Dog Nutrition Week | The Yin and Yang of Dog Food

photo: AMagill

Yesterday, I wrote about the different raw food diet models.

Monday, I shared that in my research about the raw food diet for dogs and The Honest Kitchen, I discovered that there are cooling and warming dog food ingredients (this applies to humans too, I think) and how they can contribute to our dogs’ health and comfort.  I stumbled upon a site that explained the yin and yang of dog food:

Source: The Yin and Yang of Food, Posted by Dr. Tracy Lord D.V.M. on Aug 3rd, 2007

The yin and yang of pets

Some characteristics of a hot natured, yang, animal ….

These animals are often nervous and on edge. They may have a red tongue, pant excessively and seek cool floors on which to lie. Often you will note that these animals have very poor energy in summer heat, and show signs of excessive thirst. They will avoid warm beds, couches or carpets. These animals tend to get more acute, sudden illnesses with intense symptoms which go as quickly as they came.

This characteristic makes me think of all of our dogs, but especially Rodrigo, who has been the most prone to allergies and gastrointestinal issues with dog food.  Sydney gets rashes (red skin) in her arm pit area and had that trouble earlier this year with her vajayjay (she’s doing great, by the way).  Blue was getting rashes on his tummy that finally cleared up last fall.

Some characteristics of a cold natured, yin, animal ……

These animals will be cool, calm and collected. They may have a pale tongue which is often wet. They may prefer warm places to sleep, or wish to be covered or cuddled for warmth. These animals generally do not like to be out in the winter but will bake themselves in the sun or in front of the fire place until you fear they may combust. Cold natured animals tend to be more slow moving and sleepy and may catch colds frequently.

The Temperature of Foods

Food also has tendencies toward yin or yang. The temperature or thermal nature of foods does not refer to the temperature at which the food is served, but the way the food makes the body feel once consumed. Cooling foods can cool both the body and the psyche. Conversely warming or hot foods will affect the entire body as well. Foods, like bodies, all have BOTH yin and yang properties, but some have more of one and some more of the other.

Warming foods are often used to aid digestion. They can also improve circulation and may help ease the pain of arthritis if it is worse in cold weather.

Examples Of Warming Foods : tuna, turkey, salmon, lamb, venison, chicken, chicken liver, shrimp, trout, oats, cabbage, squash, kale, quinoa, dried ginger

Cooling foods will calm the mind and cool the body. They can also be useful when inflammation is a problem.

Examples Of Cooling Foods: clams, duck, egg, tofu, prok, millet, barley, wheat, whole wheat bread, lettuce, celery, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kelp, banana

Neutral foods are the harmonizers of the diet and are often added to balance or temper the more extreme qualities of other foods.

Examples Of Neutral Foods: beef, beef liver, chicken gizzards, rabbit, sardine, string beans, aduki beans, kidney beans, yam, polenta, rice, corn, rye, potato, beet, turnip, carrot, eggs, cod, brown rice

Foods that Moisten or Dry

In addition to their thermal properties, foods can moisten or dry, clear excesses or stimulate in cases of deficiency.

• Examples Of Foods That Moisten: potato, sardines, tofu, wheat, pork, mussel, citrus, barley, , string beans, dairy
• Examples Of Foods That Dry: lettuce, turnip, asparagus, amaranth, rye, mackerel, celery, garlic

Update:  Dr. Alinovi shared this on my Facebook page, which I found interesting and has inspired me to continue learning more about warming and cooling foods and Chinese medicine for our dogs.

With this in mind, I realized that this is a complicated topic and I was glad that I was taking the time to do the research.  I would love to hear your thoughts on warming and cooling foods?  Is this new to you too?

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