Winter arrived across parts of the UK this week, and while the first blanket of white often brings excitement for children and pets alike, experts are urging caution. Following the snowfall on November 19, winter travel specialists have issued a warning to families not to let their dogs lick or eat snow, saying the powdery white drifts can conceal harmful debris, chemicals and germs.
Ski Vertigo, a European winter travel operator whose teams spend months stationed in alpine resorts, has published a seasonal safety briefing reminding the public that even “fresh, perfect-looking snow” can contain hidden dangers. The group says many people mistakenly believe newly fallen snow is clean and harmless, but samples have repeatedly shown that it can mask grit, small rocks, road salt, antifreeze and microbes picked up from busy paths and treated surfaces.
“We see it every season – children catching snowflakes on their tongues and pets happily chomping away at snowdrifts,” a spokesperson for Ski Vertigo said.
“It looks pure, but snow was never meant to be eaten. It can conceal grit, sharp fragments, chemicals from treated surfaces and germs you simply can’t see. We’re urging families: enjoy the snow, don’t eat it.”
Specialists say these risks remain invisible to the naked eye. Tiny stones and hardened ice crystals can chip teeth or become a choking hazard, while de-icing chemicals from pavements and car parks can cling to the snow’s surface.
Snow in areas used frequently by animals or groups of people may also harbour bacteria and viruses, making it far from the harmless “winter slushie” many assume it to be.
It’s not just humans who could end up unwell. Ski Vertigo is urging dog owners in snow-affected areas to be particularly vigilant.
Pets licking at roadside snow are at risk of ingesting rock salt, which can cause vomiting and lethargy, and antifreeze, which is highly toxic to animals even in small quantities.
Vets also warn that dogs who gulp down large amounts of snow often develop stomach irritation or “snow gastritis”, especially when the snow has been contaminated by salt or car fluids.
“Dogs love bounding through snow, and we don’t want to stop the fun – but we do want owners to stop them treating snow like a slushie,” the spokesperson added.
“Keep an eye on what they’re licking, rinse their paws after walks, and call a vet straight away if they seem unwell.”
Experts also note that snow is an extremely poor substitute for water. Because it is mostly air, people and pets would need to consume large quantities to achieve any hydration, and the process of melting it internally actually cools the body down further, putting additional strain on the system in cold conditions.
Ski Vertigo emphasises that its goal isn’t to dampen the joy of winter, but to ensure families avoid an easily preventable hazard. “Who hasn’t been tempted to taste fresh snow at some point?
“It’s a classic winter urge,” the operator said. “Our message is simple: build snowmen, throw snowballs, enjoy every moment – just don’t put the snow in your mouth, and don’t let your pets do it either.”
