Why Do Dogs Eat Snow?

Dogs are curious and playful creatures. They may even frequently engage in a variety of behaviors that sometimes leave us questioning their motives. One such behavior is their tendency to eat snow, a habit that can seem strange to their human companions.

Whether it’s during a winter walk, while playing in the yard, or even on a snow-covered hiking trip, some dogs eagerly consume snow. But why do they do this? Is it harmful? And how should pet parents respond to this behavior?

Let’s explore the reasons why dogs eat snow, consider the potential benefits and risks of doing so, and provide tips for keeping your dog safe during snowy seasons.

Why Do Dogs Eat Snow?

There are a number of possible reasons why your four-legged friend might be eating snow. It could be just playfulness, curiosity, or because of underlying health problems. Here are some of the more common reasons why dogs eat snow.

Instinctual Behavior and Curiosity

One of the first explanations for why dogs eat snow comes from in their natural instincts and innate curiosity. Dogs are creatures of habit and often exhibit behaviors that are instinctual.

From an evolutionary standpoint, dogs are natural scavengers, constantly seeking out new food sources in their environment. The snow may be simply seen as something interesting and novel to explore, especially if they are in an area they haven’t experienced before.

Eating snow can also be a way for dogs to explore their surroundings. Just as they sniff new objects, chew on sticks, or paw at interesting textures, eating snow might be their way of testing and understanding their environment.

For puppies and young dogs, who are still learning about the world around them, snow might present a playful and easily accessible object to interact with. Even older dogs may exhibit this curiosity, finding the sensation of cold snow in their mouths an intriguing experience. You might even see your pooch catching snowflakes to get that sensation.

Hydration Needs

Another common reason dogs eat snow is in place of drinking water to satisfy their thirst. Snow, after all, is made of water. In certain conditions, it can serve as a natural, albeit temporary, source of hydration.

While dogs primarily rely on fresh water to stay hydrated, they may not always have access to clean water outside. In these circumstances, eating snow can be a way for dogs to quench their thirst.

However, it’s important to note that eating snow isn’t an ideal or reliable form of hydration. It takes lots of snow to be enough for hydration. Snow can be less water-dense than liquid water. Plus, it may be dirty snow riddled with impurities or contaminants.

For instance, if it’s not fresh snow, the snow may contain pollutants, chemicals, or salt (often used for melting snow on roads). In that case, ingestion can be harmful to your dog’s health.

Therefore, while it’s understandable that a dog might turn to snow for hydration, pet parents should always ensure their dog has access to fresh, clean water during winter outings. You might want to carry a collapsible water bowl for such outings to ensure your best friend gets enough water.

Snow as a Textural Experience

For some dogs, snow offers a unique and enjoyable texture different from anything they encounter the rest of the year. The cold, soft consistency of snow may feel intriguing to them. Dogs may simply instinctively nibble or eat it out of curiosity or enjoyment.

Similar to how a dog might chew on a bone or toy, the crunching and cold sensation of snow could be a pleasurable experience. They might even like to try to catch a snowball every now and again.

Dogs have specialized taste buds and a more sensitive sense of smell and taste than humans. As such, they may enjoy the sensation of snow in ways that we can’t fully understand. The cold temperature may also feel good on their tongues. Especially for dog breeds that are used to colder climates or have thick fur coats, like Huskies and Malamutes.

Scent and Taste of Snow

Beyond its texture, snow may also contain various smells or flavors that appeal to a dog’s highly sensitive nose. Snow often carries traces of the environment, picking up scents from the ground, air, and whatever is around it.

This might include traces of plants, animal tracks, or even other dogs. Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell—up to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans—so they can detect subtle scents that we cannot even perceive.

For a dog, snow might serve as an intriguing source of novel smells. These smells prompt them to investigate further by licking or eating it.

Additionally, if there are remnants of food in the snow, a dog may instinctively be drawn to them. You’ll want to watch to ensure there are no harmful objects hidden in the snow your dog is sampling.

Even if there is no obvious trace of food, a dog might eat snow simply because it smells interesting. This behavior could also be a natural survival tactic, as dogs would have historically eaten what was available to them when food sources were scarce.

Snow as a Playful Activity

Eating snow can also be part of a dog’s playful behavior. Many dogs are particularly active in the winter, enjoying the colder weather and the chance to engage in more vigorous physical activities.

For a dog, snow provides a unique medium for play: they can run through it, dig in it, and, of course, eat it. The excitement of being outside in the snow can contribute to the urge to eat it, especially when they are in a playful mood.

Dogs are well-known for their love of games, and the snow-covered landscape offers endless opportunities for play and exploration. A dog eating snow might just be a part of their overall enjoyment of being outside in the cold. (Even if they aren’t consciously thinking about the snow as a source of food.)

Possible Nutritional Deficiencies

Another potential explanation for snow-eating is that it is instinctively attempting to meet a nutritional need. Just as dogs may eat grass or other unusual substances, they might eat snow to compensate for a lack of certain nutrients in their diet.

It’s possible that some dogs could consume snow as part of their natural drive to self-medicate. Nutritional deficiencies—whether due to an unbalanced diet, poor absorption, or underlying health issues—can lead a dog to seek out unusual substances in an attempt to fulfill unmet dietary needs.

For example, your dog might eat snow if they lack in minerals like calcium or sodium. Snow contains trace amounts of these elements.

In some cases, the cold sensation or texture of the snow might mimic the qualities of other natural substances dogs would normally seek out for nutritional or sensory reasons.

However, while snow might seem like a natural remedy for fulfilling certain cravings, it’s not an ideal or effective way to address a true nutritional deficiency.

If your dog is consistently eating snow or engaging in other unusual eating behaviors, consult with a veterinarian. A DVM can ensure his diet is balanced and that there are no underlying health conditions contributing to the behavior.

Underlying Heath Conditions

In some cases, dogs may eat snow due to health problems such as Cushing’s disease, thyroid problems, or kidney failure. Dogs with kidney disease, for example, may eat snow as a response to increased thirst, also known as polydipsia, which can lead to a dog drinking more water than usual.

In some cases, dogs with polydipsia may attempt to satisfy their thirst by eating snow if they are outside. Frozen water in their bowl may prompt them to turn to snow.

While the main cause of snow consumption is often related to thirst, the overall disruption in a dog’s normal hormonal balance can cause them to engage in behaviors they might not otherwise exhibit.

Pet parents should monitor their dog’s health closely if they notice excessive snow eating. It could be a sign of an underlying health issue that requires medical attention.

Is Eating Snow Harmful?

In most cases, eating small quantities of snow is not harmful to to your furry friend. It’s a natural behavior that is driven by curiosity, play, or the desire for hydration. However, there are certain risks that pet parents need to know about.

Salt or Chemicals on the Snow

While dogs eating snow can be seen as a natural or harmless behavior, there are potential dangers associated with it, especially if the snow was treated with de-icing salt or other chemicals, like chloride or antifreeze. Many cities and towns apply salt to the roads and sidewalks to prevent ice buildup during the winter months, and antifreeze can easily make its way into the snow as car owners pour it into their radiators.

When dogs consume snow that contains these chemicals, they could experience adverse health effects. Some of the risks associated with ingesting snow contaminated with salt include an upset stomach and other gastrointestinal symptoms, dehydration, and even poisoning.

Salt toxicity can also result from eating snow with salt in it. This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, lethargy, and even seizures in severe cases.

Pet parents should be mindful of where their dogs are eating snow and try to prevent them from eating snow or drinking from puddles near treated roads or sidewalks.

Hypothermia and Frostbite

In colder climates, eating too much snow can result in a drop in your dog’s body temperature, leading to hypothermia or frostbite. Additionally, your dog’s paws might be vulnerable to frostbite. To prevent that, you might want to get some booties to help protect your pooch’s paws and keep him warm.

What’s a Loving Pet Parent to Do?

It’s important to ensure that your dog is not eating large quantities of snow, particularly during long periods of outdoor play in frigid temperatures. That can cause health issues, and such behavior can also indicate an underlying health condition.

As we’ve discussed, dogs eat snow for a variety of reasons: curiosity, hydration, the sensory experience, and playfulness. While the behavior is often harmless, pet parents should be mindful of the risks involved, including the potential for ingesting harmful chemicals or developing digestive issues.

Though snow can serve as a temporary source of hydration, it should not replace regular access to clean water. Keeping a close eye on your dog’s behavior and providing access to fresh water can help prevent problems.

Also, just as the old joke goes, don’t let him eat yellow snow!! That way, you can help him enjoy the white stuff and the winter wonderland without any unnecessary risks.