Summer is just around the corner. While we can finally rest from the dry and harshly cold winter season, the heat of the summertime isn’t 100% comfortable as well.

If you have a furry friend at home, you’d know that this season can be particularly hard on them. Just imagine wearing thick coats during summer. Unbearable isn’t it?

Now one of the easiest yet most controversial remedies against overheating is ice or ice water.

It was once claimed that ice can kill our beloved canines and people just want to know the truth.

In 2010, more than a decade ago, an article sparked this controversy. But according to some, the rumor about ice being hazardous for dogs goes way back than that.

An urban legend about a dog named Baran started it all.

Ice cubes were placed in the dog’s bowl to help him beat the heat brought about by the weather. A few moments after, the dog’s status declined and was immediately rushed to the veterinary.

As per the veterinarian, the cold water induced muscle spasms in the dog’s stomach which caused him to bloat.

If you do not know yet, bloating is detrimental to dog health.

However, according to most experts, it is not the temperature of the water that caused the bloating. Rather, it’s when a dog eats or drinks too fast that can induce this condition.

So if we are to break it down, Baran suffered from bloating because he consumed the water too quickly because it was hot and he was thirsty.

Eating and drinking rapidly cause air to be swallowed. This bloat entraps air inside the dog’s gut and twists it, essentially obstructing the normal flow of blood to the stomach and other abdominal organs.

If this doesn’t resolve immediately, it will lead to stomach distention and induce shock and organ failure. If the dog doesn’t receive immediate care, death is imminent.

According to John Geller, a veterinarian, it is best to allow the dog to cool down gradually before you bring out some ice or cold water.

To do so, if you think that your dog is overheating or is suffering from heatstroke, dip a towel in cold water and gently pat it all over its body. You may also spray or mist on some water, but make sure to not immerse them in one.

“Do not soak the dog in ice water,” Ruth E. Chodrow, V.M.D., of At-Home Pet Care shared. “Ice water will close the capillaries of the skin, preventing cooling of the internal organs.”

Another great remedy is to have the dog lay on a cool surface and use a fan to cool it down. Once the canine’s temperature reaches 103°F, your dog is usually already pretty much in a good shape.

Now, what about the bloating?

“Dogs that are greedy eaters and have access to food may overheat, causing food bloat,” Geller said. “Dogs that are excited, anxious, or panting a lot may swallow air, causing gas bloat. In both cases, dog owners may notice that their dog’s belly seems enlarged, and their dog appears anxious, distressed, uncomfortable, and maybe dry-heaving or vomiting.”

To prevent dog bloating, you may opt to serve your pet multiple small meals a day and ensure that they’re not drinking all at once. Additionally, don’t allow your dog to exercise vigorously after a meal as this can also cause bloating.

Lastly, while we have now debunked the myth about ice cubes, giving some to your dog may pave the way for other problems. Chewing on hard ice cubes may break any dog’s teeth and worse, it may lodge into its throat.

So to summarize: NO, eating ice cubes will not be fatal for your furry friend, but always keep them under your supervision when they do.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site, Be Chewy