Owning a dog can be extremely rewarding, but it can also bring with it a whole range of unexpected challenges. Our furry friends can’t explain why they act the way they do, so it’s up to owners to figure out what’s going on, and that can be far easier said than done.
One took to Reddit to ask for help with dealing with an odd habit their pet had developed. Their post was titled “My dog gulps water and throws up all over the house.”
They wrote: “My dog loves ice cubes in his water bowl and super cold water. He won’t drink cool or lukewarm water. He gulps it and then immediately walks around the house throwing up viscous clear puddles.
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“It doesn’t seem to bother him at all, but it’s horrible to clean up. This happens every time he drinks water and he runs from us when we try to get him outside immediately after drinking. He treats it like a game.
“Any ideas for curbing this behaviour? Is the cold water the culprit?
Reddit users had a number of suggestions. One said: “It’s the ice making him sick. He will drink water without ice in it, of course.”
Another said: “I literally used ice to make my guy drink more when he stopped drinking during a medical situation. I believe he was honestly just trying to eat the ice cubes and drank more water in the process, nothing to do with liking cold water in his case.”
Someone else suggested getting another type of water bowl. They said: “Maybe use a slow feeder dish as his water dish? That should slow down his water intake.”
Replying to this, another said: “This is what I do. After he finishes his food, I use my dog’s slow feeder as his water bowl. He slows down significantly. There are drink bowls designed to only have a small amount of water on top but they are pricey. The slow feeder works for us.”
Slow feeder dishes or bowls are designed to slow down pets’ eating or drinking. Rather than a flat or rounded bottom like a standard bowl, they feature sections, ridges, and obstructions, meaning the pet has to work to eat their food or drink their water in smaller pieces.
Pet products retailer Lords and Labradors says: “Slow feeder bowls are useful as they slow your dog down whilst eating, avoiding the risk of bloating and other digestive issues. The physical benefits for your dog are just as rewarding as the emotional benefits for your dog – they also provide mental stimulation which is a great way to keep your dog’s mind occupied.”
Someone else said: “I have that with my beagle. It doesn’t seem related to the temperature of the water.
“I fixed it by putting down less water so he can’t drink so much at a time. I fill the bowl as soon as he empties it so he always has access to water, but the smaller quantity means he can’t drink as much at once unless he’s really thirsty and goes back more than once, which is rare.
“I also mix some water with his kibble and feed him using the same bowl. That way he can eat but has to wait a few minutes for me to refill the bowl with water. The little breaks slow him down.”
And another user said: “Quit giving him ice water. My ridgeback mix used to puke every time I put ice in his water. I eventually learned my lesson.”
