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How Does Diet Affect Behavior in Dogs?
Written by Nan Kené Arthur, CPDT www.wholedogtraining.com
Produced and edited by Well Beings - Senior Cat & Dog Products. © 2005 WellBeings.com
Reproduced with permission.
Picky eaters, excessive barking, loose stools, gassy tummies, mood swings,
restless sleep, hot spots, compulsive disorders, reactivity, aggression,
hyperactivity, and biting can all be symptoms of a poor diet.
Yet, until recently, the question of whether food can affect a dog's
behavior has been a long-debated subject amongst behaviorists and
trainers. Fortunately, there is more and more evidence and study to show
that what you put into your dog, can and does have an influence on how
your dog behaves-just like what you eat can top or topple your own moods.
To avoid nutritional pitfalls, take time to do your homework. Start your
research with a close look at nutritional models for humans. This avenue
can help you to learn about better food choices that positively influence
how humans behave, and as you will see, points to affecting the way your
dog behaves as well.
The Child Wisdom
website has great information about how food affects
human children. The following is noteworthy since many of the problems
revealed here are the same problems routinely mentioned when counseling
pet parents about their dog's erratic behaviors: "Food
Sensitivities/Allergies - Some people get depressed or behave irrationally
after they eat (often unknowingly) something to which they are sensitive
or allergic. This phenomenon, sometimes called a "brain allergy" has been
widely reported and sometimes appears in patients who display mental
health symptoms. True classic food allergies involve an antigen-antibody
immune response (IgE-mediated) and are relatively rare. About 5% of
children and about 2% of adults are reported to have these "true food
allergies." In contrast, food sensitivities, sometimes called food
intolerances, are reported by almost 25% of Americans. Usually missed by
traditional antibody blood tests, these food sensitivities are most often
identified through elimination. (If a symptom disappears when all sources
of a certain food are eliminated from the diet for several days and then
reappears when that food is reintroduced, the symptom is likely to be
related to sensitivity to that food.) Any food may cause a reaction, but
the most commonly reported food sensitivities involve wheat gluten, dairy
products, yeast, corn, eggs, soy, grapes, oranges, chocolate and synthetic
food additives."
Looking at human models can offer interesting comparisons; however,
watching dogs in their natural habitats is truly revealing. As of late,
the behavior community is trying to understand more about the innate
behaviors of dogs, including their eating habits: Dogs scavenging in
trashcans, dumps and other locations of "plenty" are all very common-not
hunting, as was believed for many years. The small amount of hunting these
feral dogs do is mostly comprised of catching lizards, small rodents and
birds.
Dogs are classified as omnivores, eating both plant matter and meat, but
based on field observations; scavengers might be the more fitting
description of their dietary practices. It's no wonder that dogs will eat
just about anything you put in their bowls! Still, just because most dogs
will eat whatever you put in their bowl, doesn't necessarily mean it's
good for them -- or nutritionally sound.
Feeding to behavioral health -- What's in your dog's food bowl?
As pet parents and providers, it's important to give active thought to
what you feed your dog, since different foods will lead to different
results - not just medically but behaviorally as well.
According to many veterinarian and behavior experts, we are producing
future generations of health and behavior problems for dogs by feeding
overly processed, chemical and dye-laden commercial dog foods that appear
wonderful to humans, but often have nutritional deficits and long-term
toxic effects.
In part, the problem starts with the companies producing many of the
popular name brands of food. In the January, 2003 issue, the Whole Dog
Journal made this statement: "Mostly, the giant companies, corporate
cousins to the human food manufacturing industry, serve (partially) to
spin figurative gold out of the "straw" leftovers from the human food
side. The human food processors use the good parts, and the food fragments
that would otherwise be wasted are put to good use in pet foods. The
result is a consistent, inexpensive, but not particularly healthy food
that is readily available anywhere in the country."
To further make the point, consider this: "The "whole grains" used in many
dog foods have had the starch removed and the oil extracted (usually by
chemical processing) for vegetable oil; or they are the hulls and other
remnants from the milling process. If whole grains are used, they may have
been deemed unfit for human consumption because of mold, contaminants, or
poor storage practices" (The Allergy Solution for Dogs, Messonnier,
D.V.M., p.156)
Another problem is corn. Used as a protein source to save money in many
popular foods, corn presents a completely different set of difficulties
for dogs suffering from behavior issues, or stress-related problems: "A
common protein source in dog food is corn. Corn, however, is unusually low
in tryptophan and represents some risk to animals sensitive to sertonergic
under activity." (The Canine Aggression Workbook, O'Heare 2000, p.215)
Serotonin is what keeps dogs well balanced and helps to control moods,
arousal, and sensitivities to pain, sounds and touch. It is also the major
component in healthy sleep/awake cycles. An imbalance of serotonin can
cause sleep problems which frequently exacerbate behavior problems during
times when your dog is awake; thus making training or modification that
much more difficult. Many behaviorists now recommend the complete
elimination of corn in the diet because of this problem. It's always
better to start out with an even playing field to ensure that your dog's
diet is not creating any underlying problems that could make living with
your dog more difficult.
How Does Food Affect Dog Behavior?
Author and behaviorist Bill Campbell (Behavior Problems in Dogs, 3rd Ed.,
1999) believes that the high-carbohydrate, (junk carbs, not complex carbs)
ingredients found in many commercial dog foods are directly related to
problems such as hyperactivity and hypersensitivity to normal stimuli in
everyday life. Campbell points to the fact that there has been little
study done on dogs in this area, but that there is some pro-carbohydrate
information to be found, even though it is a well-known fact that dogs do
not need any carbohydrates at all to survive. Campbell discounts the
studies by saying, "We must bear in mind that most of the studies you may
have read on this subject, if not all of them, may have been funded by
high-carbohydrate diet dog food manufactures" (Webtrail, April, 1999).
What we do know is how junk carbohydrates and junk food affects humans,
and it doesn't take much of a leap to believe that products affecting our
behavior or moods, also affect dog behavior. According to Prevention
Magazine, (September 2005; pg. 77), recent studies have linked together
higher homicide rates and omega-6-fats. Omega-6-fats are found in corn,
safflower, soybean, cottonseed and sunflower oils. Murder rates were 20%
higher in countries with the highest intakes of omega-6. It is believed
that the "Western diet" may overwhelm omega-3's which are known for their
calming effects."
Edmund R. Dorosz, BSA, DVM also believes that dog food can cause
hyperactivity and unusual behavior patterns in dogs. In a NetPets article,
he states: "We hear of many dogs today being allergic to meat. Beef, pork,
lamb, chicken, and other meats are being fingered as the culprits. This is
something hard to believe, for a species that has been carnivorous for
millions of years to be now allergic to meat. Maybe it's something in the
meat or in the 'complete and balanced' diets that are foreign and new to
our dogs that are causing the problem" ("Heredity and Environment - What
Role Does Nutrition Play?" www.netpets.org, 12/14/02).
What to do with this information?
So what's a pet parent to do? The bags of food at pet stores and
supermarkets look amazing, and they all claim to meet the nutritional
needs for your dog. Many also claim to benefit the maintenance/health of
different body types and specific groups such as large-breed puppies,
overweight dogs, or senior canines. So which ones are telling the truth,
and how do you choose the best possible food for your dog's needs?
The most important information required to understanding dog food is to
thoroughly read the labels. Dog food labels are similar to those on human
food products: ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. The
first three ingredients make up the bulk of the food, so those are the
most important to look at when selecting a dog food brand. Meat or a
specific type of meat meal should always be the first ingredient on the
label. Choose a product that identifies the type of meal, such as "chicken
meal," or "lamb meal," as opposed to those that say "poultry or meat meal"
which can contain just about anything that fits under that title,
including road kill and diseased animals, as long as it's a bird in the
case of poultry, and any animal (domestic or otherwise) in the case of
meat meal.
Falling into the meat meal category was the recent discovery of
Phenobarbital (the drug used to euthanize animals) found in a number of
commercially sold dog foods, including some popular "brand names." It was
suggested that the remains of euthanized domestic animals are rendered
into animal feed - the likely source of the Phenobarbital. Phenobarbital
is a hearty compound that is able to survive the cooking process, which is
why it was detectable in the tested food. Since there has been a recent
increase in the cat version of "Mad Cow's Disease," this may very well
prove to be the case.
As your investigation continues, also look to make sure the first
ingredient is not a meat by-product. By-products are not muscle meats, and
can include leftover animal components such as lungs, kidneys, brain,
spleen, liver, bone, blood, fatty tissue, stomach, and intestines freed of
their contents. There are mixed feelings about the use of by-products in
dog food, but the fact is, some dogs have trouble digesting these, and
according to Ann Martin (Food Pets Die For, pg.2), "Livers can be infested
with worms (liver flukes) or diseased with cirrhosis. Lungs can be filled
with pneumonia. If an animal is diseased and declared unfit for human
consumption, the carcass is acceptable for pet food." Given there are many
great foods that don't include by-products; it might be best to shy away
from those that do.
The next step in selecting a good dog food is to look at the type and
amounts of grains listed on the label. Grains are usually used to keep
production costs down, and while certain grains are beneficial to good
health, others are known to cause allergies. These higher grain contents
will also mean you will need to feed more cups of food, since it takes a
lot more grain than meat to reach the nutritional levels required to
satisfy a dog's needs. For this reason, you can actually end up spending
more per cup for many of the "cheap" brands than the high-end foods, not
to mention you will have an increase in the amount of bowel movement that
could lead to housetraining problems or stress as your dog's need to
eliminate increases. If your dog does not have free access to his potty
area, he may develop anxiety problems as he tries to "hold it," so as not
to have an accident in his crate or the house.
Vomatoxin which is a chemical compound produced by Fusriaum molds is
another concern. These molds are found in the following grains: Wheat and
wheat products, corn and corn products, peanut meal and peanut products
(Aflotoxin), soybean meal and hulls, and cottonseed (Aflotoxin.) These
mold spores can present a myriad of health (including death) and behavior
problems if your dog develops an allergy to them.
In addition, carbohydrates act much like sugar. These high grain-content
foods produce excessive energy for about two hours after being ingested by
the dog; which is illustrated in the same way athletes "carb up" for an
energy boost before they need to perform. The high-carbohydrate dog foods
do the same thing to your dog, except most people do not provide their
canines with the right combination of mental and physical exercise
necessary to work off all that energy. The results of all that energy is
often destruction to your home or yard.
Behaviorally speaking, everything from housetraining problems to
self-mutilation can be linked to poor quality foods, and some of these
behaviors directly point to the preservatives, additives and dyes used in
kibble. The health considerations of these compounds are plentiful and can
lead to a dog displaying his discomfort behaviorally. The chemicals most
often associated with cancer and other toxic-driven diseases are the
preservatives found in many dog foods. BHA (Butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT
(Butylated hydroxytoluene) and Ethoxyquin are all known carcinogens and,
by regulation, are disallowed in human food but are commonly used to
preserve many dog foods and dog treats. If you see these ingredients
listed on the bag, put the bag back on the shelf and keep looking.
It is far better to look for a food preserved with natural ingredients.
Some natural alternatives are composed of tocopherols (vitamin E), citric
or ascorbic acid (vitamin C), or a combination of the two. In addition,
look for the bags that have manufactured dates on the bag, as this ensures
freshness, since food preserved with products that are more natural will
not have as long of a shelf life. Those foods designed for specific age,
weight or body-types also seem like a wonderful idea, but feeding a
high-end food eliminates the need to buy these specialty products that are
often higher-priced. These manufacturers simply add more supplements (that
have been processed and preserved along with the food) in order to make
their specialty claims. It is far better to add your own supplements with
recommendations from your veterinarian or health-care advisor.
How much and when to feed your dog
When to feed your dog is just as important as what you feed. No longer is
the standard once a day feeding used, neither should dogs be free-fed --
food left down all day for them to nibble at will -- unless there is a
medical reason. Just think about how you would feel (and look) if you were
only able to eat once every 24 hours, or kept nibbling on a high-calorie
food all day long!
The ideal regimen is to feed an adult dog two-three times per day. Glucose
levels are greatly affected by food (the same as in humans), so it is
important to feed regularly to prevent these levels from becoming erratic
as they increase and decrease respectively for those dogs that only eat
once a day, or nibbles his food at will without access to expend the
on-going energy made available by snacking all day.
As a real bonus for your dog, try feeding in food-carrier toys such as
Kongs, or Buster Cubes as a way to provide mental and physical exercise
(much like dogs in the wild, working to find their food). These are great
for those dogs that like to take their time eating. These "food puzzles"
will also help slow down those dogs that "vacuum" their food from the bowl
in 30 seconds and then have nothing to look forward to the rest of the
day.
Conclusion and recommendations
Whether it is dry kibble, canned, raw, freeze-dried, or a combination of
these, it is essential to do your homework when choosing food for your
dog. Try different brands and find several your dog likes so you can
switch around since there is now more evidence that it's healthier to
change between several brands of food rather than feed the same for a
dog's lifetime.
The bottom line is you should read the ingredients and feed your dog
healthy foods to achieve good mental and physical health for the duration
of your dog's life.
The bottom line is you should read the ingredients and feed your dog
healthy foods to achieve good mental and physical health for the duration
of your dog's life.
Guide to Good Dog Foods:
The Whole Dog Journal (which does not accept any advertising) conducts an
annual study of dry dog food brands. They have strict criteria that must
be met to be included on the list.
Here are some of the brands that have made the Whole Dog Journal's list of
recommended brands for several years running:
- The Honest Kitchen ** (San Diego based company)
- Solid Gold (San Diego based company)
- Natural Balance
- Wellness
- Wysong
- Eagle Pack
- Karma
- Wellness Simple Solutions
- Merrick
- Innova
- California Natural - Chicken and Rice
- Canidae
- Blue Buffalo
- Paul Newman's Organic
- Prairie - Natures Variety
- Flint River Ranch Dry Water (Mail Order)
** You can also find great raw diets that are conveniently freeze-dried
and packaged - not a dry food, but a fantastic new dehydrated raw food
that is of exceptional nutritional quality - like The Honest Kitchen.
Related products:
Some of the brands on the Whole Dog Journal's "Not Recommended" list are:
- Diamond's Premium
- Eukaneuba Adult
- Iams
- Nature's Recipe
- Nutro Max
- Purina One
- Beniful
- Science Diet
- Pedigree Prime
References:
- Dogs, a New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution, by Ray and Loren Coppinger
- Dog Food Comparison Website - What's in your current dog food
- Food Pets Die For, by Ann Martin
- Prevention Magazine
- The Allergy Solution for Dogs, by Shawn Messonnier , D.V.M
- Whole Dog Journal
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Robbins Pet Care. All Rights Reserved. The products sold by Robbins Pet Care are not intended to be the sole source of treatment or to take the place of expert veterinarian care. Please consult with your veterinarian and ask about using a natural and alternative approach for the treatment of your pet.
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