Kunnen verschillende diëten het gedrag van een hond beïnvloeden?

Er zijn veel andere factoren die het gedrag van een hond beïnvloeden, maar veel mensen geloven ook dat voeding ook invloedrijk kan zijn.

For dog lovers, what you feed your dog is a polarising topic, and many pet owners get very passionate about it, and while there's no real right or wrong answer, all owners should strive to find the best diet for their dog. All dogs are individuals and will react differently to different foods, much in the same way we do - so it seems quite likely that diet can contribute to behaviour.

We zijn ons over het algemeen erg bewust van wat we onszelf en ons gezin voeden - u zou bijvoorbeeld uw kind geen ontbijt met suiker en veel conserveermiddelen geven, net voordat ze naar school gaan? Moet dus niet dezelfde logica worden toegepast op onze geliefde huisdieren?

There are various schools of thought about what diet is best for an energetic and obedient dog but again, we can't stress enough that there isn't one answer and it will come down to trial and error and observing how your dog behaves when eating certain diets. Lifestyle, finances and preferences will also play a role in what diet you'd like to feed your dog, much in the same way it affects our own meal time.

Different diets, different results
Let's take a look at how some of the most popular diets can potentially affect your dog's behaviour…

Commercial dog food
This is a popular option for doggy parents the world over and in general the high quality options do provide your dog with a well rounded and balanced meal, with key nutrients for a happy and healthy dog. However, the cheaper the variety, the more likely fillers in the form of grains and cereal will be present and it's said that a high intake of carbohydrates can affect blood serum levels which is thought to cause aggressive tendencies, mood swings and hyperactivity. However, by avoiding the cheapest food available, you should be completely fine to feed your dog commercial dog food. Raw feeding
A lot of people like feeding their dogs a raw diet. Dogs seem to enjoy it because they get to enjoy plenty of raw meat and bones, but one of the setbacks from this diet is a lack of calcium which can lead to health issues such a dental problems. Dental issues can also lead to behavioural problems - including aggression and lethargy.

Organic
Veel mensen genieten van het eten van een dieet vol biologische ingrediënten, en je kunt de voordelen niet ontkennen. Het is dus geen verrassing dat veel hondeneigenaren ook graag hun honden biologisch voedsel geven. Biologisch hondenvoer kan worden gekocht bij veel online verkopers of dierenwinkels (of je kunt het zelf maken), en het belangrijkste voordeel is dat het geen chemische toevoegingen bevat, maar alle voedingsvoordelen bevat die je krijgt van ander commercieel hondenvoer rassen. Over het algemeen moet het voeren van uw hond biologisch alle gedragsproblemen elimineren en krommen en als na een paar maanden geen wijzigingen zijn geciteerd, moet er een overleg met uw dierenarts plaatsvinden.

Natural
A dog's diet that is all natural is similar to the recently popular "Paleo" diet, where you feast on what your ancient ancestors ate. People who feed their dog this sort of diet, generally give their dog animal carcasses, meaty bones and scraps from the butcher. While it resembles nothing of what most people feed their dogs these days, it's said that this type of diet is kinder to the digestive system and reduces unpredictable mood swings.

Variety is the spice of life
Some dog trainers and behaviourists believe that some poor behaviour from dogs can stem not just from what's in the food, but the repetitive nature of it, calling it the "monotony effect." It's said the monotony effect can cause begging and boredom, so even if your dog is hungry, they may refuse to eat it because they are tired of the same thing! If this is something you are experiencing, consult your vet. If you plan to change up your dog's diet, remember to introduce the new food gradually so not to upset their stomach.

Don't get tripped up on treats
Everyone loves a treat, including your pal and usually these treats can be incredibly high in sugar, potentially causing hyperactivity. If you think your dog is hyperactive, then a good way to help is to eliminate what dog treats you are giving them. Remember to always read the label and choose one that is of a high quality.

So in many ways it seems that the old saying 'you are what you eat' can really apply to our dogs too.

Javier V. uit Visalia, Californië