Why is my dog eating less during the monsoon? Causes, tips & when to worry BlepWorld

Why is my dog eating less during the monsoon? Causes, tips & when to worry

How to calm a dog during thunderstorms: 10 ways to reduce storm anxiety Reading Why is my dog eating less during the monsoon? Causes, tips & when to worry 12 minutes
By Ritvi Wadhwani
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Key Takeaways:

  • Mild appetite reduction during monsoon is normal and typically caused by decreased activity, barometric pressure shifts affecting mood and digestion, thunderstorm anxiety, and disrupted daily routines.
  • Barometric pressure drops before storms can cause joint stiffness in senior dogs, slow gut contractions, and trigger psychological distress through static electricity and inaudible low-frequency thunder rumbles.
  • Warming food slightly to body temperature releases aromatic compounds that significantly improve palatability, as dogs rely heavily on smell when deciding whether to eat reluctant meals.
  • Monsoon increases digestive upset risks through faster food spoilage in humid conditions and contaminated puddles, making moisture-rich, easily digestible fresh food a particularly smart seasonal dietary choice.
  • Contact a vet immediately if a dog refuses all food for over 24 hours, shows vomiting, diarrhea, unusual lethargy, abdominal swelling, weight loss, or abnormal water consumption patterns.


If your dog has a mild drop in appetite during the monsoon, it is usually normal and linked to lower activity, disrupted routines, storm anxiety, or barometric pressure shifts. It's rarely a cause for alarm as long as your dog is still drinking water, doing normal activity and eating at least some of their meals. If they refuse all food for more than 24 hours, or show signs like vomiting, lethargy, or weight loss, that’s when you should contact your vet.

Is it normal for dogs to eat less during monsoon?

Yes, a mild decrease in appetite can be normal for some dogs during the rainy season. While the rain or humidity itself doesn't directly suppress appetite, the monsoon often brings changes that can indirectly affect how much your dog wants to eat. Shorter walks, less outdoor play, increased sleeping, loud thunderstorms, and changes to daily routines can all influence appetite. Dogs experiencing storm-related anxiety may also skip or delay meals.

The key is to monitor them closely and look for any other signs of illness.

Why do dogs eat less during the rainy season?

They burn fewer calories

Heavy rain often means fewer walks and less exercise. When dogs are less active, their energy requirements may decrease slightly, making them less eager to finish every meal.

Air pressure changes affect mood and energy

It's not just the rain itself, the drop in atmospheric (barometric) pressure that often comes before and during storms can affect a dog's mood and energy levels. Many dogs become noticeably more lethargic, sleepy, and show less interest in play or food when pressure shifts, even before a storm is visible. In senior dogs, the pressure change and humidity may cause joint tissue to swell a bit and cause joint stiffness and aching. It can also slow down gut contractions and cause mild digestive problems.

Thunderstorms can cause stress

Many dogs are frightened by thunder, lightning, and sudden loud noises. In fact, the physical feeling of pressure changes and the low-frequency rumbles of distant thunder can cause psychological distress. Such stress and anxiety can temporarily reduce appetite, just as they can in people.

Digestive upsets are more common

During monsoon, food spoils faster in warm, humid conditions, and contaminated puddles or standing water can expose dogs to harmful bacteria and waterborne illnesses. Mild stomach upsets may make your dog reluctant to eat, and in more serious cases, contaminated water is a known route for infections that vets watch closely during rainy months. Any diarrhoea, vomiting, or lethargy alongside reduced appetite is worth flagging to your vet rather than waiting it out.

Dry food is harder to digest in humid conditions

High humidity may make dry, ultra-processed dog food less appealing and, for some dogs, harder to digest comfortably. This is one reason many dogs seem to go off dry food specifically during monsoon even when their appetite is otherwise fine. Moisture-rich options like BLEP fresh dog food is light and easy to digest, making it a better choice for the monsoons.

An underlying medical condition

A reduced appetite can also be caused by dental pain, infections, gastrointestinal disease, kidney disease, or other medical problems. If your dog's appetite changes suddenly or remains poor, it's always worth paying attention.

10 ways to encourage your dog to eat during monsoon

1. Don't force-feed

Trying to force your dog to eat can increase stress and create a negative association with mealtimes. Instead, offer food calmly and remove it after 15–20 minutes if they aren't interested.

2. Offer smaller, more frequent meals

A full bowl may seem overwhelming. Smaller portions served two to four times a day are often more appealing to dogs with a reduced appetite.

3. Warm the food slightly

Dogs rely heavily on their sense of smell when deciding whether to eat. Gently warming food to around body temperature enhances its aroma, making it more enticing. Always ensure the food is warm before serving, not hot.

4. Add bone broth as a topper

Adding a little bone broth for dogs in the meal can improve both flavour and moisture, encouraging reluctant dogs while also supporting hydration. Make sure any broth you use is made specifically for dogs. Broths made for humans may contain onions, garlic, spices or salt.

5. Choose moisture-rich food

Moisture-rich fresh dog food like BLEP has a stronger, natural aroma and softer texture than ultra-processed dog food, making it more appealing when your dog has a reduced appetite. They're also easier to digest during a season when stomach upsets are already more common.

6. Adjust portions to your dog's size and activity level

Feeding needs during monsoon aren't one-size-fits-all. Smaller breeds generally need less food overall since they burn less energy, while larger, more active breeds need proportionally more, even if their monsoon activity has dropped. Rather than following a flat portion size, scale meals to your dog's normal daily calorie needs and adjust down slightly only if their activity has genuinely decreased. BLEP’s Diet Calculator for Dogs can help you make a custom meal plan for your dog.

7. Keep a consistent feeding schedule

Even if walks are delayed by the rain, try to feed your dog at roughly the same time every day. Dogs thrive on routine.

8. Turn mealtime into mental stimulation

Less outdoor play often means bored, restless dogs, and boredom can cause a dip in appetite. A puzzle feeder or slow-feeder bowl turns mealtime into a short mental workout, which can rekindle interest in food and burn off some of the restless energy that comes with being indoors more.

9. Limit treats between meals

Too many treats can reduce your dog's appetite for a nutritionally balanced meal. Treats should only make up 10% of the daily calorie intake. Do not increase this in a bid to get them to eat.

10. Ensure fresh water is always available

Some dogs drink less during cooler weather, but staying hydrated remains just as important. Replace water frequently and keep bowls clean. A hydrated pup also eats better.

What foods are best for dogs during monsoon?

The ideal monsoon diet is one that's complete, balanced, easy to digest, and highly palatable.

Fresh dog food made with high-quality ingredients and more moisture is usually the better choice than ultra-processed dog food, since humidity may, in any case, stress out the digestive system. Adding a little warm water or a dog-safe bone broth topper may also improve palatability. Avoid leaving food out for long periods, as bacteria multiply more quickly in warm, humid conditions.

Whatever diet you choose, avoid making multiple sudden food changes at once, as these can upset your dog's stomach.

Should you change your dog's portion size during monsoon?

Yes, but only temporarily, and it should be scaled to your dog's size. The main thing is to not force-feed a dog that doesn't want to eat. If your dog is slightly less active and consistently leaves food behind, reducing portions is alright. Smaller breeds usually don't need much adjustment since their baseline needs are already lower, while larger breeds may need a some portion cut if their activity has dropped noticeably. As their activity level returns to normal, gradually increase portions again.

Rather than focusing only on the bowl, monitor your dog's body weight, energy levels, and overall condition. A healthy dog that eats a little less for a few days is very different from a dog that's losing weight or refusing food altogether.

When should you see a vet?

Contact your veterinarian promptly if your dog:

  • Refuses all food for more than 24 hours (or sooner if they're a puppy or have an existing medical condition)

  • Is vomiting or has diarrhoea

  • Appears unusually tired, weak, or unusually lethargic beyond what a rainy day would explain

  • Has a swollen abdomen or seems to be in pain

  • Is losing weight

  • Drinks significantly more or less water than usual

  • Shows no improvement after a day or two of home care

Loss of appetite is a symptom, not a disease. If it's accompanied by other signs of illness, professional veterinary care is the safest option.

A slight drop in appetite during monsoon isn't unusual, but it's also not something to ignore. Small changes like warming your dog's food, adding a bone broth for dogs, switching to moisture-rich meals, offering smaller portions sized to your dog, and maintaining a consistent routine can often make a big difference. Most importantly, keep an eye on your dog's overall behaviour. If appetite loss persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, don't wait, schedule a visit with your veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my dog eating less during the monsoon?

Changes in activity, routine, barometric pressure, stress from thunderstorms, and mild digestive issues are common reasons. However, persistent appetite loss should always be investigated by a veterinarian.

Should I force my dog to eat?

No. Force-feeding can increase stress and create food aversion. Instead, try making meals more appealing by warming it or putting in some dog-safe bone broth and seek veterinary advice if the problem continues.

Does warming dog food really help?

Yes. Warming food releases aromatic compounds, making it more attractive to dogs that rely heavily on their sense of smell.

Can I add bone broth to my dog's food?

Yes, provided it's formulated for dogs, just like BLEP bone broth for dogs. It doesn't contain onions, garlic, or salt, unlike human broths.

Is fresh dog food better than ultra-processed food during monsoon?

Yes. Ultra-processed dog food is often made of low-quality by-products and derivatives, which may be harder to digest, since a dog's digestion may already be poor during this time. Moisture-rich fresh dog food tends to be gentler on digestion because they are made of high-quality, whole ingredients. The natural aroma also helps their appetite.

Does my dog's size affect how much I should feed them during monsoon?

Yes. Smaller breeds need less food overall since they burn less energy, while larger, more active breeds typically need more. Portion adjustments during monsoon should scale to your dog's normal baseline, not a flat reduction for every dog.

How long can a dog go without eating?

A healthy adult dog may tolerate missing a meal, but refusing food for more than 24 hours should always be discussed with a veterinarian.

Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent, and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.



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