Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
Module 3 - Section - 6 - Food and Behaviour
Module 3 - Section - 6 - Food and Behaviour
- Methods of Feeding and how dog food is made
- Reading Dog Food Labels
- The Five Components Required
- Additives and Preservatives
- Diet and the Brain
- Food and Behaviour
Dry Dog Food
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Raw Dog Food
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Tinned Dog Food
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There are many behaviourists (ourselves included), vets, canine nutritionists, trainers and others that believe that food can have a direct link to behaviour, and books such as Val Strong’s ‘The Dog’s Dinner’, and articles on this subject are now common place. However, there is unfortunately very little scientific evidence available as yet.
Fortunately this previously ignored area does seem to be gaining more attention and a handful of researchers are investigating the role nutrition plays in canine behaviour and whether the removal or addition of specific nutrients from the diet may alter a dog’s temperament and behaviour.
When it comes to what food is best to feed a dog in general, this area is one of the most controversial subjects there is! There is so much conflict about which foods are the best and the players in the various sections can get very passionate about why their food should be used, and are not shy about criticising other methods of feeding. Taking into account that the pet food industry is gi-normous, and that in the USA alone, it was estimated that pet owners would spend about $58.51 billion on their pets during the year2014 (not just on food), it is understandable why companies will spend a fortune on advertising to promote their own products, and perhaps not always have the best interests of the dog at heart – this is a very lucrative business. This makes it very difficult for the dog owner to know what is the best option to feed, especially when their vet is also selling specific brands of food and recommending same. What is very definite is that food can have a direct link to the behaviour a dog is exhibiting, especially the lower quality foods.
As we were putting together this section of the course, it was difficult not to fall into the trap above of trying to promote our own beliefs to you, especially as in 2006 Scotty undertook the Animal Care College ‘Modern Theories of Canine behaviour, Psychology and Training’ Course, and for her special study she opted to do in-depth research into the effect of food on behaviour. As part of the study she also examined the content of various foods, ranging from the ‘el cheapo’ right through to the brands sold at vets and vet shops and what an eye opener that was! . W decided to exlude our personal point of view and provide you with the basic information you need and then you do further research for yourself.
Fortunately this previously ignored area does seem to be gaining more attention and a handful of researchers are investigating the role nutrition plays in canine behaviour and whether the removal or addition of specific nutrients from the diet may alter a dog’s temperament and behaviour.
When it comes to what food is best to feed a dog in general, this area is one of the most controversial subjects there is! There is so much conflict about which foods are the best and the players in the various sections can get very passionate about why their food should be used, and are not shy about criticising other methods of feeding. Taking into account that the pet food industry is gi-normous, and that in the USA alone, it was estimated that pet owners would spend about $58.51 billion on their pets during the year2014 (not just on food), it is understandable why companies will spend a fortune on advertising to promote their own products, and perhaps not always have the best interests of the dog at heart – this is a very lucrative business. This makes it very difficult for the dog owner to know what is the best option to feed, especially when their vet is also selling specific brands of food and recommending same. What is very definite is that food can have a direct link to the behaviour a dog is exhibiting, especially the lower quality foods.
As we were putting together this section of the course, it was difficult not to fall into the trap above of trying to promote our own beliefs to you, especially as in 2006 Scotty undertook the Animal Care College ‘Modern Theories of Canine behaviour, Psychology and Training’ Course, and for her special study she opted to do in-depth research into the effect of food on behaviour. As part of the study she also examined the content of various foods, ranging from the ‘el cheapo’ right through to the brands sold at vets and vet shops and what an eye opener that was! . W decided to exlude our personal point of view and provide you with the basic information you need and then you do further research for yourself.
Lets start at the beginning and let you know how dog food is made and the various types available.
Commercial dog food has actually been around since Roman times and has been made on a commercial basis since the early 1800’s. The extrusion process was adapted for making dog food in the 1950’s and was based on the technology used in the production of puffed breakfast cereals.
Dry Food – Extrusion Process
Without going into too much detail we find that this diagram and explanation from The Pet Food Institute gives one a good idea as to the process of extrusion (most popular method) and there is a link to same at the end of this section. There is a huge amount of information on the extrusion process on the webs should you wish to know more about the process.
- Methods of Feeding and how dog food is made
Lets start at the beginning and let you know how dog food is made and the various types available.
Commercial dog food has actually been around since Roman times and has been made on a commercial basis since the early 1800’s. The extrusion process was adapted for making dog food in the 1950’s and was based on the technology used in the production of puffed breakfast cereals.
Dry Food – Extrusion Process
Without going into too much detail we find that this diagram and explanation from The Pet Food Institute gives one a good idea as to the process of extrusion (most popular method) and there is a link to same at the end of this section. There is a huge amount of information on the extrusion process on the webs should you wish to know more about the process.
The basic procedure :-
Holistic Dry Foods (also by Extrusion Process)
The first thing one needs to bear in mind with a food labelled Holistic is that there is no legal definition for the term ‘Holistic’ so companies can use this name if they wish without having to obtain or meet any criteria. What needs to be done first and foremost is that the label needs to be read to find out what holistic means for that particular product.
These foods would also be made by the Extrusion process, the difference would be where the ingredients themselves are concerned and the label would need to be examined carefully. Ideally, the protein would be whole protein, not processed parts or by-products. The grains, if used, would be whole grains, fruit and veggies. There would be no chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides or dyes. If the food were Organic, then the ingredients should be in the region of 95% organic in order to qualify as organic.
Semi-moist foods
These are manufactured in a similar manner to dry food but are done at a lower temperature and pressure than that used for dry foods. When the product leaves the extruder it is not completely dry and instead goes through very low agitation drums where humectants (chemicals that help to maintain moisture), water and acids are added. It is then placed in a fridge to cool and set which results in a higher moisture and spongy texture.
This type of food has a lot more moisture than dry food, but not as much as canned food and as such is more prone to spoiling from bacteria and mould. This type of food is formulated with mould and bacterial inhibitors and the packaging is in special moisture proof bags.
Canned Food
The same process and principles that are used for canning human food is used for dog food as well. The process is normally that either fresh or frozen meat and/or meat by-products are ground, weighed and added to a mix that will contain minerals, vitamins and often grains and blended. Once properly cooked the cans are filled and sealed and then sterilized in order to kill off bacteria. Very often canned food will contain a lot more protein but it also contains a lot more moisture, so one has to feed more of the product to make a dog feel full
BARF (Bones and Raw Food)
BARF is the name this is commonly known by, however there are many variations to this as some of the foods available contain only raw protein, other contain raw protein mixed with fruit and veggies, while others contain protein, fruit, veggies, minerals and supplements. One also has to establish whether the ‘whole animal’ was used or whether only the left over parts or those not used for human consumption are used. These normally come in frozen packages and are sold commercially.
Home Feeding
Many people are opting to feed their dogs at home themselves and these normally consist of either raw or cooked meat, veggies, added grain and added supplements. A danger here that must be pointed out is that owners do have to ensure that the dog is receiving the correct balance and correct supplements. This method also involves a lot of work by the owners and is very time consuming.
- Ingredients are brought together in a mixer. Dry ingredients may be ground prior to incorporation with wet ingredients. Once mixed together, they form moist dough.
- The dough is heated in the preconditioner prior to introduction to the extruder.
- The extruder, similar to a giant meat grinder that is heated, is where the primary cooking phase for dry extruded pet food products occurs. The dough is cooked under intense heat and pressure as it moves toward the open end of the extruder. At the end of the extruder, hot dough passes through a shaping dye and knife (similar to the action of a meat grinder) where the small pieces expand rapidly into kibble once they are under standard air pressure.
- Kibble is dried in an oven until its moisture content is low enough to make it shelf stable like a cookie or cracker.
- The drying oven is followed by a cooling phase.
- After cooling, kibble may pass through a machine that sprays on a coating, which is generally a flavour enhancer.
- Packaging (bags, boxes, pouches, etc.) is filled during the last step to precise amounts to meet the weight advertised on the label. The final result is finished pet foods or treats.
Holistic Dry Foods (also by Extrusion Process)
The first thing one needs to bear in mind with a food labelled Holistic is that there is no legal definition for the term ‘Holistic’ so companies can use this name if they wish without having to obtain or meet any criteria. What needs to be done first and foremost is that the label needs to be read to find out what holistic means for that particular product.
These foods would also be made by the Extrusion process, the difference would be where the ingredients themselves are concerned and the label would need to be examined carefully. Ideally, the protein would be whole protein, not processed parts or by-products. The grains, if used, would be whole grains, fruit and veggies. There would be no chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides or dyes. If the food were Organic, then the ingredients should be in the region of 95% organic in order to qualify as organic.
Semi-moist foods
These are manufactured in a similar manner to dry food but are done at a lower temperature and pressure than that used for dry foods. When the product leaves the extruder it is not completely dry and instead goes through very low agitation drums where humectants (chemicals that help to maintain moisture), water and acids are added. It is then placed in a fridge to cool and set which results in a higher moisture and spongy texture.
This type of food has a lot more moisture than dry food, but not as much as canned food and as such is more prone to spoiling from bacteria and mould. This type of food is formulated with mould and bacterial inhibitors and the packaging is in special moisture proof bags.
Canned Food
The same process and principles that are used for canning human food is used for dog food as well. The process is normally that either fresh or frozen meat and/or meat by-products are ground, weighed and added to a mix that will contain minerals, vitamins and often grains and blended. Once properly cooked the cans are filled and sealed and then sterilized in order to kill off bacteria. Very often canned food will contain a lot more protein but it also contains a lot more moisture, so one has to feed more of the product to make a dog feel full
BARF (Bones and Raw Food)
BARF is the name this is commonly known by, however there are many variations to this as some of the foods available contain only raw protein, other contain raw protein mixed with fruit and veggies, while others contain protein, fruit, veggies, minerals and supplements. One also has to establish whether the ‘whole animal’ was used or whether only the left over parts or those not used for human consumption are used. These normally come in frozen packages and are sold commercially.
Home Feeding
Many people are opting to feed their dogs at home themselves and these normally consist of either raw or cooked meat, veggies, added grain and added supplements. A danger here that must be pointed out is that owners do have to ensure that the dog is receiving the correct balance and correct supplements. This method also involves a lot of work by the owners and is very time consuming.
2. Reading Dog Food Labels
This can be another mine field with ‘hidden’ or ‘misleading’ information.
We aree not going to reinvent the wheel here and are rather going to give you three links to read through which will give you a good overall picture. It really is important that you learn how to read a label, not just for your own dogs, but to determine what is in your client’s dog’s food – remember, ignore the advertising!
How to Recognize Lower Quality Meat Meals
Since many manufacturers do little to clarify the true nature of the ingredients they use, two important rules can help you avoid choosing inferior products.
Avoid dog foods containing any meat meal that:
Here are some examples of inferior meat-based protein ingredients. Notice the generic nature of the phrases:
When you see ingredients like these in any recipe, it’s a sign you’re probably looking at a lower quality dog food.
3. The Five Components Required
Dogs need five components to provide them with the essential nutritional need required for full health. These are:
Proteins: - meat, poultry, game, fish, egg, milk and cheese which provide essential amino acids and adult dogs in good health generally require about 18 – 25% protein in their diet. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks for creating strong muscles and repairing body tissues. Because the dog can only create half of the amino acids he needs, the other amino acids (called essential amino acids) must come from the diet.
Carbohydrates: - provided by cereal, rice, pasta, and potatoes which provide essential starch and glucose. However do bear in mind that many cereal based foods can cause allergic reactions. Also, in reasonable amounts carbs can be a source of energy, but the problem lies in the quantity present in many dog foods. The nutritional requirement of carbs to sustain a dog’s life is – zero!
According to the National Research Council in USA, and compared to the other two major nutrients i.e. protein and fat, no carbs are essential for a healthy canine diet. You may ask why they are in dog food then? I really don’t know, but perhaps it is something to do with them being easily available, have a long shelf life, are essential to making dog food and that they are much cheaper than either protein or fat – I leave you to do your own research and draw your own conclusion. Here is a link to an article by Dr. Anushka Viljoen, a leading SA vet, homeopath and accupunterist and which gives a good insight into carbs and dogs and is worth while reading.
Are dogs suppossed to eat kibble? http://www.simplypets.co.za/articles/item/13-are-dogs-supposed-to-eat-kibble
Fats: - are provided by animal and vegetable fats and oils and which carry vitamins A, D. E and K as well as the Essential Fatty Acids needed to provide good coat, skin and for reproduction.
While some may think fat is unhealthy, this is not always the case. Dogs require a balance of certain fatty acids that must be provided by the diet. Fats provide energy, as well as taste and flavour, to foods, and encourage the absorption of certain vitamins.
Common fats used in dog foods include chicken or pork fat, cottonseed oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, fish oil, safflower oil, and many more. A balanced diet that provides about 10-15 percent fat is essential for health in the majority of adult dogs.
Water: - which is a constituent of blood, assists temperature control, aids digestion and assists in eliminating wastes from the body.
Vitamins and Minerals: - very little is actually needed, but are essential to optimum health, bone and tissue production, growth and reproduction. Vitamins are split into two groups – Fat soluble A, D, E, and K and water soluble B group and C. Eleven minerals are required and these are found in a variety of foods including mild cheese, meat, bread, cereals, green veggies, egg, liver and fish.
Minerals are necessary for helping the body perform certain functions and prevent deficiencies. Minerals needed in larger amounts include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulphur, and potassium. Minerals that are needed in much smaller quantities are called trace minerals. Important trace minerals include iron, zinc, copper, chromium, iodine, selenium, manganese and fluorine. Minerals in dog foods are provided by supplements, as well as ingredients like legumes, grains, meats, fruits and vegetables.
This can be another mine field with ‘hidden’ or ‘misleading’ information.
We aree not going to reinvent the wheel here and are rather going to give you three links to read through which will give you a good overall picture. It really is important that you learn how to read a label, not just for your own dogs, but to determine what is in your client’s dog’s food – remember, ignore the advertising!
- Pet-food advertising - The Pet Food Industry Association of Southern Africa and the Department of Agriculture: Registrar, Act 36 of 1947 : http://www.asasa.org.za/default.aspx?mnu_id=55
- US Food and Drug Administration : ttp://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/resourcesforyou/ucm047113.htm
- WebMD – How to read a dog food label http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/how-to-read-a-dog-food-label
- http://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Pet-Food-Label
- Dog Food Scoop : http://www.dogfoodscoop.com/dogfoodlabels.html
How to Recognize Lower Quality Meat Meals
Since many manufacturers do little to clarify the true nature of the ingredients they use, two important rules can help you avoid choosing inferior products.
Avoid dog foods containing any meat meal that:
- Includes the words “by-products” in its name
- Fails to identify the specific source animal
Here are some examples of inferior meat-based protein ingredients. Notice the generic nature of the phrases:
- Meat meal
- Animal meal
- Chicken by-product meal
- Meat and bone meal
- Glandular meal
- Poultry meal
- Blood meal
When you see ingredients like these in any recipe, it’s a sign you’re probably looking at a lower quality dog food.
3. The Five Components Required
Dogs need five components to provide them with the essential nutritional need required for full health. These are:
Proteins: - meat, poultry, game, fish, egg, milk and cheese which provide essential amino acids and adult dogs in good health generally require about 18 – 25% protein in their diet. Protein is made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks for creating strong muscles and repairing body tissues. Because the dog can only create half of the amino acids he needs, the other amino acids (called essential amino acids) must come from the diet.
Carbohydrates: - provided by cereal, rice, pasta, and potatoes which provide essential starch and glucose. However do bear in mind that many cereal based foods can cause allergic reactions. Also, in reasonable amounts carbs can be a source of energy, but the problem lies in the quantity present in many dog foods. The nutritional requirement of carbs to sustain a dog’s life is – zero!
According to the National Research Council in USA, and compared to the other two major nutrients i.e. protein and fat, no carbs are essential for a healthy canine diet. You may ask why they are in dog food then? I really don’t know, but perhaps it is something to do with them being easily available, have a long shelf life, are essential to making dog food and that they are much cheaper than either protein or fat – I leave you to do your own research and draw your own conclusion. Here is a link to an article by Dr. Anushka Viljoen, a leading SA vet, homeopath and accupunterist and which gives a good insight into carbs and dogs and is worth while reading.
Are dogs suppossed to eat kibble? http://www.simplypets.co.za/articles/item/13-are-dogs-supposed-to-eat-kibble
Fats: - are provided by animal and vegetable fats and oils and which carry vitamins A, D. E and K as well as the Essential Fatty Acids needed to provide good coat, skin and for reproduction.
While some may think fat is unhealthy, this is not always the case. Dogs require a balance of certain fatty acids that must be provided by the diet. Fats provide energy, as well as taste and flavour, to foods, and encourage the absorption of certain vitamins.
Common fats used in dog foods include chicken or pork fat, cottonseed oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, fish oil, safflower oil, and many more. A balanced diet that provides about 10-15 percent fat is essential for health in the majority of adult dogs.
Water: - which is a constituent of blood, assists temperature control, aids digestion and assists in eliminating wastes from the body.
Vitamins and Minerals: - very little is actually needed, but are essential to optimum health, bone and tissue production, growth and reproduction. Vitamins are split into two groups – Fat soluble A, D, E, and K and water soluble B group and C. Eleven minerals are required and these are found in a variety of foods including mild cheese, meat, bread, cereals, green veggies, egg, liver and fish.
Minerals are necessary for helping the body perform certain functions and prevent deficiencies. Minerals needed in larger amounts include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulphur, and potassium. Minerals that are needed in much smaller quantities are called trace minerals. Important trace minerals include iron, zinc, copper, chromium, iodine, selenium, manganese and fluorine. Minerals in dog foods are provided by supplements, as well as ingredients like legumes, grains, meats, fruits and vegetables.
4. Additives and Preservatives
You will find that when it comes to good quality dog foods such as those sold at vets, vet related pet shops, some available in supermarkets, that there is not always a large stock available. This is for a very good reason. To extend the shelf life of any dog food a preservative has to be added. In the case with foods such as above, the manufacturers normally use natural preservatives made from anti-oxidants such as vitamins E or C and may contain wording such as ‘ascorbate’ or ‘tocopherol’ and as such make smaller batches and on demand.
If the food contains artificial nutrients, find out exactly which ones are contained as many of these artificial preservatives, even in very small amounts, can cause lasting problems to your dog’s health. The odd consumption of harmful preservatives may not harm your dog, but what about the long term effects?
The controversy surrounding the preservatives in dog’s food is a topic all to itself and will not be covered in depth here. What I do suggest is that you find out which preservatives are being used in the dog food you are currently using and do further investigation on them.
5. Diet and the Brain (summary from Val Strong’s excellent book ‘The Dog’s Dinner”)
"In your first section, we outlined the three main areas of the dog’s brain and the functions of each. You may remember that information is transmitted by neurons? The neurons then divides into a structure that looks like a thread and these are called dendrites. These dendrites contact other dendrites at a point which is known as a synaptic bulb. The neurons transmit information, and they utilise the amino acid extracted from the food ingested by the dog. Proteins are comprised of long chains of amino acids and the brain utilises these amino acids to produce substances which affect behaviour and these are:-
Dopamine – is a chemical compound which affects mood and is thought to reduce depression. Dopamine is also an intermediate in the synthesis of adrenalin. Adrenalin activates the Flight and Flight response.
Noradrenalin – has a similar action to adrenalin and prepares the body for swift action
Tryptophan and Tyrosine is converted to serotonin (the happy hormone) which affects mood. Insufficient serotonin production is thought to cause learning difficulties and unstable behaviour. In humans a low level of serotonin is known to cause insomnia and is also implicated in the disorder known as ADHT (Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Low levels of serotonin also cause touch sensitivity, and is very relevant in problem behaviours seen in some dogs. Interestingly enough, it is believed that TTouch helps to balance the serotonin levels in the dog’s body and exercise will also affect the serotonin levels as well.
Tyrosine, a precursor of catechol amines (hormones produced by the adrenal gland), may also affect aggression and stress resistance.
In a study I read quoting "Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association." The first study, published in 1996, Tufts researches concluded that supplementing canine diets with tryptophan holds promise for treating both territorial and dominance aggression. Low-protein diets aren’t recommended for all dogs, they warn, but even among dogs fed high-protein diets in their study, tryptophan supplementation was associated with significant improvements in aggressive behaviour.
6. Effects of food on behaviour – some interesting information
In the vast majority of cases we have come across where it appeared that diet was linked to behaviour, the food being used was a low quality product, and often the kibble was coloured to make it seem more appealing to the humans.
If you have a dog suffering from being hyper, excessive nipping and jumping up first have a look at what food is being used, and suggest a change of food, with no additives, colorants or preservatives along with behaviour mods. Children with ADHD get worse when eating food with additives, colourants and preservatives, and this is often the same situation for a dog. Client may say that a lot more expensive, but ask them to keep the dog on the new food at the same time as doing the behaviour modifications, then when the problem behaviour has been resolved, they can always try putting the dog back on the existing food and see what happens. Remember to tell client to change the food over the period of a week and to watch for any adverse reactions.
Where behaviour problems are present, especially fear and aggression the owner can try feeding the dog 4 smaller portions during the day instead of two larger meals as this will help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
In Val Strong’s book previously mentioned ‘The Dog’s Dinner’, there are specific recipes that use additional rice and vitamins that can be tried. This really is a wonderful book and is more than worth purchasing.
Hyperactivity
High sugar and high levels of artificial preservatives and chemicals, typically found in cheap commercial dog food, can lead to hyperactivity. The sugar provides a temporary boost in energy, which the dog needs to burn off quickly. When speaking to your client find out if the dog tends to be worse after a meal and this will give your additional information.
Lethargy – Couch Potato
A high carb diet can lead to lethargy and sluggishness, especially if the dog is already overweight due to excess carb intake.
Pica, Licking and Chewing
If your dog eats the same thing every day, he may eventually get bored of the smells and taste. This is called the “monotony effect,” a phenomenon that causes dogs to seek out other smells, flavours and textures and is a behaviour that seems to start with no reason and can increase. Another common factor here seems to be that previously the dog was a good eater and seems to go off its food. Just keep the diet the same and add some bits and pieces into the food and see if the behaviour stops, at the same time examining other behavioural aspects as well.
Aggressive behaviour and mood swings
According to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California, a cheap commercial food that contains a lot of cereal and grain as filler can cause both mood swings and aggression in some dogs. . When the dog’s intake of carbs is high, especially in place of proteins, the blood serum levels are never constant.
The Animal Medical Center of Southern California above, also says that a lack of fats in the diet can lead to decreased blood serum levels. Which can also cause aggressive behaviour.
Dietary Carbs vs Protein
Veterinarian Georgina Marquez of the Animal Medical Center of Southern California agrees that some forms of canine aggression are “probably triggered by environmental factors such as the availability and quality of food,” and diet might prove to be an important missing link in this poorly understood area of veterinary medicine. Citing the Tufts' studies, Marquez notes that the theory behind the association linking low-protein diets and aggression is that too much protein inhibits the body's ability to produce the amino acid tryptophan, which the brain needs to manufacture the calming neurotransmitter serotonin. However, Marquez isn't comfortable with the idea of allowing protein levels to drop too low in a canine's diet. As carnivores, they require plenty of high-quality animal protein to keep their blood glucose levels stable. Dogs can't thrive on diets consisting of more than 35 percent carbohydrates, she says, recommending a diet rich in animal proteins, fat and omega 3 fatty acids to keep dogs mellow.
Note: In our own experience, putting a dog on a raw diet such as the Simply Pets product has time and time again resulted in reduction of both reactive behaviour and OTT behaviour and an overall improvement in behaviour in general – I do not have scientific proof of this.
Low-Protein Diets
(Dr. Karen Becker) A few studies conducted outside controlled experimental environments have been used to measure the impact of lower protein diets on aggressive dogs.
The results are largely inconclusive. In addition, while there may be a link between low dietary protein and decreased aggression in other types of animals, I'm unconvinced this is a useful approach for carnivores. Just as feeding your dog a raw diet will not, as some people believe, give him a taste for blood and drive him to randomly prey on cows or chickens or sheep, neither do I believe a diet rich in animal protein makes dogs more aggressive.
I would never recommend reducing the amount of high-quality protein in a dog's diet in an attempt to modify behaviour.
Nourishing your pet with a grain-based diet will induce an insulin release (to balance high blood sugar after ingesting a high carb diet), and in turn, a cortisol release (to balance low blood sugar). Similar to people who have 10:00 am and 2:00 pm post-meal sluggishness (and require a nap), dogs will become more sedate after ingesting insulin-prompting carbohydrates.
Nourishing a dog with protein means no post-meal sluggishness … another way of saying, 'No nap required! Ready to play at any time!' Although carb-loading has become a common trend with humans, carb loading dogs (to induce the post-carb 'downer' effect) isn't an appropriate behaviour moderation tool, in my opinion. Training and exercise are the correct tools to deal with behavior issues, not feeding an inappropriate diet to create a more sedate dog.
Physical exercise elevates serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin offsets cortisol and other stress hormones. Well-exercised dogs are much less likely to have behavioral problems than those who don't get enough opportunities for physical activity.
Most dog owners underestimate the amount of exercise their pet needs, and this is especially true for breeds with high activity levels. For healthy, young and middle-aged dogs, a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes of exercise twice a day is recommended. And at least 20 minutes of your pet's 45-60 minute sessions should involve heart-thumping aerobic exercise.
A recent stress-reduction study conducted with shelter dogs confirmed that even short (25 minute) sessions of exercise and human contact lowered the animals' cortisol levels and improved their scores on a behavior test.
Tufts Studies on Diet and Aggression
Two studies regarding the effects of diet on canine aggression were conducted by Tufts University Veterinary School and published in the "Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association." The first study, published in 1996, experimented with levels of dietary protein: low at 17 percent, medium at 25 percent and high at 32 percent. Researchers found that a reduction in dietary protein resulted in significant improvement in dogs displaying fear-based territorial aggression. The second study, published in 2000, also examined the influence of dietary protein on dominance aggression with diets containing 18 percent or 30 percent protein. This time, the researchers concluded that low-protein diets had a positive effect in reducing both types of aggression.
South African Study
A 1997 study suggests that modifying protein content in a dog's diet to control aggression might be substantially less significant than customizing the diet according to the dog's nutritional needs and preferences. The research, published in “Proceedings of the International Conference on Veterinary Behavioural Medicine," studied 100 dogs of various sizes and breeds with a range of behavior problems over five years. Most dogs favored greater quantities of fresh meat products than they were eating previously. Ninety-eight percent of dog owners reported dramatic improvement in aggression and other problem behaviors. The authors concluded that when dogs don't get adequate amounts of food appropriate to their needs, physical hunger motivates behavior problems. They explain that an adequate canine diet is an “unequivocally therapeutic” way of reducing aggression and other antisocial behavior in dogs.
Additives in food have been known in humans to cause a lack of concentration, aggression, hyperactivity to mention a few. It stands to good reason, although not proven that if they cause this type of behaviour in children and adults, that they can have the same effect on dogs. If you come across a dog with behaviours as described as above have a look at what food the dog is on, especially if the food is coloured and suggest to the owner that the dog is changed onto another type of food for a period of time – remember this has to be done over the period of a week. (as mentioned previously, just a reminder) The client may say that the dog has been on the food for years and the change is recent – often dog food manufacturers change ingredients to ‘new and improved’ for example and the change could be affecting the dog.
Check List regarding feeding
"In your first section, we outlined the three main areas of the dog’s brain and the functions of each. You may remember that information is transmitted by neurons? The neurons then divides into a structure that looks like a thread and these are called dendrites. These dendrites contact other dendrites at a point which is known as a synaptic bulb. The neurons transmit information, and they utilise the amino acid extracted from the food ingested by the dog. Proteins are comprised of long chains of amino acids and the brain utilises these amino acids to produce substances which affect behaviour and these are:-
Dopamine – is a chemical compound which affects mood and is thought to reduce depression. Dopamine is also an intermediate in the synthesis of adrenalin. Adrenalin activates the Flight and Flight response.
Noradrenalin – has a similar action to adrenalin and prepares the body for swift action
Tryptophan and Tyrosine is converted to serotonin (the happy hormone) which affects mood. Insufficient serotonin production is thought to cause learning difficulties and unstable behaviour. In humans a low level of serotonin is known to cause insomnia and is also implicated in the disorder known as ADHT (Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Low levels of serotonin also cause touch sensitivity, and is very relevant in problem behaviours seen in some dogs. Interestingly enough, it is believed that TTouch helps to balance the serotonin levels in the dog’s body and exercise will also affect the serotonin levels as well.
Tyrosine, a precursor of catechol amines (hormones produced by the adrenal gland), may also affect aggression and stress resistance.
In a study I read quoting "Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association." The first study, published in 1996, Tufts researches concluded that supplementing canine diets with tryptophan holds promise for treating both territorial and dominance aggression. Low-protein diets aren’t recommended for all dogs, they warn, but even among dogs fed high-protein diets in their study, tryptophan supplementation was associated with significant improvements in aggressive behaviour.
6. Effects of food on behaviour – some interesting information
In the vast majority of cases we have come across where it appeared that diet was linked to behaviour, the food being used was a low quality product, and often the kibble was coloured to make it seem more appealing to the humans.
If you have a dog suffering from being hyper, excessive nipping and jumping up first have a look at what food is being used, and suggest a change of food, with no additives, colorants or preservatives along with behaviour mods. Children with ADHD get worse when eating food with additives, colourants and preservatives, and this is often the same situation for a dog. Client may say that a lot more expensive, but ask them to keep the dog on the new food at the same time as doing the behaviour modifications, then when the problem behaviour has been resolved, they can always try putting the dog back on the existing food and see what happens. Remember to tell client to change the food over the period of a week and to watch for any adverse reactions.
Where behaviour problems are present, especially fear and aggression the owner can try feeding the dog 4 smaller portions during the day instead of two larger meals as this will help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
In Val Strong’s book previously mentioned ‘The Dog’s Dinner’, there are specific recipes that use additional rice and vitamins that can be tried. This really is a wonderful book and is more than worth purchasing.
Hyperactivity
High sugar and high levels of artificial preservatives and chemicals, typically found in cheap commercial dog food, can lead to hyperactivity. The sugar provides a temporary boost in energy, which the dog needs to burn off quickly. When speaking to your client find out if the dog tends to be worse after a meal and this will give your additional information.
Lethargy – Couch Potato
A high carb diet can lead to lethargy and sluggishness, especially if the dog is already overweight due to excess carb intake.
Pica, Licking and Chewing
If your dog eats the same thing every day, he may eventually get bored of the smells and taste. This is called the “monotony effect,” a phenomenon that causes dogs to seek out other smells, flavours and textures and is a behaviour that seems to start with no reason and can increase. Another common factor here seems to be that previously the dog was a good eater and seems to go off its food. Just keep the diet the same and add some bits and pieces into the food and see if the behaviour stops, at the same time examining other behavioural aspects as well.
Aggressive behaviour and mood swings
According to the Animal Medical Center of Southern California, a cheap commercial food that contains a lot of cereal and grain as filler can cause both mood swings and aggression in some dogs. . When the dog’s intake of carbs is high, especially in place of proteins, the blood serum levels are never constant.
The Animal Medical Center of Southern California above, also says that a lack of fats in the diet can lead to decreased blood serum levels. Which can also cause aggressive behaviour.
Dietary Carbs vs Protein
Veterinarian Georgina Marquez of the Animal Medical Center of Southern California agrees that some forms of canine aggression are “probably triggered by environmental factors such as the availability and quality of food,” and diet might prove to be an important missing link in this poorly understood area of veterinary medicine. Citing the Tufts' studies, Marquez notes that the theory behind the association linking low-protein diets and aggression is that too much protein inhibits the body's ability to produce the amino acid tryptophan, which the brain needs to manufacture the calming neurotransmitter serotonin. However, Marquez isn't comfortable with the idea of allowing protein levels to drop too low in a canine's diet. As carnivores, they require plenty of high-quality animal protein to keep their blood glucose levels stable. Dogs can't thrive on diets consisting of more than 35 percent carbohydrates, she says, recommending a diet rich in animal proteins, fat and omega 3 fatty acids to keep dogs mellow.
Note: In our own experience, putting a dog on a raw diet such as the Simply Pets product has time and time again resulted in reduction of both reactive behaviour and OTT behaviour and an overall improvement in behaviour in general – I do not have scientific proof of this.
Low-Protein Diets
(Dr. Karen Becker) A few studies conducted outside controlled experimental environments have been used to measure the impact of lower protein diets on aggressive dogs.
The results are largely inconclusive. In addition, while there may be a link between low dietary protein and decreased aggression in other types of animals, I'm unconvinced this is a useful approach for carnivores. Just as feeding your dog a raw diet will not, as some people believe, give him a taste for blood and drive him to randomly prey on cows or chickens or sheep, neither do I believe a diet rich in animal protein makes dogs more aggressive.
I would never recommend reducing the amount of high-quality protein in a dog's diet in an attempt to modify behaviour.
Nourishing your pet with a grain-based diet will induce an insulin release (to balance high blood sugar after ingesting a high carb diet), and in turn, a cortisol release (to balance low blood sugar). Similar to people who have 10:00 am and 2:00 pm post-meal sluggishness (and require a nap), dogs will become more sedate after ingesting insulin-prompting carbohydrates.
Nourishing a dog with protein means no post-meal sluggishness … another way of saying, 'No nap required! Ready to play at any time!' Although carb-loading has become a common trend with humans, carb loading dogs (to induce the post-carb 'downer' effect) isn't an appropriate behaviour moderation tool, in my opinion. Training and exercise are the correct tools to deal with behavior issues, not feeding an inappropriate diet to create a more sedate dog.
Physical exercise elevates serotonin levels in the body. Serotonin offsets cortisol and other stress hormones. Well-exercised dogs are much less likely to have behavioral problems than those who don't get enough opportunities for physical activity.
Most dog owners underestimate the amount of exercise their pet needs, and this is especially true for breeds with high activity levels. For healthy, young and middle-aged dogs, a minimum of 45 to 60 minutes of exercise twice a day is recommended. And at least 20 minutes of your pet's 45-60 minute sessions should involve heart-thumping aerobic exercise.
A recent stress-reduction study conducted with shelter dogs confirmed that even short (25 minute) sessions of exercise and human contact lowered the animals' cortisol levels and improved their scores on a behavior test.
Tufts Studies on Diet and Aggression
Two studies regarding the effects of diet on canine aggression were conducted by Tufts University Veterinary School and published in the "Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association." The first study, published in 1996, experimented with levels of dietary protein: low at 17 percent, medium at 25 percent and high at 32 percent. Researchers found that a reduction in dietary protein resulted in significant improvement in dogs displaying fear-based territorial aggression. The second study, published in 2000, also examined the influence of dietary protein on dominance aggression with diets containing 18 percent or 30 percent protein. This time, the researchers concluded that low-protein diets had a positive effect in reducing both types of aggression.
South African Study
A 1997 study suggests that modifying protein content in a dog's diet to control aggression might be substantially less significant than customizing the diet according to the dog's nutritional needs and preferences. The research, published in “Proceedings of the International Conference on Veterinary Behavioural Medicine," studied 100 dogs of various sizes and breeds with a range of behavior problems over five years. Most dogs favored greater quantities of fresh meat products than they were eating previously. Ninety-eight percent of dog owners reported dramatic improvement in aggression and other problem behaviors. The authors concluded that when dogs don't get adequate amounts of food appropriate to their needs, physical hunger motivates behavior problems. They explain that an adequate canine diet is an “unequivocally therapeutic” way of reducing aggression and other antisocial behavior in dogs.
Additives in food have been known in humans to cause a lack of concentration, aggression, hyperactivity to mention a few. It stands to good reason, although not proven that if they cause this type of behaviour in children and adults, that they can have the same effect on dogs. If you come across a dog with behaviours as described as above have a look at what food the dog is on, especially if the food is coloured and suggest to the owner that the dog is changed onto another type of food for a period of time – remember this has to be done over the period of a week. (as mentioned previously, just a reminder) The client may say that the dog has been on the food for years and the change is recent – often dog food manufacturers change ingredients to ‘new and improved’ for example and the change could be affecting the dog.
Check List regarding feeding
- Is the dog receiving enough food? Hunger can lead to antisocial behaviour such as resource guarding, Coprophagia and scavenging, especially at meal times.
- Is the food being given twice a day at regular times? As in humans, blood glucose levels and serotonin may have a strong influence on mood and behaviour. Imagine how you would feel if you only got to eat once a day and in some cases did not know when the meal would arrive!
- The guidelines on dog packets are just that – guidelines. Factors such as a dog that receives a lot of exercise or had a rapid metabolism may use excess energy as fuel which may be mistaken as being hyper.
- Diet should be in line with the age and activity of the dog
- Avoid all ‘cheap foods’
- Avoid all foods that could cause allergies
- Avoid all foods with colorants and artificial flavourings and preservatives. The dog’s food may be of a good quality, but what about treats being given?
- Try giving the dog 3 -4 small meals during the day in place of standard rations.
Assignment
We can virtually guarantee you that at some stage during your career you will be asked what food you recommend. Here you have options and can either give your own opinion, or say that apart from being aware that cheap commercial food can cause problems, you are not a canine nutritionists, and rather they speak to their vet – your call!.
We believe we should all have a basic understanding as to what food may be the best for our dogs, so would like you to do some research of your own either using the links below or information you come across yourself, and do the sections below. Please bear in mind that you should always research by using articles and information that comes from a professional source rather than just an opinion in a blog.
We can virtually guarantee you that at some stage during your career you will be asked what food you recommend. Here you have options and can either give your own opinion, or say that apart from being aware that cheap commercial food can cause problems, you are not a canine nutritionists, and rather they speak to their vet – your call!.
We believe we should all have a basic understanding as to what food may be the best for our dogs, so would like you to do some research of your own either using the links below or information you come across yourself, and do the sections below. Please bear in mind that you should always research by using articles and information that comes from a professional source rather than just an opinion in a blog.
- Investigate a good quality vet brand food such as Hills, Eukanuba, Royal Canin etc and one of the newer holistic brands such as Acana and Earthborn and list your findings and what you would recommend for a client and why. We do not want a list of ingredients taken from their website, we want you to really investigate why you would or would not recommend them and the pro's and con's
- Put together some points as to why you would not recommend a cheap dog food to a client that you could use in future to point out the dangers. Never, ever use the name of a particular food.
- List at least two preservatives that could possibly cause harm / be dangerous
- List what you believe are the pros and cons of BARF diet and why you would, or would not recommend same. Do some investigation on raw food before your commit to your answer.
