Is Ice Bad For Dogs? A Complete Guide To Dogs And Ice

Dog owners always tend to struggle at various fronts, especially when it comes to the feed of your dog. Being a vigilant and responsible dog owner, you should always be careful while feeding your dog anything. Many food items can prove fatal for your furry pal. Even if there are some which can be fed in a controlled quantity, you should be careful while you are feeding them the same for the first time. A veterinarian is the one who will be in the best position to guide you about what to be fed and not to your furry pal.

If we are talking about the items which should be fed or not to the dogs, then there has been always a general doubt that is ice bad for dogs? You will not find a definite answer to this question as various pet lovers have their own experiences with it, both positive and negative. But yes, there are certainly pros and cons to the consumption of ice by your dog.

In this blog, we will try to shed more light on this debatable subject.

Need for feeding ice to your dog

If your furry pal is a frequent chewer unlike other breeds, then ice cubes are going to be a welcome treat for them. They not only fulfill the need for water in your dog’s body but also will be a fun-filled experience for them during the summers. The consumption of ice will also help your furry pal overcome minor digestive issues.

Always remember to feed your pooch ice cubes under your supervision only as there is a risk of choking like other chewable food items such as calcium bones. If you are feeding ice to a dog who is a gulper and not a good chewer, refrain from feeding him with ice. The ice needs to be chewed properly so that it is not choked in the process of consumption. Similarly, you should also avoid giving ice cubes to the aged dogs whose teeth are not strong enough to chew and melt the ice.

The way you should feed ice to your dog

Now, is there any style or format in which you should feed your dog ice? Well, you should initially feed your dog crushed ice to avoid any kind of choking probabilities. Gradually, under supervision, you can give your growing dog ice cubes also. The consumption of ice cubes not only helps cooling down your dog’s body temperature but also soothes the gums of teething furry pooches.

At the same time, you should be careful not to feed them with an excessive quantity of ice cubes as this may cause health hazards to your dog. You can give your furry companion frozen toys to play with and also the food items such as fruits, chicken, cheese, etc. But you should refrain from feeding ice to your dog during heatstroke as it can worsen his health condition more. The best thing to do at that time is to call the professional veterinarian.

The misconception that ice water causes bloating

Another great and the safest way to feed ice to your pet dog is in the form of ice water. However, there is a misconception associated with ice water that it causes bloating in dogs. Well, if your dog would consume ice water slowly in moderate quantity, then it is quite safer as compared to other forms of ice.

Although, the intake of ice water in excess, especially if your dog is consuming it very quickly, can only cause bloating. The reason behind this is when a dog eats or drinks anything at a faster pace; they accidentally swallow a lot of air inside them, which can make them bloat.

On the other hand, drinking ice water in the most appropriate way would not cause bloating in your beloved pet. To prepare ice water for your furry companion, you need to simply crush a couple of ice cubes into tiny pieces and put them in your dog’s water bowl. This would assist in keeping your dog hydrated for long during summers without being detrimental to his health.

Furthermore, the main cause of bloating is the build of gas in the stomach of dogs. It can even cause stomach rotation, thereby leading your dog to develop GDV or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus. This health condition is most commonly encountered by the large breed dogs that are deep-chested as well.

Apart from this, if your pet has consumed only a single meal throughout the day, there are strong chances that he might bloat. The following are other few reasons that may cause bloating in dogs:

• If the descendants of the dog breed have a history of bloating
• Eating or drinking very rapidly
• Giving dry food that has been humidified
• Uterine infection and internal bleeding
• Liver dysfunction
• Curbing the consumption of water before and after a meal

When not to give ice to your dog?

Ice has plentiful of benefits for your dog if it is given in the right way and moderate quantities. However, the following are certain instances when you should refrain from giving ice to your furry pal.

• Heatstrokes: Although giving crushed ice is an effective and the easiest way to prevent your dog from getting dehydrated; feeding him the same during a heat stroke can worsen his conditions. Most of the people often feel that if the pet is suffering from heatstroke, then giving him ice cubes would suffice. Well, you must strictly refrain from giving ice to your dog if you are noticing any symptoms of heatstroke in him such as diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, dizziness, and panting.
• Right after Workout: Feeding small ice cubes or crushed ice is a good way to hydrate your dog. However, if your pet has arrived after a long and tiring session of intense physical activity and is still panting, then refrain from giving ice to him. When the dogs get over-exhausted, they are not able to consume any eatable or fluids properly and may lead to choking. That is why, in such cases, allow your pet to become stable and then give him ice cubes or water to fill up the hydration level of the body.
• Kennel Cough: Dogs tend to develop kennel cough, especially during winters. It is a respiratory infection in dogs caused by the virus and the bacteria that affects their windpipe, voice box, and lungs as well. You must refrain from giving ice to your dog in case of kennel cough as it can deteriorate his condition.

Wrap Up

To keep your pet delighted, you should give him pet-friendly eatables such as ice once in a while and not regularly. Also, keep the quantity in moderation and if you are giving ice cubes to your pet instead of crushed ice or ice water, then make sure that the cubes are smaller in size.

Also, make sure that your pet is not suffering from any sort of health ailment, as in such cases, you would require permission from a vet to feed ice to your dog. Above all, it is more important to maintain the good well-being of your dog rather than delighting him with fancy eatables.