It’s not safe to give your dog ice cubes, because they’re hard enough to cause tooth fractures. Try carrot slices, frozen blueberries, or a lick mat instead.

Is It Safe to Give Your Dog Ice Cubes?

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It’s another scorching hot day in Houston, and your dog is flopped on the kitchen floor, panting. You open the freezer and toss them an ice cube. They pounce, crunch happily, and look up at you lovingly. It feels like the sweetest thing you could do. However, giving your dog ice cubes to chew is not safe. Chewing on anything that hard can cause fractures in their teeth.

Can Chewing on Ice Really Break a Dog’s Teeth?

Yes, as veterinary dentists we see plenty of broken teeth from dogs gnawing on hard things. Ice, bones, sticks, antlers, hard plastic toys, and even rawhide chews can be dangerous for dogs. Hard objects like these can crack the teeth at surprisingly low bite pressure, so it doesn’t take an aggressive chewer to break a tooth. 

Signs of Tooth Fractures in Dogs

Roughly one out of every four dogs will fracture a tooth at some point, but you rarely see it happen. Most dogs will keep eating through the pain, so don’t think a wagging tail means that everything’s fine. 

Watch your dog for signs of tooth pain like:

  • Chewing on one side
  • Dropping food
  • Constant bad breath
  • Visible cracks in the teeth
  • Teeth that look broken or gray
  • Loss of interest in a favorite chew toy

Cold Treats for Dogs That Won’t Hurt Their Teeth

There are lots of treats you can give your dog to help them stay cool. Try giving them a few frozen blueberries as a snack. They’re small enough and soft enough for dogs to crunch safely.

You can also offer thin slices of carrot or seedless watermelon that are just cold (from the refrigerator, not frozen solid). 

Or, spread a little plain yogurt, cottage cheese, or mashed banana on a lick mat and freeze it. Unsweetened, low-sodium peanut butter makes a good lick mat treat, as well. 

Schedule a Dental Exam for Your Pet 

If your dog ever does break a tooth, don’t panic! Our veterinary dentists can help. We’ll clean their teeth, take x-rays, and give them a full dental exam. We may be able to save a cracked tooth with a crown, but if it’s too far gone, your dog might need a tooth extraction.

If you’ve noticed any signs of tooth pain or what looks like a crack in one of your dog’s teeth, contact Texas Veterinary Dental Center in Stafford to schedule an appointment. 

Photo by Elisa Kennemer on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 10/11/26. 

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