my 11+ year old terrier ate snow like crazy last year. She eats it until she starts shivverring uncontrollably, and consequently has to urinate often. This is a vicious cycle! My vet tested and tested with no results last winter.... First snowfall, it started all over again! This is awful to watch. I have to watch and determine if she needs to relieve herself outside, or if she wants to eat snow... Help?

well we can't talk to dogs, but i suggest you to guard your dog if ever he is going to eat snow

Our old dog used to love rolling in snow until he looked like a doggie snowman.
All I can suggest is you keep the dog on a lead in the snow and keep some treats in your pocket or hand to keep the dogs head up and out of the snow.
It definitely is an odd one.

Snow is nothing more than frozen water. It will not hurt her in any way nor will it dehydrate her. Maybe make her pee more!

Thanks for your opinions, I really appreciate it, I will continue to monitor her closely. It does worry me when she comes in shivverring for an hour. Lowering her core body temp cannot be healthy. I will keep you posted.

My first thoughts when I read this were, what was her water intake like before it started to snow, and have you had her checked for any infections or problems that may be causing her to want more water?
If everything is normal, then I would suggest that her time outside in the winter be limited and controlled to help eleviate the problem.

[lil mutt]

You dont have to worry because snow is also made from water only frozen.

Snow may be nothing more than frozen water, but there's always the possibility that it's tainted with acid. Ever hear of acid rain? There could also be other pollutants in it. It's the price we pay for living in an industrialized world.

More to the point, though, eating a lot of snow can lead to hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature. If your dog is shivering for more than a few minutes when she comes inside, she's developing hypothermia. And you're right, it's not good for her.

Why she eats snow I don't know. It could simply be an obsessive/compulsive sort of thing. But I wouldn't allow her to be out, eating snow, long enough to get that cold.

[wishbone]

How about letting her outside on snow with muzzle on.

My 8-month old minpin enjoys eating snow, picking a bite now and then, also when we run and snow splashes he likes to catch it and eat. He does occasionally shiver until we have spent over 5 minutes outdoors and warmed up, after that he only shivers with excitement, when he smells something, especially mice or partridges (there are some in my part of the town). He goes out in a vest we made for him. I don't think you should restrict your dog in that, I consider the advice to put on muzzle etc. as counterproductive.

When your dog shivers, I would recommend you to grab his/her front leg with your bare hand somewhere around the elbow and feel the temperature, the leg must be warm. If not, make a jacket and dress your dog. I have noticed that the greatest enemy is cold wind, thus, a wind-proof vest might help nicely, without being too hard to wear.

Sorry for mistakes, English is not my native language.