Raise a Happy, Healthy Dog with Ayurveda: A Guide to Seasonal Feeding & Exercise for Every Dosha
Did you know Ayurveda—the ancient Indian science of holistic living—can also be used to keep your furry friend healthy and thriving? Just like humans, dogs have unique constitutions or "doshas" that influence their health, temperament, and dietary needs. By understanding your dog's Ayurvedic type, you can create a seasonal care plan that enhances their vitality, prevents imbalances, and supports longevity.
Maybe you already have a bit of Ayurveda knowledge from your own health journey, or maybe you heard about it in a yoga class. Ayurveda isn’t just for people. The same imbalances that can cause us to feel out of sorts, run down, or unwell can also plague our pups. What an awesome opportunity to share your love of holistic wellness with the most important person…ahem…dog in your life!
Now let’s explore how to nourish and exercise your pup according to their dosha—Vata, Pitta, or Kapha—and keep their tails wagging all year round!
Step 1: Determine Your Dog’s Dosha
Before diving into seasonal care, you need to identify your dog’s primary dosha. Here’s a quick guide:
Vata Dogs (Air & Space Elements): Lean build, restless energy, loves running but tires quickly, prone to dry skin and anxiety.
Pitta Dogs (Fire & Water Elements): Muscular, energetic, loves playtime but can be intense, prone to overheating and skin rashes.
Kapha Dogs (Earth & Water Elements): Stocky, affectionate, laid-back, enjoys lounging, prone to weight gain and sluggishness.
This is just the beginning, and a wonderful place to start. There is no need to complicate things, even if you simply start noticing the qualities that your dog has and comparing them to your own I promise you’ll be moving in the right direction. Also, it’s fun to see what you might have in common with your furry friend.
Now that you have a sense of your dog’s dosha, let’s tailor their diet and exercise routine seasonally!
Seasonal Feeding & Exercise for Each Dosha
Spring (Kapha Season: Wet & Heavy)
Best Foods: Light, warming, and slightly drying foods like lean proteins, steamed veggies, and small amounts of ginger. Try adding some steamed broccoli or sauteed greens as a meal topper.
Exercise Tips: Avoid overfeeding! Focus on cardio—brisk walks, fetch, and agility exercises to prevent weight gain.
Extra Tip: If your dog is Kapha-dominant, spring is the perfect time to encourage movement and play more!
Summer (Pitta Season: Hot & Intense)
Best Foods: Cooling, hydrating foods like cucumbers, coconut water, and lean proteins. Avoid spicy or overly oily foods. Freeze broth and veggies in a Kong toy or mold for a fun treat.
Exercise Tips: Exercise during cooler hours (morning or evening) and prioritize water-based play or shady trails to prevent overheating.
Extra Tip: Pitta dogs may be more irritable in the heat—keep them cool with frozen treats like blended watermelon!
Fall & Early Winter (Vata Season: Dry & Cold)
Best Foods: Warm, moist, and grounding foods like stews, bone broth, and healthy fats (coconut oil, ghee). Mixing dog-friendly gravy or bone broth into kibble make a great intro-to-fresh foods.
Exercise Tips: Stick to routine, as Vata dogs can get anxious. Moderate, gentle activities like structured walks and indoor play are best.
Extra Tip: Vata pups are prone to dry skin—massage them with warm sesame or coconut oil for extra nourishment.
Late Winter (Transition from Vata to Kapha)
Best Foods: Continue warm foods but start incorporating more fresh greens and digestive spices like turmeric to prepare for spring. Mix greens into the gravy or broth and soak kibble. If you cook fresh, add greens to start to lighten up.
Exercise Tips: Balance play and rest. Encourage outdoor activity when the weather permits but don’t push them too hard.
Extra Tip: Dogs with Kapha tendencies might start slowing down—adjust their diet to avoid winter weight gain!
Actionable Steps to Get Started
As I mentioned, don’t worry about getting it right or fixing all the things. Begin with noticing which qualities your dog has. In my house we have a kapha, a pitta, a vata-pitta, and a vata. I haven’t yet been able to track the bird to a dosha yet, but I’m leaning towards vata because of the whole flight thing.
Start really simple, supporting your dog in the season by remembering that like increases like, meaning if you put more fire on a fire you’ll get fire, but if you add water to fire (opposites) you’ll get steam. To find balance, apply a bit of the opposite quality that seems out of balance.
In the case of my kapha boy Ninja, he’s very prone to gaining weight, he’s also pretty lazy. So we counteract the lazy quality (slow, heavy) with a lively game of tag (fast, light-hearted) and get him moving. Since he’s not much of a walker we appeal to his fondness for loving attention and get him moving by applying all kinds of attention and loving praise as he chases all of us through the yard- he gets way more out of it than being forced to walk when he doesn’t want to.
Here are the basic steps to get started:
Observe Your Dog: Watch their energy levels, skin condition, and digestion to determine their dosha.
Adjust Seasonally: Change their diet and exercise based on the season—Ayurveda is all about balance!
Keep Hydration in Check: Each dosha has different hydration needs—Pitta dogs need extra cooling hydration, while Vata dogs may need warming broths.
Try Herbal Support: Herbs like ashwagandha (for anxious Vata dogs) or neem (for Pitta skin issues) can be helpful. Always check with a vet first!
Create a Consistent Routine: Ayurveda thrives on routine—feed and exercise your dog at the same time each day.
By incorporating Ayurveda into your dog’s daily life, you can create a natural, balanced approach to their health and happiness. Whether your pup is a playful Pitta, a cuddly Kapha, or a speedy Vata, they’ll benefit from this ancient wisdom adapted for modern canine care.
Now start observing your pup and get started on their Ayurvedic wellness journey today!