Dog Community

Ice Cubes For Cleaning Teeth?

Posted : 6/11/2006 12:15:46 PM

I have heard a lot of people give ice cubes to their dogs. But I haven't try to give to my boy, because I'm afraid he might swallow the whole cube and has blockage. Do I worry too much or being silly?

luv4gsds

Posted : 6/11/2006 12:31:00 PM

Three of my dogs love ice. Every time they here someone get ice from the ice maker they come a runnun. And my other three just look at ice like what I'm noting eat it, it has no taste.

dyan

Posted : 6/11/2006 12:38:45 PM

Personally, I hadn't heard that about giving ice cubes to keep teeth clean, but I do think your being over cautious worrying about ice causing problems. They will melt very quickly once they are warmed.
Our Ollie used to know how to get ice from the automatic dispenser on the out side of the freezer door,, we would just leave some laying there for him to take, and of course being a Great Dane, he could reach it.

glenmar

Posted : 6/11/2006 12:45:50 PM

Ummm, yeah, ice is frozen WATER. Ice melts. Nothing that melts is gonna cause a blockage. Might be uncomfortable if it gets stuck in the throat for the few minutes it takes to melt, but that's gonna be about it.

chris cervasio

Posted : 6/11/2006 1:21:20 PM

not sure how ice cubes are for cleaning teeth but my girl does like them and she hasnt had any type of choking problems.

Jenn

Posted : 6/11/2006 6:03:22 PM

I give ice to both of my dogs as "treats". But, as for cleaning their teeth...I can't see that. I used it more for numbing their gums while teething in the puppy stage. And, now...for cooling them down on hot summer days.

papillon806

Posted : 6/11/2006 6:05:29 PM

My dog loooves ice cubes. Sometimes I will put one in his water bowl because it makes him drink more, lol.

dvet

Posted : 6/11/2006 6:31:13 PM

ice cubes are fine for fun and chewing but will do nothing for the teeth...My dog is 10 years old and i have nver cleaned her teeth and they are fine...I think chewing etc has nothing to do with keeping the teeth clean...It is sritictly the composition of the saliva...some dogs like some people never produce tarter because there is something in the saliva that causes tarter and something that prevents it....but ice cubes are fun and no problem

oylin

Posted : 6/12/2006 11:28:12 AM

Thank you very much for all the inputs. Now I feel comfortable to give them to my boy to see if he likes them.

christina

Posted : 6/12/2006 3:35:57 PM

I was putting ice cubes in Winston's water bowl to keep the water cool, but whenever I did that, I would find his entire face covered in water! I couldn't figure it out until I watched him "bob" for ice cubes and then take the ice cube to his treat corner to try to eat. It was too funny to watch, but he does love his ice cubes. By the time he licks it a few times, it's so small, I can't imagine it causing any sort of problems.

Karen

Posted : 6/12/2006 5:58:04 PM

I have not heard that they clean their teeth but I give my boy ice cubes all the time in the warmer months, and he loves them. I also fill a container with water and put treats in it before I freeze it, this way he licks the ice and gets a treat at the same time. It keeps him occupied for ages to.