Effects of Nutrition On Dog Behavior
Harnessing Holistic Nutrition for Optimal Canine Behavior: A Holistic Pet Health Coach's Insights
I want to emphasize the crucial role your dog's digestive system plays in influencing their behavior. Take a moment to absorb this fact—it's often overlooked or challenged. Many believe that simply training a dog is the solution, an approach ingrained in us and many dog trainers. I used to hold this belief myself, until I encountered cases where training alone didn't suffice. This pushed me to seek alternative solutions.
To truly understand and address your dog's behavior comprehensively, we must consider the entire dog, which includes their diet and overall well-being. Imbalances in the gut can lead to a multitude of behavioral issues in dogs—ranging from aggression and anxiety to learning ability, fulfillment, energy levels, mood swings, and more. Surprising as it may seem, emotions are intertwined with these aspects.
Some may hesitate to view their dog as an emotional being or fail to acknowledge the link between nutrition, wellness, and behavior. If you have reservations, that's perfectly fine, but I'm here to persist until this connection is clear to you.
In cases where my clients wholeheartedly embraced detox protocols, dietary changes, toxin elimination, and reducing chemical exposure, we witnessed remarkable and sustainable improvements.
Nutritional Impact on Canine Behavior
Getting the diet right, especially with fresh, species-appropriate foods, yields significant enhancements in your dog's behavior:
Reduced Inflammation
Improved Hydration
Enhanced Learning Abilities and Training
Better Mood and Mood Stabilization
Increased Confidence, Energy, Clarity, and Focus
Stronger Immune Systems
Healthier Bodies, Minimized Stress on Body and Mind
Improved Detoxification and Waste Management
Less Storage of Toxins in Cellular Tissues
Even simple nutritional changes can make a notable difference in your dog's behavior, a transformation witnessed daily.
Assessing Protein and its Behavioral Effects with 5 Element Theory
One crucial aspect in this journey is evaluating protein selection using the 5 Element Theory. Holistic feeding embraces this vital aspect for optimal canine well-being.
While initially skeptical, my perspective shifted as I delved into understanding how essential oils influence health, and now, how food impacts our dogs' overall well-being. This enlightenment began at a trainer's conference where a holistic veterinarian's workshop provided valuable insights.
A notable assessment criterion was the color of a dog's tongue, serving as an indicator of potential health issues and revealing how various proteins affect the dog's internal balance.
Signs of a "Hot" Dog and Cooling Foods: Seeking cool places, itchy skin, restlessness, high arousal. Cooling foods such as duck, rabbit, white fish, apples, bananas, cucumbers, and pears can offer relief.
Signs of a "Cold" Dog and Warming Foods: Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, seeking warmth, joint pain. Warming foods like turkey, chicken, venison, bison, pumpkin, white rice, sweet potatoes, and oats can help.
Neutral Foods: Include beef, wild-caught salmon, carrots, potatoes, beans, and peas.
Evaluating Protein through the Lens of 5 Element Theory and the Effects on Behavior.
One area we will review with the selection of proteins.
Holistic Feeding – Bentley
You know me. I’ve told you before, I’m skeptical of things that can seem hokey. But not long ago I was convinced of the impact of essential oils on health and well-being in our dogs (and people), most recently I have been learning more about food as it relates to our dog’s well-being.
When this first instance occurred, I was not an expert in this subject, only a self-study student and who had seen some direct results in our clients with the help of holistic veterinarians. Since that time, I cannot get enough study, learning, case studies and research. They still won’t let me practice medicine — but I have seen some amazing transformations in dogs with just changes to their foods and natural wellness products.
It began a few years ago at a trainer’s conference, where a holistic veterinarian presented a workshop that introduced the notion of “hot dogs” as it relates to traditional Chinese Medicine and what they eat.
Assessing Protein and its Behavioral Effects with 5 Element Theory
One crucial aspect in this journey is evaluating protein selection using the 5 Element Theory. Holistic feeding embraces this vital aspect for optimal canine well-being.
While initially skeptical, my perspective shifted as I delved into understanding how essential oils influence health, and now, how food impacts our dogs' overall well-being. This enlightenment began at a trainer's conference where a holistic veterinarian's workshop provided valuable insights.
Signs of a "Hot" Dog and Cooling Foods: Seeking cool places, itchy skin, restlessness, high arousal. Cooling foods such as duck, rabbit, white fish, apples, bananas, cucumbers, and pears can offer relief.
Signs of a "Cold" Dog and Warming Foods: Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, seeking warmth, joint pain. Warming foods like turkey, chicken, venison, bison, pumpkin, white rice, sweet potatoes, and oats can help.
Neutral Foods: Include beef, wild-caught salmon, carrots, potatoes, beans, and peas.
In addition we also take a look at the color of their tongue, serving as an indicator of potential health issues and revealing how various proteins affect the dog's internal balance.
Let me Share Two “HOT DOG” Case Studies.
Belle: a few years ago clients of mine had a dog that had what seemed to be random bouts of aggression and would attack another dog in the home. They visited their traditional vet many times for health check-ups and medication. They feed high quality foods. They exercised her and work diligently on training, structure and leadership. It wasn’t enough.
Desperate for more answers, they sought out a holistic vet, who determined that Belle ran “hot”. And this sort of internal combustion led to a dog that could lead to outbursts of rage.
A diet change to cooling foods that included apples, blueberries, cucumbers, watermelon, and some Chinese supplements made an almost immediate change in her behavior.
Bentley: at only 8 months we were having a very difficult time getting Bentley to settle down at home, focus on his training, difficulty to house training, refusal to eat his meals (so much so that I worried his frenzied behavior was related to being hungry.) He was very itchy so his family had tried different grain-free proteins. I remember the presenter at the conference had mentioned the symptoms of a hot dog — “restless, lacking focus, seeking a cool place to lay, panting when it’s not hot or exercising, ….” Bentley had all the classic symptoms of a hot dog.
A trip to a holistic vet in Charlotte confirmed Bentley ran “hot” She changed his protein from venison to Whitefish, added apples, cucumbers, and other cooling foods, and it was almost magic. He eats on schedule, potties on schedule, no more skin infections, and is happier all around.
Contact Me!
If you are struggling with your dog’s health or behavior — consider giving the holistic approach a try. I have seen countless of these case studies over the years.
Read More on my blog by reviewing the Seasons of the 5 Elements
Reference:
More info on this topic can be found in Wendy Volhard’s Book: The Holistic Guide to a Healthy Dog, Wendy Volhard https://amzn.to/3xRTu28
And 4 Paws 5 Directions A Guide to Chinese Medicine For Dogs by Celestial Arts: https://amzn.to/354Wfok