Why Do Dogs Eat Snow? Everything Pet Parents Need to Know
By
Anastasiia Malaman Updated on |Reviewed by
Karen PiwinskiYou know the routine. You spend 10 minutes struggling to wrestle your doggy into a winter harness, you open the door, and – chomp. Before you’ve gotten out on the sidewalk, your furry friend is up on a snowbank. Perhaps they’re chomping down on fresh powder, or perhaps they’re going after that crusty stuff near the mailbox (gross!).
Doggies do this. It’s weird, it’s funny, and honestly? It’s slightly disconcerting. Is snow bad for them? Should you stop it? What if they’ve consumed a boatload already?
Key Takeaways
- Dogs chow down on snow for all sorts of reasons: thirst, built-in instincts, plain old curiosity, or even to calm an upset belly
- Small quantities of clean snow, though, are typically acceptable for dogs to eat
- Chemicals, as well as areas of dirty snow and hidden objects, can all present substantial health risks
- A dog eating snow could indicate health issues that your vet should look into
- Basic measures such as the availability of fresh water, leash control, and distraction can aid in coping with this problem.
Great news: We’re dissecting all things dog and their strange love of snow. The reason for it, when it’s okay, when it’s not okay, and what you’re actually able to do about it.
Why Does My Dog Eat Snow?
It turns out your pooch isn’t just being a weirdo. There are actually some deep-rooted (and some very simple) reasons for the behavior.
Hydration
Sometimes, it really is this simple: your dog is thirsty. That water bowl in the kitchen? Might've been sitting there since yesterday. Fresh snow falling from the sky? Now that's refreshing.
The reality check: While snow is water, it’s mostly air. Dr. Kurt Venator from Purina notes that snow is only about 5% to 10% water. So, your dog's eating a ton of frozen stuff for very little payoff.
Instinct
Wild dogs didn't have fancy water bowls with little paw prints on them. In winter, their only option was snow. And that's what they ate.
Your dog's ancestors survived by doing this for thousands of years. That behavior is still there somewhere, buried in their DNA. Even though your pup has perfectly good water available 24/7, something in their brain still registers snow as a water source.
It's kind of like how pups still circle before they lie down: their ancestors needed to flatten the grass and check for snakes. Your dog's doing it on your carpet for no reason except instinct.
Fun and Curiosity
Have you ever really thought about snow from a dog's point of view? It's cold. Crunchy. Melts in your mouth. And suddenly there's just... tons of it everywhere.
Dogs are naturally curious animals. They investigate things by putting them in their mouths (which is why puppy-proofing your house is such a nightmare). Snow is new, interesting, and has a texture they don't get from water.
Fun fact: Dogs explore textures with their mouths the same way humans use their hands.
My newly adopted dog experienced snow for the first time a few days ago! She took a few bites, as dogs often use their mouth to explore, but it was clean and fresh snow. She stopped after tasting it.
Upset Stomach
Some vets think dogs eat snow for the same reason they eat grass: stomach issues. If your dog's tummy is bothering them, they might go for snow instinctively. Maybe the cold helps soothe their stomach. Or maybe they're trying to make themselves throw up to feel better. Doggos have their own ways of dealing with digestive problems, and eating snow might be one of them.
I've noticed my friend's pooch did this right before he threw up sometimes. Not always, but enough that she knows to grab paper towels when she sees him aggressively eating snow.
Can Dogs Eat Snow Safely?
Now for the million-dollar question: Can dogs eat snow safely? The answer depends on the situation.
Vets say clean, fresh snow in small amounts won't hurt your pooch. The problem? Not all snow is clean or fresh, and some doggies don't know when to stop. Here's what can go wrong:
What to Watch Out For
Dirty snow is a no-go zone
Snow near roads and sidewalks is disgusting. Your dog can pick up dangerous things out of there.
It's full of:
- Road salt and the chemicals they use to melt ice
- Antifreeze (dogs think it tastes sweet, which makes it extra dangerous)
- Motor oil, gasoline, leaking fluids from cars
- Bacteria and general dirt
- Urine from other animals.
Pet experts also urge owners to prevent their dogs from eating snow near roads, sidewalks, parking lots, really anywhere that’s been treated with de-icing products. Don't let your dog do this. Snow is essentially toxic waste in the form of a winter wonderland.
Hidden dangers lurking below
Snow covers everything. Which means your doggo could be eating:
- Sticks and sharp branches
- Rocks
- Broken glass
- Trash
- Hard chunks of ice.
Dogs don't check what's underneath before they dive in. They just go for it.
When snow eating signals something serious
If your dog is obsessively eating snow, it might be time for a veterinary checkup. Excessive snow consumption can be a red flag for underlying health issues, including:
- Cushing's disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid problems.
These all cause excessive thirst. Veterinary sources mention that when dogs constantly eat snow, they might be trying to hydrate because something is making them extra thirsty. That's not something to brush off.
The temperature problem
A few bites? No problem. But if your doggy eats a bunch, that's a lot of cold going into their system.
Hypothermia is a real concern. Their body has to work hard warming up all those frozen things they ate. Small dogs, older dogs, or any dog with health issues are especially at risk. Not sure if your dog needs a coat for winter? We have a whole article on winter coats for dogs that might help.
Sled dog superpower: Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies have a special skill – they can eat snow without getting cold because their metabolism runs so hot. Their body temperature can stay at 101°F even while munching snow in -50°F weather.
How to Get a Dog to Stop Eating Snow
Okay, so you've decided it's time to curb your dog's snow-eating enthusiasm. Good news, there are several practical strategies you can use to redirect this behavior without turning winter walks into a constant battle.
Leash Control
Keep your dog on a leash during winter walks. When they're leashed, you can steer them away from gross roadside snow, gross yellow patches, or anything sketchy.
It's way easier to prevent snow eating when you've got physical control. Plus, a quick leash tug works better than yelling from ten feet away while they ignore you.
Studies show dog urine in snow can contain up to 8,000 bacteria per milliliter.
Fresh Water Before Walks
Before you head out, let your dog drink. A hydrated pooch is way less interested in snow. Dr. Venator says give them a full bowl of fresh water before every walk. Change their water at least once a day, and more if you can. You don't want to drink old water, nor does your dog.
Take a water bottle and a bowl, or get a special water/bowl as a gift.
Need more info on keeping your dog hydrated? Check out our guide on spotting dehydration.
Pro tip: Some dogs are picky about water temperature. If yours ignores their bowl, try adding ice cubes or switching to room temperature water.
Distraction
See your dog eyeing a snowbank? Redirect fast.
Bring their favorite toy or some really good treats on walks. When they go for snow, hit them with something better. Timing matters here. The second they look at the snow, get their attention with the treat or toy. Make being near you more rewarding than eating frozen water.
More ideas for keeping your dog busy? We've got a whole guide on mental stimulation.
The "Leave It" Command
Teaching "Leave It" is necessary for winter. This command means "ignore that thing."
Start practicing at home with boring things first. Once they've got it down, move to more interesting distractions. Then try it with snow. If you stick with it and use positive reinforcement, your dog will learn that ignoring the snow gets them better presents: treats, praise, and more walk time. Want a deep dive on training? Check out our full dog training guide.
Use Booties: Protection Plus Prevention
Dog booties serve double duty during winter. One, they protect paws from cold and chemicals. Two, they stop your dog from licking their paws after walking through treated snow.
When dogs step in salt or de-icer and then lick their paws clean, they're basically eating those chemicals. Booties prevent that.
Wrap Up
Why do dogs eat snow? Could be thirst, could be instinct, could be they think it's fun, or maybe their stomach hurts. Clean snowflakes in small amounts won't hurt them. The real problems come from contaminated snow, hidden junk, or eating way too much.
Quick summary: A few bites of fresh snow = fine. Keep an eye on how much they're eating and what kind of snow it is. Stay away from the dirty roadsides, watch for things buried in them, and if your dog seems obsessed with eating snow, get them checked by a vet. Some dog breeds handle the cold better than others, but all of them need some winter safety awareness from their owners.
Make sure they drink water before walks, keep them on a leash, and bring a few distractions along. If you haven’t already, work on teaching the “Leave It” command. And if you live in an area with heavy road salting, consider using dog booties.
If something feels off about your dog's behavior, trust that feeling and call your vet. For general information about keeping dogs healthy, we've got this guide on basic dog care.
You don't need to ban all interaction; that would be ridiculous and sad for your dog. Just use common sense. Keep them away from sketchy snow. Don't let them go overboard with it.
Winter's fun. Snow's fun. Your dog should get to enjoy it. Just keep them safe while they do.