![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/dog-walking-in-snow-010523.jpg\")
\nIt\u2019s a romantic notion to head out into a winter wonderland and catch snowflakes on your tongue, isn\u2019t it? Most people have probably done it at least once or twice in their lives. Dogs, too, seem to enjoy snow on their tongues. The difference is that while people rarely chow down on snow, some dogs\u2026do.<\/p>\n
So, can eating snow hurt your dog?<\/p>\n
No. Not in small amounts, anyway. Snow is just frozen water; for dogs it\u2019s like a cool treat. A slushy, if you will. However, eating too much snow does contain dangers, although they don\u2019t necessarily come from the snow itself.<\/p>\n
S\u2019no Business Like Moderation<\/h3>\n
Dogs explore the world with their nose and mouths, so it\u2019s only natural for them to test that frozen fluffy fun on their tongues, especially during the first snowfall of the season. Tasting is A-OK, especially if it\u2019s a fresh new layer. The issues arise if your dog is one of those who plows through mouthfuls of the stuff. The deeper you go, the more chances that there\u2019s something nefarious in the snow. Rocks, sticks, leaves or other ground debris can make their way into the lower layers, and you obviously don\u2019t want your dog eating rocks and sticks.<\/p>\n
Colored Snow? A No-No-No!<\/h3>\n
We\u2019ve all heard jokes about yellow snow, but many dogs will make a beeline right for it. Yellow snow is a smelly signifier that friends (or enemies!) have been hanging around, so it\u2019s necessary to investigate. Light investigation with noses or tongues is pretty harmless, but you don\u2019t want your dog eating big mouthfuls of yellow. You\u2019re not sure who it came from, after all.<\/p>\n
However, yellow isn\u2019t the worst color in snow that your dog can ingest. Brown, black, pink, blue or pretty much any other color in snow is probably bad news. If the snow in question is covering pavement, there\u2019s a good chance that cars have been there, and cars can leak all sorts of bad (yet colorful) liquids. Motor oil, wiper fluid and especially engine coolant can be deadly in even small amounts. Engine coolant (antifeeeze) can be deadly in tiny doses, so be extremely wary of green, blue or orange spots of snow.<\/p>\n
Salt used for de-icing walkways is often tinted blue but might not have any coloration at all. If mixed with the snow your dog is eating, it can cause indigestion in small amounts or be deadly in bulk.<\/p>\n
Brown, grey or black spots in snow might be dirt picked up from the ground, but it\u2019s never a good idea for dirt and gravel to make its way into your pondering pup\u2019s belly.<\/p>\n
Low Body Temps<\/h3>\n
If your dog insists on eating large amounts of snow, their body temperature can drop to dangerously low levels, causing heart irregularities or even death. This would take a LOT of snow, but it\u2019s definitely a concern.<\/p>\n
However, if your dog is eating that much snow or regularly eating a lot of snow, it could be a sign of something more serious, like kidney failure or Cushing\u2019s disease, an abnormality of the adrenal gland. If you think that your dog is regularly eating too much snow, contact your veterinarian.<\/p>\n
Snow’s No Problem…Until It Is<\/h3>\n
In short, a little bit of fresh snow won\u2019t hurt your dog. But eating too much, digging to deep or eating colored snow can be cause for concern. If you suspect that your dog has ingested something they shouldn\u2019t have, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435<\/a><\/span> immediately, or consult your veterinarian.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/can-my-dog-eat-snow-yes-graphic-010523.jpg\")
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