Cats love to play outside in the snow, but their sensitive paws often come into contact with road salt. Road salt can damage a cat's paws and skin. In the worst case scenario, cats can swallow road salt and die from it.

Road salt consists of coarse pieces of salt that reduce the freezing temperature of the water and absorb moisture. Water mixed with salt does not freeze at 0 degrees, but only at colder temperatures. The coarse grains of salt also provide grip for car tyres and the soles of feet. 

When the salt melts the snow, puddles remain which the cat can mistake for drinking water. However, the salt also enters the cat's body with the water, where it dries it out internally. 

Grains of road salt can also remain in the cat's fur. Later, the cat licks the salt out of its fur when grooming. 

Too much salt is fatal for a cat. Mild salt poisoning is characterised by vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive thirst. Serious salt poisoning leads to kidney damage, stroke, coma and death. 

When walking over gritted paths and roads, the road salt gets on the cat's paws and between the claws. The rough surface can rub the skin raw and burn the upper layers of the skin. The same applies to the skin when it comes into contact with road salt. The skin on the rump and belly are particularly at risk.

How do you protect your cat from damage caused by road salt in winter?

The simplest and most obvious way to protect your cat from salt poisoning and skin irritation is not to let it outside when it is snowy or icy. You can let them out into the garden for a short time under observation and then lock them back in the house. 

For cats that run around outdoors in all weathers, you should rub their paws and belly with a warm, damp cloth when they come indoors to wash the grit off their skin. You should not use road salt on your own pavement, but use sand or other grit. 

As soon as the cat comes in, it should be observed for signs of salt poisoning. At the first symptoms (vomiting, diarrhoea and excessive thirst) they should be taken to the vet immediately.