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Eastern food therapy, rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is gaining popularity among pet owners who seek holistic and natural approaches to enhance their dogs' health and well-being. This ancient practice emphasises the importance of diet in maintaining balance and harmony within the body, and it can offer significant benefits for our pets. According to Eastern food therapy, any unnatural health condition in the body is due to some type of imbalance. Therefore, the goal of Eastern food therapy is to bring your pet’s body back into balance. Let’s explore the principles of Eastern food therapy and learn to incorporate its practices into your dog's diet to promote their overall health, longevity, and quality of life.
Eastern food therapy is based on the concept that food is medicine. It considers the energetic properties of foods, such as their warming or cooling effects, and how these properties can affect the body’s balance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body’s health is seen as a state of balance between Yin (cooling) and Yang (warming) energies. Foods are categorised based on their effects on these energies and their ability to tonify (strengthen), cleanse, or balance the body's organs and systems.
The Yin and Yang theory is a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Eastern food therapy. It represents the duality and balance of opposite forces within the body and the universe. Yin and Yang are interconnected and interdependent, and maintaining their balance is essential for health and well-being.
Yin and Yang Explained
Yin is associated with qualities such as coolness, darkness, receptivity, and passivity. In the body, Yin represents structures like the organs and tissues, and functions such as rest and nourishment. Foods with Yin properties are generally cooling, moistening, and help to calm and nourish the body.
Yang is characterised by warmth, light, activity, and stimulation. It corresponds to the body’s functional aspects, such as metabolism, circulation, and energy. Yang foods are typically warming, energising, and help to activate and stimulate bodily functions.
In the context of a dog’s diet, balancing Yin and Yang involves selecting foods that counteract any imbalances or deficiencies. For instance, a dog with excessive Yang (heat, hyperactivity) may benefit from more Yin (cooling, calming) foods, while a dog with excessive Yin (coldness, lethargy) may need more Yang (warming, energising) foods.
Another core principle of Eastern food therapy is the Five Elements Theory, which connects different foods to specific organs and bodily functions. The five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, each corresponding to particular organs and meridians. By understanding the relationship between foods and these elements, you can tailor your dog’s diet to support their specific health needs.
The Five Elements Theory is closely intertwined with the Yin and Yang principles, providing a more detailed framework for understanding and balancing the body’s energies. Each of the five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—has Yin and Yang aspects, and they correspond to specific organs, emotions, and functions within the body.
Wood (Liver and Gallbladder)
The Wood element is associated with growth, movement, and flexibility. Its Yin aspect is the Liver, responsible for storing blood and maintaining smooth energy flow, while its Yang aspect is the Gallbladder, aiding in digestion and bile secretion. Foods supporting Wood should balance these aspects, promoting detoxification and energy flow.
Fire (Heart and Small Intestine)
Fire symbolises warmth, passion, and transformation. The Heart (Yin) governs blood circulation and emotional well-being, while the Small Intestine (Yang) assists in nutrient absorption and waste elimination. To nourish Fire, include foods that enhance cardiovascular health and emotional balance.
Earth (Spleen and Stomach)
Earth represents stability, nourishment, and digestion. The Spleen (Yin) processes nutrients and supports immunity, and the Stomach (Yang) breaks down food. Balancing Earth involves foods that strengthen digestion and nutrient assimilation.
Metal (Lungs and Large Intestine)
Metal is linked to structure, clarity, and respiration. The Lungs (Yin) regulate breathing and immune defence, and the Large Intestine (Yang) handles waste removal. Foods for Metal should support respiratory health and proper elimination.
Water (Kidneys and Bladder)
Water denotes fluidity, adaptability, and the foundation of life. The Kidneys (Yin) manage fluid balance and energy reserves, and the Bladder (Yang) controls urine excretion. Nourishing Water requires foods that maintain hydration and kidney health.
Assessing Your Dog’s Constitution
Understanding whether your dog has a Yin or Yang dominance helps tailor their diet. Signs of Yin dominance (coldness, low energy) call for warming Yang foods like lamb and ginger. Conversely, signs of Yang dominance (heat, hyperactivity) benefit from cooling Yin foods like cucumber and fish. Each dog has unique characteristics and tendencies that can indicate a dominance of either Yin or Yang. Here are some guidelines to help you assess your dog's constitution:
Yin Dominance
Dogs with a Yin dominance often exhibit signs of coldness and lower energy levels. These dogs may:
Yang Dominance
Dogs with a Yang dominance typically display signs of heat and high energy. These dogs may:
Yang-dominant dogs are often prone to overheating, inflammation, and hyperactivity. Cooling (Yin) foods can help balance their constitution and alleviate these symptoms.
Choose Proteins According to Dog’s Constitution
In Eastern food therapy, different types of meat are considered to have either warming or cooling properties, which can influence the overall energetic balance of the food.
Warming meats are considered Yang in nature and are beneficial for dogs with a Yin dominance (coldness, low energy). These meats help to increase body heat and energy levels:
Neutral meats are neither particularly warming or cooling and can be used for balancing diets where no strong energetic influence is needed. Neutral proteins are:
Cooling meats are considered Yin in nature and are suitable for dogs with a Yang dominance (heat, hyperactivity). These meats help to reduce body heat and calm the system:
Incorporate Element-Specific Foods
By identifying which of the Five Elements your dog needs support with, you can choose appropriate foods. For instance, if your dog has respiratory issues (Metal), you might incorporate foods like pears and almonds that nourish the Lungs and Large Intestine. It is important to note that there are different food groupings which come not only from differing opinions but also complexities within the theory that leave a particular food open to interpretation. In general, it is recommended to eat foods which follow the basic tastes which correspond to the element that you are trying to strengthen.
Seasonal Adjustments
Aligning your dog’s diet with seasonal changes helps maintain their Yin-Yang balance and support the corresponding elements. Singapore is generally hot and humid all year round. For pets living in a country with four seasons, in winter (Water season), emphasise warming foods that support the Kidneys, like black beans and chicken. In summer (Fire season), focus on cooling foods to prevent overheating, such as watermelon and leafy greens.
Monitoring and Adapting
Regularly observing your dog’s behaviour, energy levels, and overall health can guide dietary adjustments. For example, if your dog appears more lethargic in colder months, introducing more Yang foods can help restore balance.
Eastern food therapy offers a holistic and natural approach to improving your dog’s health and well-being. Learn the warming and cooling properties of different meats so you can better tailor your dog's diet to their specific energetic needs, enhance their energy and vitality, and manage chronic conditions. For dogs with diagnosed medical conditions, always consider consulting with a veterinarian, especially one knowledgeable in Eastern food therapy or holistic pet care, to ensure you are making the best dietary choices for your dog.
I have a mini poodle called Diva weight 4kg she will be 4 years old this coming 1st Oct. She keeps biting her 2 front paws fur for the past 2 months no idea what causes it. When we play throw and fetch in the house, she could run less than 5 minutes only feeling exhausted and start to lay down. We cook white fish with vegetables in the morning and night, due to her itchiness the vet advise us to stop cooking chicken, her furs is quite dry and starts to scratch after 3rd days of shower.
Please advise Diva needs “YIN or YANG DOMINANCE” and also recommend me some foods that is ready cooked but no Beef is allowed.
Thank-You.
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Good Dog People
September 16, 2024
Hi Jamine,
It sounds like Diva is suffering from some allergies.
Without a proper health background on Diva, we’ll have to make certain assumptions. Since the vet has recommended that Diva stay away from chicken, we will assume that Diva’s condition is due to food sensitivities and not environmental allergies.
Allergies is an inflammatory condition . In eastern food therapy, inflammation if often seen as “heatiness”. So the recommended proteins are typically cooling or neutral like duck, pork and white fish. In this case, choosing a novelty protein is also recommended, meaning, a protein that Diva has never eaten before. The diet must be single protein and hypoallergenic.
There are many brands of fresh cooked diet that Diva can try:
1. Prime100 has cooked diets that are hypoallergenic like https://gooddogpeople.com/collections/prime100/products/prime100-spd-single-protein-diets-slow-cooked-wet-dog-food-kangaroo-pumpkin. (assuming Diva has never tasted kangaroo before)
2. Another option is this steamed cooked diet – https://gooddogpeople.com/collections/prime100/products/prime100-spd-limited-ingredients-steam-cooked-frozen-dog-food-duck-sweet-potato
3. If you’d like to stick to whitefish, the Providog whitefish recipe has limited ingredients. Less ingredients often means lower risk of triggering an allergic reaction. On top of this, all the ingredients are fresh, natural. No chemical fillers or preservatives added. https://gooddogpeople.com/collections/fresh-cooked-and-raw-dog-food/products/providog-gently-cooked-dog-food-whitefish
4. The Grateful Pet Cooked Duck or Pork are possible options too. Grateful Pet also uses mainly fresh, natural ingredients. Their diets often include superfoods like reishi mushroom and curcumin that may help to reduce inflammation and itch: https://gooddogpeople.com/collections/the-grateful-pet/products/the-grateful-pet-gently-cooked-crate-free-pork-fresh-frozen-dog-food and https://gooddogpeople.com/collections/the-grateful-pet/products/the-grateful-pet-gently-cooked-cage-free-duck-dog-food
In addition to the above, if you’re considering supplements, here are some supplements that may benefit Diva.
1. Rose hip powder https://gooddogpeople.com/products/the-barkery-organic-rose-hip-powder-dog-treats?variant=12669112254541 OR Turmeric (curcumin) https://gooddogpeople.com/products/the-barkery-golden-turmeric-paste-dog-supplements to help with the skin itching.
2. Holy Cap https://gooddogpeople.com/collections/dog-skin-coat-care/products/holy-cap-mushroom-powered-supplement-for-dogs-skin-coat to reduce inflammation. This blend has calming agent like ashwagandha to help the dog keep mentally calm as well. Some dogs may get agitated with chronic itching.
We hope this helps!