Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Snow?

1 Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Snow?

Why Do Dogs Eat Snow?

There isn’t much research on why dogs eat snow, because most viewpoints explain the issue well.

1. Pure Love

Just as you might like a certain food, dogs can indeed like snow, because to a dog snow is soft, fluffy, and hard to catch — and that elusiveness in particular drives countless dogs with hunting bloodlines wild.

Some dogs are so happy when they see snow that they forget why they ate it.

2. Dehydration

Regrettably, 90% of dogs eat snow for this reason.

Dogs also need plenty of water in winter, because the winter climate is drier. Yet many owners don’t realize this, and some even say absurd things like ‘give the dog less water in winter so you don’t have to walk it outside.’

Even well-hydrated dogs may eat snow, because they know snow tastes better than water left in a bowl for days. So remember to change the water frequently in winter too.

Don’t rush — even more crushing news: freshly fallen snow contains only 5% water, so a dog must eat large amounts of snow to meet its water needs.

3. Taste

Yes, just as some people like the smell of gasoline, some dogs like the smell of snow.

Should You Let Your Dog Eat Snow?

Strictly speaking, an occasional bite or two is fine, but pay attention to the location. If it is snow that has been piled up for a long time, you’d better keep its mouth in check.

Why Not Let Dogs Eat Snow?

A dog’s ancestors did replenish water by eating snow, and although this behavior was inherited, how many centuries and winters have passed since then?

So your dog may indeed eat snow out of instinct, but its internal organs have likely adapted to no longer handle snow.