Keep the Tail Wagging is supported by pet parents. I occasionally earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you click through an affiliate link to one of my favorite products. Thank you for your support. Read More
I attended the 2023 Thrive Pet Expo, where I connected with friends, fellow pet lovers, and industry experts. Poppy Phillips, an animal naturopath for Equine Alternatives LLC and fellow Christian, posed an interesting question: “Does praying over dog food boost nutrition?” I struggled with my response because, to be frank, I don't know. In this article, I'll discuss why we pray, and why we pray before meals and share my response to Poppy's question.
What are Prayers?
From a Christian perspective, prayer is a communication between a person and God. In some Christian faiths, the communication can extend to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary, and one's guardian angel. It is an act of conversing with and seeking guidance, comfort, or thanksgiving from a higher power. Christians believe prayer is essential to their relationship with God and a means to express their faith and gratitude, seek forgiveness, ask for blessings, and present their needs and concerns.
There is also a non-religious form of prayer that some Christians find blasphemous. Individuals who practice metaphysical beliefs see prayer as a form of positive affirmation or intention setting. It is believed that through focused thoughts, words, and emotions, individuals can attune themselves to the universe's energy or tap into their inner power to manifest desired outcomes.
Why Do We Pray Before Meals?
Praying before meals has deep-rooted traditions in many cultures and religious practices. In Christianity, it is often referred to as saying grace. The act of praying before a meal serves multiple purposes:
Gratitude and Recognition: Praying before meals is a way to express gratitude to God for the food provided. It acknowledges the blessings received and recognizes the sources that sustain life.
Mindfulness and Reflection: Prayer before meals encourages individuals to pause, reflect, and be present in the moment. It helps cultivate a sense of mindfulness, appreciating the nourishment and sharing of a meal with family and friends.
Spiritual Connection: For believers, praying before meals is an opportunity to connect with the Divine and seek spiritual nourishment and physical sustenance. It acknowledges the belief that all aspects of life, including meals, are interconnected with the Sacred.
How Prayer May Impact Our Meals
The impact of prayer on our lives and meals can vary from person to person. In my experience, praying before meals fosters a positive habit, encourages me to slow down and exist in a moment where I can feel a profound sense of gratitude for the meal before me, the abundance in my life, and the friends and family (including my pets) that surround me.
But does praying before meals boost nourishment or offer any other positive impact?
When this question was initially posed to me, I was caught off guard, not knowing how to respond. But as I thought about the impact of emotions and energy on the things and people around us, it made sense that praying over food can have a positive impact. While it may not improve the meal's nutrition, prayer can improve our mood, reduce stress, and better prepare our bodies (or the systems of our pets) for nourishment.
Praying Reduces Stress
When I pray, I feel amazing. Even when I'm praying through tears when expressing gratitude for an additional ten years with a dog that was expected to die eons ago, I feel amazing. My prayers carry me through the day, inspire me to improve, and be more empathetic towards others. And I believe this positively impacts me, everyone, and everyone around me.
If praying puts me in a good mood, that will extend to my dogs because they quickly respond to my energy. When I'm happy, they're happy and relaxed. When I'm stressed or angry, they become anxious. This is one of the reasons why it became crucial for me to work on and resolve my anxiety and depression. Not only was my mental health impacting my health, it was impacting the health of my dogs.
How Stress Impacts the Gut
Have you ever lost your appetite due to sadness, grief, or stress? It's not unusual since the brain directly impacts the digestive system. In fact, the gut is often referred to as the “second brain” because it contains many nerves. Stress can hinder digestion, while relaxation can activate it.
According to Brigham Young University, when the body is under stress, it redirects resources to trigger the fight or flight response, suppressing digestion. The central nervous system slows contractions of digestive muscles and reduces digestive secretions. While occasional stress doesn't harm the body's normal functioning, frequent activation can impede the digestive system's proper functioning, leading to the development of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers.
The digestive system cannot function optimally with too much stimulation or stress. A 2011 study on stress and the gut found that “stress, which is defined as an acute threat to homeostasis, shows both short- and long-term effects on the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.”
- Short-term stress can lead to a loss of appetite and slower digestion.
- Long-term stress can cause digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, or an upset stomach.
- Extended periods of chronic stress can cause severe gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
And this is not exclusive to humans. Veterinarians have long accepted that our stress affects our dogs, causing “physiological and adaptive changes,” which puts them in a fight or flight mode by redirecting energy to their muscles, heart rate, and blood pressure while suppressing digestion. And in a limited 2019 study, researchers found that our pets feel our stress.
Does Praying Over Dog Food Improve Nutrition?
In summary, our dogs feel our stress, and short and long-term stress slows the absorption of nutrients and digestion of food, leading to health issues. Praying lightens my mood by slowing me down, allowing me to focus on the moment and my gratitude for everything surrounding me, including my meal. As my mood elevates, my stress levels decline, and this positive shift extends to my dogs.
Therefore, I believe praying over my dogs' food can boost nutrition because praying helps me create a positive, stress-free atmosphere that is conducive to improved healthy digestion.
Prayers for Pet Food
Poppy Phillips shared the following prayer…
Start with gratefulness!
Dear Lord,
I am grateful for the ability to care for Your creatures.
Thank You for providing what my pets need to help them thrive. Please bless this food, the sources, manufacturers, and the Earth that has supported it.
Let this food be assimilated well, allowing them to be vital and free from harm. In Jesus' name, Amen.
NICE BLOG