Cooling Dog Food Recipe with Duck

If your dog runs warm, pants easily, or struggles with allergies and inflammation, this recipe might be exactly what they need - a cooling raw diet featuring rabbit and beef.

This recipe was formulated using Animal Diet Formulator (ADF) software for a 55-lb spayed, semi-active dog who eats 1.375 lbs of food daily. It’s perfectly balanced over a 7-day period to meet NRC nutrient standards, and it’s a beautiful example of how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles and modern nutritional science can work hand-in-hand.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), foods have energetic properties that influence the body’s internal balance - they’re categorized as hot, warm, neutral, cool, or cold.

A “cooling” food helps reduce internal heat and inflammation. It can calm redness, itching, restlessness, and excess energy.

Dogs that benefit from cooling foods often show signs like:

By incorporating cooling proteins (like rabbit) and balancing them with neutral or slightly warming ingredients, we can help bring the body back to equilibrium. Other cooling proteins include duck, white fish (like cod or pollock), turkey, and certain shellfish, all of which help calm inflammation, reduce internal heat, and support dogs prone to allergies or anxiety according to TCM principles.

Formulated using Animal Diet Formulator for a 55-lb spayed, semi-active dog

Feeds: 1.375 lbs per day (over a 10-day period)

Duck is an underrated protein source that can offer big benefits for many dogs — especially those with food sensitivities or dogs who get bored with the “same old, same old” proteins.

1. Great for Dogs with Allergies or Sensitivities
Because duck isn’t used as often in commercial dog food, many dogs haven’t been overexposed to it. That makes it a fantastic option for pups who react to common proteins like chicken or beef.

2. Rich in High-Quality Protein
Duck is packed with amino acids that help maintain lean muscle, support healing, and fuel your dog’s daily adventures — whether that’s zoomies, fetch, or supervising the neighborhood from the window.

3. Naturally Higher in Healthy Fats
Duck has more fat than chicken or turkey, making it an excellent energy source. These healthy fats also support skin and coat health, helping your dog stay moisturized from the inside out.

4. Nutrient-Dense and Highly Bioavailable
Duck contains iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins — all essential for immune support, thyroid health, and energy metabolism. Even picky eaters tend to enjoy duck because it’s aromatic and flavorful.

5. Ideal for Rotation Diets
Rotating proteins helps diversify nutrients and may reduce the risk of developing sensitivities. Duck fits beautifully into a rotation because it brings a slightly different nutrient profile than more common proteins.

6. Works Well for Active or Underweight Dogs
Thanks to its higher fat content and calorie density, duck is a great choice for dogs who need more energy — like active breeds, working dogs, or pups who have trouble keeping weight on.

This recipe also includes several cooling and neutral ingredients to complement the rabbit:

Finding high-quality ingredients can be the biggest hurdle in homemade feeding - but here are my go-to options:

Cooling recipes like this one can be a game-changer for dogs dealing with chronic inflammation, allergies, or internal heat. By combining the TCM energetics of rabbit with the nutrient density of grass-fed organs and whole-food supplements, I’m combining traditional wisdom and modern nutrition.

Duck can be an expensive protein. I’m able to save money by ordering in bulk through a local raw food co-op or local farms.

I always transition gradually when introducing a new protein, and observe my dog’s energy, skin, and digestion over the following weeks. Balance isn’t about perfection - it’s about listening to my dog’s needs and feeding with intention.

If you love learning how to build your own meals, I share a balanced recipe on the first Sunday of each month - some are bowls I’m actively feeding my dogs, others are formulations I’ve created for specific dogs.

Want feedback on your recipe using Animal Diet Formulator? Email me a detailed recipe that includes:

Email your recipe to [email protected]

Turnaround isn’t instant - I review submissions as time allows. If you need a rapid answer or a custom formulation right away, please book a consultation with a certified nutritionist.