Do Dogs Lose Their Appetite in the Summer? If you’ve noticed your dog not eating in the summer, you’re not alone—and it’s not always a reason to panic. Many dogs naturally eat less when the temperatures rise. It can definitely catch pet parents off guard, especially if their pup is usually food-obsessed.
The good news? This seasonal slowdown in appetite is often totally normal. It’s your dog’s way of coping with the heat. After all, just like us, dogs can feel sluggish and less hungry when it’s sweltering outside.
In this post, we’ll break down why dogs may go off their food in the summer, what’s normal (and what’s not), and how you can help keep your pup happy and healthy through those hot months.
Do Dogs lose their appetite in the summer?
I should point out that if your dog doesn’t seem to want to eat at all, you should contact your vet. A total loss of appetite is not a good thing.
However, if your dog is simply eating less, often times far less, than usual during the hot summer months, that’s okay. It’s a natural occurrence.
Here’s why.
1. It’s Too Darn Hot
Just like people, dogs are affected by summer temperatures. How do you feel when it’s really hot outside? Most likely, you want to stay indoors and just be cool.
The idea of going outside to do any sort of activity sounds terrible because you can already feel yourself getting overheated just thinking about it. Your dog is the same way. In fact, it’s actually even worse for him because dogs run hotter than humans.
A normal human has a temperature of between 97.6 to 99.6, while a dog’s temperature averages between 101 to 102.5 degrees. That’s a big jump up from our temperature, and when you add in a layer of fur, things tend to get extra toasty.
2. They’re Less Active
During the heat of the summer, many dogs want to do exactly what their owners want to do, which is nothing. It’s just too hot.
In fact, during these hot months, you’ll often find that your dog doesn’t even want to go outside to do his business. He’ll often opt to hold it for much longer than usual just to avoid the heat.
I know I actually have to force my dogs to go outside to potty just to keep them on their schedule. If they don’t want to go potty, they certainly don’t want to go outside and play.
Unless your dog is one of those that would eat until he popped if you let him, you’ll notice that he really isn’t all that interested in food.
This lack of activity and a proclivity for sleeping much more during the day leads to a decrease in energy requirements.
For most dogs, that means a decrease in appetite. His body is regulating his food intake to match his caloric needs.
A Dog Not Eating at All in Summer is Not Normal
A dog not eating in summer is normal. A dog not eating at all is not.
While many dogs eat less, often far less, during the summer, not eating at all is a cause for concern. A total loss of appetite is a clear indicator of a problem somewhere in your dog. It could be something as simple as nausea or something far more dire.
Some common causes of not eating:
- Change of food
- Stress
- Bad teeth
- Foreign object in the mouth
- Nausea
- Obstruction
- Underlying disease
- Viral infection such as distemper or parvovirus
The only way to know exactly why your dog isn’t eating is to take him to the vet.
If your dog hasn’t eaten for two days or more, take him to the vet right away.
How to Get Your Dog to Eat In Summer
A dog not eating in the summer can be a distressful scenario for an owner. Although it’s perfectly natural, you do want your dog to eat something.
If he hasn’t eaten for a full day, here are some things you can try to get his appetite back up.
1. Forget About Exercise on Hot Days
If there’s one thing nobody—human or dog—feels like doing in the sweltering heat, it’s running around outside. And honestly, forcing your pup to exercise when the temps are sky-high can do more harm than good. Dogs already have a naturally higher resting body temperature than we do, and unlike us, they can’t strip off layers—they’re stuck wearing that fur coat 24/7.
While daily activity is important for your dog’s health and mental stimulation, summer heat calls for a shift in priorities. On especially hot days, it’s perfectly okay—smart, even—to skip the long walks or play sessions. Instead, opt for indoor enrichment like puzzle toys, short training games, or even a good old-fashioned belly rub session in the air conditioning. If you must get outside, try doing it early in the morning or after sunset, when the pavement and air have cooled down a bit.
Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Knowing the warning signs of heat exhaustion can literally be life-saving. Dogs can overheat fast, especially in the summer when the temps and humidity are both high. And since they can’t sweat like we do, they rely on panting to cool down—meaning their cooling system isn’t all that efficient.Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
✅ Excessive panting or drooling – Some panting is normal, but if it’s nonstop and heavy, that’s a red flag.
✅ Lethargy or weakness – If your dog suddenly doesn’t want to move or seems disoriented, it’s time to act fast.
✅ Bright red or pale gums – Gum color is a great indicator of how your dog’s circulatory system is handling the heat.
✅ Vomiting or diarrhea – These can signal heat stress or dehydration.
✅ Rapid heartbeat – You might notice this if you’re snuggling or holding your dog.
✅ Collapse or unconsciousness – This is a medical emergency. Don’t wait—get your dog to the vet immediately.
If you suspect your dog is overheating, move them to a cool, shaded area right away. Offer water (but don’t force it), and use a cool, damp cloth to help lower their body temperature—especially on the paws, belly, and armpits. Avoid ice-cold water or full submersion, as that can shock their system.
2. Keep Cold Water on Hand
If a dog’s appetite decreases when he’s hot, then it’s only natural that it will increase if he cools off.
During hot summer months, you’ll most likely have the AC blasting, and that’s a great start.
However, because your dog runs 3 to 4 degrees hotter than you, it may not be enough to fully counteract the excessive heat outside.
A good way to help keep him cool is to make sure his water is nice and cold.
➡️ Try this:
Toss a few ice cubes into your dog’s water bowl to keep it refreshingly cold. Not only does it help regulate his internal temperature, but some dogs actually love crunching the ice cubes like little treats. You can also freeze low-sodium broth or bits of fruit (like blueberries) into ice cube trays for a fun, hydrating snack.
Bonus Tip: Consider using a pet water fountain during the summer (like the Outlast Dog Fountain by PetSafe). These keep water circulating, which helps it stay cooler and fresher throughout the day—plus, they encourage your dog to drink more often.
Introducing the PetSafe® Outlast™ 128 oz Pumpless Pet Fountain, a groundbreaking innovation in pet hydration. This cat and dog fountain operates without a traditional submersible pump, thanks to its unique HydroSpin™ technology.
And don’t forget to refresh the water frequently. Bowls left sitting in the heat can warm up quickly, and stagnant water isn’t appealing to dogs (or anyone, really). Clean the bowl daily to prevent bacteria buildup—especially if you’re adding extras like broth or fruit.
3. Don’t Feed Him When He’s Hot
You wouldn’t want to sit down to a big, steamy meal right after running around outside in the summer heat—and neither does your dog. So if he just came in from a walk or potty break and turns his nose up at his food, don’t panic. He’s not being picky. He’s just hot.
After time outdoors, especially during the warmest parts of the day, your dog’s body temperature is elevated. He’s panting hard, trying to cool down, and the last thing on his mind is eating. Digesting food creates internal heat, so it makes sense that he’d instinctively avoid it when he’s already overheated.
Instead of placing his bowl down right away, give him a chance to chill out—literally. Let him relax in a cool, shaded (or air-conditioned) space for at least an hour before offering his meal. Not only will he be more likely to eat, but he’ll also be more comfortable while doing it.
Bonus Tip: You can also help by serving cooler meals during the summer. Try refrigerating wet food or adding a bit of cold water or bone broth to kibble. Some dogs love “doggy popsicles” made with frozen food blends or treats—it’s a win-win for hydration and nutrition.
Timing and temperature make a big difference. Feed when your dog is relaxed and cool, and you’ll likely see a much better appetite.
What to Feed a Dog Not Eating In Summer
If nothing you’ve tried seems to get your dog’s appetite up, talk with your vet about foods that may help entice him to eat.
That being said, there are a few food choices that you can add to your dog’s food to help entice him to eat.
Notice I wrote, “add to your dog’s food.” It’s important to keep him on his dog food throughout this process because it has all the vitamins and minerals he needs.
I am fully confident in the foods listed below because they were prescribed again and again by the vet at the animal hospital where I worked.
These foods offer extra flavor that almost all dogs love, and they are easy on their digestive tract.
Protein
- Baked white-meat chicken
- Baked lean pork chop
- Eggs
Carbohydrate
- Brown Rice
- White Potato
- Brown Potato
- Sweet Potato
- Pumpkin
You can add a mix of any of these ingredients to your dog’s food to help entice him to eat. Simply mix in a little with his normal food to add an extra kick of flavor that will usually get his appetite revved back up at least a little.
As always, with any type of change in your dog’s activity or diet, check with your vet first.
They know your dog’s history and will tell you which foods are safe to add to his diet and which aren’t based on his medical history any conditions he may have.
For example, my dog has liver disease, so he has to be on a special liver diet food with no additions whatsoever to ensure his prolonged liver function.
Dog Not Eating in Summer? That’s Okay, but be Vigilant.
Although a dog not eating in summer to some degree is normal, it’s always important to be vigilant about his health. Don’t stress out over it but do keep a close watch on him.
If a dog not eating in summer becomes a dog not eating AT ALL, it’s important to contact the vet right away.
However, if he eats sporadically throughout the day or every other day, that is completely fine.
He’s just too hot to care about food, and his reduced activity means he doesn’t need as many calories. So keep an eye out but don’t worry too much. Chances are, he’s fine.
