Posted by David Jackson - The Foodspert on the 4th November 2009
Gemma asked the Petsperts:
“I am a third year student at Liverpool John Moores University studying for my final year honours project. I am doing a study to see how different foods affect the behaviour of dogs.
I was wondering if you could please help me on a few questions:
1) How long should I take in changing over a dog’s food?
2) How long do you expect after doing so to see an effect on their behaviour?”
—
Hi Gemma,
Hopefully these answers will shed some light on your questions:
1) How long should I take in changing over a dog’s food?
Because different enzymes are produced in response to the ingestion of different foods and because in time a dog’s digestive system can become accustomed to particular ingredients, it is always best to introduce a new food gradually, mixing it in gradually, increasing proportions with the former food over at least 3 days. For dogs prone to digestive problems this can be extended to 7-10 days.
2) How long do you expect after doing so to see an effect on their behaviour?
Behavioural changes following a dietary change are generally quite quick to manifest. Hyperactivity is usually a direct consequence of inappropriate diet. By simply removing chemical additives (especially colourings and preservatives) from a dog’s diet or by reducing excessive protein and sugar levels, a hyperactive dog’s energy levels often begin returning to normal within just a few days.
Other behavioural problems such as aggression and nervousness, although rarely caused by diet, are often exacerbated by poor diet. For those dogs affected by behavioural issues, owners should look to provide a good quality, low protein (~20% for dry foods), natural food with no added sugars. In the treatment of many behavioural issues, many nutritionists seek to increase the levels of serotonin production (a neurotransmitter that has a generally calming effect in mammals) through diet. Many vegetables contain fairly high serotonin levels while whole grains like brown rice have been shown to stimulate serotonin production. Fish based diets like the Natural Dog Food Company’s All in One Salmon foods with their high levels of tryptophan - from which serotonin is made - make perfect diets for dogs suffering from behavioural problems.
Regular exercise, as well as using up some of the dog’s excess energy, also promotes the release of serotonin, resulting in a happier, calmer dog. After making these changes to a problematic dog’s diet and lifestyle, many owners will start to see significant improvements within as little as 3-4 days.
Best of luck with your studies Gemma!
David
Food Petspert
Posted by Tony Sarma - The Vetspert on the 6th August 2009
Posted by Roger Mugford - The Mindspert on the 14th July 2009
