You might be surprised at just how often diet, food quality, and feeding schedules are the cause of behaviour issues in pets. Sometimes a quality food choice in combination with calming nutritional supplements are the right solutions to manage stress and anxiety in pets.
There are many studies out there that show food directly affects a pet’s behaviour and identifying potential food issues is just as important as addressing the behaviour from a nutritional supplement perspective. Here are some ways that food can affect your pet’s behaviour.
No Feeding Schedule or Underfeeding
Feeding pets on a regular schedule can have a healthy emotional impact on them. A consistent feeding location and environment also contribute to a feeling of safety.
For instance, puppies and kittens may act aggressively because the they aren't getting fed as often as it should. They are aggressive because they are hungry!
Puppies and kittens should eat at least three times a day, and from six months on, they can be fed twice a day. Just like human babies, they are growing fast, so they burn calories quickly.
Most adult dogs and cats do well on 2 meals a day. Please refer to our feeding guidelines for more information.
Food Allergies and Intolerances
Food allergies or intolerances can impact the nervous system and cause inflammation. This can result in reactivity and a short temper. Furthermore, studies show a pet’s gut biome is linked to anxiety and aggression.
Poor-Quality Protein and Cheap Fillers
Unfortunately, many pet foods use inferior quality meats and proteins in their recipes, leading to serious health issues. Vetalogica only features Australian sourced meats from local farmers we know and trust to ensure quality meats and nutrition for pets.
Low-carb diets and elimination of cheap fillers should also be encouraged with a strong emphasis on food with inclusions of meat quality, variety and quantity.
Pet food should not include any artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, glutens, GMO’s or grains as these are detrimental to behaviour in pets.
Imbalanced Diet
Pets need a complete and balanced, biologically appropriate diet. When pets don't get adequate amounts of food appropriate to their needs, physical hunger motivates behaviour problems.
Diet plays an integral role in the behaviour of pets. Complimenting nutritional supplements for stress and anxiety with high-meat inclusion foods with omega fatty acids will assist in maintaining calmness and managing behavioural issues in your pet.
Check out our video on our Biologically Appropriate Pet Foods.
Leave a comment