As we look at photos or videos of dogs devouring their food, when we are dealing with a fussy eater, the question we always sit with is; why won’t my dog do that? Being a fussy eater can be technically defined as an eating disorder, and there are a number of causes. From behavioural to biochemical, let’s take a look at the complex world of the fussy eater and we’ll share our top 5 tips for dealing with them. Eating Behaviour Appetite and hunger are largely controlled by the brain and a range of hormones. In the brain the hypothalamus receives information from the digestive system like stomach extension, chemical nature of ingested food and the metabolic activity of the liver and uses it to maintain energy balance. It also receives information from the emotion/reward system. Food is a rewarding object that induces pleasant emotions. Studies have demonstrated that when the reward value of food decreases, so too does eating motivation. Sadly, these studies often include the injection of lithium after eating, which causes discomfort, but it does give us food for thought, pun intended, if our dog is eating food which may be causing them discomfort. The most discussed hormones when we are looking at appetite and hunger are leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is produced in adipose cells, or fat cells. So, the more fat cells there are, the more leptin is produced. In short, the more fat that is available in reserves, the less you need to eat. Ghrelin is predominantly secreted in the stomach, and it too modulates cells found in the hypothalamus by increasing excitatory inputs and decreasing inhibitory inputs. Here we are talking about neurotransmitters. Ghrelin is seen to have a large influence on the release of dopamine via increases in cell excitability. As dopamine is involved in reward and motivation, ghrelin is thought to target the motivational functions geared to gaining food and to select those which are more rewarding (high calorie). However, there are also other mechanisms in which the dopaminergic system comes into play for the fussy eater. A central feature of the dopamine neuron response is that it is triggered by unexpectancy. After receiving an unexpected reward like food (or how many likes our recent post has got on social media) a dopamine surge is elicited. For the dog who ends up with the same bowl of food every day, there is no longer unexpectancy. The other neurotransmitter that gets a little attention in terms of eating behaviour is serotonin. Serotonin has a well confirmed role in the regulation of eating behaviour. Serotonin is a key player in feelings of nausea – so higher levels could be produced in response to something not sitting quite right in the digestive system. What’s super interesting is that serotonin is metabolised largely by monoamine oxidase (MAO) so it stands to reason that MAO inhibitors can contribute to high levels in the body. Sadly, certain insecticides found on flea and tick collars contain MAO inhibitors. We must also consider the cascade of hormones that are released during the stress response. Stress is a redirection of resources, and this includes away from digestive function. If our dogs are exposed to acute or chronic stress, it could remove their desire to eat. That said, as an owner managing a fussy eater, the owner too can become stressed and anxious that the dog isn’t getting the nutrients they need to thrive. Unfortunately for us, dogs have incredible olfactory capabilities, meaning they can smell our stress! They also have this capacity to mirror our emotions. And so, when they don’t eat, we get stressed, so they get stressed and may be even less likely to eat. So what does all of this mean? If you have investigated further and there is no underlying health issue that could be causing your dog to be a fussy eater, they could: Be suffering discomfort from the food they are eating, whether this is a sensitivity, or issues with digestion. They are then less likely to want to eat it next time for fear of feeling poorly. Have an undesirable body score – there is a difference between the occasional fussy eater, and the chronic fussy eater. If your dog is only occasionally refusing food, they may well just not need it at that moment. Be bored with their food – this often applies to many commercial foods – dry food we’re looking at you. Having the same bowl of food every mealtime removes the sense of unexpectancy. Be stressed or sense our stress – have there been any recent changes to your routine? Are you more stressed than usual? Has their walking route changed? Have they had an altercation with another dog on a walk? Are there any new pets in the home? Have you moved any furniture? Have you noticed any other changes to your dog’s behaviour? Have there been any changes to your behaviour? Our 5 Top Tips for Managing a Fussy Eater: 1) Establish mealtimes! There’s no unexpected reward if a bowl of food is always laid out. 2) Ditch the dry! What is more boring than the same bowl of pellets every mealtime? Offer fresh food with a range of tastes, aromas, and textures. In addition, variety is the spice of life – use novel proteins – what’s more unexpected than novelty? This can also be helpful if you are concerned your dog may have a sensitivity to certain foods. Finally, cooking alters the aroma and texture of many foods so this can be a great way to entice if needed. 3) Use mealtimes as opportunities to enrich your dog’s life! Offer food in bowls or plates, or even on wooden boards. There is no categoric link between height of feeding and gastric torsion in dogs, so consider at what level you offer their meals; do they need to be raised if they are struggling with any musculoskeletal issues. If they are in pain whilst eating,
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often see rest and recovery as a forgotten need of dogs. With the advent of daycare centres and dog walkers, most of us relish the idea that our dog can be kept occupied whilst we are in work. When owners research potential breeds to bring home, their exercise quota is usually discussed along with the need for mental stimulation. Exercise is important for canine health – we’ll come back to that later. So is mental stimulation, especially for those smart, working breeds. But there needs to be a balance so lets discuss, why we let sleeping dogs lie. Pop into any social media group discussing dogs being left alone and destruction inevitably comes up. Well-meaning owners often suggest that the dog is bored and by providing things for the dog to do, they will cease the destructive behaviour. It’s clear that destruction when left alone is a symptom of anxiety; not boredom. Toys and food are only ever used in a separation anxiety protocol to help the dog make positive associations with a confinement area. Part of this protocol is to assess how the dog behaves immediately after finishing the puzzle to establish whether in fact it was a distraction or actually taught the dog to relax. Boredom in dogs often isn’t the big deal that social media groups make it out to be. Those behaviours associated with boredom are often symptomatic of frustration or anxiety. So, how much interaction does your dog need on a daily basis? This is a difficult question to answer. As with humans, dogs have different personalities and purposes. However, we can’t argue with the science. Dogs are diurnal. Like us, they are active during daylight hours. Rest occurs during the dark. But activity increases in the last two dark hours. A rest period is common at noon and then reduced activity continues during the afternoon. Findings here Sleep is widely studied, for its evolutionary benefits. It is crucial for most daily functions. It is clear in humans, that when suffering sleep restriction, they have attention lapses, slowed working memory, reduced cognition and depressed thought. Studies have shown a significant reduction inactivity in dogs experiencing sleep restriction. Findings here One of the main purposes of sleep is to consolidate memories or learning. This has also been found true in dogs. Learning affects sleep structure which ultimately decides whether you retain the information or not. Interestingly, in studies, those dogs allowed to sleep after learning anew command were more likely to retain the command at a later date than dogs allowed to walk or play. Findings here So, if you want to train your dog, they need their sleep. Under laboratory conditions, dogs will sleep around 13 hours per day. But this is very generic. Older dogs will sleep more as they tend to experience periods of broken sleep. Puppies too will sleep a lot more – generally 18-20 hours. The rule of thumb is to let sleeping puppies sleep! For the puppy, consider how much socialisation and training you are undertaking. When you think you’ve only got around 4-6 hours per day of awake time; take some mealtimes out of that, and your safe play in the garden… it’s easy to see how you can quickly overwhelm a puppy. What’s really interesting is, like in humans, negative or positive interactions, affect sleep length and quality. Following a negative interaction with a human, dogs tend to fall asleep quicker. This goes against what we’ve found in humans; the idea that stress impedes sleep. It is termed stress-induced quiescence (protective sleep in response to stress). Findings here This throws a bit of a curve ball when we are considering the overall health of our dog. We usually understand that they are content when they fall asleep – but now we must consider that it could be a potential stress-response. It’s worth looking out for these patterns and seeing how your dog sleeps. This has never been more relevant when considering daycare. More and more are popping up and I often hear owners say that their dog does nothing but sleep when they get home. It is generally understood that the dog has had such a busy day, they are just exhausted. But, what if, in these daycares with upwards of 50 dogs on site, the dog is just over-aroused? How realistic is it for your dog to get his rest in such a busy site? When his normal rhythm tells him to rest around noon and then have a quiet afternoon, and he’s actually running, chasing and playing for 8-10 hours of the day? This is sadly where non-aggressive dogs get labelled as aggressive, simply because they have reached their peak of “activity” for that day and some annoying puppy continues to hang off their ear! Also a consideration to be made when a new puppy is introduced into an adult dog home. Any daycare worth their salt should value rest and recovery as much as play and interaction. Sleep is not the only way that your dog can rest and recover. Simply having quiet, settled time can be of benefit. All too often, owners consider that their dog always needs to be doing something. Here it must be questioned, does your dog need to be kept occupied simply to keep them out of trouble? Some dogs just don’t learn how they need to behave because they aren’t given the opportunity. This is a whole new issue which is too big to tackle in this article. Maybe at a later date. If your dog has their own space, whether it’s their bed, a crate, a den or a corner in the home, they soon learn that it is their safe place. They can learn to settle and rest there. But they need to know that no one will hassle them, so children need to keep their distance. You can use lickimats or stuffed kongs to help them associate the space with calm and quiet,
We first started becoming interested in bugs when germ-free mice, those born and raised in sterile environments showed exaggerated responses to stress compared to normal controls. What is particularly interesting is that the use of pro and prebiotics were able to reverse the abnormal reactions found in germ-free mice. Not only that but the faeces of depressed mice could be transplanted to “happy” controls and subsequently make them depressed and vice versa. So, we started wondering, can bugs really affect our behaviour? The short answer is yes. The long answer needs a sit down with a coffee. The gut microbiome comprises of all microorganisms and their genomes inhabiting the intestinal tract. These microorganisms perform important functions in the immune system and basic metabolism by providing essential inflammatory mediators, nutrients, and vitamins. But, as we established, they also affect behaviour, and they do this through this thing called the gut-brain axis. This occurs through multiple pathways such as endocrine, immune, metabolic, and neural, specifically the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body and has countless branches from the brainstem all the way down to the lowest part of the intestines, touching most organs along the way. This is why it is also called the wandering nerve. The vagus nerve modulates the parasympathetic nervous system which counterbalances the sympathetic nervous system. In short, stress inhibits the vagus nerve. This effect is seen when gut motility is altered during stress. What surprised most was that brain-gut communication is bidirectional. This is why the jury is still out on whether cases of IBD or IBS are a cause or a consequence of abnormal gut-brain processing. The vagus nerve contains fibres. 80% of them carry information from the body to the brain and 20% from the brain to the body. These fibres are distributed in all the layers of the digestive wall and they sense the diffusion of bacterial compounds and metabolites. The bacterial sequences identified in the canine gastrointestinal tract fall into five phyla: Firmicutes Fusobacteria Bacteroidetes Proteobacteria Actinobacteria In an ideal world, we want balance, but there are several factors which can affect the composition of the intestinal microbiota which is subsequently known as gut dysbiosis. This composition, as we have established then influences behaviour, for better or worse. The Effect of Diet Several studies have demonstrated that diet composition, especially those with large differences in macronutrient composition (carbohydrate, protein, and fat) largely affects gut microbiome profiles. Dogs fed a raw diet have demonstrated a richer and more balanced microbiome when compared to kibble-fed controls. Raw fed dogs show an overall decrease in the abundance of firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. This isn’t surprising as these genera are associated with the digestion of dietary fibre, indicating a decrease in the fermentation of carbohydrate (raw diets are general lower in carbohydrate). Adding fresh meat to a bowl of kibble has also demonstrated a decrease in faecali bacterium and an increase in clostridiaceae. One of these clostridiaceae strains was later identified as being associated with normal bile acid metabolism which is an important pathway for lipid digestion and regulation of intestinal inflammation. Clostridiaceae is also associated with improved fecal health score (firmer). And yes, the bit you have been waiting for, clostridiaceae is associated with normal cognitive function. Findings here Biologically appropriate diets have also demonstrated increased levels of faecal GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter implicated in anxiety and mood disorders. Findings here In short, what is abundantly clear, the more diverse the diet, the more diverse the microbiome. This gives us a better shot at having beneficial bacteria to influence our health and behaviour. Birth Regardless of the species, GI colonisation starts before the new-born exits the birth canal. In humans the delivery method of the baby isa clear influence on microbiome development. But in the canine world, it is considered that the new-born puppy is exposed to vaginal and faecal microbiota through the dam’s tongue and therefore the delivery method, whilst still applicable, is likely less pronounced. It does however highlight that the Mother’s microbiota is a clear influence on the developing new-born, so her diversity will subsequently affect her offspring. Disease Dogs with gastro-intestinal disease regularly present with significantly decreased faecal bacterial diversity. The microbial communities differ massively between sick and healthy dogs. Findings here Manipulations of the microbiome are often included as part of the treatment of GI disease, most commonly antibiotics, probiotics, and faecal transplants. The aim of antibiotics is to remove pathogenic bacteria, however many antibiotics are broad spectrum, so they take the good guys with them too. They rapidly cause significant drops in taxonomic richness and diversity and there turn to the initial composition is rarely fully achieved. The link between bacteria and behaviour is again highlighted in human data reporting anxiety, panic attacks and in some cases depression as side effects to antibiotic use. Manic episodes have also correlated with antibiotic use. Findings here Turning this on its head, there is increasing attention being paid to using antibiotics as a possible treatment for psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. Findings here Pathogenic bacteria have been seen to affect behaviour in other species than humans too. Rabies for example is largely associated with aggressive behaviour because biting is an effective form of transmission. Low serotonin levels are associated with aggressive behaviour, so it is considered that the rabies infection impairs serotonin neurotransmission. Findings here Not only that, but rat infection of toxoplasma gondii removes a rat’s natural aversion to cats and produces a pheromone to attract the rat to the cat. This gives the parasite a better chance at survival but is very unfortunate for the rat. Findings here Other mice studies have demonstrated that sub-clinical infection of campylobacter jejuni produced anxiety-like behaviour despite the fact there was no overt immune system activation. Findings here It would be easy here to say that the solution is to eradicate all bacteria, but the issue isn’t that the bacteria exist, the issue is the balance. For example,
In humans, the definition of anxiety is a feeling of unease, a worry or fear. It can be mild or severe. It’s quite easy to label these feelings ourselves, but as our four-legged friends haven’t yet figured out how to talk, what makes them anxious can be difficult to pin down. What we do know is they demonstrate stress behaviours alongside triggers, so we can intimate they feel anxious. What is clear, is that these behaviours aren’t great for our four-legged friends, so whilst we can also tackle the triggers, there are certain nutrients that can help modulate anxiety too. We have collated 5 of our top Fido-friendly-foods that can be safely added to their diets. Fatty Fish In dogs, the body has a requirement for two distinct Essential Fatty Acid families. The Omega-6 and Omega-3 series. Omega-6 Linoleic Acid (LA) Arachidonic Acid (AA) Omega-3 Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Fatty fish contain Omega-3 fatty acids which have a number of biological effects in the body. To start us off, studies have shown that aggressive dogs are characterised by low Omega-3 fatty acid status. This does not indicate causation, but there is certainly a correlation. Findings here Omega-3’s, in particular DHA, play critical neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory roles in the brain. Supplementation of omega-3 has been seen to: – Improve cognitive function Findings here – Reduce anxious symptoms Findings here – Reduce aggressive behaviours Findings here – Reduced stress-related hormone production Findings here Omega-3s are classed as polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids can be saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated. The difference is in their structure. Saturated fatty acids contain no double bonds between the carbon atoms and are therefore saturated with hydrogen. Monounsaturated fatty acids have one double bond (mono=one). Polyunsaturated fatty acids have two or more double bonds (poly=many). The more double bonds a fatty acid has, the less stable the molecule, which means it is more susceptible to oxidation, resulting in rancidity. This is why fish oils should be stored in a dark, glass bottle and why PUFA rich oils aren’t the best to fry your eggs with. Fats also act as carriers for fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K which means that low-fat diets can affect the metabolism of these crucial vitamins. Much data has highlighted that low vitamin D status is associated with anxiety and depression, so fatty fish helps modulate the metabolism of vitamin D too (if it is present in the diet of course). Findings here Sources to include: – Mackerel – Salmon – Sardines Oysters Whilst you may struggle to get your hands on oysters, what we’re really interested in is their zinc content. In the human literature, zinc is a trait marker of a mood disorder. Zinc deficiency is regularly associated with depression and anxiety, and supplementation often improves mood and cognitive function. Zinc plays a role in many metabolic processes, including enzyme catalysis, cell signalling and DNA replication and transcription. What this essentially means, this mineral is involved in neural development, learning, memory and mood. We know zinc plays a role in mood because we find zinc enriched neurons in parts of the brain associated with emotions. Before we knew better, in rat studies, we found that increasing zinc levels reduced rat-fighting behaviour and when supplemented alongside anti-depressant medication, rats developed improved resilience. The issue we have is that zinc also plays a role in the inflammatory response and likewise the down regulating of the same response. So, when we are in a state of chronic inflammation, when zinc should be in the nervous system, modulating, its instead crusading with the inflammatory (or anti-inflammatory) team and the brain is left with neurotransmitters where they shouldn’t be, or not even where they should be! Whilst it stands to reason that low dietary intake results in low levels of zinc, phytates found in cereals, corn and rice also inhibit zinc absorption. There are also some breeds who are predisposed to zinc deficiency, for example, certain sled dogs. Foods high in zinc: Oysters, beef, chicken, pork, hemp seeds, shiitake mushrooms and red meat. Whilst brazil nuts, tuna and oysters are also high in selenium, red meat is an easy addition in your dog’s diet. Another mineral, low levels of selenium are regularly reported in cases of anxiety, depression and fatigue. Findings here Selenium’s prime function is as an antioxidant. It works as a component of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme which protects cell membranes and red blood cells from damage by free radicals. However, it is thought to modulate mood through its involvement in the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones. Selenium deficiency is thought to dysregulate thyroid function and therefore play a role in mood disorders. Not only that but selenium has been found to exhibit modulatory effects on the dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems which are all involved in the regulation of mood and behaviour. One of the mechanisms is to inhibit the degradation of serotonin, resulting in an overall increase in levels. Selenoproteins also demonstrate antioxidant properties on dopaminergic neurons vulnerable to oxidative stress. Findings here Food Sources of Selenium: Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, fish, oysters, eggs, shiitake mushrooms and white meat. The word protein comes from the Greek word proteios which means of prime importance. Amino acids are the basic units of proteins and are held together by peptide linkages to form long protein chains. For the dog there are certain amino acids that are essential; they cannot be synthesised by the body, so they must be supplied by the diet. These include: Arginine Histidine Isoleucine Leucine Lysine Methionine Phenylalanine Threonine Tryptophan Valine For the cat, this also includes taurine. These amino acids found in certain foods,are precursors to certain neurotransmitters. Tryptophan, which is found in chicken and turkey, is the precursor to serotonin. Manipulation of serotonin through supplementation or depletion of tryptophan has established a role in higher order brain functions, memory, and mood. Low dietary tryptophan is associated with anxiety-like behaviour and increased defensive aggression. Tryptophan
Anxiety…the word that gets 337,000,000 hits on google. Many of us and our dogs would say, around that many things make us anxious in any one day, but anxiety for the dog can sadly be very life-limiting. Common signs include panting in the absence of exercise, pacing, salivating in the absence of food, inappropriate vocalisation, hyper-arousal, or lethargy and repetitive or compulsive behaviour. Not only that, but there are recognised cases of separation anxiety in the dog where they will dig at exit points, toilet inappropriately and the above behaviours become worse when separated from their guardian. Causes of anxiety are vast, what some dogs will find exciting, others will find stressful. This is where a better understanding of anxiety lies. In humans, anxiety is defined as a fear or worry, whereas stress is a response to a threat or situation. In the dog, if we consider separation anxiety, whilst dogs may respond to the trigger of you picking your keys up, or getting your coat, they exhibit a stress-response. Seeing as bonfire night is upon us, we thought we would talk about how to support and modulate this stress response. Stress is a response in the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system primes for flight or flight. The parasympathetic nervous system then comes along to balance it all out, and primes to rest and digest. Whilst this is a very generic overview of the stress-response, there are many processes that are going on, on the inside. To this end, certain nutrients can support and modulate stress responses and help to maintain a balanced system. Magnesium Often noted as the ultimate chill pill, magnesium is an essential nutrient that many are deficient in. Its low levels are regularly established incases of depression in humans, so it is clear it plays a role in mood modulation and the stress response. Findings here Magnesium affects a number of neurotransmitter systems. Firstly, it inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters. Excessive excitation can lead to the death of brain cells, which affects the overall structure and functioning of the brain. Magnesium also acts as a cofactor in the serotoninergic system. As we know serotonin is the happy chemical, and low levels of magnesium are regularly linked to low serotonin levels. Not only that, but magnesium excretion is increased during times of stress. Catecholamines and corticosteroids enhance the shift of magnesium from inside the cell to outside of the cell leading to increased urinary excretion. In turn, low magnesium levels increase the release of stress-associated hormones. This unfortunately creates a cycle of a reduced resistance to stress. Magnesium is found in leafy greens, nuts and seeds. The ones packing the highest punch are spinach and pumpkin seeds. Magnesium is also necessary for calcium absorption, so balancing these levels is key. High levels of calcium increase the need for magnesium. High dosages of vitamin D can also induce magnesium depletion. As an aside, magnesium competes with fluoride in the body and will decrease absorption, minimising the impact of fluoride in the body. Knowing that magnesium is a key player in many of the systems necessary for balanced mood and can be depleted further in times of stress, it pays to add magnesium rich foods to your dog’s diet. L-Theanine An amino acid found in tea leaves; its relaxing effects have been noted in humans for a while now. This is appearing to be true for our canine companions too. In mammals, L-Theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier within an hour after administration. It appears to remain in the plasma and brain for several hours after. L-Theanine isseen to facilitate the generation of alpha waves which are indicative of a relaxed but awake and alert state. L-Theanine helps regulate the usual stress responses like increased blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol secretion. In dogs, L-Theanine treatment has been seen to reduce anxiety scores during storms in fear of humans. Findings here There is also evidence for L-Theanine improving cognitive function and performance in test situations. Findings here It is thought that because of its similarity to glutamate, it can interact with the same receptors, therefore playing a role in neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity. There are also reports of increased GABA activity in the brain following L-theanine administration and we know that GABA is the brakes of the brain. Findings here Green tea contains the highest L-theanine content, and in moderation is perfectly safe to offer to your dog. Alternatively, there are a number of L-theanine supplements available. Findings here Vitamin D Every tissue in the body has vitamin D receptors, but it is the ones in the brain we are most interested in. Vitamin D activates genes that regulate the immune system and release neurotransmitters. In humans, vitamin D receptors are found in the same brain regions that are linked with depression, so we know it has an impact on mood; seasonal affective disorder ties in with this. It is thought that vitamin D plays a role in calcium balance in neurons, which helps to balance excitatory and inhibitory pathways in the brain. Not only that but vitamin D is linked to the regulation of nerve growth factor which is essential in neuronal survival. Offspring of vitamin D deficient mothers often experience learning and memory problems with altered grooming behaviours, and we know that grooming in most mammals is calming and comforting. Findings here The long and the short of it, vitamin D deficiency is regularly noted in cases of anxiety. Findings here Dog’s don’t have the same ability to synthesis vitamin D from the sun as we do, so they rely solely on dietary sources. Sources of vitamin D include oily fish, red meat, liver, and eggs. There are several health issues that affect absorption of vitamin D, like IBD and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency along with having a low-fat diet. Supplementation is an option but being fat soluble be mindful of levels. Magnesium assists in the activation of Vitamin D, so ensure adequate levels of Mg before you
Chewing is one of the habits we’d like to encourage our puppy to stop as soon as possible. Not only for the trail of destruction they leave in their wake, but for their own safety. Whilst I’m not advocating that destructive chewing should be encouraged; opportunities to chew can in fact be a helpful strategy for helping your dog manage their stress. Stress, like chewing, often gets a bad rap because both usually have negative connotations attached. But stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that alter our norm, or if you want to get technical, our homeostatic balance. Eustress, known as good stress, can enhance performance, but distress is when the dog is not coping. This results in a range of physical and emotional challenges. The Biology of Stress There is no doubt about it, our modern world has many sources of stress, for us and our dogs. There are two systems at play in a stress response. The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. These are two divisions of the autonomic nervous system which regulates involuntary physiological processes. In short, it’s a system that neither you nor your dog has much conscious control over. When faced with a stressor, the sympathetic nervous system releases a flurry of hormones to boost the body’s alertness including adrenaline and noradrenaline. It quickens the heart and breathing rate. This system increases blood glucose levels and fight, or flight is triggered. Energy is directed to limbs and the brain because that is where it’s needed. Energy is diverted from the digestive and excretory systems, which is why stressed dogs may sometimes suffer with digestive issues such as loose stools and a lack of appetite. When the stressor has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in to bring the body back into balance. The only way I can remember the difference in the systems is to imagine a parachutist sleeping with a plate of food. This system slows the heart and breathing rate. It provides an energy conservation response – allowing the body to recover. This is known as the rest and digest phase. What’s interesting is that whilst the first release of adrenaline into the bloodstream may dissipate within 15 minutes, the glucocorticoids that follow can take anywhere from 2-6 days to return to a baseline. This means that if our dog’s system isn’t given sufficient recovery time, cortisol levels can soon creep up, day after day. This then becomes chronic stress which can have a detrimental impact on our canine friends. This also explains the idea behind trigger stacking. You know those weeks where things just go from bad to worse but it is the most minute inconvenience that sends you over the edge. The Psychology of Stress Stress can enhance performance, the actual response increases alertness. Blood is diverted to the brain, heart, lungs and muscles which all need to work well to deal with the stressor presented. Short-lived stress can also result in result in new brain cells being produced; when tested, animals perform poorly, immediately after the stressful event, but better two weeks later. This is because cells need time to mature. The issue is when dogs are exposed to chronic stress and are unable to cope with it. When the sympathetic nervous system is always activated, there becomes an imbalance in the hormones flooding the body. The parasympathetic system doesn’t get a chance to re-balance things. It’s almost a double-edged sword – good stress increases alertness, but the very increase in alertness means the dog is unable to recover. The stressed dog may present with a range of typically defined anxious behaviours like excessive drooling, grooming or panting, they may be more vocal than usual with barking or howling. These dogs present with high levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone which is released by the body during times of stress which tells us biologically that the dog isn’t sufficiently recovering from stressors. Chronic stress triggers maladaptive changes in the body and brain, which can significantly affect how the brain works. This is not ideal for any dog. One of the neurotransmitters released by the recovery system (the parasympathetic nervous system) is acetylcholine and it is clear that when there are disruptions in the release of it, issues with attention, learning and memory follow. This is why well managed training classes are vital. If the very same training class causes a stress response, then successful learning is unlikely to follow. Not only that, but one of the primary targets in the brain for stress hormones is the prefrontal cortex. This region controls functions like working memory, distraction, novelty seeking and decision making. In short, a chronically stressed dog may be more easily distracted, more likely to seek novel experiences (less likely to respond to their handler), poor at decision making and struggle to remember key behaviours. Stress can also manifest in excessive panting in the dog. We know that dogs can only sniff or pant, they can’t do both at the same time. We also know that sniffing lowers heart rate. If the stressed dog is panting, they can’t sniff, which means they can’t even utilise that stress-reducing mechanism. This is where chewing can help. Not simply allowing your dog to chew anything he gets his teeth around, but controlled opportunities with a purpose. Study after study have demonstrated that chewing can counter the effects of stress. Not only does it reduce stress hormone levels, it also limits sensory processing of external stressors. In short, it keeps your dog’s attention off things it doesn’t need to be paying attention to. At the same time, chewing is known to improve alertness; it shortens reaction time and increases vigilance. This is thought to be due to the increase in heart rate during the chewing task which increases cerebral blood flow and brain activity. So, chewing for the dog can help them rebalance their stress levels and also improve their alertness ready for training sessions. There seems to be
When we’re out walking our dog and they are panting, we rarely pay any attention, we know that it’s a typical behaviour associated with exercise. Equally, if it’s gotten a little warmer, we expect panting (within reason). But is there a time when panting can indicate something which does require some further attention? It’s a behaviour that we ask pet guardians about in a My Pet Nutritionist consult, so let’s get to the bottom of what panting is, and if it’s anything to worry about. What is panting? Panting is characterised by fast, shallow breaths, a wide-open mouth, and an extended tongue. It’s generally associated with a dog trying to cool down, also known as thermoregulation. Cooling results from the inhalation of cooler air and exhalation of heat along with the evaporation of water in the dog’s respiratory system. The respiratory system in dogs is made up of their mouth, nose, trachea and lungs and it serves two main functions. Firstly, like in humans, it is how the body exchanges carbon dioxide and oxygen. In general, healthy dogs will have a resting respiration rate of anywhere between 15 and 40 inhalations and exhalations a minute. The typical respiration rate when panting increases 10-fold, so up to 400 inhalations and exhalations per minute is expected. It’s second function is to regulate body temperature. A normal body temperature for a dog is between 38.3°C and 39.2°C. An increase by just 1-2°C can have major effects on the dog’s system. They therefore rely on panting as their primary means of expelling heat. There are three known patterns of panting: inhalation and exhalation through the nose, inhalation through the nose and exhalation through the mouth, inhalation through the nose and mouth and exhalation through the nose and mouth. It is suggested that the most effective cooling system is when air is directed through the nose and out through the mouth. So why don’t dogs sweat to cool down? The human mechanism for cooling down is to sweat. As sweat evaporates, we cool down. Due to the thick coats dogs have, sweat just wouldn’t evaporate resulting in a thick, furry coat full of sweat! Nice! Dogs do have sweat glands, but on their paws. It is rare to see a dog with sweaty paws after exercise. You will tend to find sweaty paws in response to stress – which is why you’ll see damp patches on the table at the vets or groomers. What are the triggers and causes for a dog panting? Exercise This is a well-known cause for panting in dogs. Exertion increases heart rate and overall body temperature. Therefore, to regulate their body temperature, dogs will pant. Heat It is suggested that it can take from 7-60 days for a dog to acclimatise to a temperature change in the environment. This can be influenced by body shape, size, coat type and length and the overall health of the dog. Some of the breeds that are more sensitive to an increase in environmental temperature include: Pugs, Lhasa Apso, Boston Terrier, English Bulldog, Boxer, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and French Bulldog. These are known as brachycephalic breeds and due to their small nasal passages and short windpipes, they don’t pant as efficiently as other breeds. This puts them at a much higher risk of heatstroke. Dog Days of Summer Anxiety/Fear/Phobia Many dogs who suffer with anxiety or fear will pant. It is thought that the fear response increases the heart rate which in turn raises the body temperature. There are usually other signs that accompany panting in a fear response, such as yawning, pacing, crying, whining, shaking, lip licking or hiding. Storms and holidays with fireworks are often a source of anxiety for dogs, so it is quite common to see more panting during these times. There are many ways to help relieve anxiety in dogs including: Thunder Jackets, Plug-in diffusers – these release calming pheromones which mimic those of nursing dams when comforting their litter. Creating a safe place – a covered crate or a space under the stairs or a table. Top Tips for Anxiety in Cats and Dogs 6 Nutritional Tips for Anxiety in Dogs Panting accompanied with shaking is a typical stress response in dogs so consider whether there has been any change to their daily routine, even the smallest changes can be worrying for some dogs. Is panting a symptom of a long-term health condition? It can be. Heart failure When the heart is no longer pumping oxygenated blood efficiently, body parts and tissues will become oxygen deprived. The easiest way to correct this depletion is to increase respiration which often results in panting. Symptoms of heart failure include: Fatigue, Difficulty breathing, Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Coughing. Older dogs are more susceptible to heart issues. The ageing process naturally causes your dog’s organs and systems to deteriorate. Keeping Your Senior Dog Healthy Heart failure can also occur as a result of heartworm disease. Heartworms are spread through mosquitoes. Infective heartworm larvae migrate through the dog’s body until they reach the heart and blood vessels in the lungs. Symptoms of heartworm include: Coughing, Intolerance of exercise, Laboured breathing/panting. Natural Worming Options for Pets Obesity Overweight dogs will often pant excessively. This is due to the strain placed upon the cardiovascular system. In determining whether your dog is a healthy weight, you should be able to see a waistline, feel the ribs and from a bird’s eye view, your dog should have an hourglass outline. Maintaining a healthy weight in your dog should be achieved through species appropriate diet with portion control and regular exercise. Obesity in Pets Part I Obesity in Pets Part II Low Fat Fish Cushing’s Disease This is when the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, also known as hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol is produced and stored by the adrenal glands, two small glands which sit on top of the kidneys. Investigations of the cause will usually be tumours found on the pituitary or adrenal gland or
