We love SHARING our ice cream with our furry friend on a hot summer’s day, but do dogs suffer from brain freeze as we do? After all, they wolf down that ice cream just as fast as we do (if not faster).
So the question is can dogs get brain freeze?
Dogs can get brain freeze just like people can. Dogs may show some signs that they are experiencing brain freeze, such as whining, pawing at their head, or drooling more than usual.
If your dog appears to be in pain, you can try giving them something warm to drink or eat. The pain should go away within a few minutes.
Read our guide to learn more about brain freeze in dogs, what causes it, and how to treat it.
What Is Brain Freeze?
Brain freeze headaches, medically known as sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, is a condition that is caused by eating or drinking something cold too quickly.
It results in sudden, sharp pain in the head that usually lasts for a few seconds.
Brain freeze is caused by the rapid chilling of the blood vessels in the roof of your mouth. When these blood vessels contract (shrink), it causes pain signals to be sent to your brain.
While brain freeze is not dangerous, it can be quite painful.
Symptoms Of Brain Freeze In Dogs
Dogs may show some signs when dogs experience brain freezes, such as:
- Whining
- Pawing at their head
- Drooling more than usual
If your dog appears to be in pain from a brain freeze sensation, you can try giving them something warm to drink or eat.
The cold stimulus headache for your dogs can give them sharp pains, although this should go away within a few minutes.
How To Treat Brain Freeze In Dogs
If your dog appears to be in pain, you can try giving them something warm to drink or eat. The pain should go away within a few minutes.
You can also try massaging their head or temples gently to help relieve the pain.
Preventing Brain Freeze In Dogs
To prevent brain freeze in dogs, try feeding them smaller amounts of cold food or water more frequently throughout the day instead of doing it all at once.
You can also try freezing their food or water in Kongs or ice cube trays to help them eat or drink slowly.
When giving your dog a treat, make sure it is not too cold as this can trigger brain freeze.
Take a look at our Neater Pet Brands Slow Feeder Bowl which will help your dog slow down while drinking freezing cold water.
Can Brain Freeze Be Harmful?
Brain freeze is not dangerous and usually goes away on its own within a few minutes.
DIY Frozen Ice Lollies for Dogs
As dog lovers, you can make your own frozen treats for your dog during the hot summer months by freezing their favourite food or drink in an ice cube tray.
Fill their KONG with a frozen treat
To make a frozen Kong, fill an ice cube tray with your dog’s favourite wet cold food and freeze overnight.
Pop-out the cubes and stuff them into a Kong toy. Your dog will love licking the cubes as they melt! The perfect cold treat.
Frozen Peanut Butter Treats
Another easy frozen treat you can make at home is frozen peanut butter.
Simply spread some peanut butter on a plate and place it in the freezer for a few hours. Once it is frozen, break off small pieces for your dog to enjoy.
You can also add some of your dog’s favourite dry food or treats to the peanut butter before freezing.
Frozen Banana Treats
For a healthy frozen treat, try freezing bananas! Peel and slice a banana and place it on a plate or baking sheet.
Freeze for a few hours or overnight. Once frozen, peel off small pieces for your dog to enjoy.
You can also add some of your dog’s favourite dry food or treats to the banana before freezing (it’s better than banana ice cream).
Frozen Yogurt Treats
You can also make frozen yoghurt treats for your dog! Simply combine plain yoghurt, some of your dog’s favourite fruits or vegetables, and a little honey.
Blend until smooth and pour into an ice cube tray. Freeze for a few hours or overnight and pop out the cubes for your dog to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Dogs Suffer From A Brain Freeze After Having Ice Cream?
Yes, dogs can get an ‘ice cream headache’ after having traditional ice cream or ice lollies. Dogs will suffer from an ice cream headache in the same way humans do – by eating or drinking something cold too quickly.
Be careful with your dogs eating ice cream (including the ice cream cone) as it can cause an upset stomach. Try making your own frozen yoghurt treats at home which are much healthier for them!
Do Dogs Get Brain Freeze From Drinking Cold Water?
Yes, dogs can get brain freeze from drinking cold water or eating anything cold too quickly.
Can Dogs Get Brain Freeze From Snow?
Yes, dogs can get brain freeze from eating snow or anything cold too quickly.
How Long Does A Dog’s Brain Freeze Last?
A dog’s brain freeze usually lasts for a few seconds to a minute. However, if your dog appears to be in pain, you can try giving them something warm to drink or eat.
Conclusion
Dogs can get brain freeze just like people can. If your dog appears to be in pain, you can try giving them something warm to drink or eat.
To prevent brain freeze in dogs, try feeding them smaller amounts of food or water more frequently throughout the day instead of one large meal or bowl of water.
As dog owners, you can also try freezing their food or water in Kongs or ice cube trays to help them eat or drink slowly.
When giving your dog a treat, make sure it is not too cold as this can trigger brain freeze.
Hopefully, our guide has helped you understand more about brain freeze in dogs and how to prevent and treat it.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.