The following thought was inspired by the WhatsApp message as detailed above. It reminded me of something I had often observed during my years as a veterinarian.
We humans fast for religious, cultural or even medical reasons. But have you ever noticed that animals seem to know when they need to fast?
On more than one occasion, dog owners have rushed to me saying, "Doctor, my dog has not eaten anything since yesterday!"
Naturally, I would examine the dog thoroughly. Much to the owner's surprise—and sometimes to mine too—I could find nothing abnormal. The dog was bright, active, wagging its tail, and showing no signs of illness... except that it had firmly declared a "No Food Day." I would usually advise the owner not to panic and simply keep the dog under observation.
Sure enough, the very next day the patient would happily end its self-imposed fast and eat with its usual enthusiasm, as though nothing had happened.
There was another interesting habit I noticed. On the fasting day, many dogs would carefully search for a particular type of grass and nibble at it. Within a short time, they would vomit. After that, they looked perfectly comfortable, as if they had completed a natural stomach cleansing programme.
Long before detox diets, wellness retreats and intermittent fasting became fashionable among humans, dogs seemed to have mastered the art of listening to their own bodies.
Of course, not every dog that refuses food is merely fasting. Persistent loss of appetite, repeated vomiting, fever, weakness or any other abnormal signs should always be examined by a veterinarian.
But a healthy dog occasionally skipping a meal is often Nature's way of saying, "Give my digestive system a day's holiday."
Perhaps there is a lesson for us humans. We proudly claim to be the most intelligent species on earth. Yet when we feel a little uncomfortable, we immediately reach for a tablet. The dog, on the other hand, quietly skips a meal, eats a little grass, empties its stomach, takes a nap and is ready for business the next day.
Sometimes, nature turns out to be the best physician—and the dog, one of its wisest students.
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