Pet-Safe Antifreeze

Not only is regular automotive antifreeze poisonous to pets, causing kidney failure and death, but it tastes sweet and attractive to them. What a terrible combination!

But there is a new, less hazardous antifreeze option. Find out what kind of antifreeze to buy to help keep your pets safe.

The toxic element in traditional antifreeze is ethylene glycol. The new kind of antifreeze contains not ethylene glycol, but propylene glycol, which is somewhat safer. In fact, propylene glycol is found in pet foods, cosmetics, and over-the-counter preparations.

One brand of this newer type of antifreeze is SIERRA, made by Safe Brands. A 50/50 mixture of SIERRA and water will protect a car’s engine to -26F; greater protection can be obtained by increasing the ratio of antifreeze to water, according to the company.

SIERRA is available nationwide for about a dollar more per gallon than traditional antifreeze. Many of us feel the price is little to pay if it eliminates a serious threat to our pets.

To be on the safest side, however, keep ANY antifreeze well away from your companion animals!

Read more: Pets, Everyday Pet Care, Safety

Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001). Copyright (c) 2001 by Diana Delmar. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.
Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kristina C.

12:59PM PDT on Mar 20, 2012

I agree - I rather pay a little more for more protection of our pets -

send a green star

Tim C.

10:37AM PDT on Mar 16, 2012

Ruth S.

6:28AM PDT on Mar 16, 2012

Are people CRAZY, you can never give this to your dog!!!!

Sue H.

5:37PM PST on Feb 26, 2012

An article from 2001 with a rebuttal from 2011?? Strange.

Naomi F.

4:14AM PDT on Jul 7, 2011

It is not a safer alternative, it is slightly less toxic and will cause death if ingested. Also it is not compatible with some cars and cannot be used throughout the motor industry. However, there is a company in Wales who have created a totally non-toxic EG antifreeze which will not cost extra to produce. Some manufacturers already put a bitterant in their antifreeze preparations but not all. My charity is campaigning to have antifreeze preparations banned in the UK/EU unless they contain a bitterant. It has been done in several states in America by a 11 year old girl no less. Please consider joining my campaign www.bluedeath.org.uk on Facebook and Twitter. It's a global issue. Lets protect our pets and children from this horrible chemical that KILLS! Thanks x

Robert O.

12:40PM PDT on Mar 21, 2011

The very best thing to do is keep all dangerous chemicals and objects far out of reach from children and animals. A pet anti-freeze is a good idea though andI hope it will be successful and catch on since we need to be more animal and environmentally friendly in as many aspects as humanly possible. Thanks.