What diet can you give to dogs according to Ayurveda?

When it comes to Ayurveda, “when” and “how” we eat become more important than what we eat. However, eating naturally and right is still imperative to ensure a good digestive process.

In fact, good digestion is the paramount factor that determines the doshic balance. So, it is incredibly important to make sure that you give the right food and proportion at the right time to your dog, to keep the doshas in balance.

What diet to give to dogs according to dosha?

Before we can discuss the diet, you need to consider the size of your dog, its breed, activeness, and other vital characteristics. As mentioned in our previous article, you need to figure out your pet dog’s body type as per dosha, and then follow our specific food suggestions. We have classified the food suggestions based on the top three dosha-based dog body types i.e., Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

1. Diet suggestion for a dog with Vata constitution

The dogs with predominantly Vata composition are generally cooler with dry and cool skin. This is one of the reasons why you should avoid giving them foods such as French beans, peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and cauliflower.

They need to be fed warm foods. But ensure not to feed them any kind of raw foods as they have sensitive digestion and are known as nervous eaters.

You can blanch carrots and mix them with soft-boiled rice. Make a puree out of seasonal vegetables or give it to them in mashed form. Warm “khichri” made with mung dal and boiled veggies is another good option.

As they have sensitive digestion, make sure to stick to a food routine. You can also give eggs and chicken – boiled, mashed, and preferably slightly cooked.

It is important to avoid ghee while making Khichri or any other combination of dish for your Vata dog – you can use fish oil for cooking though.

Spices such as black pepper, cumin, and hing can be used while cooking for a dog having a hard time digesting food.

2. Diet suggestion for a dog with Pitta constitution

The dogs with Pitta composition tend to be warmer as compared to Vata dogs. The foods that tend to be warm for the stomach need to be avoided. You can give them stomach-cooling foods such as apples (without seeds), bananas, yogurt (plain), cucumber, etc.

These dogs tend to have slow digestion during summers and strong digestion during winters. So, ensure they get plenty of water during the summers to boost their digestion.

In non-vegetarian options, you can go with chicken (raw or boiled). You can also give dairy products such as tofu and cottage cheese during winters.

In vegetables, freshly pureed seasonal vegetables like leafy greens are good for them all year round. Their appetite grows with age, so make sure that they don’t overeat.

3. Diet suggestion for a dog with Kapha constitution

Kapha dogs generally have good digestion all year around. They eat more in proportions so don’t worry if they skip a meal in a day.

These dogs tend to be on the heavier side and become overweight if their diet is not kept in check. So, avoid foods containing fats, grains, starch, and sugar.

Fat and sugar need to be avoided as much as possible, although you can treat them with occasional ice cream.

A wholesome seasonal vegetable diet is good for them. These dogs can handle raw food so you don’t have to worry about cooking the veggies or meat. However, make sure that the raw food is properly washed before giving it to them.

Since they can handle raw food, you must be thinking about combining raw food with dry food, but we suggest that you do not combine raw meat with dry food in one meal.

If you put your dog on a raw diet, let them eat raw for the first meal and you can give them dry food in the next meal.

Lastly, don’t forget they eat more during winters and less during summers. So, make sure to monitor their food intake to avoid obesity.

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