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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Rayana Zapryanova & Danielle Kate Wroe & Paige Freshwater

Should we give dogs ice cubes during heatwave - animal expert settles debate

While the sunny spell in Dublin is over, the weather is still quite hot and it's important to keep our pets cool as dogs can suffer heatstroke in just minutes.

Some owners have been sharing that they give their dogs ice cubes in the summer months to help cool them down - but many are wondering whether this is actually a good idea.

Some vet professionals have suggested that giving dogs ice on hot days can actually make them bloated, which is a big risk for larger dogs.

However, iced treats can sometimes go a long way for pups. A spokesperson for the animal rescue charity RSPCA told the Mirror: "The RSPCA advises freezing a dog's water bowl or kong before putting water or fresh treats inside (to help keep them cool for longer).

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"We also advise putting ice cubes into your pet's water or making frozen treats to help cool them down."

Ice could also potentially cause tooth damage for dogs, so it's a good idea to keep a keen eye on them whilst they chow down.

Dr Susan C Nelson, a clinical professor at the Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University said to PetMD: "The larger and harder the cube, the higher the chance of this occurring", so it could be worth giving smaller cubes or even ice shavings.

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