Nutrition effects your dogs behavior.

Nutrition & Hormones

I believe the biggest factors that affect our dogs behavior include genetics, drives, hormones, nutrition, training and our lifestyle we have with our dogs.

I want to briefly talk about how Hormones (we will specifically cover how hormones are affected by a dog’s gut health). Hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and others can affect a dog's mood and behavior. Nutrition also plays a significant part as what a dog eats can impact their energy levels, health, and in turn, their behavior.

Gut health has a significant influence on a dog's behavior as it can drastically influence their hormone balance. The gut microbiome is largely responsible for the production of certain neurotransmitters. For instance, about 90% of the body's serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness, is produced in the gut. An imbalance in the gut microbiome, often referred to as gut dysbiosis, can impact serotonin production, which may in turn affect a dog's mood and behavior.

Also, the gut communicates with the brain through what is known as the gut-brain axis, and this communication can influence everything from mood to stress response. For example, high levels of cortisol - the body's primary stress hormone - can alter the gut microbiota, leading to an overgrowth of potentially harmful bacteria. This can result in gastrointestinal discomfort and further stress, causing a vicious cycle that can impact your dog's behavior and health.

Lastly, the food your dog eats greatly impacts their gut health. Diets high in processed foods, which are often laden with artificial additives and low in fiber, can promote dysbiosis. On the other hand, diets rich in whole, unprocessed foods and high-quality proteins promote a healthy gut microbiome.

Therefore, as part of dog behavioral management, it is critical to consider not only factors like their genetic predisposition, training, and overall lifestyle, but also their gut health and the diet they are being given.

Because I deeply believe nutrition needs to be a part of our holistic approach to changing our dogs behaviour I have received my Professional Canine Nutrition Certification through Feed Real Institute.

A balanced diet of real, whole foods can provide your dog with the essential nutrients they need for optimal health and well-being. This can include lean, high-quality proteins, like chicken, beef, or fish, as well as a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables for fiber, antioxidants, and other important vitamins and minerals. While a diet consisting entirely of commercial dog food can provide all of the nutrients most dogs need, adding fresh, whole foods can provide a broader spectrum of nutrients and improve your dog’s overall health and well-being.

Nutrition is one of the most crucial aspects of a dog's health and well-being. While commercially prepared diets are formulated to meet a dog's basic nutritional needs, they may still lack specific nutrients that are crucial for optimum health. Plus, they often contain fillers and preservatives, which some dogs might be allergic to or might not digest well.

Most dog food manufacturers indeed invest heavily in marketing their products and sometimes this can create a perception of quality that may not necessarily match the actual nutritional value of the food. Moreover, commercial dog foods are often made with lower-quality ingredients that are not fit for human consumption, such as by-products and meal.

While veterinary nutrition training does cover commercial diets, that's indeed often due to partnerships between pet food manufacturers and veterinary schools. Unfortunately, this does mean that vets might not always have the deepest understanding of the potential long-term effects of certain diets.

That's not to say that all commercial dog food is bad. However, if dog owners want to provide the best nutrition for their dogs, they may want to consider a balanced diet that includes fresh, whole foods or premium commercial foods that are made with high-quality ingredients.