As the temperatures rise, you might have noticed your dog eating less of their food than usual. It is natural and pretty common for dogs to consume less of their food as the weather gets warmer. This is a normal physiological response to the heat.
This makes it all the more important to know exactly when this issue becomes concerning and would need medical intervention.
This guide provides explanations on why dogs eat less during summers, when this becomes a concern, and the food they need to be consuming during warmer temperatures to ensure they remain happy and healthy throughout the year.
Do Dogs Eat Less in Summer?
Many dogs tend to eat less during summers. This happens because as the temperature rises, dogs become less active, thus reducing their food intake requirements. Their body naturally slows digestion to lessen the internal warmth during hotter temperatures.
While a decrease in food intake is common with dogs during summers, pet parents must be able to differentiate when this starts to become a medical concern.
Understanding Loss of Appetite in Dogs During Summer
Dogs will probably show less activity in summer and there is not such a big demand for energy intake. Certain breeds with heavier or thicker coats may actually become less active due to the heat, leading to consuming lesser amounts of food. Hormonal changes increasing with longer days can also change metabolism, thus affecting the level of hunger. Many pet parents observe their dogs eating less but displaying their normal behaviours during these days. Prolonged loss of appetite can later indicate a health problem.
Loss of Appetite in Dogs: When It’s Normal and When to Worry
It's not uncommon for dogs to eat less in the summer, but keep an eye out for any warning signs. This may also include less enthusiasm for food, smaller servings, or preference for more refreshing food. Some may completely skip meals or may take their own time in completing it, leaving some amount of food uneaten for a while.
But if a dog goes beyond one and a half days without eating and shows signs like vomiting, diarrhea, excess thirst, or unusual lethargy, an immediate visit to the vet is mandatory.
Contact your vet if you observe any of these symptoms:
- The dog has not eaten for more than forty-eight hours
- The dog has experienced sudden weight loss
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea for over a day
- Weakness, lethargy, uncharacteristic behavior
- Drinking excessive amounts of water but not eating
- Signs of dehydration: dry nose, sunken eyes, excessive panting
- Some signs and symptoms of possible heatstroke include heavy panting, drooling, and collapsing.
Summer Foods for Dogs: What’s Good and What to Avoid
Keeping your dog cool during summers is essential– and its more than just about shade and water. Ensuring your dog remains cool during rising temperatures means their body needs to be cool and this starts with the right food.
Keeping their meals lighter and adding more hydrating elements during this time helps prevent overheating and dehydration. Feeding your dog the right meal will keep them healthy, hydrated, and comfortable even on the hottest days. Here’s what to feed your dog and what to avoid during summers.
What Foods Are Good for Dogs in Summer?
A diet for a dog during summer should consist of water intake, digestibility, and food cooling properties to maintain their health and interest for eating.
- Hydrating foods: Hydration foods include additional hydration that should be fed to dogs during the summer. This can be water, bone broth, or high-water-content foods such as watermelon and cucumbers given to them along with regular meals or in small quantities: curd, buttermilk, and unsweetened coconut water.
- Lighter meals: It may be harder for them to digest heavier meats during the heat of the day. To ensure they get sufficient essential proteins, choose lean proteins like chicken broth, boiled eggs, fish, and paneer. They can also be fed cooling proteins like duck or even neutral proteins like turkey and quail to keep their gut cool. These also help prevent the body from overheating.
- Easily digestible grains: Use simple grains like rice, oats, and barley that are gentle on the stomach. Meals with lower fat content help prevent gut and stomach issues during the summers.
- Cooling Treats: Homemade cold or frozen treats are your dog’s best friend during summers. Frozen bone broth, coconut water, and fruit or curd based snacks are refreshing and mentally stimulating for your dog.
This is also the best time to switch from dry to wet food as well. Wet food contains more moisture that helps aid digestion and keeps dogs hydrated. In case you are using dry food, ensure you add some sort of hydration to it.
What Foods Should Be Avoided in Summer?
There are add-ups and clear-outs in feeding your dogs to prevent any digestive order yourself and any other health hazards.
- Hard-to-digest food: Heavy and greasy food in terms of too much red meat, fried stuff, too much cheese, and grains can hinder digestion, causing discomfort or bloating.
- Dehydration food: Avoid giving them too much dry food, such as biscuits or kibble; they can be given, but in moderation or with extra moisture so as to soften it.
- Frigid food: While it never hurts to cool your pet down with the odd few chilly treats, excess feeding when it comes to frozen food may shock its digestive system, resulting in gut disorders and upset stomachs.
- Dangerous foods: Foods like Ice cream, grapes, chocolate, onions, and lots of spices should not be given to your dogs, owing to the fact that some cause digestion issues, while others are toxic.
Smart Summer Feeding Tips to Keep Your Dog Hydrated & Nourished
Summertime means food for your dog, but also when and how to feed it. The hot weather can affect the appetite, digestion, and hydration of the dog; time, quantity, and type of meals should be modified in order to keep it comfortable and energetic. Smaller, lighter, and moisture-rich meals are better tolerated, and feeding them on schedule helps prevent fussiness. Hydration is equally important–always give fresh, cool water to avoid dehydration and overheating.
Dog Food For Summer: When and What to Feed
Ensure you adjust your dog’s feeding schedule to early morning and late evenings to avoid overloading their system with food during the hottest times of the day. Feeding them smaller and frequent meals can also help keep their excitement for meal times while helping with digestion. Adding wet food, fruits and vegetables high in hydration, and broths can help keep them cool while also making their meals appetizing. It is important to ensure they always have access to cool fresh water on a daily basis to avoid dehydration.
Summer Feeding Hacks: What Different Dog Breeds & Age Groups Need.
Small Breeds
- Small breeds such as Shih Tzu, Pugs, and Chihuahuas are more susceptible to overheating, and thus one should feed hydration-oriented feed for these breeds. Chicken broth, unsalted curds, buttermilk, and cucumber are included to balance and keep up the hydration levels. They could also be offered small portions more frequently to keep them full and that they get nourishment.
Large Breeds
- Large breeds like Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Huskies are known to lose their appetite in summers. When they are feeding their dogs, it would be helpful to use cooler proteins along with curd and fruit-based cooling snacks for encouragement.
Senior Dogs
- Senior dogs are known to have higher levels of a possibility of becoming dehydrated and not wanting to eat, as their metabolic rate is almost down by half. The most relevant step would be to use wet tinned food as a base for their daily meals. Along with that, easily digestible protein should also be incorporated into their diets. Hypotonic electrolyte water or powdered hydration supplements approved by veterinarians could also be given.
Puppies
- Puppies usually need more nutrients as compared to adult dogs as they are rapidly growing. This also means their energy levels are high, even during summers. Their meals should be high in hydration, protein, and should be balanced.
Practical Tips to Keep Your Dog Eating Well
Like discussed earlier, warmer weather can reduce your dog’s appetite. However, a few changes or additions to their diet can help them eat more and eat well.
Ensure you feed them in a shaded area or cooler areas to create a better feeding environment. It is important to add more hydration in the form of water, broths, curd etc to their daily meals. Their dry food can also be switched out for wet food during the summers. Frozen treats and high hydration foods can be added as meal topper as well. Including cooler meats and foods can also help make their meal times more appetizing.
Keeping multiple bowls of water around their resting areas can help keep them hydrated during the hotter days. Vet approved electrolytes can also be added to encourage drinking water. Meal rotation can be done to prevent them from getting bored of their meals. Alternating animal proteins, vegetables, topper or even adding eggs or curd can also encourage eating.
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Dogs naturally eat less in summer. However, a balanced diet along with good hydration is very important to ensure the healthy growth and development of your pet. Periodic loss of appetite is natural, but if your dog refuses food for too long, consult a vet. Hydrating fruits, protein-rich meals, and wet food should be emphasized, while adjusting mealtimes, constant access to water, and providing cool treats for comfort.
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FAQs: Do Dogs Eat Less in Summer?
Why my dog isn't eating but acting normal?
- This is common during summer when their food intake decreases. However, ensure they don't completely stop their food intake. If the behaviour persists, consult a vet.
What do dogs eat to stay cool in summer?
- Dogs can have cooler meats and foods that are high in hydration. They can also have frozen ice treats in moderation.
Why do dogs eat less in summer?
- This is because they expend less energy due to decreased activity and their bodies naturally adjust their digestion to the warmer temperatures.
Is it normal for dogs to lose weight in the summer?
- A slight weight fluctuation can be normal, significant or rapid weight loss should prompt a visit to the vet.
Should I feed my dog less in the summer?
- You might need to adjust portion sizes as they tend to eat less in summers, but ensuring the food is nutrient-rich and easily digestible is key.
