Prepare for winter with your dog. Recommended vegetables and winter meal tips to protect your dog from the cold.

Especially these days, with the temperature differences being so extreme, it's a season when both dogs and people are prone to getting sick.

The theme of this column is "Preparing for the cold with your dog." We will introduce tips for getting through the winter, including the effects of the cold on your dog, recommended vegetables to eat in winter, and recommendations for dog food that incorporates knowledge of medicinal foods.

Please read through to the end and use this information to help you spend the winter with your beloved dog.

How does the cold affect your dog?

First, make sure you understand how cold weather affects your dog.
What does the cold do to your dog's body?

Mammals such as humans and dogs have a bodily mechanism that activates the autonomic nervous system to maintain body temperature even in cold weather. Because they consume a lot of energy to maintain body temperature, they tend to feel fatigued and unwell in winter.

Poor circulation can lead to inadequate nutrition, a weakened stomach and intestines, a weakened immune system, and increased susceptibility to infections. These various physical ailments can lead to serious illnesses, so it's important to take proper measures.

Daily precautions to take against the cold

As the cold weather sets in, it's important to actively incorporate measures that can be taken on a daily basis. Here are some tips for taking small everyday precautions against the cold.

What is the perfect food temperature for your dog?

In winter, when digestive problems such as diarrhea and nausea are more likely to occur, it is recommended to warm your dog's food to body temperature before giving it to him. Simply soaking his usual food in hot water will reduce the burden on his stomach and intestines. It is also effective to reduce the amount of food he normally eats at one time and increase the number of meals he eats instead.

It is especially important to pay special attention to puppies and senior dogs, who are more prone to gastrointestinal upset than adult dogs.

It's surprisingly easy to overlook! Pay attention to your dog's water intake in winter

One thing that is often overlooked is the amount of water your dog drinks in winter. During the cold season, it is difficult to notice when your dog is thirsty, so it is important to be careful as your dog will naturally drink less water.

Dogs with kidney problems often experience worsening symptoms during the winter, and in severe cases, can develop kidney stones or cystitis.

Don't assume that just because you're refilling your dog's water bowl that it's fine, but we recommend that you regularly check how much water your dog is drinking in the winter.

If your dog is drinking less water, it's important to find other ways to encourage him to stay hydrated, in addition to simply changing his water supply.

As mentioned above, simply soaking food in hot water will encourage your dog to drink more water, and you can also make a simple soup using the broth from boiled meat or ingredients your dog likes. Try various ideas to suit your dog's tastes.

Use your knowledge of medicinal foods to prepare meals for your dog that will help them survive the cold

To help protect your dog from the cold in winter, we recommend incorporating knowledge of medicinal foods into your dog's meals.

All ingredients have the same effects as medicine, and medicinal diets are based on the Eastern medical concept of "food and medicine have the same origin," which means eating foods that are good for the body in order to create a healthy mind and body.Of course, they are also beneficial to the health of your beloved dog.

In medicinal cuisine, there is a concept called "Five Qi" which refers to the properties of ingredients.

The five qi are classified according to the effect they have on the body when eaten, and are divided into five categories: cold and cool, which have a cooling effect on the body; neutral, which neither warms nor cools the body; and warm and hot, which warm the body.

During the cold winter months, it's a good idea to actively incorporate warming ingredients into your dog's food to prepare for the winter.

However, be careful not to eat only warming foods just because it's cold, as this can throw your body off balance.

Basically, it is best to focus on neutral foods and incorporate warming and cooling foods depending on the season. In winter, it is recommended to aim for a ratio of about 3 warming foods, 6 neutral foods, and 1 cooling food.

Let's aim to make balanced food that is suitable for your dog's body while taking advantage of the characteristics of the ingredients.

Perfect for keeping your dog warm in the winter. Recommended vegetables to eat in winter.

So what foods are actually effective in helping your dog stay warm?
Here we will focus on warming foods that warm the body and introduce vegetables that are recommended for your dog's meals.

Pumpkin

Among the many summer vegetables that have a cooling effect on the body, pumpkin is unusual in that it has warming properties.
Pumpkins are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and other nutrients, and are useful for antioxidant, anti-aging, and disease prevention.
It also contains a lot of B vitamins, which are effective in generating energy, making it the perfect food to eat in the winter when fatigue and illness are more likely to build up.
It also contains iron, making it a vegetable that can efficiently provide your dog with a variety of nutrients.

chestnut

Chestnuts, a representative autumn flavor, are also a warming food.
Carbohydrates make up about 40% of the total, which helps replenish energy and improve physical strength.
It is also rich in vitamins, which means it is expected to have anti-aging and disease prevention effects, making it a great item to have in the winter when your health tends to fluctuate.
However, because it is high in calories, you need to be careful about the amount you give your dog. The outer skin and astringent skin are hard to digest, so be sure to remove them and always cook them before feeding them.

Turnip

Turnips are also a warming vegetable that helps warm the body.
Turnips are rich in amylase, an enzyme that digests starch, making them effective in relieving indigestion and constipation. They are recommended for dogs with a cold stomach or a loss of appetite.
In the world of herbal medicine, white foods are said to "moisten the lungs," making them ideal for children who are concerned about dry skin or who suffer from a dry cough.
In addition, turnip leaves contain many ingredients with excellent antioxidant properties, such as beta-carotene and vitamin C, so it is a good idea to give them to your pet along with the roots.
Although it can be eaten raw, it is better to chop it finely and cook it before giving it to your dog from a digestive standpoint.

parsley

In the human diet, parsley is often thought of as a supporting ingredient that adds color and aroma to dishes, but it is actually a green and yellow vegetable that boasts top-class nutritional value, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, and iron. Because of its warming properties, it's also perfect for giving to your dog to help protect them from the cold in winter. In medicinal cuisine, parsley is valued as a vegetable that improves blood circulation.

In addition to being effective in preventing aging and cancer, the chlorophyll contained in parsley is said to have a detoxifying effect on the stomach and intestines, helping to improve bad breath and detoxify the stomach and intestines.

Parsley has hard leaves, so if you give it to your dog as is, it may get stuck in the throat or cause indigestion, so it is recommended to chop it finely. It is better to give it to your dog raw, which is more nutritious, or to lightly stir-fry it in oil and use it as a topping on their regular meals.

mushroom

Mushrooms are also warm-flavoured.
Among mushrooms, it is rich in minerals and B vitamins, which have the effect of promoting metabolism and metabolism, and is useful for dieting and maintaining the health of the skin, mucous membranes, and cornea of the eyes.

Another notable feature is that it contains a lot of selenium, which has cancer prevention properties, and eritadenine, which has the effect of lowering cholesterol levels. The health effects of these ingredients on dogs are currently being researched, but it's great to know that we can expect these benefits.

Maitake mushrooms

Maitake mushrooms are said to have a warm to lukewarm diet. They contain many ingredients that act on the immune system, making them an ideal food for boosting your immune system.

Beta-glucan in particular has a strong anti-cancer effect, so it is recommended not only for prevention but also for dogs who are currently battling cancer. It is a food that has been attracting attention in the medical field in recent years as it enhances dogs' natural healing abilities.

Maitake mushrooms are expected to lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and are also a superfood that supports your dog's health in various areas, such as reducing allergic symptoms, maintaining healthy bones and teeth, promoting muscle development, and having a positive effect on the skin, mucous membranes, and coat.

This is not limited to maitake mushrooms, but eating raw mushrooms can cause food poisoning, so be sure to cook them before giving them to your pet. If you also give them the cooking water, your pet can efficiently absorb the nutrients dissolved in the water.

Don't give up on nutrition! Saesa is recommended for your dog's winter meals

You want to feed your beloved dog nutritious food, but you're so busy with work and housework that it's hard to keep it up every day... If you're a pet owner with this problem, we recommend saesa!

Saesa is a furikake for dogs made with domestic vegetables, so you can easily get your dog the nutritional value of vegetables by simply sprinkling it on their regular food.

Supervised by a registered dietitian, this high-quality food is completely additive-free, so you can feed it to your beloved dog with peace of mind.It comes in easy-to-use individual packaging, so you can easily take it with you when traveling or going out.

As a first step in taking care of your dog's winter health, why not try saesa?

Saesa product page is here

Look beyond vegetables! Prepare for winter with foods that will warm your body

In the previous chapter, we introduced vegetables that have the property of warming the body, but in fact, there are not that many vegetables that have thermogenic properties.

If you are feeding your dog warming food specifically designed to combat winter, it is recommended that you also combine it with other warming ingredients besides vegetables.

Here we have picked out some thermogenic foods that dogs can eat and that are easy to incorporate into your dog's meals. Please take a look!

Meat in general

Dogs have evolved into omnivores over their long history living with humans, but they were originally carnivorous creatures. Even for modern dogs, meat is a very important ingredient in their diet to maintain a healthy mind and body.

Many meats, such as chicken, beef, lamb, and venison, are classified as warming meats, making them perfect for fighting the cold in winter. Horse meat, by the way, is unusual among meats in that it is classified as cool and refreshing. It's high in protein and low in calories, making it a recommended food for dogs, but especially in winter, it's best to be mindful of the amount and timing of feeding.

ginger

For humans, ginger is a typical food that warms the body.
Ginger is often confused with leeks and onions and is thought not to be good for dogs, but it does not contain any toxic ingredients and can be given to dogs without any problems.

On the contrary, it has many beneficial effects, such as boosting immunity, promoting blood circulation, increasing appetite, and recovering from fatigue! It is definitely a food ingredient that you should use to combat the cold in winter.

Human ginger tubes may contain additives, so when giving it to your dog, it is recommended to grate fresh ginger or sprinkle dried ginger powder on top.

spices

For added nutrients, try topping it with a moderate amount of spices that are safe for dogs to eat. Many of these have the effect of warming the body, making them perfect for fighting the cold in winter.

For example, turmeric has antioxidant properties that boost immunity, promote healthy coat and skin, and promote digestive function. It also helps strengthen liver function.

Cinnamon is often said to be a food that dogs shouldn't eat, but Ceylon cinnamon contains a low amount of coumanin, which can cause liver damage, so it's fine to feed it in moderation. It's useful for supporting cardiac function, acting as an anti-inflammatory, and improving brain function, among other benefits.

However, excessive or prolonged consumption can have adverse effects on your dog's health, so be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any supplements and be sure to limit the amount to an appropriate level.

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The following column provides detailed information on things to be careful about when feeding your dog vegetables and things to be careful about when feeding them homemade food.

Please feel free to refer to this as well.

・Do dogs need vegetables? Check out the recommended vegetables and precautions to take when feeding them!

・I want to make homemade food for my dog with lots of vegetables! What preparations do I need? What's the recipe?

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Conclusion

Even in the cold and harsh winter, all dog lovers share the wish to live a healthy life with their beloved dog.

Use the cold weather protection tips we've introduced here to help you enjoy the winter with your beloved dog.