Did you know that food has energy beyond just calories and nutrients? According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), food also carries energetic properties that can influence your pet’s (yourself included) internal balance. These properties are categorized as Hot, Warm, Neutral, and Cold—and choosing the right energetics can support your pets health, mood, and vitality.

Let’s explore how food energetics work and how you can apply this ancient wisdom to your pet’s modern-day nutrition.

 

What Are Food Energetics?

Food energetics come from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been practiced for over 3,000 years. TCM takes a holistic approach to health by addressing both symptoms and root causes of disease. While traditional Western medicine has a reputation for simply treating the symptoms, TCMs focus on the root cause is the game changer. It combines nutrition, acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork, and mind-body exercises to restore balance and harmony.

 

TCM emphasizes the relationship between yin and yang, opposing forces that coexist in the body and the universe. Foods are classified based on how they affect this balance:

• Yin: coolness, rest, night, moisture, internal focus, femininity

• Yang: warmth, activity, day, dryness, external focus, masculinity

A balanced yin-yang state is essential for optimal health and healing. The goal of energetic feeding is to choose foods that bring your dog back into balance—especially when signs of excess heat or cold are present. 

 

Hot & Warm Energetics

Hot and warm foods move energy outward and upward, warming the body from the inside out. They’re excellent for dogs who run cold or need improved circulation, digestive support, and immune strength.

 Signs Your Dog May Be "Hot" or "Warm" in Nature:

• Seeks cool places to lay on (tile floor, shade)

• Red eyes, tongue, or skin

• Panting even at rest

• Persistent thirst

• Skin irritations or hot spots

• Food sensitivities

• Dry, flaky skin

• Anxiety or restlessness

• Warm ears when at rest

• Prone to seasonal allergies

Health Tip: Dogs with chronic inflammation, allergies, or excessive panting may benefit from more cooling or neutral foods to offset excess internal heat.

 

 Warm/Hot Energetic Foods:

• Chicken, Venison, Lamb & Mutton, Goat, Trout, Ostrich

• Green-Lipped Mussels
  

• Cinnamon, Ginger, Turmeric, Calendula, Garlic, Parsley

• Oats, Sorghum, Sweet Potato

• St. John's Wort, Milk Thistle

• Rosemary, Fennel, Peppercorns, Soybeans

Note: Use warming foods cautiously if your dog already shows signs of excess heat.

 

  Neutral Energetics

Neutral foods are balanced and stabilizing. They don't create heat or cold, making them ideal for dogs in good health or those who swing between imbalances. Neutral foods are also great for seasonal feeding, helping support the body’s natural rhythms.

Signs of a Neutral Dog:

• Adaptable and easygoing

• Even temperament

• No strong signs of heat or cold imbalances

• Healthy digestion and energy

Health Tip: Use neutral foods as a base and adjust with warming or cooling options as needed. For example, if allergies develop in spring, you can add cooling herbs or proteins temporarily.

Neutral Energetic Foods:

• Beef, Quail, Tripe, Bison, Salmon, Herring, Mackerel

• Carrots, Pumpkin, Green Beans, Cabbage, Potatoes, Shiitake Mushrooms

• Papaya, Raspberry, Pomegranate

• Cheese (raw & natural), Raw Cow Milk (if tolerated)

• Herbs: Goldenseal, Slippery Elm, Yarrow, Olive Leaf

 

Cooling Energetics

Cooling foods move energy inward and downward, nourishing yin and clearing excess heat. They are ideal for dogs with hot or warm temperaments and those suffering from inflammation, allergies, or irritability.

Water-based and low-activity animals tend to have cooler energy, so foods from water environments often have a cooling effect.

Signs Your Dog May Be "Cool" in Nature:

• Seeks warm environments (sunbathing, under blankets)

• Becomes sluggish or stiff in cold weather

• Timid or shy temperament

• Runny nose or watery eyes in cold weather

Health Tip: Many senior dogs shift toward cold energetics with age. Consider warming foods in colder months to maintain energy and digestion.

Cooling Energetic Foods:

• Rabbit, Duck & Duck Eggs, White Fish, Pollock, Clams

• Broccoli, Celery, Mung Beans, Watermelon, Strawberries

• Kelp, Spirulina, Dandelion Leaf, Peppermint, Wheatgrass, Buckwheat, Barley, Millet
  

Caution: Not all foods on this list are suitable for every dog. Always consult your vet or a certified pet nutritionist before introducing new proteins or herbs.

 

How to Use Food Energetics at Home

• Observe Your Dog: Pay attention to behavior, physical signs, and environmental preferences.

• Start Slowly: Introduce one new food at a time and watch for reactions. Typically allow a week or more to pass before introducing another new food.  Sometimes your pets body may take a few days to start showing a reaction. 

• Feed Seasonally:

  • Winter → more warming foods

  • Summer → more cooling foods

  • Spring/Fall → mostly neutral with subtle shifts

• Use Whole Foods: Prioritize fresh, minimally processed ingredients whenever possible.

• Work With a Pro: Partner with a holistic vet or TCM-trained practitioner for personalized guidance.

 

Food energetics is a powerful tool for supporting your dog’s well-being. While this introduction just scratches the surface, it’s a great starting point for exploring a more holistic, intuitive approach to feeding your pet.

Remember: Everything is connected.
Mind, body, spirit, and diet all play a role in your dog’s overall health. Balancing food energetics helps maintain harmony in the body and strengthens your pet’s natural healing ability.

So next time you're planning your dog’s meal, don’t just ask what to feed—ask why, and see how your dog thrives when food works in energetic harmony with their unique nature.

 

Resources

• Find a Holistic Vet Near You – AHVMA.org