Good post.

I've forgotten about the cold weather, being in FL and not having dogs, but a dog will dehydrate in winter faster than any other time for the reasons you said.

I did essentially what you do: add warm water to the feed.

Also, I had a 5-gal container that I would put 1 chicken bouillon cube in, then fill with warm water ... then every morning, and every evening, I would pour each dog some warm broth water. The bouillon was small enough not to over-saturate the water with salt, and yet just the hint of chicken smell would make the dogs drink their fill.

Great subject for this very cold weather, thanks.

Jack