Most often we attribute behavior in dogs to Medical conditions, Environment, Nurture vs. Nature, Breed qualities, and Age. Often people feed their new dog whatever the last owner fed the dog, or they look at the bags of food and select the “Enhanced Meal, Limited-ingredient diet for sensitive stomach, Raw-Diet, GrainFree, Organic, Regionally inspired diet, All Life Stage, or Shinier Coat Formula,” without considering the age or physical attributes of the dog. Research shows that All Life Stage diets are focused on the nutritional needs of puppies and should not be fed to older dogs. Puppies need a higher protein and fat content in their food. It is also important to note that large-breed puppies should only be fed Large Breed puppy food to accommodate slower growth patterns, which will, in turn, develop healthier joints and help to circumvent Hip Dysplasia in the larger breeds.
The last ten years have revealed several studies on the diet that show specific diet and nutritional deficiencies that may have a major effect on dog behavior and training outcomes that may surprise you.
Dog Behavior Relating to Nutrition
Why do you think your dog is more stubborn than other dogs, acting unmotivated, appearing lethargic, or irritable/aggressive than you want them to be? Recent research shows that perhaps there are more behavioral issues connected with a dog’s current diet than first thought. The current top food and treat priorities, according to the Global Pet Expo, are Grain-Free and High Protein ingredients. This paper investigates why following popular trends do not validate the best food or treats for your dog long-term. Most of these products have not conducted any food trials on dogs. Take a deeper look into the research of what and why certain foods affect your dog’s behavior and optimal health. Physiology of Food The physical and chemical phenomena of our cells, tissues, and organs absorption of excess, deficient, or adequate nutrients, affect our daily behavior.
It is well documented that nutrition in food and snacks have a major impact on our medical health, behavior, and emotions. A stomachache or intestinal discomfort interferes with our ability to learn, our attitude toward others, and other normal life functions. Why would not the same be true of dog behavior compared to gut health? Grain-Free and High Protein foods1Research by Bjork and Kris-Etherton in 2020 found that Serotonin levels drop from 40% & 50% down to 25% when dogs are fed a Grain-Free, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. This was confirmed by Roth’s Research in 2021, which shows tryptophan is depleted in the body but is needed for serotonin in the brain. Nesic researched that the depletion of tryptophan results in higher rates of depression and aggression, with lower brain development. Higher levels of tryptophan are found in carbohydrates. Fatty Acids – Omega 3.Omega 3 produces an Anti-Inflammatory effect in our body to reduce and regulate inflammation. While Omega 6 produces Pro-Inflammatory effects in our body that allows our body to react more efficiently to infection. The following research has revealed the optimal ratio is 1:5 for Omega 6 to Omega 3 in the body. Fatty Acids and behavior in humans. A decrease in Omega Fatty Acids results in an increase in human homicide (Hallahan, 2004).
Medical results reported that 2/3 of psychiatric patients had a decrease in Omega Fatty Acids (Zaalberg, 2015).An increase in DHA results in a decrease in aggression and impulsivity during stress (Hamazaki, 1996).Fatty Acids and behavior in dogs. A decrease in DHA along with elevated Omega 6:Omega 3 ratio levels increased dog aggression (Re, 2008).An increase in elevated Omega 6 levels alone resulted in increased dog aggression (Lenox, 2013).An increase in elevated Omega 3 levels alone resulted in a decrease in dog depression and anxiety (Haug, 2020).Gut Microbiome and Behavior. A relative deficiency in micronutrients like Folate can affect multiple generations through epigenetics and not just a generational diet deficiency.
The long-term latency in Vitamin B deficiencies or excess can take over 10 years and will not be seen in the feeding trials that are usually six months to one year. B vitamins are important co-factors for the body. B-12 reverses mania episodes, while B-1, thiamine has anti-depressant tendencies similar to MAOI’s, and B-6 is a co-factor in Serotonin synthesis. The recommended dose in dogs is 150 mg/kg once daily according to the research by Chung et al 2008.Minerals’ involvement in behavior. Magnesium is a co-factor in serotonin synthesis as well as binding neurotransmitters. A decrease in dietary magnesium is shown to increase anxiety, depression, and excitability, according to research conducted by Poleszak in 2008.Maganate Sulfate, Lactate, and Citrate have more bioavailability compared to Magnesium Carbonate which is not bioavailable. Zinc is another important supplement to have in food. A deficiency in Zinc will increase anxiety and cortisone production in dogs, while Zinc excess in the dog will produce more aggressive behavior, according to research in 2005 by Juhr. NUTRITION AND DOG BEHAVIOR 5Raw Diets and Dry Diets. The Veterinary Clinical Pathology International Journal of Laboratory Medicine found that the effect of a Raw diet produced a deficiency in Folate, B-12, and Iron. In contrast, the High Heat Processed Dry Kibble Diet did not produce any changes in Folate, B-12, or Iron (Anturaniemi, 2019).
The raw diet resulted in increased dog aggression.
The Dry Kibble diet resulted in higher cholesterol and phosphate compared to the raw diet.
Total calcium and cholesterol decreased significantly in dogs fed the raw diet, but albumin, potassium, sodium, creatine, and total protein increased significantly.There is a current focus by manufacturers on producing Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Kibble to overcome the vitamin deficiencies and mineral excess found in a strictly Raw Diet while combating the higher cholesterol and phosphate levels resulting from Dry Kibble Diets.
References
Kris-Etherton, P. M. (2020). Nutrition and behavioral health disorders: depression and anxiety. ResearchGate.Roth, W. (2021).
Tryptophan Metabolixsm and Gut-Brain Homeostasis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, ResearchGate.Re, S. (2008).
Aggressive dogs are characterized by low omega-3 poluyunsaturated fatty acid status. ResearchGate.Goffin, K. (2017).
Effects of matrix on plasma levels of EPA and DHA in dogs, Cambridge University Press.Zaalberg, A. (2015).
Nutrition, Neurotoxicants and Aggressive Behaviour. ResearchGate.Hamazaki, K. (2014).
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Brain and Neurological Health: Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Aggression, Pages 359-365. Academic Press/Elsevier.Lenox, C. E. (2013).
Potential Adverse Effects of Omega Fatty Acids in Dogs and Cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.Anturaniemi, J. (2019).
The effect of a raw vs dry diet on serum biochemical, hematologic, blood iron, B-12, and folate levels in Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Veterinary Clinical Pathology International Journal of Laboratory MedicineHaug, L. I. (2020).
The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Behavior Therapy. Sugarland, Texas: Texas Veterinary Behavior Science.
