Assess Your Dog’s State of Balance
Here at Sama Dog, we talk about balance a lot, whether it’s balancing the diet, balancing the chakras, or balancing our daily habits with the seasons. But what does true balance really mean in our dogs and what does it look like physically and behaviorally? Do you know if your dog is balanced?
Let’s look at five specific factors that reflect a balanced, healthy canine. These pillars can assist you in assessing your own dog’s state of health and wellbeing.
Immune System
The immune system is a complex system with one primary function - to detect and eliminate threats from the body. While much of our medical system is focused on fighting disease, a holistic approach involves being proactive and optimizing the immune response.
In our pets, a healthy immune response is a balanced immune response. An overactive immune response can lead to allergies as the body over reacts by producing antibodies to fight the allergen. An inadequate immune response is the cause of cancers and immune deficiency disorders while an inappropriate immune response can lead to auto-immune disorders as the immune system treats its own cells as a threat.
An appropriate immune response works in a balanced way by identifying and removing the problem before it threatens the health and integrity of the body. To support this response, it’s important to reduce inflammation through regular exercise and nutritious foods.
Digestive Health
This brings us to our next category, digestive health. According to research by John Hopkins University School of Medicine, a large proportion of the immune system is located in the GI tract. It turns out, the old adage is true, follow your gut! In order to improve the efficacy of the immune system, it’s crucial that our animals maintain a healthy microbiome. This involves a diet of fresh meats, vegetables, and an appropriate amount of dietary fiber. Animals with a healthy digestive system will poop usually between 1-4 times a day and have a balanced appetite, consuming at least two meals a day. Loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or gasiness can signal an imbalance in this area.
Breath
While some dog breath can be oddly satisfying (if you know, you know), some can be downright awful. Dog breath actually plays an important role in determining their overall health. A balanced canine should have relatively clean smelling breath with a mild odor. On the other hand, chronic bad breath can signal a wider issue such as an imbalanced microbiome. A buildup of plaque or tartar in the teeth promotes the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria which can throw your animal’s gut health off kilter and produce the stinky dog breath we all know and don’t love.
Skin/Coat
If your dog is having a better hair day than you, chances are, it’s a good thing! A shiny, lustrous coat means that your canine has a healthy intake of fatty acids and other nutrients to help nourish them from the inside out. Animals with dry or brittle hair may be missing nutrients from their diet and could benefit from supplements such as fish oil in addition to regular grooming. Excessive shedding can be a sign of stress while dry, flaky skin can signal nutritional imbalance, inflammation, or even parasites.
Behavior
In terms of behavior, a balanced canine is alert and engaged with his or her environment. A balanced animal will come when called and react with calm curiosity at the sight of other dogs and external stimuli. An imbalanced canine may have a strong tendency towards aggression, excessive barking, or escapism. And while a balanced canine shows relaxed body language and soft facial expression, an imbalanced animal may show signs of stress such as panting, wining, or stiffening up.
While our animals can’t speak to us themselves, their bodies speak to us in a myriad of ways. As you continue learning to listen and connect with our animals more deeply, you are empowered to notice these imbalances and apply the steps back toward the path of true Sama (balance / equanimity).
You are the great re-balancer!
This is exactly what we teach, step by step, in our signature course called Ayurveda for Dogs 101. We make learning fun and you’ll come away with a whole array of healing tools to help the dogs you know and love.
Course Details & Enrollment: Ayurveda for Dogs 101
By: Amanda Ree
Photo by: Dr. Katie Kangas of her dog, Sage