Cats are extremely unpredictable animals. They dislike baths, swimming, and other water-related activities, but they enjoy ice balls. Cats prefer ice balls to plain water, and their obsession with the ice ball can last for several hours. They spend their time licking, observing, and being around the ice ball.
Cats are very interested in licking ice balls, as evidenced by internet searches. Although this is an adorable act, ice balls have both positive and negative effects on our cats.
Are ice balls dangerous for cats?
Most of the time ice balls are totally harmless for your cat. However, monitor your cat closely, because sometimes the use of an ice ball can cause damage to the cat’s teeth, which can lead to other issues in the cat’s mouth, such as digestion problems, choking, and pain in the mouth.
Furthermore, drinking or adding too much ice may cause digestive issues such as slowing the metabolism or discomfort. Ice balls can also cause brain freeze. When cats eat a frozen treat in a hurry, they all have the same open-jawed, wide-eyed reaction that a human may have.
Most of the time, ice balls are totally harmless and often even have a few health benefits. First, as the weather warms, ice balls are beneficial by helping them stay hydrated and quench their thirst. Placing an ice ball can encourage cats to drink more water. Furthermore, because ice balls do not melt easily, your cats can use them for entertainment purposes. Your cat will undoubtedly enjoy licking the floating ice cubes in their water. Because ice balls can be quite large, the likelihood of them choking on them is reduced with the larger balls.
How To Make Ice Balls For Cats
Although making an ice ball may appear difficult, you can easily do it on your own. Ice balls can be made in a variety of ways but I have outlined the simplest way I know how below and all you will need is water, a knife or scissors, and a balloon.
Creating an ice ball using a balloon:
Materials needed:
• Balloon
• Water
• Knife or scissors
Procedure:
Step 1: Gather all the items needed in making the ice ball
Preparing all necessary items ahead of time can save you time! Check to see if the balloons are in good condition as well.
Step 2: Fill the balloon with water
Fill the balloon to your desired size. Note that this may result in an egg-shaped ice ball rather than a sphere. To prevent spilling, make sure the balloon’s end is tied.
Step 3: Every 30 minutes, mold the balloon into a ball shape (optional)
Continue molding it until it freezes to create a perfect sphere shape. However, if you believe the shape does not affect the ice ball, you may proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Wait 1-3 hours for the ball to fully freeze
Leave the balloon in the freezer and wait for it to freeze. This could be anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the temperature of your freezer
Step 5: Cut and serve
Take the balloon from the freezer and attempt to gently cut the balloon. This should only require one incision and then you should be able to pull back the balloon material away from the ice.
And as easy as that, you have an ice ball. You can serve this to your cat and let them enjoy the ice ball.
Of course, another way to make an ice ball is to use an ice ball container. You can purchase that online or at a local store. This can save you time and help create perfectly circular ice balls. Simply fill the container with water and place it in the freezer!
If you are having difficulty getting your cat to drink from a fountain, check out our article on tips we have for helping your cat drink from the fountain.
