The Powerful Impact Pet Food Has On Behavior Is Frightening

Have you ever felt irritated when you were hungry or did eating a dessert lift up your spirits? That is because there is a direct link between what we eat and how we feel and act.

Does that mean that we can assume that the situation is the same for our pets?

Well, according to scientists and veterinary experts, we can and we should.

Diet has a major impact on the behavior of both cats and dogs. The right choice of food for your pet will make them not only healthier, but happier, easier to train and less aggressive.

And the wrong choice? Food laden with chemicals and with poor nutritional value can make your dog or cat lethargic, diminish their cognitive functions and make them more irritable and depressed. And not to mention, cause various health issues, some of which can be life-threating.

Unfortunately, it’s the additives, preservatives and dubious ingredients of commercial pet food that link it directly to behavioral problems in pets.

So, which ingredients (or lack of ingredients) in pet food are to blame for behavioral issues?

Inadequate Source Of Protein

A good chunk of the protein percentage displayed on the label accounts for incomplete proteins from grains. The “meat” in the commercial pet food is not only low in quantity, it’s often the very low in quality as well. This results in a lack of Tryptophan in commercial pet food, an essential amino acid that supports the production of serotonin and can be found only in meat. This deficit results in hyperactivity, sudden spikes in mood, hypersensitivity and even aggression.

The main reason why rumors started to circulate in the first place was the presence of barbiturates in commercial pet food. The fact that barbiturates, or phenobarbital, are used for humane euthanasia of cats and dogs made some veterinarians and animal activist dig deeper into the issue. Concerns and doubts grew only stronger, so the FDA conducted a research of their own.

Carbohydrates

The problem with carbs in pet foods is that their ratio is simply too big. The large quantities of carbs in commercial food have been linked to obesity and diabetes, but they also influence behavior and moods. Some common problems caused by excessive carbs include sudden irritability, mood swings, and energy spikes that result in destructive behavior.

Lack Of Vitamins And Minerals

Even though commercial pet food is often fortified with synthetic vitamin and minerals, it’s not always good enough. Vitamin deficiency as a result of an unbalanced diet based on poor-quality pet foods is responsible for many problematic behavioral patterns and issues. Some of those problems include cognitive deficiency, anxiety and aggression, coprophagia, and compulsive disorders.

Omega-3 Deficiency

Apart from being used to treat various ailments, this essential fatty acid is proven to have a beneficial effect on behavior. Dogs and cats that don’t have a quality source of Omega-3 in their diet often suffer from anxiety and are more prone to aggression. Of course, if you rely only on commercial pet food, chances are your pet is already deficient. Try adding a high-quality Omega-3 supplement to their diet or switching to a wholesome, natural diet rich in nutrients.

Time and time again, store-bought pet food full of additives and toxins has proven to be inadequate and harmful to our pets. The substandard and harmful ingredients even have control over our pet’s mood and behavior. There is no doubt that diet is often what’s responsible for the low quality of life, health problems, and even death of our beloved pets.