Balancing the body during different seasons is one key to health in many eastern medical traditions. Adjusting your pet’s diet and daily routine around seasonal changes can be helpful in preventing underlying disease from manifesting and can alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions.
Fall is a time of change from hot to cold where nature is moving from external to internal. The wind picks up, there is movement in the air, days are warm and nights are cool as days grow shorter. Food is harvested before the frost and nature is preparing for winter. This is a time of allergies, coughs and colds. It is also a time of unrest and unfocused movement. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the fall season is ruled by the lungs & large intestine which are responsible for overall immunity and rule the emotions of grief and attachment. In Ayurvedic Medicine, it is Vata season where dryness, light and cold rule. Protecting the lungs and nourishing the belly are keys to staying healthy this time of year.
Symptoms you may see:
- change in sleeping patterns
- agitation or grief
- constipation or bloating
- allergies & skin conditions
- cough +/- phlegm
- nasal issues
How to keep your pet healthy:
- Decrease or discontinue dry food and add warm, moist soupy meals with cooked pumpkin or yams, oatmeal and high quality protein
- Add omega oils and fatty acids to the diet
- Keep on a schedule
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