Difference between revisions of "Effect of Diet on Behaviour"
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It is thought that certain dietary components may have an effect on certain facets of an animals behaviour. By altering the levels and type of each component in a diet some aspects of problem behaviours can be influenced. | It is thought that certain dietary components may have an effect on certain facets of an animals behaviour. By altering the levels and type of each component in a diet some aspects of problem behaviours can be influenced. | ||
| − | ====Protein==== | + | ====Protein, Tryptophan and Carbohydrate==== |
| − | + | There are several theories about how protein, tryptophan and carbohydrates may affect behaviour. These include the following: | |
| − | + | *It is thought that very high protein diets could possibly result in a reduction in in the brain of levels of serotonin. Serotonin is formed from tryptophan and if amino acid levels are high competition for the carrier with tryptophan is increased. This means that lower quantities of tryptophan are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Aggression has been linked to low serotonin levels in some cases<ref>Rosado, B., Garcia-Belenguer, S., Leon, M., et al. Blood concentrations of serotonin, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone in aggressive dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2010; 123:124-30</ref> and in a small percentage of dogs diets with lower protein levels decreased territorial aggression<ref>Dodman, N.H., Reisner, I., Shuster, L., et al. Effect of dietary protein content on behaviour of dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996; 208:376-9</ref>, although other types of aggression seemed to be uninfluenced. In both dogs and cats fed a L-tryptophan supplement lower levels of behaviours related to stress and fewer signs of anxiety were seen<ref>Da Graca Pereira, G., Fragoso, S., L-tryptophan supplementation and its effect of multi-housed cats and working dogs. Proceedings of the 2010 European Veterinary Behaviour Meeting. Hamburg, 2010, 30-35</ref><ref name="Kato">Kato, M., Miyaji, K., Ohtani, N., et al. Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviours in privately owned anxious dogs. 2012; 7:21-6</ref> | |
| − | + | *A higher carbohydrate diet is thought to be linked to tryptophan levels in the brain increasing. This as previously mentioned can be calming, which may in turn decrease the potential for aggressive behaviour. It must be noted however, that if the levels of carbohydrates are increased by reducing protein levels, the reduced protein may be the factor which causes this effect. | |
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| + | ====Pyridoxine==== | ||
| + | Pyridoxine or vitamin B<sub>6</sub> assists in the fabrication of serotonin,<ref name="Kato" /> which in turn is linked to a reduction in anxiety and aggression. | ||
====Fatty Acids==== | ====Fatty Acids==== | ||
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| − | == | + | ==Behavioural Problems Related to Diet and Their Diagnosis== |
| − | + | If it is thought that diet may be a contributing factor to behavioural problems the theory should be tested by trial and exclusion. The new diet, potentially with lower protein levels should be fed for a 1-2 weeks, taking note of any differences in behaviour and then returning the animal to the initial diet to see if behaviours which ceased or became reduced during the trial period return. Before implementing a trial diet a careful clinical examination should be performed and blood and urine samples should be taken to ensure these are normal. If a homemade diet is going to be used for the trial period this should consist of the same amount of meat and carbohydrate, one part of each and the same quantity should be fed as of the diet it is replacing. No supplements or treats or other types of food should be fed during the trial. Alternatives to a homemade diet include using prescription diets which are already low in protein, for example a canned renal diet. It is also important to consider the difference between diets which contain additives and preservatives - dry foods, and those which don't - canned foods or homemade diets and whether this is also an influencing factor on behaviour. | |
| − | |||
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| + | ==Control of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems== | ||
| + | It should be noted that a homemade diet is not a balanced diet for long-term use, and although is not likely to cause a problem for the trial period of 1-2 weeks it should not be fed long term. A nutritionist should be consulted if it is decided to continue with a home-produced diet to ensure that it is nutritionally balanced and contains all the necessary components. Prescription renal diets are a nutritionally balanced alternative. With other foods it is important to looks for those which contain a good-quality protein in conservative amounts with a carbohydrate source which is easily digestible. Canned foods generally have fewer, or no preservatives and dry foods generally have most preservatives. If behaviour deteriorates when a commercial formulation is reintroduced other problems apart from solely the protein content should be considered. | ||
==Prevention of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems== | ==Prevention of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems== | ||
Revision as of 19:01, 18 June 2014
Overview
An animals diet and its components can affect behaviour in a number of ways. Thought should be given to the way a breed/species would naturally behave if left to fend for themselves to satisfy their dietary and hunting requirements. For modern pets there are many ways to prolong the time spent and energy used to attain food and encourage good behaviour.
Dietary Components Which Affect Behaviour
It is thought that certain dietary components may have an effect on certain facets of an animals behaviour. By altering the levels and type of each component in a diet some aspects of problem behaviours can be influenced.
Protein, Tryptophan and Carbohydrate
There are several theories about how protein, tryptophan and carbohydrates may affect behaviour. These include the following:
- It is thought that very high protein diets could possibly result in a reduction in in the brain of levels of serotonin. Serotonin is formed from tryptophan and if amino acid levels are high competition for the carrier with tryptophan is increased. This means that lower quantities of tryptophan are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Aggression has been linked to low serotonin levels in some cases[1] and in a small percentage of dogs diets with lower protein levels decreased territorial aggression[2], although other types of aggression seemed to be uninfluenced. In both dogs and cats fed a L-tryptophan supplement lower levels of behaviours related to stress and fewer signs of anxiety were seen[3][4]
- A higher carbohydrate diet is thought to be linked to tryptophan levels in the brain increasing. This as previously mentioned can be calming, which may in turn decrease the potential for aggressive behaviour. It must be noted however, that if the levels of carbohydrates are increased by reducing protein levels, the reduced protein may be the factor which causes this effect.
Pyridoxine
Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 assists in the fabrication of serotonin,[4] which in turn is linked to a reduction in anxiety and aggression.
Fatty Acids
In the cat cis-linoleic and arachidonic acid are essential for life. However, other fatty acids, specifically long-chain omega-3; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for certain aspects of development, both neuronal and retinal, neurotransmission and provide defence contra oxidative stress[5] and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which has an anti-inflammatory effect are important. The conversion of alpha-linolenic acid to long-chain EPA and DHA is very inefficacious[6]. These can be added to the diet as a supplement and may be particularly important in gestation, lactation and post-weaning[7]. Further to the already mentioned effects DHA supplementation has been linked to an improved memory, cognitive, psychomotor and immunologic function and better problem-solving skills in puppies[8][6], this is also likely to be applicable to felines.
Behavioural Problems Related to Diet and Their Diagnosis
If it is thought that diet may be a contributing factor to behavioural problems the theory should be tested by trial and exclusion. The new diet, potentially with lower protein levels should be fed for a 1-2 weeks, taking note of any differences in behaviour and then returning the animal to the initial diet to see if behaviours which ceased or became reduced during the trial period return. Before implementing a trial diet a careful clinical examination should be performed and blood and urine samples should be taken to ensure these are normal. If a homemade diet is going to be used for the trial period this should consist of the same amount of meat and carbohydrate, one part of each and the same quantity should be fed as of the diet it is replacing. No supplements or treats or other types of food should be fed during the trial. Alternatives to a homemade diet include using prescription diets which are already low in protein, for example a canned renal diet. It is also important to consider the difference between diets which contain additives and preservatives - dry foods, and those which don't - canned foods or homemade diets and whether this is also an influencing factor on behaviour.
Control of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems
It should be noted that a homemade diet is not a balanced diet for long-term use, and although is not likely to cause a problem for the trial period of 1-2 weeks it should not be fed long term. A nutritionist should be consulted if it is decided to continue with a home-produced diet to ensure that it is nutritionally balanced and contains all the necessary components. Prescription renal diets are a nutritionally balanced alternative. With other foods it is important to looks for those which contain a good-quality protein in conservative amounts with a carbohydrate source which is easily digestible. Canned foods generally have fewer, or no preservatives and dry foods generally have most preservatives. If behaviour deteriorates when a commercial formulation is reintroduced other problems apart from solely the protein content should be considered.
Prevention of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems
References
- ↑ Rosado, B., Garcia-Belenguer, S., Leon, M., et al. Blood concentrations of serotonin, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone in aggressive dogs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2010; 123:124-30
- ↑ Dodman, N.H., Reisner, I., Shuster, L., et al. Effect of dietary protein content on behaviour of dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1996; 208:376-9
- ↑ Da Graca Pereira, G., Fragoso, S., L-tryptophan supplementation and its effect of multi-housed cats and working dogs. Proceedings of the 2010 European Veterinary Behaviour Meeting. Hamburg, 2010, 30-35
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kato, M., Miyaji, K., Ohtani, N., et al. Effects of prescription diet on dealing with stressful situations and performance of anxiety-related behaviours in privately owned anxious dogs. 2012; 7:21-6
- ↑ Innis, S.M. Dietary (n-3) fatty acids and brain development. J Nutr 2007:137:855-9
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Zicker, S.C, Jewell, D.E., Yamka, R.M., et al. Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods fortified with docosahexanoeic acid-rich fish oil from 8-52 weeks. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241:583-94
- ↑ Bauer, J.E., Heinemann, K.M., Lees, G.E., et al. Retinal functions of young dogs are improved and maternal plasma phospholipids are altered with diets containing long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during gestation, lactation, and after weaning. J Nutr 2006;1191S-994S
- ↑ Heinemann, K.M., Bauer, J.E., Docosaheaenoic acid and neurologic development in animals. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2006;228:700-6
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This article is still under construction. |