Lucky Dog U Bath
Lucky Dogs...
Just north of
1059 CANADA AVE DUNCAN Power Lunch
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
U Bath or WE Bath
Fasting
Now Grooming & Teeth Cleaning!
250 597-7DOG
www.luckydogubath.ca
Life and Leadership Coaching… Inspired by Horses Insight Horsemanship - bridging horsemanship with mindfulness practice • Equine Facilitated • Learning workshops for Leadership, Communication, Team-building • Equine Behaviour Consulting • Youth Empowerment Programs • Meditation Retreats • Community Events • Farm Weddings
www.spiritgate.ca
michelle@spiritgate.ca
250 737 1484
Debbie Wood is a certified Small Animal Naturopath and can be reached at 250597-7DOG.
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o matter what you feed your dog, fasting is helpful to keep your dog healthy. Fasting is going without food, and it’s a natural process. Your dog’s body uses as much as thirty percent of its energy just processing food. Dogs are designed to go without food occasionally. Letting the digestive system have a rest gives the body a chance to do housekeeping. Dogs will fast themselves if they’re not feeling well. This normal event allows more energy to be put towards healing. If your dog is off her food it usually isn’t anything to panic about. Hot weather, an upset stomach, or other minor ailments can cause a dog to refuse a meal or two. If your dog is off her food there is a reason. Trust her judgement. If there are other symptoms of distress, then of course seek professional advice. Never force feed a dog.
My dogs eat twice a day and skip a meal a week. They’re used to this routine and don’t pester me for food on “fast days”. They continue to poop and play and really appreciate their next meal. Fasting keeps my dogs attentive too. If your dog hasn’t gone without a meal before, this can seem like a daunting change. Some of us closely link food to love and we are sure our dog will hate us; not true. Your dog will love you even more. Remember that you are more than a food dispenser and it’s important that your dog remembers that, too. You can start by making the fasting meal a light snack and go for a walk to take your dog’s mind off food. If you regularly leave your dog home, skip the meal before you leave. This might make it easier on you when those big brown eyes are pleading for sustenance. Your dog may be well ensconced in routine and fasting can become part of a new routine. The benefits of fasting are numerous. The process is simple. Fasting is a great way to keep a healthy dog healthy. If your dog has a specific reason she can’t fast, such as diabetes, then of course use your common sense. But most adult dogs (after the adult teeth are in) do well when you skip a meal, and you save some money, too!
“Knowledge leads to acceptance,
JUNE RETREAT Saturday 18th June
lifestyle, response, suffering or happiness
LIFESPAN A Day Retreat with Kundalini
the decisions our own” Namaste
Meditation and Self Reflection
Weekly Meditation - TUESDAYS VIU Cowichan Campus
54
Info: www.VIRetreats.com 2016 Retreats