Doggie Diets: What’s Really Best for Your Pet?

As a dog owner, you want your furry friend to live their best life possible. Along with plenty of exercise, enriching activities, and lots of pets and cuddles, what you put in their bowls matters! 

That said, finding the right doggie diet can be overwhelming. What should you choose between raw, kibble, grain-free, wet, homemade, and other diets? 

There’s no one-size-fits-all diet. Every dog has unique needs based on their breed, age, activity level, and health conditions. Even Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that diet should be tailored to balance energy, digestion, and overall wellness. 

So, let’s break down the different types of dog diets, their pros and cons, and how TCM can guide you toward the best choice.

The TCM Approach to Dog Nutrition

Before we dive into the different types of dog food, let’s get a better understanding of dog food ingredients, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine nutrition. 

TCM nutrition is entirely individual-based. There is no one-size-fits-all diet for humans or pets; instead we consider your dog’s constitution and symptoms to find balancing solutions. Here’s how TCM principles can guide you:

• Warm vs. Cooling Foods
  Some dogs run “hot” (panting, red tongue, excessive energy) and need cooling foods like turkey, fish, and duck. Others run “cold” (lethargic, weak digestion) and benefit from warming foods like lamb, chicken, and ginger.
  

• Strengthening Digestion
  Weak digestion in TCM often stems from a deficient spleen or stomach. Cooked, easy-to-digest foods are preferred over raw for these dogs.
  

• Avoiding Dampness
  Overly processed diets can lead to internal dampness. In TCM, this manifests as skin issues, chronic ear infections, or sluggishness. Whole foods help combat this!

Popular Types of Dog Diets: Pros & Cons

Many pet owners choose their dog’s diet based on convenience or price. Unfortunately, the supermarket’s selection may not always offer the top choice for your pet’s long-term health. Let’s explore the most common feeding options and how they affect your pup’s well-being.

1. Dry Kibble

• Pros: Convenient, affordable, and has a long shelf life. The crunchy texture can help maintain dental health.
  

• Cons: Dry kibble is often highly processed and often contains fillers or artificial ingredients.
  

• TCM’s Take: Dry food can be too “warming” or cause excessive heat or inflammation in some dogs, leading to itchy skin or digestive issues. If you feed kibble, choose a high-quality brand with whole-food ingredients and supplement with moisture-rich foods.
  

2. Wet/Canned Food

• Pros: Higher moisture content makes it easier to digest and more appealing to picky eaters.
  

• Cons: Shorter shelf life once opened, and it is often more expensive.
  

• TCM’s Take: Wet food can be a great choice for dogs with Yin deficiency (those with dry skin, excessive thirst, a red tongue, or many senior dogs). The added moisture supports hydration and digestion.
  

3. Raw Diet (BARF - Biologically Appropriate Raw Food)

• Pros: This diet mimics a natural ancestral diet with high protein content and minimal processing. It consists of raw meat, bones, organs, and occasionally fruits, vegetables, and supplements.
  

• Cons: BARF requires careful preparation to avoid bacterial contamination and may lack essential nutrients if not properly balanced.
  

• TCM’s Take: Raw food is considered cooling, which can be great for dogs with excessive heat (constant panting, restlessness, inflammation). However, it may be too cold for some, leading to weak digestion. Adding warming herbs like ginger or cinnamon can help.
  

4. Cooked Whole Food Diet

• Pros: Fresh, nutritious, and customizable to your dog’s needs. A cooked whole food diet can be easier to digest than raw food.
  

• Cons: Requires more preparation time and may need supplementation to ensure complete nutrition.
  

• TCM’s Take: Cooked whole foods strike a balance between Yin and Yang, making them ideal for most dogs. Lightly cooking meals can improve digestibility and nutrient absorption.
  

5. Vegetarian/Vegan Diets

• Pros: May work for dogs with meat allergies or sensitivities and can be nutritionally complete if carefully formulated.
  

• Cons: Dogs are omnivores and typically thrive on animal protein, so nutrient deficiencies are a common risk with these diets.
  

• TCM’s Take: Vegetarian diets are cooling and may work for dogs with excessive heat. However, they can weaken the blood and Qi over time if not supplemented correctly.

6. Grain-Free Diets

• Pros: A common choice for dogs with grain sensitivities or allergies, and often lower in carbohydrates. Many conventional dog foods contain inflammatory grains as fillers, and this diet helps avoid those.
  

• Cons: Some grain-free formulas rely heavily on legumes, which can lead to an imbalance in key amino acids found in grains necessary for heart health.
  

• TCM’s Take: In TCM, grains are not considered bad unless your pet has an allergy to them. Properly prepared grains like rice, millet, and quinoa can be nourishing and often support good digestive health.

Choosing the Best Diet for Your Dog

Ready to feed Fido the best? 

The truth is, the best diet is one that fits your dog’s individual needs. Instead of getting caught up in fads, focus on high-quality, whole-food nutrition that supports their overall well-being.  

If you’re unsure where to start, consider incorporating lightly cooked meals and appropriate TCM tinctures into your dog’s meal routine. If you need more guidance, it’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about what diet is best for their needs.