The gut connection

One of the first things I ask when I assess a dog for the first time is 'what are they fed?'. As a holistic behaviour practitioner, I need a full clear picture of everything about your dog. Not just information about their 'problem behaviour'.

I find people can often be reluctant to change their dog's diet. Maybe their other dogs have always eaten this food, perhaps the vet recommended it, but why is diet and nutrition so important when we are looking at behaviour?

First of all, not all dog food is created equal. I really wish that we could trust dog food labels, but sadly it is an unregulated industry and pet companies can say whatever they like about their product. Even the ingredients are not precise. Just this reason alone means it can feel like a minefield for guardians who want to do their best for their dog. You would think that price would be a good indicator. But nope! Some of the priciest brands on the market are some of the lowest scoring nutritionally.

So why does this matter?

Will it really make all that much difference if your dog is eating low quality kibble or high value fresh food?

Well. Here is the thing. A dog's gut microbiome (and ours for that matter) can influence their brain function. This is because it regulates crucial animal behaviour neurotransmitters such as Serotonin, Dopamine and Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Most of us have heard of Serotonin, this is responsible for regulating our mood, cognition and sleep. You may have heard it referred to as the 'happiness hormone'. More than 90% of Serotonin is produced in the gut. So an unhappy tummy could spell trouble! There are several studies suggesting that a decreased level of Serotonin can result in undesirable behaviours in dogs.

Dopamine is another familiar word. This regulates crucial central and peripheral nervous system functions. I'm sure you can imagine why it could be problematic if this is in low supply. More than 50% of Dopamine is synthesised in the gastrointestinal tract.

GABA is not so widely known but it is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It helps to regulate mood, sleep, anxiety and memory. Interestingly, it is also involved in the inhibition of the amygdala which helps to prevent inappropriate emotional and behavioural responses.

Add to all of this that a healthy microbiome protects the body against excessive inflammatory responses. And what is very closely linked with chronic inflammation within the body? Poor mental health.

So when I ask if we can make some tweaks to your dog's diet, it's for good reason. When we're working on a behaviour modification programme, it's important we take an holistic approach otherwise we're setting ourselves up for failure.

If you would like some advice about your dog's diet, drop me a message.

Written by: Nicola Cook VSPDT, CSAT.