From November 22 to December 6, we are in Xiao Xue (小雪), or "Light Snow," according to the Chinese solar calendar. This period marks the beginning of a further drop in temperatures, with frost turning into light snowfall, as nature slows down to conserve energy.
In Chinese medicine, winter is the season associated with the Kidneys, considered the root of the body's energy (Qi).
During Xiao Xue, it is important to keep warm and nourish your Qi to prevent symptoms such as tiredness, lower back pain, and cold hands and feet in the colder months.
This period is dedicated to rest, conservation and nourishment of the body's resources, to prepare for the harsh winter climate. Not only for us, but also for our beloved dogs, cats and horses , it is essential to adopt measures that help them stay healthy, strong and warm.
🐕🐈 Tips for dogs and cats
- Warm and nutritious food
- Supplement your diet with foods rich in protein and nutrients, such as warm broths (without salt) or small portions of cooked meat.
- Add cooked vegetables like carrots or squash for natural digestive support (for our canine friends)
- Cold weather can affect digestion, help your friends with probiotics and prebiotics like those in our Perfect Flore for dogs and Kitty Confort to help digestion in cats.
- Keep warm
- Make sure your furry friends have a warm, dry kennel away from drafts.
- For dogs that love being outdoors, a coat can help them avoid heat loss.
- Moderate physical activity
- Keep exercising regularly, movement is important. You can help them by massaging their back muscles with our Muscle Magic gel before walking and Leg Aid for our friends with joint stiffness (for our canine friends)
- For our feline friends, allow them to stay warm when they want it. For the older ones, you can help them with a supplement that supports the immune, digestive and joint systems like Kitty Senior .
🐴 Tips for horses
- Energy nutrition
- Provide high quality forage and, if necessary, supplement with supplements to support their metabolism during the cold weather. (for example Equiprotemix )
- Add specific supplements for the Kidneys and Respiratory System (e.g. thyme )
- Cold weather and less frequent and longer outings to the meadow can affect digestion. You can help your horse with products that support his intestinal flora such as Flore Provide or that help with problems related to digestive stress such as chamomile .
- Adequate shelter
- Make sure they have access to a dry, wind-protected shelter.
- Use a winter blanket for horses that need help (older horses, convalescents, etc.)
- Massages
- Massage your lower back to stimulate circulation and support kidney energy.
- You can also use massage oils ( Muscle Magic ) to help your muscles relax and prepare them for the effort (before riding) and Leg Aid in case of joint stiffness.
🌟 Why is it important?
Cold weather can weaken Qi and cause stiffness, joint pain, and fatigue in animals, just like it does in us. With a little attention and targeted care, we can help them stay happy and healthy throughout the winter.
Take care of them today, for a peaceful and worry-free winter! 🐕🐈🐎