Healthy Pet


By Pavel Mihok, DVM Keeping Pets Healthy During Winter Months P


ets, like people, need spe- cial precautions to be taken during winter months. In the winter season we try to dress appropriately to keep warm, drink warm drinks, enjoy a fireplace, or sauna. Our pets also need to be kept warm and comfortable during this season, especially older pets, cats, and small dogs. Why are our pets especially vulnerable during this season?


Cold takes a particular toll on


the body. This can be explained by referring to principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM the kidney energy is the battery of the body – providing the energy for the system to function. When strong, this kidney energy supports the physiologic functions of the body – especially the digestive system. When weakened, the entire system may have difficulty maintaining a healthy balance. The normal process of aging weakens this kidney energy. This weak- ening is accelerated by cold. What this means is that digestion of food will be inadequate, the immune system will be compromised, and the body’s ability to heal will be reduced. This could translate to a loss of muscle mass, a weakness in the hind legs, and a dulling of the coat. In addition, in certain individual animals a deterioration of an underlying condition can be observed. Pets may try to overcome their dis- comfort with cold by seeking shelter in warm places: closets, under beds, near heat sources, etc. Or they may even avoid leaving these warm places to eat and drink. They might refuse to go outside. These behaviors indicate the basic need of the pet to keep warm. We can help them be comfortable in a variety of ways, such as by providing warm covers or coats – especially wool due to its ability to keep warm and protect the aura. [A note here about the aura: in young and healthy pets the aura is strong and is a


particularly difficult for pets at this time of year. To protect pets from drafts we can provide covered shel- tered areas, even indoors, and line their sleeping areas with wool. This provides an oasis where the pet can go to recharge their batteries. You can also use infrared lamps, beds with infrared heating devices, or water bottles filled with hot water. To support kidney energy ho-


natural protective interface between the environment and the body. In older and sick pets, this aura is weaker and has less of an ability to protect the body. This enables the cold to enter the body and further weaken it.]


Another critical thing we can do is make sure that our pets’ food is brought to body temperature so that less energy is spent digesting the food. Enzymes involved in digesting food work most efficiently at body temperature. If the food has been taken from the refrigera- tor, make sure it is warmed on the stove or in the oven and not just left out to get to room temperature. An older pet whose been exposed continually to cold and is then fed cold food might exhibit bloating, gas, or even collapse.


Some foods that might be introduced during the cold season which have a warming effect on the body are lamb, beef, and small amounts of coconut oil (to cook with and even add to the food). Foods to avoid in the winter are pork and fish – as they are cooling. Chicken is considered neutral. Make sure food and water is offered in a warm and draft free area of the house. Drafts, tile and hardwood floors are


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meopathically, we can use phos- phorous 6-12x, western herbs such as chamomile, or Chinese herbs Rehmania #8 combination. I have seen older cats that were not doing well, even with medica- tion. By providing them with warm wool coats and a warm environ- ment, including warmer food, they were able to assimilate the food and medication and showed improvement, even initiating play. One older cat had urinary accidents due to having to walk on a cold concrete surface to get to her litter box. The cold caused her to lose bladder control. By placing a rug on the concrete, the accidents were eliminated and her well-being improved. Another case involved a small dog that was becoming gassy and even collapsed after eating cold food from the fridge. This dog recovered quickly after placing a warm water bottle to the abdominal area and making appropriate changes to the food and environment.


Pavel Mihok, DVM provides mobile integrative veterinary services in the NYC metro area, Westchester, and Hudson Valley. By combining both holistic and traditional veterinary care, he can offer several different modalities such as: nutri- tional and nutraceutical counseling, ho- meopathy, essential oils, stone and crystal therapy, acupuncture, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He can be reached by phone 203-770-7875 or via his website: www.paulmihokdvm.com.


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