Crash Course in Food Energetics for Dogs

Let’s Feed with the Seasons

When It’s Time to Warm Up or Cool Down

Ever notice how we crave different foods in different seasons? A cozy soup in winter, a crisp salad in summer, it’s our body’s way of keeping balance. Our pets? They feel that too.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this concept is called food energetics and it's gaining momentum in holistic pet care. Simply put, foods have energetic properties that can either warm, cool, or neutralize the body. Feeding based on those qualities, along with your pet’s current needs, can help create balance, support healing and even prevent illness.

🔥 What Are Warming and Cooling Foods?

• Cooling (Yin) foods: These help clear heat and inflammation. Think duck, rabbit, fish, leafy greens, and watermelon.

• Warming (Yang) foods: These energize and warm the body, great in colder weather or for pets with sluggish energy. Think chicken, lamb, venison, oats, and sweet potato.

• Neutral foods: Like beef or pork, they support without pushing too far in either direction.

🧠 What Does “Hot” or “Cold” Actually Look Like?

Not sure what "hot" or "cold" means in your pet? Here's a quick cheat sheet:

• Hot dogs and cats often have:
  
  
  • Red or inflamed skin
    
    
  • Restlessness or panting at night
    
    
  • Preference for cool floors or avoiding blankets
    
    
  • Hot ears, paws, or belly
    
    
• Cold pets may show:
  
  
  • Slower movement or stiffness, especially in the morning
    
    
  • Seeking warmth—blankets, laps, sunbeams
    
    
  • Cold paws, nose, or ears
    
    
  • Digestive sluggishness or lower appetite in colder months
    

🐾 When to Use What

Hot pets? Itchy, red skin, panting, inflammation, or allergies? Try incorporating cooling foods like duck, spinach, or berries to soothe the system.

Cold pets? Low energy, stiffness, cool paws or ears? Warming foods like lamb, pumpkin, or turmeric can help boost circulation and support vitality.

Neutral pets? If your floof is in great shape, you may not need to adjust much. Just rotate seasonally and observe how they do.

Balance is key
Don’t overdo one side, an all-warming or all-cooling diet can create imbalances.

Even healthy foods can throw things off when used excessively. For example, too many warming ingredients in an already “hot” dog can worsen inflammation, just like overcooling a senior dog might affect their digestion or energy levels.

❄️ A Bonus Tip About Feeding Raw:

Some pets may do better on cooked or lightly warmed foods in colder months, especially if they tend to run cold. If you're feeding raw anytime of the year, always ensure you are bringing the food to room temperature (never microwaving) or adding warming toppers like bone broth, turmeric, or sweet potato.

⚠️ When NOT to Use Food Energetics Alone

It’s important to note: food energetics can support health, but they’re not a standalone treatment for serious conditions like infections, cancer, or immune dysregulation.

For example, if your dog is itchy due to yeast, simply feeding cooling foods won’t resolve it. You need to address the root cause, often gut imbalances or dietary triggers. Energetics can be layered in once that foundation is addressed.

🌿 Easy Ways to Start

• 🌞 Summer tip: Add cooling foods like blueberries, cucumber, or sardines to the bowl.

• ❄️ Winter tip: Incorporate warming foods like sweet potato, lamb, or cinnamon (a pinch is plenty).

• 🧭 Always: Observe your pet. Their behavior, digestion, and energy will guide you more than any chart ever could.

❤️ We’re Here to Help

If you’re curious whether your pet runs “hot” or “cold,” or which foods might help them feel their best this season, swing by the store or send us a message. We’ll help you understand how to gently use food energetics to support your floof’s health naturally, without overcomplicating it.

To happy guts, balanced bowls, and pets who feel as good as they look,