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Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / Does food affect a dog's behaviour?
- By dealrocker [in] Date 16.05.09 09:14 UTC
I had a very busy and stressful week so I couldn't take proper care of my dog. Just got a small bag of different dog food last week and tide him over.

Now, over the last few days my dog has been having some major behavior issues. This is just something I was puzzling over today.
Can diet be the cause of some behavior issues??

Please share your views.
- By tadog [gb] Date 16.05.09 09:18 UTC
I have alway fed mine a food that has no artificial flavour/color etc. I did the same for my daughter when she was young, i do beleave we are what we eat.
- By Isabel Date 16.05.09 09:19 UTC
I think it can with some dogs but if you have had a busy and stressful week can you rule out lack of exercise, attention/stimulation or even picking up on your stress?
- By Jeangenie [gb] Date 16.05.09 09:32 UTC
I would think the change of routine is the most likely cause of behavioural changes. Dogs are very much creatures of habit, and can get very stressed by change.
- By Goldmali Date 16.05.09 10:14 UTC
My trainer says she can always tell a dog fed on Bakers as they are always extra unruly, and improve when the food is changed.
- By RReeve [gb] Date 16.05.09 11:12 UTC
I agree, we used to feed Bakers when my dog was a pup, and he was always hyper, we changed to Iams on the advice of our trainer at puppy class, because he was picking out some colours and leaving others (bakers is a dry food with different coloured pieces). When his behaviour improved we just assumed that the training  was making a big difference, but subsequently due to a Tesco substitution I ened up with a pack of bakers and fed him that for a week, he was horrid again, that made me realise that some of the behaviour was down to the food.
I don't suppose all dogs are sensitive to artificial colourings etc, but just like with children it is likely that some dogs are.
- By Otterhound Date 19.05.09 21:11 UTC
Alot has to do with the protein contents. Mine bounce off the walls if I feed them more than 22% protein food. I had a spaniel x in training who arrived as a complete nutter and a change in diet to a low protein food changed the dog 100%, the owner was astonished how easy he was to handle after a week on the new food.
- By krusewalker [gb] Date 19.05.09 21:20 UTC
I had a very busy and stressful week so I couldn't take proper care of my dog.

Now, over the last few days my dog has been having some major behavior issues. This is just something I was puzzling over today.


now i have deleted the food referances,
i would say the second sentence is due to the first sentence
- By Jeangenie [gb] Date 20.05.09 07:38 UTC
Exactly my thoughts, krusewalker. The food references are no more than a red herring (no joke intended, but included nonetheless!) IMO.
- By bilbobaggins [gb] Date 20.05.09 14:00 UTC

> I agree, we used to feed Bakers


Ran out of his usual mix and borrowed a couple of days worth of Bakers while waiting for a delivery
Never again... sent my dallie dolally and very pink ;-(
- By dogs a babe Date 20.05.09 15:28 UTC
dealrocker as others have mentioned, one week of different food is unlikely to cause major behaviour issues.  Realistically it's more likely to be a change in your routine and demeanour.  However, most dogs can cope with short periods of change reasonably well and adult dogs are generally quite adaptable if you are having an unusual week.

If you are concerned by changes you consider to be major then it may be worth exploring other possibilities. 
Topic Dog Boards / Behaviour / Does food affect a dog's behaviour?

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