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Understanding Food Energetics in Dogs: Cooling vs. Warming Proteins

A guide to feeding with intention, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine

We believe food should do more than just fill your dog’s belly. It should support their body and help them thrive in the environment they live in. That’s why we’re big fans of food energetics, a concept rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that looks at how different foods affect the body’s internal balance.

In this post, we’ll break down the basics of food energetics, explore what "cooling" and "warming" proteins really mean, and help you choose ingredients that support your dog’s health through the seasons.

TCM and Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) are deep and complex systems with centuries of history. While this is only a simplified overview, it offers a helpful starting point for understanding the basics and making thoughtful adjustments that may support your dog’s health.

Let’s dive in.

🌿 What Is Food Energetics?

Food energetics is the idea that each ingredient carries a specific energetic effect on the body. This is not about calories or nutrients in the Western sense. It’s about how a food influences internal temperature, energy flow, digestion, and organ systems.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, all foods fall along a spectrum of warming, neutral, or cooling. These properties affect the balance of yin and yang in the body. For dogs, the right energetic balance can help reduce inflammation, support digestion, improve circulation, and manage chronic conditions more naturally.

🧊 Cooling vs. 🔥 Warming Proteins: What’s the Difference?

Let’s look at what these terms really mean and which dogs may benefit from each type.

🔥 Warming Proteins

Warming foods build internal heat. They’re stimulating and increase circulation. These proteins are ideal for dogs who tend to run cold, have lower energy, or live in cooler climates.

Examples of warming proteins:

  • Lamb

  • Venison

  • Chicken (mildly warming)

  • Trout

  • Goat

Good for dogs who are:

  • Sluggish or low-energy

  • Prone to stiffness or arthritis in cold weather

  • Recovering from illness or injury

  • Living in cold or damp climates

  • Lean and underweight

Signs your dog may benefit from warming foods:

  • Seeks warmth or burrows under blankets

  • Has a cold nose or ears

  • Appears tired or slow to get moving

  • Prefers sunbathing or heated spots

🧊 Cooling Proteins

Cooling foods reduce internal heat. They help calm inflammation and are especially helpful for dogs with allergies, skin conditions, or digestive heat.

Examples of cooling proteins:

  • Duck

  • Rabbit

  • White fish (cod, pollock)

  • Pork (mildly cooling)

  • Turkey (neutral to mildly cooling)

Good for dogs who are:

  • Prone to itching or hot spots

  • Overheated easily

  • Living in hot climates or during summer months

  • Inflamed or allergic

  • Anxious or restless

Signs your dog may benefit from cooling foods:

  • Excessive panting

  • Red skin or eyes

  • Hot spots or inflamed paws

  • Itchy ears or chronic ear infections

  • Restlessness, pacing, or irritability

⚖️ Neutral Proteins

Neutral proteins help maintain balance and can be fed to most dogs regularly. They’re a good base for dogs without strong energetic needs in one direction or the other.

Examples of neutral proteins:

  • Beef

  • Bison

  • Eggs

  • Quail

🌞 Feeding With the Seasons

One of the most practical ways to use food energetics is by adjusting your dog’s meals based on the time of year.

  • Spring and Summer: Dogs are more likely to overheat or experience seasonal allergies. This is a great time to incorporate cooling proteins like duck or white fish, along with moisture-rich fruits and vegetables.

  • Fall and Winter: Cooler months call for more warmth. Warming proteins like lamb or venison can support circulation and comfort, especially for senior dogs or those with joint stiffness.

Just like we crave different foods in summer and winter, your dog’s body benefits from seasonal variety too.

🌿 How We Apply Food Energetics

We keep food energetics in mind when we formulate our bars and meals and we aim to provide appropriate proteins based on the season. Our duck-based recipes offer a cooling option for dogs with allergies or inflammation. Our bison-based bars provide a neutral source of strength and energy, ideal for most dogs and all seasons. And our herbal supplements further support energetic balance, from calming blends to joint and immune support.

We’re not here to tell you one way to feed your dog. We’re here to help you feed more intentionally.

🐶 How to Start Using Food Energetics at Home

You don’t need to change everything overnight. Start with small adjustments based on what you observe in your dog.

  1. Watch for signs of heat or cold imbalance in your dog’s body and behavior.

  2. Match their current needs to the right protein type—cooling, warming, or neutral.

  3. Adjust with the seasons and observe how your dog responds.

  4. Support with herbs that align with your dog’s constitution and activity level.

And always remember: no one knows your dog better than you do.

Want help choosing the right protein or herb blend for your dog?

Reach out to our team or explore our food and supplement options for seasonally smart, energetically supportive choices.

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