Dog eats snow in winter: how dangerous is it for health?
Created: 12/19/2021, 9:00 PM
From: Regina Wolf
Young dogs in particular always put everything in their mouths.
Some four-legged friends also like to eat snow in winter - is that dangerous?
Germany - Most dog owners are familiar with the problem: On a winter walk, the loyal companion keeps snapping at snow.
RUHR24 * knows whether this is simply to be seen as a harmless game or whether it can lead to health problems in dogs.
Domestic dog | Domestic and farm animals |
scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
family | Dogs (Canidae) |
The dog eats snow in winter: these are possible consequences
Not only do many people look forward to the first flakes - many dogs also go crazy when it snows outside.
It is true that four-legged friends do not like the cold, but walking in the snow is even more fun for most of them.
Many dogs also enjoy chasing snowballs.
It happens again and again that they absorb large amounts of snow.
As
tiermedizinportal.de
explains, basically every dog reacts differently to such snow intake.
In some cases, the animals do not mind swallowing even large amounts of snow.
However, so-called "snow gastritis" could also occur - with initial consequences for fur enthusiasts (warnings and recalls on RUHR24 *).
Dogs eat snow: These factors increase the risk of snow gastritis
According to the name, snow gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa in dogs caused by eating snow.
As
diehundezeitung.com
explains, some dog stomachs are sensitive to the cold, which leads to corresponding symptoms.
Another risk when eating snow is said to be pathogens that can be absorbed through the snow - especially when the weather thaws.
Snow contaminated with road salt, dirt or even antifreeze can cause snow gastritis.
Dogs play in the snow: Eating snow can lead to health problems.
(Symbol image) © Expa / dpa;
Collage: RUHR24
Snow gastritis in dogs - these are common symptoms
According to
aniforte.de
, gastric mucosal inflammation in dogs is actually one of the most common causes of visits to the dog clinic.
The portal also makes it clear that the symptoms of gastric mucosal inflammation in dogs are very different.
The common complaints therefore include:
Loss of appetite
Abdominal pain, which can be expressed as a hunched back and / or a tense abdominal wall
Stomach rumbling
Salivation
strangle
diarrhea
Vomit
fever
According to the dog experts, diarrhea and vomit can also be bloody in bad cases.
In addition, respiratory paralysis cannot be ruled out.
Dog has eaten snow: what to do in case of gastric mucosal inflammation in dogs
The portal
aniforte.de
explains that dogs with snow gastritis should ideally not eat at all for the first 24 hours.
After that, light food is the order of the day - such as boiled rice with chicken.
In addition, the four-legged friend should always have fresh water available.
Going to the vet is absolutely necessary if the dog has severe symptoms - or if the symptoms persist for several days.
Incidentally, in winter there is not only danger to your four-legged friend outside - in the apartment certain indoor plants * that are poisonous for dogs can lead to gastrointestinal complaints.
*
RUHR24 is part of the IPPEN.MEDIA editorial network.