5 Element Healing for Pets

Recent years have seen increasing interest in a holistic approach to the health and wellbeing of pets. The greater awareness and acceptance of the benefits of holistic treatments, has led to a surge in pet owners seeking complementary therapies to help support the care of their animals. Owners are now opting for gentler, and less invasive treatments, that not only resolve current issues, but which also prevent future problems.

The basic principle of holistic healthcare is to view the animal asa whole; and instead of treating issues or ‘symptoms’ separately; preventative steps are taken to help restore balance to the body as a whole.
Did you know that emotional balance is considered to be one of the main influencing factors when it comes to your animal’s health and wellbeing?  

It is widely known that stress compromises the immune system, and increases the susceptibility to disease - but did you know that the emotions your animal displays can tell you lots about their physical constitution?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, practiced in India, both consider emotional balance to be paramount in maintaining good health. Having an awareness of the influence emotions have on the body, gives a key insight into which areas require balancing to restore physical wellbeing.

TCM subscribes to the principle that all individuals (including animals), contain a combination of five basic elements, which determine and govern their constitution. These are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood.  Each organ of the body is associated with a particular element, due to the similar properties it shares with the element itself e.g. the kidneys and bladder are water element organs. As in nature, each of these elements needs to exist in harmony and balance in order to maintain optimal health. Each animal will have properties of each of these elements, but there will normally be one which is most dominant and therefore determines their personality and constitution.

By knowing your animal’s constitution, and their dominant element, it is possible to accurately predict the physical stress and emotional-driven behaviours they are likely to experience when this element is out of balance for too long. This is of enormous value when taking active measures to prevent disease and stress.

Below is a list of the characterisations of each element, including the presenting signs when this element is out of balance.

Which element do you think your pet is?

 Fire

•   Extroverts who enjoy being the centre of attention.
•   Love physical contact and always readily available for cuddles and licks!
•   Always seeking out fun.

When out of balance:‍

•   Overly energetic.
•   Difficult to settle.
•   Playful behaviour can appear manic and is difficult to contain.
•   Prone to heart conditions

‍Earth

•   Grounded and stable.
•   Easy-going and relaxed.

When out of balance:

•   Can become tense, worried and apprehensive.
•   Prone to digestive problems.

Metal

•   High drive to ‘work’ or performa task.
•   Compulsion to control boundaries and set boundaries.
•   Like to maintain order.

When out of balance: 

•   Obsessive compulsive behaviours.
•   Prone to upper-respiratory issues, and constipation.

Water

•   Loving and nurturing.
•   Loyal, and like to be physically close to you.
•   Territorial and protective.

 When out of balance:

•   Prone to anxiety and fearful behaviours e.g. separation anxiety.
•   Predisposition to kidney disease and urinary tract infections.

‍Wood

•   Bold and dominant.
•   Like to take charge and have high drive.
•   Overly emotional.

When out of balance:

•   Prone to reactivity as they will fight to be in control.
•   Predisposition to conditions linked to excessive heat in the body i.e. skin conditions, ear infections and seizures.

A holistic practitioner will use your pet’s personality amongst other things to determine which elements are out of balance, and what techniques and remedies are required to restore balance.  Being aware of the pre-dispositions your animal has to physical and behavioural issues, gives you the information necessary to make informed decisions with regards to preventative healthcare.

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Claire Oats
Specialist Animal Kinesiologist B.Sc, Dip Kin

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About the author
‍Claire Oats is a Specialist Animal Kinesiologist and Canine Behaviourist from Perth. Claire has worked with dogs for the last 25 years and specialises in resolving behaviour problems using Kinesiology techniques to remove physiological, neurological and emotional stress.

Please note: Claire's blog is general advice only. For further information on this topic please consult your veterinarian.

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