My dog eats snow - is that dangerous?

Dogs are curious by nature. The cold, crunchy snow attracts their attention and invites them to play and explore. So when your dog eats snow, it's often a natural reaction to the sensory stimuli that winter offers.

In principle, your dog's snow nibbling is harmless, but requires a watchful eye. Keep a close eye on how your dog reacts. Because while even small amounts of cold snow can lead to gastrointestinal problems in some dogs, other dogs can easily cope with larger amounts.

Also check whether the snow is contaminated, for example with road salt or chemicals such as antifreeze and de-icing agents. These are often found in snow and can lead to serious gastrointestinal problems or even kidney failure. If your dog eats snow, you should therefore make absolutely sure that the snow is free from harmful substances.

If your dog eats snow and then shows signs of stomach problems, this may indicate snow gastritis. This is an acute inflammation of the stomach lining caused by the cold or possible harmful substances in the snow. You can recognize it by by these symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loud gurgling in the gastrointestinal tract
• Salivation
• Würgen
• Husten
• Fever

If you observe one or more of the symptoms on your dog after a walk in the snow, you should consult your veterinarian. your veterinarian. An examination can determine whether gastritis is actually present and appropriate treatment can be initiated. Note that some symptoms may not appear until the following day.

If you want to prevent your dog from eating snow, you can divert his attention to other activities during the walk. Of course, you should avoid winter games such as snowball throwing, as your dog will want to catch the snowball. Reward him when he doesn't grab the snow and use a command such as no in conjunction with a positive word such as good. Try using treats, like our trainy'z or meat & treat, and toys as rewards. Consistency is important, so practise regularly. You can find more tips on how to train your dog here.

If your dog continues to eat snow, you can consult a dog trainer for specific guidance based on your dog's individual behaviour.