With temperatures soaring high in summer, many dog parents often wonder if it’s healthy to provide ice cold water to cool down their four-legged companions. But can dogs drink cold water?
Many animal experts believe that ice cold water is fairly safe for dogs. Although some pet owners claim that ice water triggers dangerous bloating in dogs, experienced vets maintain that dogs don’t bloat from drinking ice cold water on a hot day.
You can even give ice cubes as treats or put them in the water bowl. In fact, some behaviorists recommend freezing treats such as whipped cream or toys for dogs to chew on during hot days.
How Bloating Occurs in Dogs
Bloating is most prevalent in deep-chested large-breed dogs and is typically caused by food or a gas buildup. It can cause your dog’s stomach to rotate and result in gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV). GDV is an emergency medical situation that requires immediate surgery.
There are several factors that contribute to an increased risk of bloating and GDV, including:
- Feeding only one meal a day
- Rapid eating
- Familial history of bloating
- Moistening dry foods
- Restricting water intake before and after meals
- Elevated feeders
- A dry diet with animal fat forming the first four ingredients
- Old age
As you can see, so many things are associated with bloat, so there is no one known cause. Putting ice in your dog’s water is not known to be harmful. In fact, after a dog has an anesthetic procedure, vets often don’t allow them to drink water but instead let them lick on some ice cubes.
If your dog is having a problem with ice-cold water, then it could be linked to another health issue with your particular pet.
Problems that are often associated with dogs taking ice water may include possible lodging of ice cubes into their throat or potential dental damage. So, be mindful of your pet’s ability to chew the ice cubes you give them.
Warm-weather Precautions with Dogs
During hot summer months, avoid leaving your dog outside without proper shelter or shade. Provide easy access to clean drinking water and never let them drink from stagnant water.
When walking your dog, do so during the cool moments of the morning and evening. Be sure to limit the distance if the weather is very hot out there.
In the event that your dog begins overheating, place a few ice packs under the armpits and a cold compress on his head to help regulate temperatures. Likewise, you can apply Rubbing Alcohol to his paws to help cool his body.
However, heatstroke should be handled as a medical emergency. If you suspect that your dog has heatstroke, get him to the vet immediately. Do not attempt to buy time trying to get the pet to drink.
FAQs:
1: Does Cold Water Trigger GDV in Dogs?
No, taking ice or ice-cold water does not cause bloat. However, gulping the water or swallowing the ice cubes too quickly can result in bloat since the dog is swallowing lots of air while ingesting the ice.
It is generally safe to give ice or ice-cold water to your dog when he is hot from extreme exercising or on a hot day. In such circumstances, dogs may be tempted to eat the ice or drink the water too fast. This increases the risk of bloating and GDV.
2: So Can I Give My Dog Cold Water?
Yes, but be careful to ensure he eats or drinks it slowly. Give him small amounts of ice frequently instead of a huge pile all at once.
If your dog accidentally drinks a lot of ice water or eat food too quickly, try to keep him calm for about an hour or two. Stop him from running, jumping, or playing since that can cause the stomach to get air-filled and twist.
Using the right automatic dog feeder can also help your dog eat more slowly and minimize the risk of GDV.
3: Does cold water make dogs throw up?
Regurgitating water or food occurs when ingested food fails to reach the stomach. Very cold foods or gulping food too fast can trigger this vomiting effect in dogs. Active vomiting may cause abdominal constrictions and sometimes occur hours after your dog has eaten
4: Can dogs eat ice cream?
Since ice cream is composed of milk, giving your dog ice cream can lead to gassiness, bloating, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. While it’s not a major danger to give your dog small amounts of ice cream as a treat, it can cause problems for dogs with obesity, allergies, diabetes, or dairy intolerance.
5: Can ice cubes kill dogs?
Putting ice in your dog’s water is not known to be harmful. However, be sure to monitor your dog as he consumes the ice water to prevent him from gulping up too quickly and increasing the risk of GDV.
