Is it OK to give a dog ice?

Dogs don’t tend to cope well in the heat and, as responsible dog owners, we need to keep an eye on them to ensure that they are comfortable and safe during spells of hot weather. 

There is some confusion around whether it’s OK to give a dog ice cubes when the temperature soars and we’re here to help clear things up a bit. 

• If your dog is suffering from heatstroke, ice cubes are not advised.  Seek vet advice immediately – heatstroke is very serious indeed and requires urgent medical attention. You can start to give some first aid by bringing their temperature down gradually with cool water and damp towels (make sure you remove them once dry)  
• However, if your dog is fit and well, it’s fine to let them crunch away on a hot day.  Ensure your frozen treat is appropriate for your size of dog to minimise any risk of choking.  Here are a couple of ideas to get you going… 

For small dogs, you can fill ice cube trays with water and a small piece of kibble, carrot or cheese to make a more ent-ice-ing (sorry!) cube 

For bigger dogs, you can fill a used and clean muffin tray with water and drop in a handful of the above for them to lick and crunch on.  

Frozen carrots, bananas or apple slices make a healthy and cooling treat  

A frozen stuffed kong style toy is a great way to help your dog relax and provide some mental stimulation in the hot weather 

Do not take your dog out in hot weather as it could risk heat stroke – even at 23 C a dog can be at risk.