Can Nutrition Influence Your Dog’s Behavior?

At Good Dog, while working with a team of canine trainers and nutrition experts and having conversations with various pet parents, we discovered that your dog’s diet might be doing more than just energizing its body. Could it be that the food they eat affects their moods? Yes. Let’s see how

The link between dog nutrition and behaviour is an idea many pet parents welcome aboard. While several factors influence the dog's behaviour, including genetics, environment, and training, nutrition is proving to be a surprising factor on the list.

So, let us take a look at how the factor not spoken about to date is becoming an affector of your pet’s mood, energy, and aggression levels.

How does dog food affect behaviour?

You are what you eat. We’ve heard this quite well, and it applies to both humans and dogs. Many times, the food that you eat isn’t just for nutritional purposes, but also impacts the whole routine. The same goes for your pet. The food that your pet eats is not just responsible for its shiny coat, energy levels, and wagging tails, but also affects its overall behaviour.

Just for an example, dogs respond to sugar and artificial sweeteners as much as humans. A diet high in sugar and low in protein levels will lead to your pet being hyperactive or difficult to focus. Whereas, a controlled and balanced nutritional diet with carbs and proteins will lead to your dog being calmer and better in impulse control.

Therefore, when your dog seems to be too active or too low on days, it isn’t just its personality but the nature of the food it eats.

What to look for when you buy food for your pet?

Whether it's food aggression or hyperactivity in your dog, the ingredients in your dog’s bowl impact their brain function, hormonal levels, and behaviour. Here’s how you can trust and wisely choose the food that fits your dog’s needs:

Understanding the link between your dog’s diet and behaviour: If your pet growls or guards its bowl, it is likely to be food aggression. Similarly, if it seems to be overtly energetic and uncontrollable at a point, it is hyperactivity. Both the cases, though behaviourally different, show the dog’s unlikeliness at a point. This can be due to lack of training but lesser do we think about its diet patterns and its impact on the pet.

Diets that either lack carbs, or proteins, or sugar, or are high in any of these, after a certain level, are observable and should be quickly acted upon. Just like humans, dogs’ diet needs to be balanced with lean protein, fiber, and essential fats. A keen eye on this can help you understand the link between diet and nutrition for your pet.

Ingredients in your dog’s diet: When you buy food for your dog, the ingredients list is your best friend. 

• Real meat that is 100% real and not a by-product. Chicken and its other contraries provide the protein that your dog needs for its muscle and brain health.

• Whole grains and vegetables that provide fiber and carbs to fuel your pet’s energy for the day.

• Make sure that there are no artificial Flavors or preservatives that are unnecessary and can affect your pet’s health. Only permitted preservatives and antioxidants are allowed

• Avoid brands that do not adhere to the guidelines as per the standard norms, and buy food for your dog that makes it a Good Dog.

Always choose based on your dog’s unique needs: Each dog is different, considering its breed, height, weight, body type, or even habits.

Puppies need more calories and nutrients for growth, whereas adults benefit from joint support and agility needs. Active breeds need more protein in comparison with inactive ones. Many good dog food brands now offer formulas that cater to behaviour-related concerns alongside physical health.

Lastly, observe and adjust: There are many brands on board, but the only mechanism as a pet parent you can follow is to change and observe for some time. Keep a close eye on how your pet reacts after having his meals. Do they look calmer? Or are they irritated? Has its energy level improved? Track your dog’s meals and behaviour to identify what works best.

Good Dog Food, Good Behaviour

In conclusion, there lies a strong connection between dog nutrition and behaviour. The right diet can make a noticeable difference in your dog’s mood, energy levels, and its ability to learn. Buy food for your dog with care, focusing not just on physical health, but also on their emotional and mental well-being. 

A happy belly often leads to a happy, well-behaved pup, and it all leads to its being a Good Dog who knows good health ka secret!