22/01/2023
Happy Chinese New Year - bye bye tiger, hello rabbit! (Next dog year not until 2030 so no connection there, it simply fitted with my NY resolution not to waffle so much, which happened to last a full 3 weeks…)
Given another icy spell the council‘s bins are overflowing & they’ve been out again with a vengeance spreading the grit & salt mix (and judging by some of the delicious goodies in the cafes in the area, presume many may have had their windows/doors open when the spreader went past…) Much as it’s welcome to the likes of me now paranoid of slipping again, your dog will not appreciate it. Even a small amount (few grams per kg of body weight) of salt, whether the finest Himalayan or table NaCl - is toxic & potentially hazardous. Signs of salt ingestion may include vomiting, lethargy, confusion, weakness, muscle tremors & diarrhoea, (I’d imagine much as one would feel after ingesting a large cinnamon/salt palmier, followed by 2 chocolate & rock salt cookies in quick succession), potentially leading to seizures. If suspected, try to encourage your dog to drink as much water as possible, & also consume foods rich in potassium such as bananas. Seriously, if worried or in any doubt please contact your vet!
Hence, it makes excellent sense to wash, or at least remove as much salt as possible from your dog’s paws after every walk, & before they try to remove it themselves & end up ingesting. (Thanks to everyone who leaves a towel out at the door ready, as rest assured I do this after every walk with your dog). Luckily BBC Weather assure us it’s due to warm up again fairly soon, and there’s also some rain due soon to wash it all away.
