Will Ice Cubes Harm or Kill Your Dog? Oklahoma Vets Respond

You may have heard that feeding your dog ice is very dangerous and could cause serious illness or even death, especially during the extreme summer heat. Supposedly it causes radical internal temperature changes and instead of cooling the animal off, it overheats them eventually causing heat stroke and death.

SCROLL DOWN TO WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GIVING YOUR DOG ICE

The thought or rumor is that a dog's body adjusts to ingesting anything really cold like ice cubes by over-regulating its internal temperature to adjust to the change. While this may be partially true it's certainly not the whole truth. Most mammals do this, including dogs but it rarely goes to the extremes people talk about.

IS IT DANGEROUS TO GIVE YOUR DOGS ICE IN EXTREME HEAT? SEE BELOW

So what does this mean? Is it dangerous to feed dogs ice when it's hot outside? The quick answer is no. For whatever reason, this myth has been around forever and every summer it resurfaces. You've probably seen this on social media and just about everywhere else on the interwebs. So if you're concerned, don't be.

Hit play on the video below to learn the truth about giving your dogs ice when it's hot

This past week I kept seeing this urban legend pop up on my newsfeed as concerned dog owners scrambled for answers. I was fooled once too and went looking for the truth. I've spoken to several vets in Oklahoma about this and just recently called around again to reverify just to make sure. Everyone I spoke with all said the same thing. It's not dangerous or life-threatening to give your dog ice or frozen treats, even if it's hot.

KEEP SCROLLING TO WATCH ANOTHER VIDEO THAT DISPELS THE ICE ARGUMENT

So don't believe everything you read or watch on the internet. It's surprising how many dog owners still believe this myth and adamantly defend it. A couple of the vets even jokingly said "Haven't you seen all the videos on YouTube about this?" I have but still wanted to clarify by phone what the pet health experts had to say on the matter. Again you can't always believe what you read and watch on the interwebs these days.

THE MYTH ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GIVING ICE TO DOGS HAS BEEN BUSTED

Maybe it's all the flat-earth people that keep perpetuating this false warning, who knows? I'm glad it's not true because my dog loves ice cubes and frozen treats, she goes nuts for them. She doesn't get overheated, she's an inside dog. But the few times she's gotten hot after a walk or other activity I let her cool down some then give her a frozen treat or some ice in her bowl. Not that we know the truth, feel free to treat your dog.

Worth a watch. Hit play on the video below for more information on the dog/ice myth

After speaking with several Oklahoma veterinarians about this the one warning they had was to make sure your dog doesn't get too hot regardless of whether you feed them ice or not. Make sure they have plenty of water and shade during the hot summer months and if possible bring them inside. Just like you should when it's cold outside. As the old saying goes, "if you're hot/cold they are too." Be a good human, let them in.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE TAKING TAKE OF YOUR PETS IN THE EXTREME HEAT

If you're unable to bring them in for whatever reason there are all kinds of tips and tricks you can use to keep your dog safe, cool, happy, and healthy. Hit play on the videos above to learn more about how to take care of your dog during the extreme summer heat. You should treat them like the best friend they are.

TREAT YOUR PET LIKE THE BEST FRIEND THEY ARE AND YOU'LL BOTH BE HAPPY

Lastly, if you'd like to take a quick trip and mini-staycation with the whole family including the dog, or dogs head to Solo's Park & Pub in OKC. It's a dog-friendly park, pub, and restaurant the entire family will enjoy! It's an amazing place, click here for details. It's the coolest place to cool off for both dogs and humans alike.