Although the calendar marks the beginning of “summer” from May 5th, this year has seen drastic temperature fluctuations, and many pets and their owners may be experiencing unstable health.
Japan, being an island nation, is very susceptible to humidity, and the season that is most affected by this is the upcoming “tsuyu (rainy season).”
In traditional East Asian medicine, the rainy season corresponds with the period known as “doyou,” which is considered a time of seasonal transition that burdens the spleen and stomach (digestive system).
The spleen and stomach are responsible for digesting consumed food, and when their function declines, it becomes difficult to generate energy for the body.
It is particularly noticeable that many pets suffering from tumors also have weakened spleen and stomach functions. Supporting these organs can lead to the overall improvement of the pet’s body.
However, the challenge is that the spleen and stomach are easily affected by “shitsu-ja (adverse effects of humidity).” Therefore, during the rainy season, it is especially important to support the spleen and stomach.
So, how should we provide this support?
Here are two points that we suggest you review immediately.
1. Feed slowly
Many of the pets brought to our consultation already struggle with eating, so the act of feeding them slowly might already be something they do. However, for pets on steroids or those with a healthy appetite, there seem to be many who eat too quickly.
Behaviors such as eating grass during a walk, vomiting stomach acid, eating feces, licking their paws, or scratching behind their ears may indicate stress on their spleen and stomach.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats have teeth designed for tearing, making it difficult for them to chew thoroughly. However, it is crucial for them to actively move their mouths while eating.
For pets that tend to eat quickly, we recommend using anti-gulping bowls or spreading food out on a plate, similar to “wanko soba” style, where they are fed one bite at a time.
There isn’t an exact recommended time for each meal, but from experience, spending at least five minutes feeding them seems to alleviate many of their discomforts.
Please review how much time your pet is taking to eat.
2. Avoid cold and fatty foods
Dogs and cats do not open refrigerators or take snacks from shelves themselves. This means that what they eat is what we humans give them.
In warmer seasons, we may want to give them something cold to eat, and some households may add lots of ice to their drinking water. However, consuming cold items directly lowers body temperature and weakens organ function.
Additionally, fatty foods can strain their digestion. Do you know which foods are high in fat for them?
For us humans, fried foods are an obvious answer, but for pets, it is their food that tends to be high in fat.
In dry food, a crude fat content exceeding 15% seems relatively high to me personally.
Especially with commercial products, oxidation of the fats starts from the time they are manufactured, so one must also consider the damage from oxidized fats.
For pets that eat little, you may need items with higher calories in small amounts, which often means higher-fat foods. In such cases, besides feeding them slowly, include digestive enzymes like green tripe to ease the burden on their spleen and stomach.
By paying attention to these two points, you can expect significant improvements in your pet’s condition.
To supplement their nutrition, we recommend amino acid supplements and green tripe.
Supporting the spleen and stomach generates energy and builds the strength required to fight ongoing illnesses.
Please consider incorporating these practices within manageable limits.
