veterinary food therapy

There is truth that food is medicine; the medicine we must all take each day for health and vitality. Chinese Medicine is of the belief that food can heal and support patterns or disharmonies in the body, utilising the energetic properties of the food. Food therapy is one of the major branches of TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) alongside acupuncture and herbal medicine.

What is veterinary food therapy?

In Chinese medicine, food therapy refers to the science and art of prescribing specific meals and ingredients to individual patients, based on the Chinese veterinary medical pattern; in an attempt to correct the specific disharmony for that individual. A TCVM food practitioner will select specific food ingredients based on their energetic properties, including thermal properties (i.e. temperature), and taste (relating to the distribution of energy throughout the body). As the veterinary patient’s pattern changes with time and ongoing therapy, specific food items may be omitted and or ingredients altered to cater for the ongoing reharmonisation of the patient’s Yin and Yang.

Not Sure if Veterinary food therapy Could Help Your Pet?

WHAT conditions can veterinary food therapy be used for?

Veterinary food therapy is pertinent for the treatment of specific disease conditions, and also as a means to support the immune system and overall health of an individual during times of stress. It is not uncommon, as we often can relate to in people, that during season changes or climatic extremes, the body undergoes undue stress. Food therapy is an ideal intervention to aid in these transitions before too rapid a change helps perpetuate an impending disharmony.

Likewise, specific disease conditions affecting the skin, immune system, nervous system and heart can benefit from specific food therapy targeted to the individual’s TCVM pattern. Food therapy is most commonly used as an adjunct therapy, complimenting a holistic approach (including Western veterinary medicine, acupuncture or Chinese herbal formulas) towards patient care.

Are there any Side effects of food therapy?

No, there are no specific side effects of veterinary food therapy. However, like any diet, your TCVM Food therapist will help ensure the diet prescribed is complete and balanced for your pet. Given the nature of food ingredients and the body’s ability to assimilate and respond to a diet being fed, many people are often surprised to find out that food therapy will not change things overnight! While food therapy seems to be slower-acting than other TCVM modalities like acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy, it is a safe addendum to any patient’s treatment plan that can be used throughout it entire life. Many clients like participating in the preparation of their pet’s food and knowing that the energy they put into helping their pet with diet is another positive step towards their overall ability to heal and remain healthy.