
13/07/2025
WHY YOUR DOG’S WINTER DIET DOESN’T WORK IN THE HEAT
When the weather changes, your dog’s diet should too but most owners completely miss this.
During the colder months, your dog’s energy demands are typically higher. They’re exercising more, their body is working harder to regulate temperature, and they’re burning more calories just to stay warm and active. That’s when a higher food intake, especially for working breeds or those in regular training—makes perfect sense.
But come summer? Everything changes.
As the heat rises, your dog naturally slows down. Walks are shorter, training sessions are less intense, and activity levels drop. But many owners keep feeding the same amount they did in winter… and then wonder why their dog is gaining weight, becoming sluggish, or showing signs of gastrointestinal stress.
Here’s the deal:
👉 Less exercise = less calorie output = less food required.
👉 Overfeeding in summer can lead to bloating, digestive issues, weight gain, and a drop in drive and focus.
👉 Excess food in the gut during hot weather makes your dog more uncomfortable and increases internal heat. Not what you want when they’re already struggling to cool down.
You wouldn’t eat a roast dinner before sunbathing, don’t do the same to your dog.
Summer is the time to scale back slightly, monitor body condition weekly, and adjust based on performance and energy levels. You’re not starving your dog, you’re fuelling them appropriately for the conditions. When the work picks back up in the autumn, so can the food.
This is a professional approach that makes a big difference. Don’t feed on autopilot. Feed with purpose.