Summer Foods to Help Your Dog Keep Cool Naturally
- Everwell Pets
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
As the heat cranks up and the days stretch long and bright, our dogs—just like us—feel the energetic shift of summer. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), summer is the season of Yang—expansive, hot, active, and upward-moving. It’s governed by the Fire element, which relates to the heart and small intestine, and it brings a natural push toward activity, heat, and sometimes overexertion [1].
For dogs who already “run hot"—the ones who pant heavily, seek out tile floors, or love plunging into every available water source—summer can be especially draining. This is where food can become powerful medicine.
What Are Cooling Foods in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), every food has an energetic temperature—cooling, warming, or neutral. Cooling foods don’t just bring down body heat physically; they energetically help calm the fire, reduce inflammation, support hydration, and soothe the internal organs [2].
Signs Of Excess Heat In Dogs:
Excessive panting or restlessness
Red tongue or gums
Hot spots or skin irritation
Loose or smelly stools
Preference for cool surfaces or shady corners
Top Cooling Foods for Dogs in Summer
Here are some easy, dog-safe foods to incorporate during the hot months. If your pup is used to a processed diet or tends to be sensitive, introduce these slowly and in moderation. For my raw-fed friends who are already accustomed to variety, feel free to mix and match more freely—they tend to handle these cooling additions with ease.
1. CucumbersCrisp
Hydrating, and neutral in flavor, cucumbers are like portable AC units for the body. They can be sliced into training treats or blended into a pup-sicle [3].
2. Watermelon (no seeds or rind!)
A summertime classic—sweet, hydrating, and energetically cooling. Dogs love the juicy texture, and the high water content helps with hydration on hot days [4]. I share my watermelon with my pack all the time.
3. Raw Goat Milk
Rich in enzymes, probiotics, and hydration support, goat milk is considered cooling in TCM and easy on most canine guts [5]. Bonus: it nourishes the heart energy, aligning with summer’s Fire element.
4. Sardines
Yes, fish! Especially oily, cold-water fish like sardines, which are cooling and anti-inflammatory. They also provide DHA for the brain and help soothe “hot” skin conditions [6]. Fresh, frozen is the best, but if you do go for canned get sardines in water not oil.
5. Zucchini
This summer squash is both seasonal and energetically cooling. Steam it lightly or serve it raw if your pup tolerates it [9].
6. Mint (in small amounts)
Used often in TCM for dispersing trapped heat and calming the digestive tract [7]. You can muddle a leaf or two into water or blend into frozen treats.
Cooling Through Seasonal Eating
One of the beautiful tenets of both Chinese medicine and traditional cultures worldwide is to eat with the seasons. Summer foods tend to be higher in water, lighter in structure, and full of vibrant color—all of which help cool, cleanse, and support the body’s natural rhythms [8].
Other summer-friendly fruits and vegetables to explore (in moderation and based on your dog’s tolerance):
Blueberries
Strawberries
Celery
Romaine lettuce
Basil (another cooling herb in small quantities)
Beyond seasonal, go local with food selection. Try to buy local whenever possible. Locally grown foods carry the same light codes and environmental energy your dog is experiencing—making them even more aligned with their biology and more digestible energetically. What grows near you is often what your pup needs most.
Is Your Dog a Fire Constitution?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each dog is born with a constitutional type—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. These types reflect tendencies in behavior, health patterns, and how they respond to seasonal shifts. While every dog is a mix, some clearly lean Fire [9].
Fire dogs are ruled by the heart and small intestine—the same organs associated with summer. They’re often joyful, affectionate, attention-seeking, and love to be the center of things. But they can also be prone to anxiety, restlessness, overheating, and skin issues when Fire energy goes unchecked.
Common signs your dog may be a Fire type:
Overly excitable or clingy
Loves to be touched and admired
Can be reactive or anxious, especially when overstimulated
Pink to red tongue and gums
Warm body temperature or frequent panting
Prone to heart imbalances, insomnia, or hot spots
My own Crosby is a classic Fire pup—charismatic, red-coated, and often one heartbeat away from over-exciting. In fact, dogs with red or reddish-brown coats often fall into the Fire category energetically. If you’ve got one of those copper-toned canines, they may benefit even more from a summer diet that cools and calms.
For Fire dogs, cooling foods aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. They help counterbalance this constitutional heat and keep your dog grounded, calm, and comfortable. I’ve even started experimenting with steeped chamomile tea as the warm water portion of Crosby’s raw meals—a simple shift that supports his digestion while also helping settle his Fire energy.
Cooling choices like cucumber, watermelon, goat milk, and herbs like mint or chamomile (steeped and cooled) can help your Fire pup stay balanced—not just physically, but emotionally, too.
Consider Timing:
Feed meals during the cooler parts of the day—early morning or after sunset—to avoid overtaxing digestion during peak heat. If the sun sets too late in your area and evening meals don’t feel aligned, consider simplifying to one meal a day (more on that here) in the morning—many dogs thrive on this rhythm, especially in the summer months when appetites may naturally decrease. Midday, when Yang energy is at its highest, is a natural time to slow down and rest. Think of it as your pup’s version of a siesta—many cultures wisely build in a pause to recharge during the hottest part of the day, and your dog will thank you for honoring the same rhythm.
In Conclusion:
Just like us, dogs thrive when their environment, food, and rhythms match the season. In summer, that means offering hydrating, cooling, and heart-supportive foods to help them stay balanced and vibrant. Whether it’s watermelon slices under a shady tree or a spoonful of goat milk in the evening breeze, these small changes make a big difference.
Want more ways to help your pup align with the seasons? Book a seasonal consult with Dr. Andi—we’d love to help you co-create a summer routine that’s as joyful as it is healthful.
Book a Pet Wellness Coaching Session With Dr. Andi Today!
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Sources
The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD
Four Paws, Five Directions by Cheryl Schwartz, DVM
Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Food Therapy texts
Modern research on canine hydration and safe fruit intake
Answers Pet Food & Primal Pet Foods (raw goat milk nutritional data)
Whole Dog Journal – Omega-3s and cooling properties of fish
Veterinary Herbal Medicine by Susan Wynn, DVM
Staying Healthy with the Seasons by Elson Haas, MD
Practical Guide to Five Element Constitutional Typing in Animals – TCVM resources