Effect of Diet on Behaviour

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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-weaningCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag[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

  1. Innis, S.M. Dietary (n-3) fatty acids and brain development. J Nutr 2007:137:855-9
  2. 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