Has your pet 🐶 been leaving food behind lately? ⌇ Spring fatigue and gut health

After coming home from a walk,
and resting for about 30 minutes,
it's time for a meal.

Thankfully,
my pet isn't a picky eater and has no dislikes,
and usually finishes everything.

But today, there's a little bit left over.

It's not that they aren't eating.

But,
somehow, it's just a little different than usual.

I think the reason I can notice these subtle, "somehow" changes
is because
I'm by their side every day.

🌱 That might be a sign of mild spring fatigue

Temperature differences and changes in atmospheric pressure
can easily affect the autonomic nervous system,
often showing up in appetite or stomach health.

During this time of year, both people and dogs
are prone to "mild spring fatigue."

As the seasons change,
the body is in the process of getting used to those changes,
and it might be using much more energy than we imagine.

Sometimes, that manifests as a very subtle sign.

🌿 Do you notice any small changes like these?

Even if you think,

"Am I overreacting?"

or "Am I worrying too much?"
I believe that the changes you can notice
are precisely because you are in contact with them every day.

As one important sense,
there are times when those "somehow" signs
come through clearly.

I feel that each little thing we accumulate
leads to building trust
with our beloved dog.

🫧 Regulating the gut is the gateway to spring care

Even if they aren't
feeling particularly unwell,

when those signs of mild fatigue appear,
in our home, we adjust the contents of their food
just a little bit.

The gateway to dealing with mild spring fatigue
is "regulating the gut environment."

I'd like to introduce some "gut-friendly ingredients"
that my pet enjoys eating,
which dog owners can also enjoy together.

🥦 Broccoli

A reliable ingredient I use year-round
that also helps boost immunity.

It's one of the foods that helps keep my pet's health stable,
so it probably appears in their meals quite often.

I make sure to cook it thoroughly,
finely chop a small amount,
and add it to their food.

🥬 Spring Cabbage

A classic seasonal spring vegetable
that is soft and gentle on digestion.

My pet seems to like it
because of its subtle sweetness.

I focus on the fresh leaves,
cook them until soft,
then let them cool completely before mixing with their food.

🍄 Maitake Mushrooms

Rich in water-soluble dietary fiber,
they help gently regulate the stomach.

Freezing them before boiling
boosts their flavor and nutritional value✨

I also drizzle about a teaspoon of the cooking liquid over the food
and serve it together.

In the past, I've used this for my previous dog and my hamster.
It's an ingredient I started using
on the recommendation of my regular veterinarian,
who is also well-versed in Eastern medicine,
to support gut health and immunity during their senior years.

🫘 Natto (Fermented Soybeans)

As a support for gut health,
I just mix a tiny bit of finely chopped natto
into my dog's food.
Even though my pet doesn't usually beg for human food,

they get all excited for natto.

Whenever I try to eat natto with rice,
a battle ensues, haha.

🥛 100% Raw Milk Yogurt

Sugar-free, fat-free, and in small amounts is the rule
for using lactic acid bacteria to regulate the gut.

About two hours after dinner,
once digestion is finished
and stomach acid has become milder,
I give them about a teaspoon to lick.

It's also great for preventing
vomiting caused by an empty stomach the next morning.

Avoid giving it right before they go to sleep at night,
as it might cause their sleep to be shallow.

Other seasonal spring ingredients like shiso and turnips
also help balance things out during this time of year.
On days when I'm concerned about their health,

I sometimes pour a soup made by simmering these
with white fish over their food.

You don't have to have everything perfectly prepared.

When you're preparing your own meals as a dog owner,
just set aside a little for your dog.

Adding a little bit to their usual food
and enjoying the same ingredients together—
that is more than enough.

I talk about how to think about portion sizes and such
in this article as well,
so please take a look if you're interested.

🌿 Notice, adjust, and walk together again

The moment you notice your dog's signs
is the time to start making adjustments.

Once I incorporated gut health care,
their usual appetite returned.

On walks,
they started leading the way again.

Gut health care
doesn't have to be complicated.

My pup is teaching me that.

It's simple, yet
it gently balances their tummy.

Why not find the perfect
spoonful for your dog?