Why TCVM Veterinarians Recommend Freeze-Dried Organ Treats

When veterinarians trained in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) talk about treats, they mean something very different from what most pet food marketing suggests.

According to TCVM theory, food is medicine. Also, organ treats are among the most powerful natural tools we have to support whole-body health. PET | TAO's co-founder, Marc Smith, DVM, coined this philosophy: "Feeding Treats for a Reason."

TCVM veterinarians recommend organ treats because they nourish the body on multiple levels simultaneously: physical, emotional, and energetic. 

Organ Treats Support Specific Organ Systems

In TCVM, each organ carries a unique energetic signature. Therefore, feeding your pet a specific organ helps nourish and strengthen that organ system in your pet's body. This principle is known as “like treats like.” It has been used for thousands of years and is now supported by modern nutritional research.

Every organ has an energetic signature that resonates with its counterpart in the body. When your pet eats a freeze-dried organ such as liver, kidney, or heart, it not only absorbs the proteins, vitamins, and minerals from that tissue but also its vibrational essence (the Qi or life-force energy) that supports that organ system.

For example:

• Liver treats help pets with high liver enzymes, liver disease, emotional issues, and ligament injuries.
• Heart treats help pets with cardiac disease, behavior disorders, and heartworm disease.
• Spleen treats help dogs with diarrhea, weight loss, and muscle atrophy.
• Kidney treats help dogs with arthritis, urinary incontinence, and hearing loss.

Organs Work With the Five Elements

TCVM views health through the Five Elements: Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal. Each element corresponds to organs, emotions, and body systems. Organ treats allow veterinarians to gently support imbalances, often before disease fully develops.

For example:

• Feeding liver nourishes the Wood element, supporting the liver system and helping your pet stay flexible, creative, and calm.
• Feeding kidney strengthens the Water element, enhancing vitality, courage, and healthy aging.
• Feeding heart nourishes the Fire element, strengthening circulation, vitality, and emotional balance. 
• Feeding spleen stabilizes the Earth element, improving digestion, immunity, and emotional grounding.
• Feeding lung supports the Metal element, promoting healthy respiration, skin, and grief release. 

Freeze-Dried Food Preserves Vital Energy (Qi)

Freeze-dried organ treats are minimally processed. This helps preserve nutrients and energetic vitality. TCVM veterinarians value foods that support Qi because strong Qi supports healing, resilience, and longevity.

Freeze-drying also offers several other advantages:

• Keeps natural vitamins, minerals, and enzymes intact
• Prevents spoilage naturally with no preservatives needed
• Retains the authentic aroma and taste pets instinctively crave
• Provides a lightweight, easy-to-store treat ideal for home or travel

Organs Provide Dense, Bioavailable Nutrition

Organ meats are among the most nutrient-dense foods for pets. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and compounds that pets naturally need. In addition, the nutrients are delivered in a form your pet’s body easily recognizes and absorbs. Each organ offers unique, easily absorbed nutrients that support whole-body health.

For example:

• Liver supplies iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, and CoQ10 for blood building and detox support.
• Heart provides taurine and CoQ10 to support cardiac and muscle health.
• Kidney delivers selenium, omega-3s, and trace minerals for vitality and healthy aging.
• Spleen offers iron and immune-supportive nutrients for digestion and energy.

Together, the organs nourish the body naturally and completely, supporting physical, emotional, and energetic balance.

Organs Support Emotional Balance, Too

According to TCVM theory, emotions live in the organs. Anxiety, fear, worry, grief, or irritability often reflect energetic imbalance. Organ treats help stabilize your pet's emotional patterns gently, without suppression. That’s why TCVM veterinarians don’t see organ treats as “extras.” They see organ treats as preventive care, daily support, and an easy way for you to participate in your pet's healing.

For example:

• Feeding liver nourishes the Wood element, supporting the liver system and helping your pet stay flexible, creative, and calm.
• Feeding kidney strengthens the Water element, enhancing vitality, courage, and healthy aging.
• Feeding heart nourishes the Fire element, strengthening circulation, vitality, and emotional balance. 
• Feeding spleen stabilizes the Earth element, improving digestion, immunity, and emotional grounding.
• Feeding lung supports the Metal element, promoting healthy respiration, skin, and grief release. 

Why PET | TAO Organ Treats?

PET | TAO Freeze-Dried Organ Treats are single-ingredient, gently preserved, and energetically aligned with TCVM principles. No fillers. No additives. Just real food, real support, and real results.

When you give an organ treat, you’re not just rewarding behavior. You’re supporting balance, vitality, and long-term wellness... naturally.

Learn How to Help Your Pet Using Freeze-Dried Organ Treats

Want to learn how to support your pet physically, energetically, and emotionally using treats in a "food is medicine" fashion? Read our article: How to Find the Best Treats for Your Dog or Cat: A TCVM Guide to Food Therapy and Elemental Balance.

The article explains how each organ helps pets physically, emotionally, and energetically. You'll be surprised at how much you can help your dog or cat by feeding treats that promote the correct balance!

SHOP FREEZE-DRIED ORGAN TREATS

Sources:

• Ac, J. C. D. (2025, March 18). Organ Meats: How “Like Nourishes Like” in TCM — Joseph Coccagna Acupuncture. Joseph Coccagna Acupuncture. https://josephcoccagna.com/blog-1/organ-meats-how-like-nourishes-like-in-tcm
• Latoch, A., Stasiak, D. M., & Siczek, P. (2024). Edible Offal as a Valuable Source of Nutrients in the Diet—A review. Nutrients, 16(11), 1609. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11174546/
• Lucas, R. (1977). Secrets of the Chinese Herbalists. Prentice Hall.
• Smith, M., DVM. (2022, September 20). Feed Treats for a Reason: Treats to Improve Your Pet's Health. PET | TAO Holistic Pet Products. https://pettao.com/pet-tao-treats/
• Williams, T. (1996). The Complete Illustrated Guide to Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive System for Health and Fitness. Element Books Ltd.