With the advent of winter, snow follows. For people living in the western world, the first snowfall is extraordinary. However, for dog owners, snowfall may come as a danger. It is because the dogs like eating snow. Yes, you heard it right. In the past, it has been seen that dogs love to indulge themselves in the snow. Everybody gets excited when the snow falls, and the dog is no exception. However, is it safe for your dog? Today, we will explore all these questions and provide you with the necessary information.
- Do dogs like snow?
Various dogs want to eat snow as the winter arrives. Just as you pick up the snow in your hand, the dog will pick it up in their mouth. They like it and want to have fun in the snow. At times, they love the taste of snow, which feels like water. That is the primary reason dogs love to play with snow and head out whenever they want.
- Why do dogs like snow?
Now the question comes, why do they like it? Dogs explore and learn the world with the help of their mouth. So naturally, they are curious about how the snow feels and tastes. Everybody loves to play with the snow, and the dogs are no exception. They will use their giant mouths to eat and play with the snow and indulge in many activities. The canine curiosity is the reason behind this.
- They love the taste of snow
There is no denying the fact that dogs love the taste of snow. After all, it is frozen water. As your thirsty dog likes water, it will love snow. It tastes and looks like water but is it equivalent to water? Alternatively, your puppy may be unhappy with the taste of water in the bowl. You wouldn’t want your dog to drink water that has been in the bowl for the whole day. Would you?
Ensure that the water supply to the dog is cold, fresh, and clean. If you are thinking, can my dog eat snow? The vet can answer this question aptly. Also, it would help if you were cautious that your dog does not eat yellow snow. Yellow snow is contaminated snow. Fresh and clean snow is not a danger to your dog. However, the same is not the case with yellow snow.
- Genetics
Although there is no scientific evidence, some experts believe that the dog’s ancestors relied upon snow for survival. In such a condition, the water source was ice. So, in the Arctic, ancient canines relied on the ice as the only water source to stay hydrated. If you follow this point, snow eating is an innate dog behavior. It is there in them, and they will get attracted to the snow whenever it falls.
- Dehydration
As everybody knows that snow is frozen water, there is no danger when it comes to eating snow. The dogs may want to eat because they feel thirsty. Although it sounds strange, it is the reason. You may be thinking that you are providing your dog with a bowl of water, then why would they feel thirsty? The answer is that dehydration is expected in the cold and freezing winter.
The indoor heating may be a reason behind their dehydration. Stomach upset also causes dehydration. If your puppy shows any sign of dehydration, never wait to get them hydrated. Take them to the veterinarian as early as possible and get them examined to understand the problem. You have to get them to the veterinarian as early as possible so that you can discuss the issue with them in detail. Along with this, you need to provide them with regular safe drinking water and develop drinking water habits.
- Symptoms: your dog is dehydrated
How will you understand that your dog is dehydrated? The answer is given in the following points:
● Thick saliva
● Dry gums and nose
● Sunken eyes
● Lethargy
● Extreme panting
● Vomiting
● Loss of skin elasticity and appetite
Snow eating may be the dog’s means of self-medicating. If your puppy appears to eat snow to satisfy themselves repeatedly, they may be trying to get something out of their system. Typically it can be a parasite or stomach bug.
Usually, puppies do this with the help of grass. However, if the ground is full of snow, they will not shy away from eating it. They will use the snow and try to cause vomiting to get themselves rid of the stomach bugs. If your puppy has stomach bugs, they will do this on and on again so they can get rid of it. Along with this, you need to understand that your puppy is undergoing a problem. It would help to get them to the vet as early as possible.
- Symptoms of stomach bug
Coming to the symptoms of a stomach bug that will tell you that your dog requires immediate attention or listed below:
● Abdominal pain
● Diarrhoea
● Vomiting
● Lethargy
● Gagging after drinking or eating
● Fever
- Symptoms of internal parasites
If your dog has internal parasites, it will give out the following symptoms:
● Dull skin
● Distended abdomen
● bum scooting
- Psychological issues
At times your dog might be undergoing psychological issues. If your puppy is eating snow repeatedly, it might be because of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Yes, only human beings do not suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dogs also suffer from that. If you feel that your dog is an anxious and developing phobia, it might be because of some underlying cause. If you think your dog indulges in snow-using behavior repeatedly, it may be because of some psychological problems. Research findings suggest that breeds like German shepherds are prone to OCB or obsessive-compulsive behavior.
- Medical issues
Generally, eating a minimum amount of snow is good. It is a fun activity. However, if your puppy is consuming an excessive amount of snow, it may be assigned as a severe problem. Hormonal and metabolic issues like kidney disease, hypothyroidism, liver disease, and diabetes are typical causes of disease-induced thirst. As a result, if your dog is suffering from these problems, it will quench its thirst by eating snow. If you want to help your dog, you must take them to the vet as soon as possible.
There are a few signs of disease, which include the following:
● Excessive hunger and painting
● Hair loss
● Regrowth issues
● Stomach bloating
● Tiredness
● Thinning skin
● Anxiety
● Skin infection
As a pet parent, you must take care of your dog. As early as possible, create a diet plan and take them for physical activities. You can take them for a walk every morning and evening because that is a decent outdoor activity. You need to diagnose your dog for any underlying causes that can help them overcome the issues. It would help if you were mindful of kidney, lung, and liver disease symptoms.
At times, dogs also suffer from hypothyroidism. It shows signs like weight loss, hyperactivity, vomiting, and diarrhea. As primary care, you need to treat them at home with home-based remedy methods, but after that, you need to take them to the doctor. Treatment Option is available online as well as offline. These days veterinarians are available online to help you with the treatment plan. Get in touch with one as and when required.
Along with this, offline veterinarians are popular and effective. You can take out a list of veterinarians available in your locality and get in touch with them so they can help you with your dog. If you notice your dog is excessively eating vast amounts of snow, it is time to take them to the doctor. Also, you need to provide them with as many treats as possible so that you can distract them. If your dog develops any internal problem, they need a proper diagnosis. Also, you are constantly monitoring; surveillance is vital to keep them away from these habits.
Try to develop positive behavior in them by providing them with positive reinforcement. They will constantly do that when you motivate them for their excellent behavior. As a responsible pet parent, you must take proper care of your dog. It would help if you took control of your dog’s health and hygiene. You cannot delay their treatment.
Teach them good behavior and help them understand the difference between good and bad food. Do not fall prey to market fraud. Use home-cooked food items to feed them, as it is safe and healthy. Remember the value of positive reinforcement. It will help your puppy proliferate. If you ignore your pets’ health, then it might prove fatal. Hence, take note of their behavior and talk to the experts if you notice anything unusual. Timely action on your part will ensure that any health hazards of your pet are rightly diverted.
