RSPCA warns householders that salt and antifreeze kill pets – as snow and ice set to hit parts of UK
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Animal charity says pets die needlessly every year from spills and leaks. The RSPCA has warned householders that antifreeze and salt can be poisonous to pets – as snow and freezing temperatures are forecast to sweep the UK this weekend. Amber severe weather warnings for ice and snow have been issued for parts of England and Wales amid a cold snap gripping the country.
![[Coats help dogs stay warm]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/03/17/newFile-16.jpg)
Most of the Midlands, Wales, and parts of northern England will be covered by an amber warning for snow and ice from 6pm on Saturday until noon on Sunday. Up to 30-40cm of snow is possible in parts of northern England on Sunday, the Met Office said. Further south, and especially over Wales, rain could freeze, causing dangerous icy conditions, forecasters said.
UK Health Security Agency cold-weather health alerts for all of England remain in place for vulnerable people. And the RSPCA issued advice for owners on how to keep their pets unharmed by the tumbling temperatures and the state of the ground. The charity asks drivers to check their car regularly to ensure it is not leaking water coolant; keep antifreeze in labelled, robust, sealed containers, away from pets; clean up even small spills immediately and ensure animals cannot access the area until it’s clean.
“Pets die every year from accidental poisonings from antifreeze spills and leaks, as well as from leaking water coolant from cars, but most of these deaths are avoidable,” the RSPCA says. Dogs that have walked in areas gritted with rock salt should have their paws thoroughly washed afterwards or it can act as an irritant or be ingested if the animal licks its paws.
