For thousands of years, Ayurveda has been a beneficial healing system and way of life for millions of people. But did you know that this ancient science of life could be applied to our furry friends as well? Ayurveda has as much to offer to our animals as it does to us, and by understanding your pet’s Ayurvedic constitution will help you keep your pet happy and healthy for years to come. The same principle of Ayurveda applies in animals the way it does in humans. Every creature is born with a specific constitution combined from the doshas. The doshas are vata (air and ether), pitta (fire and water), and kapha (earth and water). You may be familiar with the qualities of these doshas in humans, so it’s no surprise that our companion animals express similar properties of their doshic constitution.
Vata animals: -Are the most slender of the three body types. They may be taller or shorter than average. -Flat or narrow chested -Have brittle and dry nails -Have cold paws -Variable appetites, tend to be picky with their foods -Have short and restless sleep -An experience large bursts of energy and then crashes for the rest of the day -Tend to be moody when out of balance, but full of joy and lively when in balance -Need to run, a lot
Pitta Animals: -Fur is warm and soft -Medium frame -Pass large amounts of urine -Softer nails -Strong metabolism and thirst. These animals eat A LOT! -May display aggression or irritability if they feel their food source is threatened -Sharp minds and concentrate easily -Competitive and enjoy challenges, good pack leaders -Can be assertive, pushy, and aggressive when out of balance
Kapha animals: -Strong and sturdy build -Sensitive to cold -Slow-moving and graceful -Have soft, oily fur and large eyes -Sometimes overweight if out of balance -Sleep deeply with long, interrupted hours -Excellent stamina and overall good health -Affectionate, faithful, and peaceful
Ayurveda has a wide range and may be applied to creatures of all walks of life. By getting in tune with your animals constitution, it can help you understand them better and deepen the relationship between you and your companion animal. We hope that this brief introduction to how the Doshas manifest in animals has given you an idea for how widespread Ayurveda is so both you and your furry friend can enjoy!
Many Blessings, Santa Cruz Ayurveda
Resources:
Admin. “Ayurveda in Veterinary Medicine.” IVC Journal, 29 May 2017, ivcjournal.com/ayurveda-veterinary-medicine/.
Tejinder, Sodhi. “Ayurvedic Medicine for Animals.” Animal Wellness Magazine, 30 May 2016, animalwellnessmagazine.com/ayurvedic-medicine-for-animals/.