The Real Risks of Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride in Ice Melts for Pets and Concrete

Walk down the ice melt aisle during winter and you’ll see countless products claiming to be “safer” for pets and surfaces. Often, these products still contain calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, two common chloride-based compounds used in deicing formulas. But here’s the truth: “safer” is not the same as “safe.” The inclusion of these chemicals can still pose real risks to pets and property—especially when misunderstood or mislabeled.