Traditional Chinese Medicine for Dogs

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic medical system that has been practiced for thousands of years. In veterinary medicine, TCM is increasingly used to support dogs with chronic illness, pain, digestive issues, allergies, anxiety, and age-related decline - often alongside conventional veterinary care.

Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or diagnoses, TCM looks at the entire dog: their physical body, emotional state, lifestyle, diet, environment, and even seasonal influences. The goal is not just to “treat disease,” but to restore balance and harmony so the body can heal itself.

A great introduction to TCM can be found in Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs.

In TCM, health depends on the smooth and adequate flow of Qi (pronounced chee), the vital life energy that powers all physiological processes.

In dogs, Qi imbalances may show up as:

TCM treatments aim to restore proper Qi movement rather than suppress symptoms.

Yin and Yang represent opposing yet complementary forces that must remain balanced for health.

Dogs may show signs of imbalance such as:

TCM focuses on restoring equilibrium - not eliminating one side, but bringing both back into harmony.

The Five Elements - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water - connect organs, emotions, seasons, and constitutional tendencies.

Each element corresponds to:

For example:

This framework allows practitioners to identify deeper patterns rather than isolated symptoms.

A notable book that breaks this down and offers a test to determine your dog’s element is Know Your Dog's True Nature: Understanding Canine Personality through the Five Elements.

TCM does not diagnose disease in isolation. Instead, it identifies patterns of disharmony by evaluating:

Two dogs with the same Western diagnosis may receive completely different TCM treatments based on their unique constitution.

Acupuncture uses very fine needles placed at specific points along meridians, the pathways through which Qi flows.

Benefits may include:

In dogs, acupuncture is commonly used for arthritis, IVDD, digestive disorders, neurological conditions, and anxiety. Most dogs tolerate it well - and many relax deeply during sessions.

Chinese herbal medicine uses customized formulas, not single herbs, to address specific patterns of imbalance. These formulas may come as powders, capsules, or teas.

Herbs are powerful. Choosing them without proper training can:

Dogs metabolize herbs differently than humans, and TCM formulas must be selected and dosed carefully. This is why herbal therapy should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian trained in TCM, ideally one certified in veterinary acupuncture and herbal medicine.

Self-prescribing herbs - even “natural” ones - can lead to unintended harm.

In TCM, food is medicine.

Rather than focusing only on nutrients, TCM evaluates foods by their energetic properties, such as:

Examples:

Food therapy is personalized and adjusted based on:

This approach pairs beautifully with fresh, whole-food feeding when done thoughtfully.

Books that are an excellent resource on Food Energetics are:

Tui-Na is a hands-on therapy using massage techniques to stimulate acupoints and meridians.

Benefits include:

While advanced techniques should be taught by a professional, simple practices are safe and beneficial:

Tui-Na can strengthen the bond between dog and caregiver while supporting physical and emotional health.

My favorite books on massage are:

The ultimate goal of TCM is to:

TCM can be used:

It does not replace emergency or surgical care - but it offers a powerful framework for understanding health beyond symptoms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine invites us to slow down and look deeper - at patterns, balance, and the subtle signals our dogs give us every day. I’m not a TCM expert, so the practices I follow are based on what I’ve learned directly from trained professionals.

I Don’t Feed Cold Food:
I pour warmed bone broth or warm water over my dogs’ meals to remove the chill. From a TCM perspective, regularly feeding cold or frozen food can weaken digestion, contribute to stagnation, and, over time, promote disease.

I Know My Dogs’ Natures:
I’ve taken constitutional assessments to better understand each of my dogs, and I’ve found them incredibly helpful. Based on observation, Zoey leans Earth/Metal, Apollo is Fire, Bella is Water, and Buffy is Wood.

Dr. Judy Morgan offers a free test online.

I Use Food Energetics:
Instead of feeding the same way year-round, I adjust based on season and what I’m seeing in my dogs. I avoid overly warming foods in August and cooling foods in January. If a dog seems “hot” (panting, itching, allergy flares, seeking cool surfaces), I lean cooling. If energy or digestion needs support, I choose warming foods.

I Massage My Dogs:
I incorporate massage into our daily petting to support lymphatic flow, loosen tight muscles, improve flexibility, and calm the nervous system. My dogs love it so much they now demand their massages daily - no appointment required.

When practiced responsibly and guided by trained professionals, TCM can be a valuable tool in a truly holistic approach to canine health - one that honors the whole dog, not just the diagnosis.

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