Chakras have their roots in Buddhism and Hinduism. The term describes focal points someone can use in meditative practices to tap into these energy portals. Depending on the source, there are five, six, or seven in humans. The concept is ancient in the East but a recent practice in the Western World from the late 19th century. Practitioners even made various additions to the chakras into the early 20th century.
Discussing chakras is a bit hard to discuss because it’s a construct and non-testable topic that is based on beliefs. We pride ourselves on thorough research to provide scientifically validated answers to questions, so this topic is a bit hard to answer. Let’s get into the details.
What Is a Chakra?
Chakras are essentially an integral part of a living thing’s energy field. For believers, they are thought to be spinning energy portals located throughout various parts of a body that should stay open and aligned since they correspond to major organs, nerves, and energy that affect our physical and mental well-being. The chakras can be worked on in order to find balance among them.
Do Dogs Have Chakras?
An Internet search revealed much information about canines and chakras but nothing official that we can factually confirm. We don’t challenge anyone’s belief system. However, we can offer explanations for what pet owners may have observed in their dogs by following the principles of chakras and applying them to their pups.
Forty-thousand years of domestication have forged strong bonds between humans and their canine companions. We have influenced their biology and selectively bred them for many jobs. Dogs haven’t been idle. They have been observant and learned from us. They can even read our emotions and respond accordingly.
Imagine a frantic pet owner worried about their dog’s worsening arthritis. They read about the potential of tapping the root chakra at their dog’s tail’s base. They follow some suggested practices and notice an improvement in their pup’s locomotion. Did they work? Are they proof of this concept? While we can’t be sure of a canine placebo effect, research tells us our pets reflect our emotions.
Is the behavioral change a response to a concerned pet owner reacting to a possible treatment?
Chakras involve meditation, visualization, and yoga practices. Research has shown that dogs are capable of the six basic emotions or the equivalent of a 2.5-year-old child. So, your pup may display higher emotions like jealousy, but they don’t retain the memories of them. That leads us to conclude that canines wouldn’t understand the purported benefits of chakras. But again, many people do believe in them and that they do exist in dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there any scientific evidence to support chakras?
No substantiated and peer-reviewed evidence exists to support this concept. However, researchers have long recognized the conundrum of belief systems and science. Philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn called it the “essential tension.” The two worlds lie side-by-side, with mutual respect.
Why can’t I find a veterinarian who uses chakras?
Veterinarians walk a fine line in these cases. Compassion underscores every interaction with clients and their pets. However, they are also guided by the mission of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), which states their role as “…advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.” Science must guide their actions.
I’ve seen nine chakras for dogs. Why do they have two more than people?
We suspect the difference lies with our different bodies. After all, they have four legs and a tail! The nine chakras of dogs are said to include the Base, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Brachial, Throat, Sensing, Third Eye, and Crown chakras.
Final Thoughts
Our research found no substantiated documentation of dog chakras. The Western version of chakras is evolving, though. Perhaps our canine companions may find a place in this belief system. If it helps owners cope with pet issues, we support it—as long as it doesn’t prevent an individual from seeking proper veterinary care.
Featured Image Credit: Gladskikh Tatiana, Shutterstock