Do dogs need more food in winter?

Only if their activity level genuinely increases, such as a working dog spending long periods outdoors in the cold. Most pet dogs are less active in winter due to shorter walks, so they may actually need slightly less, not more.

Does diet affect a dog's winter coat?

A good complete diet with adequate protein and fat supports normal coat growth and condition year-round, winter included. A sudden or unusual change in coat quality is worth mentioning to your vet rather than assuming it will resolve with a food change.

Should I feed my dog more if they're outside a lot in winter?

A dog spending significant time outdoors in cold weather does burn some extra energy staying warm, so a modest increase can be reasonable. Watch body condition and adjust gradually rather than making a large change all at once.

Do older dogs need a different diet in winter?

Age matters more than season for an older dog's diet generally. If cold weather makes joint stiffness more noticeable, that's a conversation for your vet, who can advise on the right approach for your individual dog rather than a seasonal food swap.

Best dog food for winter

Most dogs do not need a different food purely because the season has changed — a good complete diet works year-round. What genuinely changes for many dogs in winter is activity level, which affects how much they should be eating, and a thicker winter coat, which some owners like to support through diet, though a proper daily food already covers this for most dogs.

Activity changes are the real reason to adjust anything

A dog who normally has a long daily walk but is getting shorter, wetter outings through winter is burning fewer calories, and feeding the same summer portion can lead to gradual weight gain over the colder months without it being obvious week to week.

Adjusting the daily amount down slightly to match reduced activity, and checking body condition periodically, is more useful than switching to a different food altogether. The reverse applies too — a working dog or one that stays highly active outdoors in winter may need slightly more, not less.

Coat condition through winter

Many dogs grow a noticeably thicker coat for winter, and a good complete diet with adequate protein and fat already supports normal coat growth without needing a special seasonal formula. Coat condition is a reasonable general indicator of diet quality, but a sudden change in coat quality is worth mentioning to your vet rather than assuming it's purely dietary.

Dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors in cold, wet weather do burn some extra energy simply staying warm, which is another reason activity and weather, not the calendar, should guide any feeding adjustment.

Water and appetite in cold weather

Dogs can drink less in winter simply because they feel less thirsty in the cold, even though hydration needs don't really change. Keep fresh water available as normal, and if you notice reduced drinking alongside a switch to more dry food, it's worth keeping an eye on.

A move toward more wet food, or adding a little warm water to a normally dry meal, can help keep total fluid intake up through winter without changing anything about the diet itself. Check outdoor water bowls too, since these can freeze over without anyone noticing.

Foods for this stage

Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.

Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice

A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.

£49.00

Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken

An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.

£29.00

James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg

Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints

£82.35

Lily's Kitchen Dog Lean Machine — 10 x 150g Trays

Sold as a case: 10 x 150g trays. Lily's Kitchen's lowest-calorie wet recipe for adult dogs, in a 150G foil

£16.89

Browse all of Dogs →

Common questions

Do dogs need more food in winter?: Only if their activity level genuinely increases, such as a working dog spending long periods outdoors in the cold. Most pet dogs are less active in winter due to shorter walks, so they may actually need slightly less, not more.
Does diet affect a dog's winter coat?: A good complete diet with adequate protein and fat supports normal coat growth and condition year-round, winter included. A sudden or unusual change in coat quality is worth mentioning to your vet rather than assuming it will resolve with a food change.
Should I feed my dog more if they're outside a lot in winter?: A dog spending significant time outdoors in cold weather does burn some extra energy staying warm, so a modest increase can be reasonable. Watch body condition and adjust gradually rather than making a large change all at once.
Do older dogs need a different diet in winter?: Age matters more than season for an older dog's diet generally. If cold weather makes joint stiffness more noticeable, that's a conversation for your vet, who can advise on the right approach for your individual dog rather than a seasonal food swap.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

PDSA — Pet Health Hub

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.