Can diet affect my dog's behaviour?

Quick takeaways about diet and behaviour

• Gut health is key to a dog’s mental health; the gut is their ‘second brain.’
• A poor diet can cause behavioural issues, like aggression and low mood.
• Feed your dog a complete and balanced diet to keep them happy and healthy.

 

Is your dog often hyper, tired, stressed or aggressive? If training hasn’t helped, it might be time to change their diet.

Just like for humans, nutrition is critical to your dog’s wellbeing.

While many dogs seem happy to munch on anything – including poop – they need to eat a complete and balanced diet to feel good physically and mentally.

This type of balanced diet delivers all the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals a dog needs.

A poor diet can impact their behaviour and mood, causing problems like fearfulness, low energy levels and poor focus.

 

Can diet really affect my dog’s behaviour?

Absolutely. A dog eating a healthy complete and balanced diet is satisfied, happy, focused, trainable, eager to please, able to relax and adaptable.

On the other hand, if your dog lacks certain nutrients or finds their current food difficult to digest, they can become irritable, lethargic, anxious or aggressive.

Some dogs eating a poor diet will have behavioural issues, while others will also have other physical symptoms.

Signs of a poor diet include:

• Scooting
• Eating grass
• Struggling to poo or inconsistent poo texture
• Excessive gas
• Intermittent appetite
• Dull coat
• Dandruff.

 

What dog behaviour issues are linked to a poor diet?

If you feed your dog a poor diet, they might show:

• Lethargy or lack of energy
• Fatigue
• Hyperactivity
• Over-excitement
• Low mood
• Aggression
• Irritability
• Unpredictable behaviour
• Grumpiness
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Lack of focus.

 

Why is a balanced diet so important for good dog behaviour?

When your dog eats, they produce chemical reactions in their body.

If their food lacks the nutrients to trigger these reactions, they can display poor behaviour.

A fresh, high protein, low carbohydrate, low-fat diet with the right amount of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals is key to your dog’s mental health.

Our personalised raw meal plans will give your dog everything they need.

 

Is there as strong a link between my dog’s gut and brain as there is for humans?

There’s plenty of research to support the gut-brain connection for humans – what we eat can affect our mental health and wellbeing. And just like us, your dog’s gut is their ‘second brain.’

There are many bacteria and chemicals in the gut, which are responsible for:

• Mood
• Self-control
• Motivation
• Energy
• Happiness
• Trainability
• Memory and concentration
• Relaxation.

A 2019 study shows that a low-diversity gut environment – known as the microbiome – is associated with dog aggression.

When the microbiome isn’t healthy, it can’t produce the right amount of chemicals.

For example, it might not make enough serotonin, the chemical that balances mood.

 

How can diet affect my dog’s mood?

An unbalanced diet can make your dog feel:

• Grumpy
• Stressed
• Irritable
• Reactive
• Over-excited
• Hyperactive
• Lethargic
• Anxious
• Sad.

 

How does diet affect my dog’s energy levels?

The quality of your dog’s diet is linked to its energy levels. A bad diet can make your dog tired or hyper. When your dog lacks certain nutrients, they don’t have enough energy to do all their favourite activities.

They might look tired, sluggish, unbothered or sleepy. Maybe they don’t feel like fetching a stick, or they lie down in the middle of a walk.

On the other hand, feeding your dog human foods, like sugary snacks, can make them hyperactive.

The preservatives, sugar and artificial colours in human food can lead to excessive energy levels, fidgeting, and short attention spans.

Feeding your dog the right kind and amount of food is key to ensuring that they have enough energy to live a full and happy life.

 

Why is routine and regular feeding so important?

Feeding your pooch at regular times might give them a sense of security and help them cope with any changes in your household, like a holiday.

Plus, if you feed your dog at random times, they will likely feel hungry at different times of the day. Research shows that hungry dogs can’t focus as well and can lack self-control.

 

What effect can sugar have on your dog’s behaviour?

Dogs respond to sugar and artificial sweeteners in the same way we do.

They experience sugar highs and lows. They go from over-excitement or sudden bursts of energy to feeling irritable, anxious, sad or lethargic.

Regularly eating sugar and artificial sweeteners can also cause health issues like diabetes, obesity, upset stomach and more.

Watch out for some ingredients, like chocolate or xylitol, as they are poisonous to dogs.

 

Can a balanced diet help with dog aggression or hyperactivity?

Yes, a balanced diet can help with some dog behavioural problems by improving the health of their gut, which is linked to their brain.

But changing your dog’s diet isn’t a quick fix. Consider starting a training program, too. Work with your vet and a reputable trainer to get all the support you can.

Look for a dog trainer in your area who has experience managing aggression and hyperactivity. Research them and look for genuine reviews. Before they start the training, ask them if you can observe a session where they work with a dog with similar issues.

And don’t forget that if your dog suddenly changes behaviour, they might be ill or in pain, so always check with your vet that they’re okay.

 

The bottom line

Your pooch can’t tell you if they have a craving or if something is missing from their diet. But their behaviour can signal when something is wrong.

If your dog is aggressive, hyperactive, tired or anxious, go to the vet to check they’re okay.

If they’re well, take a look at your dog food. Is it missing some important nutrients?

If your pooch has behavioural issues, consider visiting the vet, switching to complete and balanced meals and working with a reputable dog trainer.

 

Dog behaviour and diet FAQs

What foods are good for a hyperactive dog?

First, it’s a good idea to speak to your vet about behaviour you’re worried about. Research has found that feeding a balanced diet with high-quality meat, fresh fruit and vegetables can benefit your dog’s wellbeing.

Foods containing sugars or artificial ingredients might affect your dog’s behaviour. For example, kibble is often higher in carbs and is produced using lots of chemicals. Raw food offers all the nutrients your dog needs with less starch and no artificial ingredients.

 

Why is my dog tired all the time?

There are many reasons why your dog might feel tired all the time.

They might:

• Feel unwell
• Have a fever
• Have eaten or drunk something toxic or poisonous
• Have a disease, like a heart condition or cancer
• Suffer from arthritis and other joint conditions.

If your dog is acting lethargic, speak to your vet. It could also be your dog’s diet, as some nutrient deficiencies can cause fatigue.

 

My dog is showing signs of aggression – what should I do?

If your dog suddenly becomes aggressive, speak to your vet immediately.

A recent study shows that dog aggression can be linked to a poor diet. But that’s not always the case. Aggression is often a sign of something bigger like illness, pain, discomfort or injury.

If the vet confirms they’re okay, contact a trainer experienced in dealing with aggressive dogs. Your pooch might need more exercise, training or mental stimulation.

In the meantime, make sure you feed them a healthy complete and balanced diet.

If you switch to a new food, introduce the new formula slowly and methodically – follow the instructions on the food. We recommend transitioning to raw gradually across 7 days.

 

How can a raw diet help my dog’s mood and behaviour?

A raw diet can help your dog’s mood and behaviour by delivering all the key nutrients they need to feel good.

Studies show the natural ingredients in raw food can improve your dog’s gut health. So the gut can produce the right chemicals to balance your pooch’s mood.

A raw diet also helps with firm poos. Harder stools allow your dog to express their anal glands naturally, helping to prevent blockages.

Some of our customers have also found that raw dog food helps to provide more energy for their dogs.

 

Try our personalised raw meal plans with high-quality raw ingredients to help keep your dog healthy and happy.