In partnership with
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 FEDIEF nutrient standards, and it’s a beautiful example of how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles and modern nutritional science can work hand-in-hand.
What Does “Cooling” Mean in TCM?
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:
Constant panting, even in mild weather
Red or inflamed skin, hot spots, or allergies
Anxiety or overexcitement
Digestive upset linked to heat (loose stools, gurgling stomach)
Warm ears, belly, or paws
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.
Cooling Rabbit and Beef Recipe
Formulated using Animal Diet Formulator for a 55-lb spayed, semi-active dog
Feeds: 1.375 lbs per day (over 7 days)
Ingredients
8 lb – rabbit meat
3 oz – grass-fed beef heart
4 oz – grass-fed beef liver
1.25 oz – grass-fed beef spleen
1.25 oz – grass-fed beef kidney
7 – whole chicken eggs (one per day)
40 g – eggshell powder
8 oz – cooked salmon
2.3 oz – canned boiled oysters
4 g – organic dried kelp
2 lb – green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, bok choy, or a mix)
90 g – raw sunflower seeds
85 g – organic hulled hempseeds
26.75 g – spirulina
For detailed nutrient breakdowns, download the Animal Diet Formulator report (PDF) for this recipe.
Benefits of Rabbit for Dogs
Rabbit is one of the most cooling and hypoallergenic proteins available. It’s an excellent choice for dogs with food sensitivities, allergies, or inflammatory conditions.
Benefits include:
Cooling energetics: Calms inflammation and internal heat
Lean and digestible: High in protein, low in fat, gentle on digestion
Novel protein: Ideal for dogs with food sensitivities or those rotating proteins to avoid intolerance
Nutrient-dense: Naturally rich in B vitamins, selenium, and phosphorus
Ethical sourcing: Often pasture-raised, antibiotic-free, and sustainably farmed
Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef Organs
Organs are the original superfoods for dogs. This blend of heart, liver, spleen, and kidney adds critical micronutrients, amino acids, and cofactors not found in muscle meat alone.
Heart: Excellent source of taurine and CoQ10 for heart health and cellular energy
Liver: Loaded with vitamin A, copper, iron, and B vitamins for detox and energy metabolism
Spleen: Nature’s best source of heme iron and supportive for blood-building
Kidney: Provides selenium and enzymes that support detox pathways and hormone balance
Using grass-fed organs enhances the nutrient profile - they’re richer in omega-3s, antioxidants, and fat-soluble vitamins compared to grain-fed sources.
Cooling Supportive Ingredients
This recipe also includes several cooling and neutral ingredients to complement the rabbit:
Green leafy vegetables (like kale, bok choy, or spinach): Detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and rich in magnesium and chlorophyll
Salmon: Adds omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and inflammation support
Oysters: Provide highly bioavailable zinc and copper for immune and thyroid health
Sunflower seeds & hempseeds: Natural vitamin E and magnesium sources
Spirulina: Cooling, detoxifying microalgae that supports the liver and immune system
Eggshell powder & kelp: Essential minerals for calcium, iodine, and trace nutrients
Where to Source Ingredients
Finding high-quality ingredients can be the biggest hurdle in homemade feeding - but here are my go-to options:
Rabbit Meat
Local raw food co-ops or butcher shops - A Complete List of US Raw Food Co-Ops
Online raw suppliers like Hare Today, My Pet Carnivore, or Raw Feeding Miami
Local hunters or ethical farms (often available seasonally)
Grass-Fed Beef Organs
Grass-fed farms
Ethnic markets or butchers often carry spleen and kidney affordably
Real Dog Box Secret Shop occasionally lists organs and novelty proteins
Salmon & Oysters
Canned wild salmon (no added salt) from grocery stores
Pressure-cooked salmon from friends who fish as a pastime
Boiled oysters in water (avoid smoked or brined varieties)
Vegetables, Seeds & Supplements
Farmers’ markets for fresh organic greens
Health food stores for spirulina and hempseeds
Amazon or Costco for bulk kelp, sunflower seeds, or supplements
Local co-ops for bulk pricing on seeds and powders
My Thoughts on Cooling Recipes
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.
Rabbit isn’t an inexpensive 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.
More Balanced Recipes & Resources
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:
All ingredients with exact amounts (pounds, ounces, and grams).
Your dog’s name, birthdate, sex, breed, and spay/neuter status.
Supplements only if they’re part of the recipe and provide nutritional value.
For blends or mixes, include the exact (or reasonably estimated) amount of each component.
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.
Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.