<p>Cold-region fluvial systems are shaped by cryospheric constraints (snowmelt-driven hydrology, seasonal ice processes, and permafrost dynamics) that strongly influence sediment transport, channel morphology, and ecosystem structure. Within these environments, a diverse range of animals act as zoogeomorphic agents, engineering riverbeds and banks and modulating sediment fluxes through bioturbation, construction, and foraging. Yet, their geomorphic roles remain poorly synthetized, especially under accelerating global change. This review integrates evidence on the geomorphic functions of invertebrates, fishes, and mammals in cold rivers and synthetizes how their activities respond to climate-driven thermal and hydrological shifts, land-use pressures, and biological invasions. We propose a conceptual framework linking body size, activity frequency-intensity, and legacy persistence to elucidate cross-scale zoogeomorphic effects. Our synthesis reveals that global change is likely to reduce the frequency and persistence of many zoogeomorphic processes, disrupt biotic-geomorphic feedbacks, and simplify sediment dynamics, threatening both habitat heterogeneity and river resilience. We identify critical knowledge gaps and advocate for the inclusion of animal-driven processes in cold-river models, monitoring, and nature-based restoration strategies.</p>