What to Feed Dogs in the Winter Months

A dog needs more calories, primarily from fat and protein, in winter to keep his internal furnace stoked. Because he's burning up extra energy to generate body heat, increasing his daily calorie intake by switching to a high-protein, high-fat diet during cold weather ensures his energy supply doesn't dwindle.

  1. Maintain Body Temperature

    • Dogs meet their energy requirements by eating carbohydrates, protein and fat. The energy produced by food regulates a dog's metabolism and helps her maintain a normal body temperature, according to the dog food experts at ProPlan.

    Feeding Requirements Vary

    • If your dog is active or spends a lot of time outside, you'll need to feed him extra calories in the winter. Petfinder advises, "food requirements of individual dogs vary according to their health." You can supplement your dog's regular diet with real cooked meat, like hamburger and chicken, but always be ready to adjust the diet to your dog's activity level, age and health.

    High-Fat, High-Protein Diet

    • You can maintain your dog's daily rations, or even feed less volume, if you switch to foods with a higher energy content--high protein, high fat--than most commercial canned and dry dog foods. Exposure to cold weather demands increased calories "to keep the animal warm," says Richard Pitcairn, DVM, author of "The Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats." He adds, "These calories are best supplied by a high-fat diet."

    Supplement

    • Several foods provide a balanced protein-to-fat content. "There is a direct relationship between fat and protein in the diet," Pitcairn says. "The more fat in the diet, the more protein is needed."

      Pitcairn breaks down a number of foods dogs can benefit from in cold months. They include, one pound of cooked, lean hamburger: 125 grams protein/51 grams fat; one pound of roasted chicken (with flesh and skin): 123 grams protein/67 grams fat; and one pound of regular hamburger: 110 grams protein/92 grams fat.