Does diet affect behaviour in dogs?
by Roz Pooley, The Mutty Professor
Every behaviour we do and every process in our body relies on energy obtained through diet. It would be foolish for us to think it does not affect dog behaviour.
Nutrition is a big can of worms to open, especially when it comes to dogs! The field of research around pet dog nutrition is ever-growing. For the sake of this blog, I will loosely refer to established information and research on nutrition but will largely draw on my own experience in working with dog behaviour on a clinical level. I may cross reference between species, but please do note that extrapolating from research on another species is common practise within science, especially when there are similarities- such as being mammals!
Fussy Eaters
Fussy eating can affect dog behaviour in many ways.
I have noticed a link between ‘fussy’ dogs who show excessive enthusiasm towards food that is different to their main source of nutrition and resource guarding behaviours. They may scavenge intensely or counter-surf in an attempt to get to food.
Unstable blood sugar levels may lead to acute behaviour change, such as a lowered threshold for reactivity and aggression. We’ve all heard of the term ‘hangry’- and this is due to the effects of blood sugar levels “crashing” and causing a spike in adrenalin as the body tries to find ways of enabling movement essential for survival. Subsequently, the body can become on high alert -looking and listening more for danger- so to more easily escape it. It’s difficult to separate emotions from physiology, so anxiety and/or feelings of frustration can start to creep in.
Furthermore, the brain utilises the most energy out of any organ in the body. Without fuel to function fully, concentration can falter and memory recollection and storage may be inhibited.
So how does this translate to dogs?
A dog who is a fussy eater may experience blood sugar ‘crashes’ and show increased sensitivity to sounds, hyper vigilance and subsequently more reactive behaviour. They may struggle to concentrate on training and recall previous learning from earlier training sessions.
I have observed many dogs labelled as fussy eaters regain consistent enthusiasm for having their food changed from a dry food to a fresher food, such as Nutriment Raw Food.
I often wonder whether dogs can smell ingredients that make them feel unwell due to intolerance, or whether stale and rancid dry food that’s over a month old since opening smells unpalatable or they simply associate eating with feeling uncomfortable.
It's not that these dogs are refusing food because they are not hungry, but perhaps because they would rather be hungry than consume the food that is on offer.
Brain Food
Diets rich in antioxidant ingredients or antioxidant containing supplements can help neutralise free radicals, which can impair brain function.
By feeding your dog a diet that is rich in fresh foods, you can be more confident they are consuming a healthy amount of antioxidants which support optimum brain function and delay the mental aging.
Check out our list of brain-supporting (dog-friendly) ingredients, or learn about our supplements and the benefits they can provide.
Gastro Intestinal Issues
None of us are at our best if we are unwell or in pain, and it is for this reason that a suitably qualified canine behaviour professional will work via vet referral- so they are up to date on the medical history of their case.
It is well established in canine behaviour research that a multitude of medical conditions, including pain, can contribute to behaviour problems- such as aggressive behaviour and sound sensitivity. It should not be surprising that gastro-intestinal issues may also affect behaviour, whether that is by experiencing pain of the digestive system or anxiety and restlessness due to frequently needing the toilet. Check out our blog to discover 10 signs that your dog may be in pain.
Even if a dog does not exhibit diarrhoea as a symptom of gastro-intestinal issues, owners should be aware of other symptoms that may be associated with inflammation of the digestive system- such as scooting, struggling to poo, eating grass or other inedible items, intermittent appetite and inconsistency poo quality.
Whilst many different things can cause gastro-intestinal issues, we should always consider whether the food we are choosing to feed our dogs is as suitable for them as we hope they would. If our dogs’ main source of nutrition was not suitable for them, such as causing them inflammation (intolerances and allergies) then his could have a significant effect on their health and behaviour.
Got a question about your dog's diet, and think a biologically appropriate diet may help? Get in touch with the team. We'd love to discuss with you!
Neurotransmitters
Many things are produced and active within the gut, such as the immune system and neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals which are involved in emotions and motivation.
When the gut environment is not at optimum, then this can affect neurotransmitter production and activity which can have an effect on behaviour. For an example, low levels of serotonin are linked to aggressive behaviour.
Microbiome
We are getting more and more research on how diet can affect the gut microbiome, which is intrinsically linked to mental and behavioural health.
Some research has shown that dogs fed a greater proportion of fresh foods had a more diverse microbiome of the gut and skin and this increased diversity may be positively correlated to improved health and behaviour.
Variation
Imagine eating the same thing day in day out. How might you behave if you then came across deliciously smelling food?
The dogs who run across the field and glue to my treat pouch are often being recalled by owners who don’t appear to have any treats on them, and I often wonder whether that particular dog has enjoyed a moist, meaty treat any time recently.
Dogs who lack variation in their diet may be more likely to scrounge while their owner enjoys their meals, counter surf, scrounge more when out on walks or they may even bark, jump and snatch for treats.
Chewing
This activity can be a great stress reliever for dogs. Studies on free ranging dogs found they chew for up to 1 hour a day when resources are available while an additional study found that dogs fed raw meaty bones had higher levels of GABA, the calming neurotransmitter, in their faeces.
Check out our range of bones and chews!
Choice
Whilst some dogs may need a limited diet due to health reasons, for healthy dogs what they eat when given choice (within reason) may provide insight into what foods they need as a species and what foods they truly enjoy.
Research has shown dogs prefer diets that are higher in protein and fats and lower in carbohydrates and meeting their species-specific dietary needs may support physical and behavioural health.
There is no evidence that suggests a diet higher in meat or protein will cause your dog to be too full of energy or even aggressive. My observations are that some dogs may show slightly higher energy levels on a higher protein diet, but that this is perhaps because they were lethargic on a higher carbohydrate diet.
I can relate to this, having addressed my own macronutrient levels 4-5 years ago. I realised how much more energy I had for eating less simple carbohydrates, and I also lost two stone! Furthermore, I noticed a huge difference in my body condition- and I see this in dogs too. Dogs fed diets high in simple carbohydrates often appear to have poor muscle tone and a puffy, bloated appearance – similar to how I looked before my diet overhaul.
Weight Control
Dogs who are over-weight have been found in research to be more likely to exhibit behaviour problems. On the other end of the spectrum, dogs who are underweight may lack self-control around food and demonstrate resource guarding behaviours.
By feeding an appropriate diet that is not dense in simple carbohydrates and managing our dog’s portions well- we can promote physical and behavioural health through our dog being at the optimum weight.
Treats for Training
High value treats, such as dehydrated meat treats, are fantastic for reinforcing dogs for desired behaviours.
I encourage my clients to not worry about ditching the treats! Dogs need food to survive, so why shouldn’t we use it to motivate them to behave as we need and want in our busy, human world?
Positive reinforcement training improves relationships between dogs and owners and can help dogs learn how to behave so to reduce their stress as well as our own and that of other people and dogs.
Concerned about your dog's behaviour? Get in touch with your vet to rule out any health issues, and contact a canine behaviourist.
