Feeding
How to Adjust Your Dog's Diet by Season
Calorie needs, hydration, and gut health can shift across the year. Here's how to think about tweaking the bowl through summer, winter, and the in-between.
Many owners feed the same bowl in January as they do in July. For most healthy adult dogs that's fine — but small seasonal tweaks can help prevent weight gain, dehydration and digestive grumbles.
Summer: lighter calories, more water
Hot weather often reduces voluntary activity. If your dog is less active in July than in March, consider dropping daily intake by 5–10% and prioritising hydration with wet food, ice cubes, or simply a second water bowl.
Winter: a small bump for outdoor dogs
Dogs spending real time outdoors in cold weather burn more calories on thermoregulation. A modest calorie bump is often reasonable for working or actively walked dogs in sub-freezing climates. Pets who only step outside to toilet typically do not need this.
Watch the treats
Holiday seasons quietly add extra calories a day. Recalibrate January portions if the festive treats added a layer.