WILL ICE COLD THINGS MAKE DOGS VOMIT ?

Question
I HAVE AN 11 MONTH OLD FEMALE BULLMASTIFF. SHE HAS ATE PLATES FULL OF ICE UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO SHE STARTED THROWING UP AFTER EATING ONLY ONE PIECE OF ICE. I TRIED IT A FEW TIMES AND ALMOST EVERY TIME SHE WOULD THROW UP. I USED TO MAKE HER FROSTY PAWS ICE CREAM TOO SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT. I WOULD PUT IT IN ICE CUBE TRAYS. SHE STARTED THROWING UP AFTER EATING THAT TOO. IS THIS NORMAL?  

Answer
Hello Cathy -

It is possible for your pet to be vomitting from ingesting ice. This could be happening for a few reasons - the ice may be melting and shocking the stomach, the ice cube itself may be getting lodged in her throat midway during swallowing or she may be trying to swallow it whole and it may be getting caught it her windpipe causing her to gag.

Try crushing the ice into smaller pieces and watch how she ingests it. Although Mastiffs are big dogs, they are still "teddy bears" and can have the same problems as a toy poodle. Don't stop giving her the ice cream, just mush it and chop it up a bit and see if that helps.

You could also try giving her an ice pop (the ones in the plastic sleeve) melt it a little and see if that causes her to vomit.

If she is fine from chopped ice or mushed ice then you know it was the size of the ice cube. If she vomits from chopped ice, you will know its the shock of cold in her stomach.

I hope this information has helped you and your pet.

If you would like information on home made and herbal remedies contact me at wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you and send you my catalog of home made herbal remedies for human and animal concerns.

Thank you and best wishes to you and your pet.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist