How to improve your dog’s behavior by changing their diet?

If you are a dog owner who is concerned about his physical but also mental health, you should know that there is a direct, proven relationship between behavior and food consumed!

Before you spend hundreds of dollars for training and get angry that your dog is hyperactive, overexcited, does not understand you, destroys your home, pay attention to the right diet. It can make it much easier to train most dogs!

My name is Kiril Todorov and since 2016. I am engaged in dog training! For the past 7 years, I have had the privilege of directly observing how food affects behavior. I have personally seen that a raw diet is the best for their physical and mental health!

Therefore, in 2020. I invited my good friend Borislav Penev to create a Bulgarian raw food brand with the name Divus! Together with a team of veterinarians and nutritionists, we have developed complete and balanced menus using the BARF method.

We spent over 100+ hours collecting and synthesizing the available information on the impact of food on dog behavior. Enjoy reading!

The relationship between food consumed and human behavior has been known for a long time. Such a parallel can also be made in dogs. It is known that diets high in sugars and carbohydrates negatively affect the behavior of children – it overexcites them, leads to hyperactivity and lack of concentration.

Anderson and Mariner (1971), from the University of Durban-Westville, South Africa, studied 100 dogs with problematic behavior, of which 86% were fed kibble. Their diet is altered with fresh meat (beef, chicken, trifles), boiled vegetables, and raw bones. 98% of these customers report a drastic improvement in behavior. The authors conclude that an appropriate diet (combined with appropriate exercise, in the case of hyperactivity) is “unequivocally therapeutic in the treatment of a wide range of behavioral problems.”

The content of pet food is regulated by AFFCO, which is a federation subordinate to multibillion-dollar manufacturers of confectionery for humans. You can remember who I am talking about. The nutritional profile indicated there guarantees a minimum level of nutrients for a period of six months for the normal behavior of the dog. However, it is important to understand that this is completely insufficient. For example, the 18% protein mentioned on the label is the minimum requirement, not the optimal amount for the dog’s diet. This difference determines how complete the dog’s diet is.

Granulated food was invented 100 years ago in the United States. It was created for the convenience of farmers, low production costs and huge profits. Since most dry foods are highly processed and their true composition is not visible, cheap carbohydrates and waste raw materials such as hooves, horns, etc.

What have dogs consumed before?

Before kibble, dogs ate protein-rich food (about 80%) that they obtained from small animals such as rabbits. In contrast, modern commercial dry foods provide significantly lower protein content, resulting in a huge difference between the evolutionary diet and the current minimum protein requirements set by AFFCO.

Importance of amino acids in proteins

Protein is made up of essential amino acids vital for the health of the dog. These are the amino acids (methionine and tryptophan) that play a key role. They are not produced by the body and therefore it is imperative to obtain them through food.

It is important to consider not only the total protein content, but also the supply of essential amino acids!

The critical role of methionine: Methionine, a vital amino acid, plays a key role in regulating hormones, maintaining cell membranes, and neuroprotective properties. It is effective in treating anxiety and depression in humans. Methionine is obtained from animal products.

Methionine’s sensitivity to thermal processing poses a challenge for dry pet food manufacturers, leading to potential deficiencies and health risks. Added flour from ground bones and meat in commercial foods cannot provide the required amount of methionine.

Sources of methionine: chicken, turkey, beef and lamb.

Physical symptoms of methionine deficiencies: weak muscles, slow metabolism, poor condition of the skin and coat.

L-carnitine and its importance

L-carnitine carries long-chain fatty acids to the mitochondria and helps convert them into energy. Studies have shown its positive impact on energy production, improving mood and reducing depression.

Sources of L-carnitine: beef, lamb, fish and poultry.

Physical symptoms for L-carnitine deficiencies: overweight.

Role of Zinc and Iron

A common problem in dogs fed kibble is a deficiency of digestible minerals of natural origin.

Zinc is important for normal neurological function and can affect behavior and cognitive function. It is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters and can affect mood and mental health. Zinc deficiency is associated with increased stress and overexcitement.

Iron is critical for cognitive function and brain development. It is important for the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a key role in mood regulation. Iron deficiency can lead to mood disorders and depression.

Sources of zinc and iron: raw beef, sea fish, liver (beef and chicken).

Physical symptoms of zinc and iron deficiency: poor condition of the skin and coat.

Vitamin B complex

Vitamin B6 is needed for the production of serotonin (a well-known relaxing neurotransmitter) and melatonin (a relaxing hormone). Other B vitamins are also needed for the effective absorption of B6. Vitamin B complex is very important for a calm mind.

Extrusion (shaping the granule under temperature regime) destroys heat-sensitive B complex vitamins.

Hoffmann LaRoche (1995) examined dry food stored for six months. The results showed that vitamin B1 decreased by more than 57%, vitamin B2 decreased by 32%, vitamin B12 decreased by 34%. In canned dog food, the loss of vitamin B6 is 89%. Mooney (2010) noted serious vitamin B losses just 6 weeks after the date of manufacture.

Sources of vitamin B complex: chicken, turkey, beef, pork.

Sources of vitamin B12: meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.

Fresh fats vs processed fats

The quality of fats in food directly affects the behavior of our pets. The nutritional value of fresh fats from natural sources (sprats or sardines) is much higher than that of commercial granules. Unprocessed fats from natural sources significantly improve the overall well-being and behavior of dogs.

Omega-3s and the impact on behavior

Contrary to human eating principles, dogs exhibit unique reactions to the ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The high content of omega-6s, prevalent in plant-based foods, creates an unbalanced ratio between them. This imbalance is associated with changes in behavior and aggression.

Omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA, are essential for normal brain development. When studying rats with omega-3 deficiency, aggression, stressful behavior and reduced learning ability were noticeable. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency leads to the same behavior in dogs.

A study of 18 aggressive German shepherds showed lower concentrations of omega-3s and higher concentrations of omega-6s (from plant ingredients), resulting in a higher ratio of fatty acids. However, Hadley et al. (2017) found that one in four “complete” dry foods contained zero percent EPA and DHA. In order to improve the learning ability of dogs, it is necessary to add fish oil containing high levels of DHA to the granulated food they consume.

Sources of omega-3: salmon, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, herring, mussels, oysters and squid.

Browse our fish offers and discover healthy and tasty options that guarantee shiny fur and nourished skin for your pet:

Dehydrated Black Sea horse mackerel

Bioactive compounds in hemoglobin

In the study of bioactive compounds, hemoglobin stands out for its potential therapeutic element. Hemoglobin contains biologically active peptides, including endorphins and saffronorphin.

Traditionally, hemoglobin has been associated with the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Research in the field of peptidomics (the study of peptides in the body) reveals that many proteins, including hemoglobin, can be broken down into biologically active peptides with different functions. Endorphins are a group of peptides known as “happiness hormones” that are produced in the brain and nervous system and function as neurotransmitters. They play a role in reducing pain and inducing feelings of bliss or euphoria.

Studies on carnivores in zoos have shown that the consumption of hemoglobin rich blood can have a positive effect on their behavior.

Algya et al. (2018) selected four types of dog diets – kibble, two types of cooked food and raw dog food, and compared them in terms of macronutrient digestibility, serum chemistry, urinary and fecal characteristics, including metabolites and microbiota. Results show that raw diets are easily digestible and much more appetizing for dogs. Crude protein is better absorbed when it is not heat-treated. And in dogs fed raw food, there is a decrease in blood triglycerides (blood fats) and an excellent chemical composition.

Final conclusions

Along with the apparent link between a raw diet and a dog’s health, there is now evidence of an invisible link between food and a dog’s mood. The lack of natural vitamins and minerals in most dry foods are causes of depression, aggression, hyperactivity, learning ability.

If you want your dog to be physically and mentally healthy, you can add raw products to his diet.

And for optimal results, switch entirely to Divus.

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Take a look at our offers for switching to BARF at a special price:

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Combo Transition – BARF Chicken + “Good Digestion” + Licking Mat Divus

Combo Transition – BARF Beef with Chia + “Good Digestion” + Licking Mat Divus

References

1. Algya, K.M., Cross, T.L., Leuck, K.N.et al. (2018). Apparent digestibility of macronutrients in the general tract, serum chemistry, urinalysis and fecal characteristics, metabolites and microbiota of adult dogs fed extruded, lightly cooked and raw diets. Journal of Animal Science.

1. Hoffmann LaRoche, F.T. (1995). Paper presented at the Center for Science and Technology, Hill’s Pet Nu- trition, Inc., Topeka, KS, on “Vitamin Stability in Canned and Extruded Pet Foods.” Quoted in Hand et al. 2010, chapter 8.

1. Mooney, A. (2010). Stability of essential nutrients in the production and storage of pet food. Master’s thesis. Kansas State University.

1. Bosch, G., Hagen-Plantinga, E.A. & Hendriks, W.H. (2015). Nutrient Profiles in Wild Wolf Diet: Insights for Optimal Dog Nutrition? British Journal of Nutrition.

1. Re, S., Zanoletti, M., & Emanuele, E., 2008. Aggressive dogs are characterized by a low status of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Veterinary research communications.

1. Hadley, K.B., Bauer, J. & Milgram, N.W. (2017). The oil-rich algae Schizochytrium sp. as a food source of docosahexaenoic acid improves learning to recognize shapes associated with visual processing in a canine aging pattern. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and essential fatty acids.

1. Zicker, S.C., Jewell, D.E., Yamka, R.M., et al. (2012). Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunological and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods enriched with fish oil rich in docosahexaenoic acid from 8 to 52 weeks of age. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 241(5), pp.583-594. Nyberg, F., Sanderson, K. & Glamsta, E.L. (1997). Hemorphins: The new class of opioid peptides derived from the blood protein hemoglobin. Biopolymers, 43, 147-156
34. Saiga, A., Tanabe, S., & Nishimura, T. (2003). Antioxidant activity of peptides derived from porcine myofibrillar proteins by protease processing. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

1. Nyberg, F., Sanderson, K., & Glamsta, E.L. (1997). Hemorphins: The new class of opioid peptides derived from the blood protein hemoglobin. Biopolymers.

1. Anderson, G. & Mariner, S. (1971). Influence of food and restricted movement on behavioural problems in dogs. Dog Academy, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa; Department of Zoology, University of Durban – Westville, South Africa.