Our Philosophy
Our philosophy on how to best feed pets evolved from our extensive study, research and clinical experience. We have concluded that fresh food based on the combination of Western science and Eastern Food Therapy is the foundation for a long, happy and healthy life for your pets. Pet-Tao combines the strengths of Western Nutritional Science with the time-proven theories of Eastern Food Therapy into an all-natural diet that your pets will absolutely love.
Eastern Focus
The Eastern world is focused on the effect food has on the body after it is eaten. Each food item is described as having energetic properties such as warming, cooling, or flavors that act on the body in certain predictable yet different ways. Foods may be combined in ways to heal the body, as well as keep it in balance. In the East, this art of combining foods based on energetics and achieving balance is termed Food Therapy. Food therapy is one of the five fundamental branches of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine along with acupuncture, herbal therapy, tui-na, and qi-gong.
The Western focus
Scientific research has helped us understand and quantify the levels of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to keep our pets healthy and happy. Economics and availability, however, have led to the use of some ingredients which may cause detrimental effects to the overall health of our pets. For example, grains and preservatives make up the bulk of many commercial dog and cat foods. These two ingredients were never an integral part of the animals’ diets, especially not at the levels used by many manufacturers. Therefore, the impact of ingredient choices may be responsible for the epidemics of obesity and skin allergy we so commonly see in pets today. The Western world is primarily focused on delivering a convenient, useable product to the consumer by balancing the availability and cost of ingredients, while meeting minimal nutritional standards. These decisions are all made before food enters the body.
Acupuncture is an ancient form of medicine using small filiform needles placed at predetermined points on the body. The goal of acupuncture is to move Qi—the force that makes us alive. Western medicine has no equivocal term to describe Qi. Qi flows throughout the body along meridians, or paths that interconnect the external surface of the body with the internal organs. When needles are placed in points, Qi moves freely. As Qi moves freely, the body maintains its balance, or homeostasis.
Herbal Therapy is the use of therapeutic medicines derived from plants, animals, and substances occurring in the natural environment. Herbs are used to move Qi as well as tonify Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang are equal yet opposing forces that occur in all naturally occurring phenomena. For instance, Yin corresponds to nighttime, cold, or resting of the body. Yang, on the other hand, corresponds to daytime, heat, and activity of the body. Whenever Yin or Yang becomes deficient or excessive, the balance of the body is lost, and disease results. Herbs are used to restore this natural balance. The Western equivalent to Chinese herbs is pharmaceutical drugs, such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicines. Both Western drugs and Chinese herbs are prescribed based on a medical diagnosis. Lately, Western herbals have become popular in the United States. However, distinct differences exist between Western and Chinese herbs. Western herbs are used in a singular form to treat symptoms of disease without a medical diagnosis. Chinese herbs are often a formula or mixture of herbs prescribed according to a medical diagnosis. Generally, in treating a patient, acupuncture is used in conjunction with herbal medicine.
Tui-Na is medical manipulation with the hands much like the modern versions of Western chiropractic and massage therapy. Various techniques are employed to massage the meridians and enhance the flow of Qi throughout the body. Certified Tui-Na practitioners often teach owners several techniques to use at home to enhance the treatment of disease.
Qi-Gong is the combination of exercise and meditation in which the flow of Qi is improved. It also is a way to balance the yin and yang of the body. This branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine does not apply to animals.
Food therapy is the art and science of combining foods based on their inherent energetic properties. Unlike Western medicine, food is an integral component of treating and preventing disease in Eastern medicine. Various food combinations can be used to maintain and support the balance of yin and yang and thus maintain optimal health. When disease occurs, certain food combinations can be employed to return the body to a balanced state.
