Danger of Ice Cubes for Dogs in Summer: Health Risks to

Urban Legends

There's an urban legend about "ice cubes and dogs" that has spread far beyond a single region, affecting the entire world. Eventually, it even prompted organizations like the RSPCA and AKC to step forward and debunk the myth, confirming that it was indeed false.

Let's delve into the content of this urban legend: A golden retriever owner decided to add a few ice cubes to their dog's water during a hot summer day. However, the dog suffered from gastric torsion after consuming the first ice cube. Thankfully, the dog was rushed to the vet in time and survived.

For many dog owners, especially those with large breeds like Dobermans, the term "gastric torsion" is particularly alarming, as it can be fatal for dogs. For Dobermans, the chances of survival are extremely low once they experience this condition.

Moreover, numerous canine organizations have stated that ice cubes are the best way to cool down dogs during the summer, and ingesting them does not cause gastric torsion. What you should be more concerned about is your dog's gums.

So, rest assured, dogs can safely consume ice cubes.

However, it's rare for dogs to主动 eat ice cubes on their own.

When you place ice cubes in water, a dog might just lap at them, knowing that they're not something they should chew on.

Therefore, when preparing ice cubes for summer, you don't need to worry too much about your dog accidentally eating them; if your dog has a habit of eating ice, consider switching to ice slushies instead.

Is there really no issue with giving dogs ice cubes?

There is an issue, and it's with the dog's gums.

If you give your dog large, hard ice cubes to chew on, their gums and enamel can be damaged. Therefore, it's not recommended to let dogs chew on ice cubes; instead, opting for smaller ice cubes in water is the safer choice.

Why would an urban legend link ice cubes with gastric torsion?

The real cause of gastric torsion in dogs is not the ice cubes themselves, but rather the owner's mistake of allowing the dog to drink a large amount of water in a short period of time.

Here are some tips to prevent gastric torsion during the summer:

Avoid eating too much at once and consider having smaller, more frequent meals.

Steer clear of drinking large amounts of water all at once.

Wait at least an hour after eating before engaging in physical activity.