The thaw and then freezing overnight has resulted in some very icy conditions around Moose Jaw but one local veterinary technician is asking homeowners and businesses to think twice about using ice melt.

One of the main concerns if you decide to take your pet on a walk is how ice melt affects an animal's paws. Some have chemicals that could cause problems when ingested and others can hurt the pads of the animal's feet according to Daniel Novecosky, Vet Tech at the Moose Jaw Animal Clinic.

"Not all of them are toxic and some of them are pet-friendly ones but it just depends on what it's made of," said Novecosky. "One of the bigger things is ethylene glycol, which is a major component of antifreeze and that can cause kidney failure."

Some of the ice melt that is on the market can also be very sharp, potentially damaging the pads of the feet. You can tell if your dog's paws have been affected by the ice and snow if they are wincing while they walk. if they have cuts in their skin or are licking their paws more often.