Diet and Behavior Problems in Dogs and Cats
Various surveys* show that between 20% and 80% of
owners complain of problem behaviour of their dogs. This wide variation
is probably due to differing perceptions of what constitutes acceptable
or tolerable behaviour.
There seems to be wide acceptance that diet can play
a part in the management of behaviour problems, but finding research
that can back up this assumption is not as easy as it would seem,
particularly as many research papers are not readily accessible
to those outside the field.
Common sense would tell us a couple of things, I guess.
1) The body is like an engine, which needs fuel. Put
the wrong fuel in, or too much, and it affects the way the body
works. Look at yourself and how your behaviour is affected by what
you eat and drink. Too much sugar and we can feel hyper, to many
carbs and we're bloated and just want to sit in front of the TV
2) Junk foods and additives are known to affect children's
behaviuor and ability to concentrate. Is it wrong to assume that
a similar effect would happen to our pets?
Where's the evidence?
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).
There have been a few research studies, often by PHD
students on diet and behaviour, and listed below are a couple of
extracts, which I've left as they were found - so please take them
as you find them as the language is that of the authors!
I've highlighted the conclusions as these are probably
the most important aspect. There would seem to be some link established,
but drawing a positive conclusion and recommendation from these
extracts is not possible. I guess if you have a dog with behavioural
problems that might be diet related, then an exclusion diet would
probably be a good place to start - eliminate as much as possible
and start from scratch to see what triggers the problem. However,
behaviour problems can be caused by many other environmental and
genetic effects and you may need veterinary or behavioural therapy
to sort these out.
Effect of dietary protein content on behavior
in dogs.
Dodman NH, Reisner I, Shuster L, Rand W,
Luescher UA, Robinson I, Houpt KA.
Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary
Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect that feeding diets containing a low (17%),
medium (25%), or high (32%) protein content would have on behavior
in dogs.
DESIGN--Prospective, controlled study. ANIMALS--12
dogs with dominance aggression, 12 dogs with hyperactivity, 12 dogs
with territorial aggression, and 14 control dogs without behavioral
problems.
PROCEDURE--Dogs were fed each of the diets for
a 2-week period, and owners were instructed to score their dogs'
behavior on a daily basis.
RESULTS--Behavior of the dogs with dominance aggression,
dogs with hyperactivity, and control dogs was unchanged by the dietary
manipulations. Territorial aggression was significantly reduced
when dogs were fed the low- or medium-protein diet, compared with
territorial aggression when fed the high-protein diet. Post hoc
analysis indicated that this effect was attributable to a marked
reduction in aggression in a subset of the group (n = 7) in which
territorial aggression was a result of fear.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS--Results of this study suggest that
a reduction in dietary protein content is not generally useful in
the treatment of behavior problems in dogs, but may be appropriate
in dogs with territorial aggression that is a result of fear.
Effect of dietary protein content and tryptophan supplementation
on dominance aggression, territorial aggression, and hyperactivity
in dogs.
DeNapoli JS, Dodman NH, Shuster L, Rand WM, Gross
KL.
Department of Clinical Sciences, School of
Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect of high- and low-protein diets with or without
tryptophan supplementation on behavior of dogs with dominance aggression,
territorial aggression, and hyperactivity.
DESIGN: Prospective crossover study.
ANIMALS: 11 dogs with dominance aggression, 11
dogs with territorial aggression, and 11 dogs with hyperactivity.
PROCEDURE: In each group, 4 diets were fed for
1 weeks each in random order with a transition period of not <
3 days between each diet. Two diets had low protein content (approximately
18%), and 2 diets had high protein content (approximately 30%).
Two of the diets (1 low-protein and 1 high-protein) were supplemented
with tryptophan. Owners scored their dog's behavior daily by use
of customized behavioral score sheets. Mean weekly values of 5 behavioral
measures and serum concentrations of serotonin and tryptophan were
determined at the end of each dietary period. RESULTS:
For dominance aggression, behavioral scores were highest in dogs
fed unsupplemented high-protein rations. For territorial aggression,
[corrected] tryptophan-supplemented low-protein diets were associated
with significantly lower behavioral scores than low-protein diets
without tryptophan supplements.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For dogs with dominance
aggression, the addition of tryptophan to high-protein diets or
change to a low-protein diet may reduce aggression. For dogs with
territorial aggression, tryptophan supplementation of a low-protein
diet may be helpful in reducing aggression.
Impact of nutrition on canine behaviour: current
status and possible mechanisms
G. Boscha1 c1, B. Beerdaa2, W. H. Hendriksa1, A.
F. B. van der Poela1 and M. W. A. Verstegena1
a1 Animal Nutrition Group, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University
and Research Centre, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
a2 Animal Production Division, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen
University and Research Centre, PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, The
Netherlands
Abstract
Each year, millions of dogs worldwide are abandoned by their owners,
relinquished to animal shelters, and euthanised because of behaviour
problems. Nutrition is rarely considered as one of the possible
contributing factors of problem behaviour.
This contribution presents an overview of current knowledge on the
influence of nutrition on canine behaviour and explores the underlying
mechanisms by which diet may affect behaviour in animals. Behaviour
is regulated by neurotransmitters and hormones, and changes in the
availability of their precursors may influence behaviour.
Tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, may affect the incidence
of aggression, self-mutilation and stress resistance. The latter
may also be influenced by dietary tyrosine, a precursor to catecholamines.
As diet composition, nutrient availability and nutrient interactions
affect the availability of these precursors in the brain, behaviour
or stress resistance may be affected.
PUFA, especially DHA, have an important role as structural constituents
in brain development, and dietary supply of n-3 and n-6 PUFA could
modify aspects of the dopaminergic and serotonergic system and,
consequently, cognitive performance and behaviour.
Finally, persistent feeding motivation between meals can increase
stereotyped behaviour and aggression and decrease resting time.
This feeding motivation may be altered by dietary fibre content
and source. At present, few studies have been conducted to evaluate
the role of nutrition in canine (problem) behaviour through the
above mentioned mechanisms. Studies that explore this relationship
may help to improve the welfare of dogs and their owners.
OK, make you own mind up!
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