FORM | EFFECTIVE DOWN TO | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happy Paws | Calcium magnesium acetate | Liquid | 20°F | $30 per gallon |
| Green Ice Melt | ||||
| NAAC Deicer | Sodium acetate | Pellets | 0°F | $68 per 25-pound pail |
| Green Ice Melt | ||||
| PlaySAFE | Potassium acetate/calcium magnesium acetate blend | Liquid | -15°F | $23 per gallon |
| PlaySAFE | ||||
| Green Earth Winterizer | Potassium acetate | Liquid | -25°F | $30 per gallon |
| Green Ice Melt | ||||
| Entry | Potassium formate | Liquid | -30°F | $39 per gallon |
| Secure Winter Products | ||||
| ANTI-ICER | INGREDIENTS | FORM | EFFECTIVE DOWN TO | PRICE |
What’s really pet-safe?
There’s no independent oversight of “pet-safe” claims made on ice-melts, so before you buy, go online and read the product’s material safety data sheet (MSDS). Avoid any with chloride salts, urea (can cause vomiting and diarrhea in pets and burn plant roots), ethylene glycol (deadly to pets if swallowed), and propylene glycol (damages cats’ red blood cells).