Winter Time Tips for Your Cat or Dog

Animals are really in tune with energy, the change of seasons, and the energy that each season brings. I’m sure that you notice a different energy from summer to winter. Animals feel this change even stronger and we can assist them in creating internal harmony, which will also benefit us!

I like to align myself and my animals with the rhythms of the natural world. We are energetic beings, just like our animals, although our animals tend to be able to tune into energy more easily than we do. When we pay attention to and align with nature and the energy of each season, we tend to feel healthier, and happier and our manifestations are more likely to occur.

During Winter the world withdraws and becomes still. Aim at spending time reflecting and turning inward. Just as some animals hibernate, we can take this season to rest and revive our energy.

Winter can bring chilly weather and slumber. Winter can be slow and feel heavy. The air is cold with a lot of moisture.

In Ayurveda Winter is associated with the Kapha dosha. Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that focuses on balancing the body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine originating in India more than 3,000 years ago, is based on the idea that disease and imbalance is caused by lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and routine. Ayurveda looks at the balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment.

As I mentioned, Winter is associated with the Kapha dosha. There are three doshas in Ayurveda. The qualities of this dosha, Kapha, are associated with the elements of Water and Earth. These qualities are cold, wet, heavy and sluggish. Kapha can be very stable and strong.

To remain balanced during Winter, we want to eat foods and do activities that assist ourselves and our animals in feeling rested, restored, and nourished.

It’s really easy to incorporate activities and foods that will really help our animals during different seasons. I’ve noticed that it helps our animals remain calm and have an overall higher quality of life when you are aware of how nature affects them. It also improves their health and their behavior when they are supported in a way that is natural to them.

Here are some activities and foods to incorporate into your schedule and diet for Winter.

To keep yourself and your pet balanced and healthy in Winter:

favor warm, nourishing and slightly spicy foods
use warming spices and herbs (ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, turmeric, cayenne, nutmeg, garlic)
drink warm liquids with sips throughout the day
increase animals food (if needed) as they may burn more calories from cold
feed dogs light steamed carrots, squash, pumpkin, turmeric and warm broths
keep skin moisturized
protect ears, neck, head from cold and damp weather
use a coat or sweater for animals with tin fur or are elderly or susceptible to cold
keep a regular and consistent daily routine
get extra rest and embrace a slower, relaxed pace
be physically active to keep energy levels ups and combat lethargy and sluggishness
take your animals outside during the warmest part of the day
engage in indoor activities and games with your animal
practice gratitude
take warm baths and sauna to relax muscles and improve circulation
keep your animal warm and cozy with blankets, bedding, heated pads
go to bed early around 10/11pm and wake up around 7am
create opportunities for fun and laughter