How Much Food to Feed Your Dog in Chicago Winter
***(Cold = Higher Calories)
This past weekend was the last perfect fall day we’ll probably see in Chicago: 60 °F, bright sun, zero humidity. My husband and I grabbed the e-bikes, cruised the lakefront trail, and ended at La Cantina in the South Loop for shrimp cocktail and the best guacamole in the city. There’s nothing better than a sunny adventure and a shared meal with someone you love.
Winter is coming (yes, Game of Thrones style), and while I’m dreaming of cozy chili nights and hot saunas, your dog is quietly burning extra calories just to stay warm on those −20 °F wind-chill walks to the corner. So before we all disappear under blankets and Uber Eats, let’s settle the #1 question I get every November: “How much more food should I actually be feeding my dog when Chicago turns into a freezer?”
The Simple, Vet-Backed Rule
For every 10 °F the temperature drops below 50 °F, your dog needs roughly 7–12 % more calories to maintain body heat and energy. The vets at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital put it simply: “Just like humans, pets may require more calories during colder weather to maintain their body temperature. The energy expended to stay warm can result in increased metabolic rates.”¹
Go Denser, Not Bigger (The Raw Feeder Way)
Don’t just dump more food in the bowl and hope for the best. Winter is the perfect time to swap in richer, higher-bioavailability ingredients that pack way more calories and nutrients per gram. Same volume, way warmer dog, zero love handles by March. Here are the absolute best calorie-dense, nutrient-packed upgrades you can toss in this winter (mix and match — no brand loyalty required):
Fatty cuts & trimmings – pork shoulder, brisket trim, 80/20 ground beef, lamb breast, duck frames, skin-on chicken thighs. Fat = instant internal furnace.
Whole raw eggs (with shell if your dog tolerates calcium) – 70–90 kcal per egg + lecithin, biotin, and healthy cholesterol for skin/coat.
Sardines, mackerel, or anchovies in water (canned is fine) – 50–80 kcal + EPA/DHA omega-3s that beat fish-oil pills every time.
Beef or lamb liver (fresh or freeze-dried) – vitamin A, iron, B12, copper. A single ounce is a multivitamin on steroids.
Heart (beef, lamb, chicken) – taurine, CoQ10, and collagen for muscle repair and strong ticker.
Green tripe (fresh or freeze-dried) – enzymes, probiotics, manganese, and B-vitamins. Smells awful, works miracles.
Bone marrow or knuckle bones – pure fat + minerals. Great for mental enrichment on blizzard days.
Duck necks or turkey necks – higher fat than chicken, plus natural glucosamine for creaky joints.
Raw goat milk or kefir (small amounts) – probiotics + easy calories for picky eaters or seniors.
Canned jack mackerel or pink salmon (bones in) – cheap, shelf-stable, loaded with omega-3s and calcium.
Pro move: keep a “winter topper jar” in the fridge — a mix of crumbled freeze-dried liver, heart, tripe, and a few crushed eggshells. One tablespoon = 50–80 extra calories and a full nutrient punch. Your local butcher, ethnic markets, and even places like Restaurant Depot or Pete’s Fresh Market usually have most of these for pennies compared to boutique brands. Stock up now while they’re still thawed and cheap. Raw already wins on bioavailability, so every gram of these upgrades goes straight to work keeping your dog warm, glossy, and moving like the temperature never dropped. That’s winter feeding done right: denser, smarter, happier dogs.
Quick Winter Checklist
Weigh your dog monthly — ribs should still be easily felt.
Increase calories gradually as the temperature drops.
Watch the poop: firm and small = perfect.
Offer warm water or bone broth on the coldest days (they’ll drink more when the air is desert-dry).
And just like that, you’ve turned Chicago’s brutal winter into the perfect excuse to feed your dog the densest, most nutrient-packed meals of the year. So grab an extra pack of hearts, toss in that sardine, and let’s make this the coziest, healthiest winter yet.Stay warm out there, Chicago raw fam. The lakefront will still be waiting when the thaw finally hits.
¹ Family Friends Veterinary Hospital, “Seasonal Pet Nutrition: Adjusting Your Pet’s Diet for Colder Weather,” Nov 2023
Still want a second opinion or a basic calculator? Omni Calculator has one here (though it’s not built for Chicago windchill ): https://www.omnicalculator.com/biology/dog-bmi
Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for general educational purposes only and is based on our experience feeding raw diets in Chicago’s extreme weather. Every dog is different. Before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet—especially increasing calories, adding new proteins, or feeding raw eggs, bones, or organs—consult your veterinarian to ensure it’s appropriate for your dog’s age, health conditions, activity level, and individual needs. Crudo Raw and its owners are not veterinarians and do not diagnose, treat, or prescribe. You assume full responsibility for your dog’s diet and health.
