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.
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