If warnings about dogs and ice water keep popping up in your Facebook feed, you can thank this blog post, which appeared on Wendt Worth Corgis in July 2010. The post details a pet owner’s experience after their dog ingested ice water and started to bloat severely. The vet who treated the dog claimed the ice water caused muscle spasms in his stomach and caused the bloating.
“This post goes viral at least once a year,” says pet owner and YouBeauty executive editor Courtney Dunlop. We obviously had to get to the bottom of this. Is it true that your dog can become sick (or even die?!) from drinking something as seemingly harmless as ice water?
“The short answer is no,” says Dr. Jennifer Welser, chief medical officer of BluePearl Veterinary Partners. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving your dogs ice water to drink or ice as a treat. In fact, make sure dogs always have continuous access to fresh clean water, especially as we enter the upcoming hot summer months.
“Larger breed, deep-chested dogs (like German Shepherds, Great Danes, Labradors, Boxers and Mastiffs, to name a few) are more predisposed to bloat, notes Welser. “When it comes to bloating, dogs can bloat for several reasons. For example, you definitely want to make sure you avoid giving a dog a heavy meal after intense exercise. Additionally, if you’re concerned about your dog bloating, you should talk to their veterinarian about preventative surgery known as a gastropexy.
“As a general rule, always contact your vet if you ever notice your dog isn’t acting like himself.Take that, Internet myth—consider yourself debunked!
