As the weather turns cold and coats come out of storage, many of us quietly wonder: do dogs need more food in winter, or are we just feeling the chill for them? Between shorter walks, cozy indoor heating, and some dogs spending more time in the cold than others, it’s not obvious whether to increase, decrease, or leave their portions alone. Before you reach for the scoop, it’s worth looking at what actually changes for dogs in winter and how those seasonal shifts affect their real energy needs.
Do Dogs Actually Burn More Calories in Winter?
Do dogs actually burn more calories in winter, and do dogs need more food in winter because of it? The short answer is that they can, but it depends a lot on lifestyle and environment. A classic study in the American Journal of Physiology followed Huskies and Beagles living in an Arctic environment and found their calorie intake shot up in winter, with some dogs eating almost twice as much to cope with the extreme cold.
Dogs lose heat faster in cold weather, especially if they spend a lot of time outdoors, have a thin coat or low body fat, and live where temperatures are consistently low, particularly below freezing. In those situations, their bodies need more energy just to maintain a normal core temperature, which is why those Arctic sled dogs in the study dramatically increased their caloric intake in winter, they were working hard in serious cold and burning far more calories to stay warm.
But many modern pets:
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Live in centrally heated homes
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Take shorter winter walks
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Spend more time curled up on the sofa
For these dogs, winter might not increase calorie needs at all. In fact, if their activity drops and the food stays the same (or increases), weight gain is more likely than weight loss.
When Your Dog May Need More Food in Winter
Your dog might genuinely need a calorie boost if:
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They’re outdoors a lot
This includes farm dogs, working dogs, or pets who love spending hours in the yard, as well as dogs that regularly join you for long hikes, runs, or snow activities. -
They live in a cold climate
Dogs who live in areas with long stretches of freezing or sub-zero temperatures, or who spend time in drafty or unheated indoor spaces like a garage or barn, are likely to burn more energy just staying warm. -
They’re lean or high-energy by nature
Many working breeds, sighthounds, some herding dogs, and very active individuals are naturally lean and don’t carry much body fat, and they often seem to “run hot” year-round, which can increase their winter calorie needs. -
You’re noticing weight loss or increased hunger
Signs include ribs suddenly becoming more visible or easier to feel, less padding over the hips and spine, and a dog who is begging more than usual or seems ravenous at mealtimes, these can all suggest they may need more calories in winter.
In these cases, a gradual increase in calories can help them maintain a healthy weight and energy level.
When Your Dog Probably Doesn’t Need Extra Food
On the flip side, some dogs should not automatically get more food in winter:
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Indoor couch potatoes whose walk time shrinks when it’s cold.
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Dogs are already overweight or “chunky” going into winter.
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Older or arthritic dogs whose activity tends to drop in colder months.
For these dogs, winter can be a sneaky time for weight gain. If their exercise dips, you may even need to slightly reduce their food or treats to keep them at a healthy weight.
How Much More Food in Winter?
If your dog fits the “needs more” profile (outdoors a lot, very active, cold climate), you can adjust like this:
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Start small: Increase their daily calories by about 5–10% at a time. For a dog eating 2 cups a day, that might mean adding an extra couple of tablespoons per meal at first.
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Monitor and tweak: Re-check body condition after 2–3 weeks. If they’re still losing weight, bump up another 5–10%. If they’re gaining, go back to the previous amount.
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Don’t change everything at once: Avoid sudden, large increases in fat or volume, which can upset the stomach. Make adjustments gradually to give their system time to adapt.
If your dog has health issues (like kidney disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, or joint problems), always talk to your vet before changing their diet significantly.
Best Types of Food to Feed Dogs in Winter
Beyond “more or less,” the type of food you offer can support your dog’s comfort and health in colder months.
High-Quality Whole & Homemade Winter Diet
A thoughtfully balanced, home-cooked diet is especially valuable in winter:
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Supports warmth and steady energy
Real, nutrient-dense foods (meat, organs, veggies, good carbs, healthy fats) give slow, stable energy and help the body generate heat in cold weather. Slightly warming the food (not hot) makes it extra comforting. -
Gentle on digestion
Lightly cooked whole foods are often easier on the gut, helping dogs absorb more nutrients for immunity, joint health, and keeping warm. -
Better natural hydration
Fresh, cooked meals carry more moisture than dry diets, which helps counter dry winter air and supports skin, coat, and overall comfort.
Aim for complete and balanced recipes appropriate for their life stage (puppy, adult, senior), and stick to a consistent, well-formulated homemade plan rather than changing ingredients randomly. For very active or outdoor dogs, slightly increasing healthy fats and calories in winter can help them maintain body condition.
Slightly Higher Fat for Active Winter Dogs
For dogs who truly work or play hard in the cold, fat is a dense energy source and can be increased modestly to support their energy needs. This can be done by choosing diets or recipes formulated for active or working dogs, or by adding a small amount of healthy fat as a topper, such as a drizzle of salmon or fish oil, or a bit of fish like sardines, mackerel, or salmon. Always introduce extra fats slowly and in tiny amounts, as too much too quickly can cause digestive upset or even pancreatitis in sensitive dogs.
“Warm” Foods: Chinese Food Energetics
In Chinese food ideology, winter is a time to support the body with more “warming” (yang) foods that nourish energy and help protect against cold. This doesn’t replace balanced nutrition, but you can gently lean the diet in that direction:
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Serve foods warm (not hot)
Offer meals at a pleasantly warm temperature—never steaming—so the stomach doesn’t get a “cold shock.” Gently warmed homemade food or broth-style meals are considered more supportive in cold weather. -
Choose warming proteins
Use dog-safe meats that are traditionally seen as warming, such as lamb, chicken, turkey, or beef, cooked plain with no seasoning and onions. These are thought to tonify yang and support circulation and energy. -
Root vegetables and orange foods
Add small amounts of cooked pumpkin, sweet potato, or carrot, which are gently warming and grounding in TCVM-style thinking, while also providing fiber and natural nutrients. -
Light, supportive add-ins
A little warm, low-sodium bone broth or meat broth over their regular food can make meals more soothing and “warming” without unbalancing the diet.
Overall, the idea is similar to what many humans do in winter: slightly warmer, more nourishing meals that support resilience in the cold, while still keeping the overall diet balanced and appropriate for the dog.
Hydration Still Matters in Winter
Dogs can get dehydrated in cold weather too, especially if the air is dry or water bowls freeze outdoors. To support hydration:
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Check outdoor bowls regularly for ice.
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Encourage drinking by adding a splash of warm water or broth to food.
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Wet food or brothy “soups” can help boost fluid intake.
Key Takeaway
In short, the answer to “Do Dogs Need More Food in Winter?” is: sometimes, some dogs really do need more food in winter, especially those who are active outdoors in the cold, while many indoor, less active pets don’t need extra calories at all. The key is to let your dog’s body condition, activity level, and environment guide you, not just the season, and support their winter health with a balanced, complete diet, gradual adjustments in calories, and warm, comforting toppers plus plenty of hydration. If you’d like a simple, vet-formulated way to do this, explore the Original CrockPet Diet as a warm, nourishing base, then dive deeper into our blog on seasonal eating for dogs to fine-tune what you feed as the weather changes, and consider adding smart winter-friendly supplements, such as omega-3s for skin and coat, gentle joint support for stiff cold-weather limbs, and a quality probiotic—to help keep your dog comfortable, resilient, and thriving all winter long.
