We Thought We Were Feeding Our Dogs Right, Until Summer Told Us Otherwise

I am a pet parent to six lovely furkids, whom I lovingly refer to as my kiddos. Everything I share here comes from over 30 years of raising, learning, experimenting, and sometimes failing with my own dogs.

I’m no saint — I’ve made mistakes, trusted the wrong advice, and learned things the hard way. But over time, we cracked what works when it comes to pet wellness and nutrition.

This blog is not theory. It’s real, lived experience — from my pack to yours.

“Enough of this chicken. I’m not eating.”

That’s exactly what Khushi seemed to be telling us.

Khushi is our darling Indie tripod — Pavithra’s doll and quite literally the queen of the house.

She lost one of her legs in an accident and was hospitalized at BPH when Pavithra noticed her while feeding another rescue dog.

What else had to happen?

She came home with us — and became our first Indie kiddo.

Last year, we noticed something different.

As summer approached, Khushi:

• started eating less

• became picky

• lost interest in her regular meals

And this wasn’t her at all.

She’s a foodie — but a smart one. She knows her limits.

So we started experimenting.

• Cold meat

• No chicken

• Different vegetables

• More activity before meals

What Actually Worked

1. Smaller Portions

She naturally preferred eating less.

That’s when we realised: Her digestion was slowing down in summer.

And this is important: Every dog is different. There is no one-size-fits-all.

2. Hidden Veggies (Simple Hack)

Khushi hates veggies.

So Pavithra does something smart: Adds veggies into the meat broth and cooks it together.

She ends up eating it without even realising.

Simple hack. Works every time.

3. Separate Broth Instead of Soupy Meals

She doesn’t like soupy food.

So instead of mixing everything: We give broth separately after the meal.

And it gets wiped clean.

Sometimes we also add one of our Barky Brews juices or give it separately.

4. Meals in Bursts

Some of my kiddos prefer: smaller meals every 2–3 hours

Instead of one heavy meal.

This has worked really well for digestion — especially in summer.

5. Meat Matters

Summer is not the time for:

• very bland food (like plain boneless chicken every day)

• or very heavy, fatty cuts

Balance is key.

(I’ll cover meat types separately in another blog.)

6. Stop Forcing Food

This is a big one.

As pet parents, we panic: “Finish your meal.”

But here’s the truth:

Dogs know their body better than we think.

If they skip a meal, it’s okay — as long as it’s not a consistent pattern.

7. Replace, Don’t Force

If they’re not eating:

Try:

• buttermilk

• curd

Let their system cool down.

They will come back to food when they’re ready.

8. Support Digestion

Adding digestion support helps.

But: Always consult your vet for proper dosage.

The Real Learning

Summer doesn’t mean: change everything

It means: adjust to your dog

What NOT to Do in Summer (From Experience)

• Don’t overfeed

• Don’t force food

• Don’t stick to the same heavy meals

• Don’t ignore reduced appetite

The Truth

Summer can be tough on our kiddos. But it also teaches you how their body truly works.

Disclaimer:This content is based on my personal experience of raising and caring for my furkids over the last 30+ years. I am not a veterinarian. Every dog is different, and I strongly recommend consulting your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet or routine.

Your Dog Is Not Drinking Enough Water — Here’s Why

Food? We track it. Treats? We monitor it. But water?

That’s where most of us — including us — get it wrong.

I am a pet parent to six lovely furkids, whom I lovingly refer to as my kiddos. Everything I share here comes from over 30 years of raising, learning, experimenting, and sometimes failing with my own dogs.

I’m no saint — I’ve made mistakes, trusted the wrong advice, and learned things the hard way. But over time, we cracked what works when it comes to pet wellness and nutrition.

This blog is not theory. It’s real, lived experience — from my pack to yours.

I think Suki walked into our lives so she could become the perfect example for this blog.

She is the youngest in the family… although Sheru might disagree. In his head — and thanks to Pavithra — he still believes he’s the kid of the house.

The reason Barky Brews exists, to a large extent, is because of this exact problem:

Dogs not drinking enough water or staying properly hydrated.

Here’s what we discovered with our six kiddos — with Suki leading the way.

No Activity

The lesser the activity, the lesser the water intake.

That logic works for us too.

So why do we expect it to be different for them?

Suki, our Shih Tzu, walked into our lives battered, bruised, and blind — her eyes damaged due to severe abuse. She was in really bad shape.

It took multiple surgeries and a lot of care to get her back.

And through all of this… she still trusted us.

That’s what makes them so different from us.

But Suki has one simple funda:

“If I’m not active, don’t expect anything from me.”

She’ll just lie down like a sloth bear… and bark at you.

And here’s what we noticed:

The more she moves, the more she is mentally engaged

The more her water intake increases

Every dog needs an outlet.

They need to:

• move

• engage

• feel that slight exhaustion

Only then does thirst kick in.

If not, don’t blame them — it usually comes back to us.

Mental Activity (This is a Big One)

All my six kiddos don’t just need play…

They need to be mentally challenged.

Like they’re preparing for the CAT exam every single day.

It doesn’t have to be complicated:

• 5 minutes

• 10 minutes

• 20 minutes

That’s enough.

We use simple DIY puzzles.

No fancy toys.

(No, really — I don’t buy those games.)

I’ll write a separate blog on this… and there’s something exciting coming for pet parents worldwide. Mental enrichment is not rocket science.

But it changes everything. Including how much water they drink.

Weather Matters

A lot of us ignore this.

During summer: Water intake naturally increases

But during winter: It drops

And that’s where:

• activity

• mental stimulation

…help you maintain balance.

Then Comes Food

If you are feeding dry kibble…

Trust me, water intake won’t be the issue.

They will gulp water.

But that creates another problem.

Acidity. Gas. Bloating

Why?

Because:

• it’s dry

• it lacks moisture

• often high in salt

I strongly suggest adding one of our juices — especially the Pumpkin one — to blend with kibble and improve hydration.

If your dog is on wet or home-cooked food:

You’re partially covered.

Because: there is already moisture in the food

But if you want to do it right:

• Add broth

• Make it slightly soupy (if your dog likes it — Khushi doesn’t 😄)

• Or add a Barky Brews juice

You can also give broth or brew separately after meals.

One Important Point

If this pattern continues…

Don’t guess.

Do a vet check.

Sometimes, it could be something internal.

The Real Truth

Don’t force water.

Don’t panic.

Create an environment where hydration happens naturally.

Disclaimer: This content is based on my personal experience of raising and caring for my furkids over the last 30+ years. I am not a veterinarian. Every dog is different, and I strongly recommend consulting your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet or routine.