- PDSA veterinary nurse Nina Downing has asked whether it is safe to give dogs frozen ice cubes.
A vet has revealed the truth about whether it is safe to give your dogs ice cubes to help them stay cool in the heat.
Although many have touted it as a good way to keep dogs cool in the summer, some pet owners remain unsure.
They have expressed concern that it could have the opposite effect: inadvertently warming the animals.
Commenting on the debate, PDSA veterinary nurse Nina Downing clarified whether it is safe to give the frozen cubes to your dog.
Giving his verdict on the matter, he noted that there has been a lot of back and forth about the debate on social media.
A vet has revealed the truth about whether or not it is safe to give ice cubes to dogs to help them stay cool in the heat.
Ms Downing has reassured owners that it is safe for dogs to enjoy an ice cube in hot weather.
Nina said: ‘Every summer there are tips circulating on social media claiming that the cold temperature of ice cubes can activate a pet’s thermoregulation system, causing their body to heat up; however, this is not true.
‘As long as your pet is healthy, providing some ice cubes for them to play with or in their water bowl is a great way to cool them down.’
Despite giving the green light to dog owners to give ice cubes to their pets, Nina urged them to proceed with caution and ensure their dogs do not choke on the ice.
She continued: ‘If you are going to give your pet ice cubes, first make sure the cubes are an appropriate size; They should not be of a size that could get caught in the dog’s throat.
‘If your dog has a tendency to gobble down their food, ice chips may be more suitable as these smaller pieces will melt faster, reducing the risk of choking and minimising damage to your pup’s teeth.’
He also said that for anyone still concerned about giving ice cubes to their dog, owners can use frozen fruits or vegetables as an alternative, as long as they are careful to remove any seeds or cores.
PetSafe’s Rob Steele reminded owners to make sure they always have a bowl of water in a visible and accessible location so dogs can dip in when they need to.
Another way to help dogs cool down, especially if they’re not tempted by cold food or tasty frozen treats, is to place them on a cold, wet towel, according to Rob Steele of Pet Safe.
You can also use a gentle water spray from time to time to keep them fresh.
Mr Steele said: “But take it slow and careful – try the first few squirts away from him to gauge his reaction as some dogs can be frightened.”
“But almost all of them would love to have a paddling pool where they can splash around and cool off.”
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