HEALTH + WELLNESS beef or pork, slowly introducing anything “new,” and interacting with your pet from an energetically grounded place.
Your Pet’s Constitution Questionnaire
Pitta Pitta dosha relates to the elements of Fire and Water. Qualities include slightly oily, hot, intense, light, fluid, sour/malodorous, mobile, and liquid. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, and body temperature. Imbalances may manifest as obsessive behaviors, fighting tendencies, or inflammatory conditions. Preventing imbalances can be accomplished by utilizing a cooling diet, such as white fish or turkey, calming practices of routine, and giving our driven pets “jobs” to do through training, sport events, and social play.
Kapha Kapha dosha relates to the elements of Water and Earth. Qualities include oily, cold, heavy, stable, viscous, smooth, and dense. Kapha controls body stability, structure, and lubrication. Imbalances may manifest as respiratory problems, allergies, tendencies towards weight gain, and lethargy. Preventing imbalances can include exercising consistently and utilizing fiber rich foods such as cooked pumpkin or boiled sweet potato, while avoiding heavily processed foods and treats. *Questionnaires offer a snapshot into the life of your pet. Interpret with gentleness and curiosity rather than as an absolute, as pets can be affected by seasons, lunar events, weather of the day, or even the stress level of their pet parent! By utilizing the wisdom of Ayurveda, we can make better decisions about our pet’s care. We can utilize the rich history plus modern day understandings to invite a preventive and integrative approach to pet wellness. The value of knowing and practicing Ayurveda not just for ourselves but also for our pets allows us to align with our nature to live sattvic lives full of vitality and vibrancy. +
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Whether it’s your Kapha cat occasionally dealing with furballs or your Pitta pooch and his summertime hot spots, we can look at these patterns through the lens of Ayurveda to guide us in integrative pet care. Go through and circle which best represents your pet currently. Add the values in each column, and you have an insight into your pet’s tendencies or what areas may be out of balance:*
VATA
PITTA
KAPHA
Physique
lean, thin boned
moderate build
large boned
Body Weight
low weight/lean
moderate weight/size
overweight
Eyes
small, dark, active
sharp, bright, red/yellow
big, calm, beautiful
Coat Quality
thin, dry, flaky, curly
oily, warm, straight
thick, cool, wavy
Nails
dry, brittle, break easily
sharp, flexible, pink
thick, smooth, dark
Belly
thin, guarded
moderate
big, pot-bellied
Appetite
varies, worries over food intense, guards food
consistent, indifferent
Digestion
gassy, bloating
quick
slow, sluggish
Water
obsessed, seeks often
moderate
rarely seems thirsty
Bowel Activity
constipation, inconsistent regular, loose or diarrhea thick, slow
Character
hyperactive, restless
impatient, competitive
dull, slow, calm
Activity
very active, high energy
driven consistent
steady, graceful
Stamina
tires easily
moderate
good stamina
Sleep Patterns
intermittent, sleepless
light sleeper
deep, heavy sleeper
Voice
weak, hoarse
strong, loud
deep, even toned
Health Issues
painful, anxious, depressed
infections, inflammation
weight/digestive issues
Temperature Preference
warm and humid; avoids cool/dry
cool and dry; avoids warm/humid
warm and dry; avoids cool/damp
Total in each:
*Questionnaires offer a snapshot into the life of your pet. Interpret with gentleness and curiosity rather than as an absolute, as pets can be affected by seasons, lunar events, weather of the day, or even the stress level of their pet parent!
Information in this article is intended to be for educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with a licensed veterinary professional.
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