Are Ice Cubes Bad to Give My Dog to Chew?

Are ice cubes bad for my dog?

Is ice bad for dogs? This is a common question, especially in hot areas like Atlanta, where pet owners look for ways to cool their dogs down. But can dogs eat ice safely? The short answer is yes.

Dogs can eat ice, but we recommend crushed ice. Dogs and ice cubes can be a dangerous mix due to a potential choking hazard, especially if your pet is a small breed or a puppy. Large ice cubes can cause tooth breakage in dogs. Using smaller cubes or shavings and giving ice in moderation can help avoid these issues.

Can giving my dog ice cause bloating?

Dogs do not bloat from drinking ice water on hot days. Bloating can be from food or from a buildup of gas. Either can cause the stomach to rotate and the dog to develop GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus). Bloat is most commonly seen in deep-chested large-breed dogs.

Factors that increase the risk of bloat include:

• Feeding only one meal a day
• Familial history of bloat
• Rapid eating
• Thin
• Moistening dry food
• Elevated feeders
• Restricting water before and after a meal
• Dry diet with animal fat in first four ingredients
• Age (older dogs).

As you can see there are many things associated with bloat, but not one known cause.

Can you use ice to treat heatstroke in dogs?

In the case of an overheated pup, ice cubes are not advised. It’s better to offer room temperature water to overheated dogs and not ice cubes. An overheated dog should be cooled down slowly. The most important thing to do is to wet your dog down with room temperature water—focusing on your pet’s underside and back (avoiding the head).

Be aware if your dog shows any of the following signs of heatstroke, and immediately take them to a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will act to lower your dog’s body temperature, administer fluids and monitor his progress to aid his recovery.

• Panting rapidly
• Depression
• Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
• Diarrhea
• Bright red tongue
• Red or pale looking gums
• Saliva thick and sticky
• Dizziness
• Lethargic
• Shock
• Coma

What about feeding other “frozen” items such as treats?

Many dogs love ice cubes. They can be given as treats or put in the water bowl. Some behaviorists even recommend freezing toys or treats in ice for dogs to chew on. The biggest risk with ice is that aggressive chewers could break teeth. Frozen treats like ‘dog ice cream’ and yogurt have a softer texture (ice crystals are separated by fat). They have a much lower risk of causing dental damage.

In summary, ice cubes for dogs can be a good way to cool them down on a hot day and encourage them to stay hydrated but do so in moderation. In addition, use sense when it comes to things like a pool full ice. You wouldn’t want to go from 90-degree heat to an ice bath, and neither does your dog.