WATER
FIVE ELEMENT THEORY
Knowing the personality of your animal can help to understand why they react to situations a certain way and what diseases they may be predisposed to. In Chinese medicine, each animal has a base personality type. Typically, once their personality is established, the animal remains at its core personality, and is predisposed to the influences of that element. However, as the animal goes through life, the other elements will influence how they react to their environment and can influence and add depth to their personality. Every person and animal have a different set of experiences, we are all individuals after all.
Classic characteristics of water may include being a bit shy. They can get easily nervous when being touched by a stranger, they may have submissive urination, and sometimes they will hide and run away when strangers come over to the home.
Water personality animals tend to be very quiet and reserved. They are considered to be the most introverted of the personalities, and tend to be more independent and solitary, even when in familiar surroundings. Like the Metal personality, Water likes to analyze the situation before acting. Water types are prone to the emotion of fear. These dogs are hesitant and tend to look to their owners for guidance in new situations. Most water animals prefer to hide or run, but will bite or scratch if unable to avoid unwanted interactions / perceived danger.
Predisposition to Disease Conditions for Water Element
The Water element in traditional Chinese medicine is linked to the kidney and urinary bladder, with secondary associations to bones, ears/hearing, endocrine organs, and genetic essence. Water animals are prone emotional stress from their constitution and when out of balance may manifest a variety of issues.
- Endocrine diseases that disturb the body’s natural water balance, such as but not limited to Cushing’s (Hyperadrenocorticism), Addison’s (Hypoadrenocorticism) and Thyroid dysfunction (hypo/hyper thyroid).
- Ear Infections and Hearing Loss
- Kidney or Bladder Diseases – Such as but not limited to early kidney degeneration / disease, kidney, and urinary bladder infections (UTI’s), kidney and urinary bladder stones.
- Lower Back Pain / Hip Dysplasia / Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
* Water is a key component of all cells. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60% water. Most humans and animals walk around in a mild state of dehydration. For people, we often just don’t drink enough water. For pets, dehydration is more complicated as animals are much less efficient water drinkers. In addition, animals typically get little to no water from their diet as the most popular foods fed to animals is currently a kibble-based diet, which has the majority of water removed. Overtime the lack of water in the diet and in life leads our animals toward kidney system imbalance. This imbalance often manifests in older animals as arthritis, intervertebral disk disease, and kidney disease that eventually leads to kidney failure.
Using Five Elements for Preventative Medicine for Water Element
Confidence building with positive reinforcement and socialization is important in Water personalities, however, just as important, is always having a private and hidden space for them to retreat into when they need to get away. Positive visits to the veterinary hospital are important for Water pets to feel confident during exams. Consider aromatherapy treatments, bringing their favorite treat to the hospital for the medical team to give, and taking a walk if possible before and after the appointment. Lowering acute and chronic stress, lowers cortisol levels which helps reduce chronic endocrine diseases.
Herbal therapy for anxiety can be beneficial in times of imbalance.
Blood Work to evaluate for endocrine disorders is very important. There are a variety of blood panels that can become more comprehensive as the pet ages. It is important for Water Elements to begin annual blood work at a young age. This allows the veterinarian to trend changes as the pet ages and catch potential serious conditions such as kidney disease early.
Starting Glucosamine / MSM supplements at an early age is important to help strengthen and lubricate cartilage as it continues to develop early in life.
Monitor for Ear Infections Look for any abnormal shaking, pawing at ears or malodor from the ears. This may indicate an ear infection.
Add water into their food and making sure they always have ample water sources! Highly consider canned, dehydrated, or RAW diets as these have a higher water content than dry kibble.
We look forward to helping your pet with
individualized and detailed integrative health care.
Mountain View Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Care
