Effect of Diet on Behaviour
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
Carbohydrate
Tryptophan
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 defence contra oxidative stress[1] 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[2]. These can be added to the diet as a supplement and may be particularly important in gestation, lactation and post-weaning[3]. 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[4][2], this is also likely to be applicable to felines.
Diet Associated Behavioural Problems and Their Diagnosis
Management and Treatment of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems
Prevention of Diet Associated Behavioural Problems
References
- ↑ Innis, S.M. Dietary (n-3) fatty acids and brain development. J Nutr 2007:137:855-9
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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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