Over the years, I've often heard clients whose dog's eating issues we'd addressed tell me that their dog was calmer or more playful, seemed more at ease, and that their behaviour had greatly improved. The first few times I heard this, I was a little skeptical… How could diet have such a significant impact on a dog's behaviour?
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense that a dog experiencing food-related issues would feel unwell and exhibit various signs such as increased anxiety, reactivity, lethargy, or other signs of distress. Dogs don't communicate with words like we do, but they do so through their behaviour. In fact, they communicate a great deal when you know how to observe and interpret them.
Some food-related issues can be very unpleasant for a dog, so the link between behaviour and diet is easily explained. For example, it's easy to understand that a dog that scratches constantly due to a food problem can become irritable and easily annoyed, even if we don't always think about it as humans; it's just common sense. Having experienced a 24-hour episode of hives and intense itching, I can tell you that I was extremely irritable after only a few hours of symptoms. It's enough to drive anyone crazy! So, imagine how tired and irritable a dog can feel if they’ve been scratching for 5, 6, or even 10 years. Our dogs are very tolerant and resilient when you think about it.
Among other issues often related to diet that can affect a dog's well-being are digestive issues: vomiting, diarrhea or loose stools, bloating, gas, heartburn, etc. These issues can cause pain and discomfort for your dog and make them more irritable. Heartburn is painful, and unfortunately, it's quite common in dogs. It can be noticed through excessive salivation, frequent swallowing, or gurgling after meals. Some dogs are also "farting kings," as I affectionately call them. An abundance of intestinal gas can certainly be uncomfortable, not just for your sense of smell, but for your dog too :).
In cases like those mentioned above, the dog exhibits observable physical symptoms, making this more obvious. However, science is now beginning to discuss an even more subtle influence of diet, through gut health, on the brain and behaviour. Indeed, a growing number of studies are linking gut health and its microbiota (the gut microbes) with mechanisms of action related to brain function. This is a constantly evolving field, and science is beginning to truly demonstrate a strong connection between the 2. Further advances in this field will tell us more and provide more details in the coming years, but the initial results are impressive. Knowing that diet has a direct impact on gut health and gut microbes, we can see the potential link between the 2. This is an exciting discovery that I will be following closely!
In short, if your dog is showing behavioural issues, nervousness, reactivity, or anxiety, it's important to consult your veterinarian to check for any underlying physical issues. Observe your dog closely as well. Optimizing their diet in collaboration with an agronomist is certainly a worthwhile avenue to explore for better physical and mental health for your furry friend!
I know I'm biased, but YOUR DOG'S DIET IS IMPORTANT!!!! It's so crucial for their physical and mental well-being!
Karine, agronomist
Expert consultant in canine nutrition
