Extremely slippery walkway, what is safe to use for dogs? (black, outside)

[gouligann]

Is there a product that is safe to put on snowy/icy walkways?

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by gouligann

Is there a product that is safe to put on snowy/icy walkways?

We use saw dust......but, it does track in the house.

[mic111]

You could use these.

Residential Ice & Snow Melting Heated Rubber Mats | CozyWinters

We just use the rubber mats that are meant for doorways or outdoor stairs (on our deck stairs). Plenty of traction. You can buy a bunch and line your walkway with them. We get the kind that has alot of cutouts so the water runs through them. I think we bought ours from Target. Something like this:
http://www.target.com/p/smith-hawken...FelAMgodnlMAaQ

[gouligann]

Thank you both for your ideas. We wondered about carpet runners too?

[mic111]

Carpet runners would probably work well. You would want to get the type rated for outdoors to cut down on mold or mildew growth. We have outdoor carpets on our back deck all year round. They have air circulating underneath them so no mold or mildew problem. When there is snow or ice on the deck they really help with footing so carpet runners are a good idea. At the bottom of our deck stairs I put old indoor carpets (not rated for outdoors) along a stone path. Those bloom up with mold or mildew when it is wet so they have to be thrown out more frequently. They are great for keeping the weeds down and providing a softer landing pad for the dogs when they go racing down the deck stairs.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

You can use kitty litter.

I use plain old coarse grade garden sand and that works really well. It doesn't harm my pets and it doesn't harm my plants. Once the ice is gone, I can just sweep it off the sidewalk.

[gouligann]

Thanks, some good ideas to also consider. Between sand and kitty litter, I imagine rather litter is less likely to be tracked into the house, right?

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Put one of those coconut bristle door mats outside your front door and wipe your feet before going inside and no sand or litter will get tracked into the house.