Mary Allen
Of course, the right diet first and foremost fills you up – but it can do so much more. Because if owners think about it, they can even influence the behavior of their darling.
If dogs were spoiled for choice about what to put in their bowl next, most of them would probably eat what – and as much – they could get. This is why it is also up to us two-legged friends to put together the right menu for our four-legged friends. And that’s not an easy decision. There is a dime a dozen opinions on the subject of dog nutrition and feeding both in professional and lay circles.
However, responsible dog lovers agree on one point: A healthy diet for the dog is the be-all and end-all, which is why it is also important to think about it. Why? The Romans already knew that a healthy mind only lives in a healthy body. An unhealthy diet can therefore definitely affect the behavior of the dog. Whereby it is obvious that feeling unwell – for example when the intestinal health is out of balance – also affects the mood. What is probably not so obvious is that by supplying the right basic building blocks, you can control which behavior-influencing messenger substances and hormones are formed. For example, in the case of very stressed dogs, a change in diet can be a sensible first step.
Serotonin
However, a behavioral problem in a dog should always be clarified primarily on an individual basis, as it can have various causes. There are mechanisms and systems in the mammalian body that activate and accelerate and those that calm down and shut down. These should balance out over time. Serotonin is calming, a deficiency can make you aggressive. However, since it has to be formed by the body itself, you can only feed it an important precursor, tryptophan. Poultry and beef, for example, are unfavorable types of meat when it comes to rebuilding serotonin and quasi de-stressing the dog.
Turkey and lamb, for example, contain more tryptophan and can in turn promote the build-up of serotonin. Because the right carbohydrates such as potatoes and rice lead to insulin release, the absorption of tryptophan are also promoted. Even more so if you give them about two to three hours after the meat and vegetable meal. Bananas, tofu, and nuts – not too much of them and only if the dog has no allergies – also contain tryptophan. Before changing your diet, however, mum and dad should get thorough information from the veterinarian or behavioral consultant; nutritional and behavioral advice should always be tailored to the individual dog.
Good to know …
Feed composition can affect temperament and behavioral patterns. According to studies, the administration of tryptophan reduces hyperactivity. Experts recommend protein in the main meal for excited and anxious dogs, followed by a small number of carbohydrates about two hours later.