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