Dog Community

Protein % in food related to aggression?

Posted : 1/20/2007 6:46:34 PM

I apologize if this is a repeat post.

But, I recall hearing/reading briefly of a dog food study that was looking at the percentage of protein in dog food and its link to possibly a cause for dog aggression? I recall it was from Tufts University but have had no luck in finding out anymore info.

Any input?

Sandy

sooner

Posted : 1/20/2007 6:53:58 PM

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10953712&dopt=Abstract

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For dogs with dominance aggression, the addition of tryptophan to high-protein diets or change to a low-protein diet may reduce aggression. For dogs with territorial aggression, tryptophan supplementation of a low-protein diet may be helpful in reducing aggression.

papillon806

Posted : 1/20/2007 8:17:43 PM

I think the addition of Tryptophan to anybody's diet would make them rather calm...or fall asleep. lol [

]

I am a little hesitant towards this theory. I think high-energy/high-carb diets can also contribute to aggression...that would lead me to believe that it isn't neccessarily the protein content, but total calories in general. JMO though

Thalie

Posted : 1/20/2007 8:41:55 PM

Another earlier one from the same source does not quite agree on the protein effect. This one did not add any medications to the diet.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS--Results of this study suggest that a reduction in dietary protein content is not generally useful in the treatment of behavior problems in dogs, but may be appropriate in dogs with territorial aggression that is a result of fear.

[linkhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=8575968&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=8575968&query_hl=2&itool=pubmed_docsum[/link]

I could not access the whole papers right away but note that nowhere in the abstracts does it say that high protein content causes aggression which is different from saying that manipulating the protein level could perhaps sometimes decrease some kinds of aggression. I wish I could read the whole papers because I have some questions popping in my mind : were the studies double blind ? who had diagnosticated the type of aggression in each dog ? how much training had the owners received in order to use the scoring instrument reliably ? etc. Will dig some more to try get the whole studies.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 1/21/2007 1:11:10 AM

I think the addition of Tryptophan to anybody's diet would make them rather calm...or fall asleep. lol

I am a little hesitant towards this theory. I think high-energy/high-carb diets can also contribute to aggression...that would lead me to believe that it isn't neccessarily the protein content, but total calories in general. JMO though

The whole idea of it has to do with seratonin production. I was fascinated by it, so I grabbed my guinea pig, I mean Dachshund, and tried it. Of course, I'm attempting behavior modification training (which is not working at all, BTW, she doesn't get it) along with the diet change. She does seem calmer, and less uptight. She's on a Bach flower blend, as well (it was compounded, just for her, in the holistic vet's office).

Sandy

Posted : 1/21/2007 9:15:36 AM

Thanks for the input, now I am even more curious as to the findings.

Sandy

kpwlee

Posted : 1/21/2007 9:19:36 AM

my dog is MUCH calmer with lots of protein than less protein.
He isn't aggressive but he is very high energy and the addition of meat/fish to his kibble works wonders

papillon806

Posted : 1/21/2007 1:09:34 PM

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d
so I grabbed my guinea pig, I mean Dachshund, and tried it. .

LOL [

]

Michelle

Posted : 1/21/2007 1:32:51 PM

We had a trainer do a home visit for Tookey when his aggression problems were at their peak and she suggested a low protein diet. It did seem to help, but we also implemented a lot of behavioral interventions as well. I think since we've switched foods the protein level has gone up, but I think the aggression problem hasn't gotten any worse. Maybe it can help as far as a multi-pronged approache, but I wouldn't think it would make a significant difference on it's own.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 1/21/2007 9:15:57 PM

quote:

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d
so I grabbed my guinea pig, I mean Dachshund, and tried it. .

LOL

Seriously, dogs are fantastic to experiment on. I only try things that aren't going to harm them, but they're totally objective. They have no idea something is supposed to help. I thought acupuncture was fooey, til I tried it on my dog. Same with homeopathy. Good little piggies take just about anything, if you give them a treat when you're done.

papillon806

Posted : 1/21/2007 10:40:57 PM

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d

quote:

ORIGINAL: jennie_c_d
so I grabbed my guinea pig, I mean Dachshund, and tried it. .

LOL

Seriously, dogs are fantastic to experiment on. I only try things that aren't going to harm them, but they're totally objective. They have no idea something is supposed to help. I thought acupuncture was fooey, til I tried it on my dog. Same with homeopathy. Good little piggies take just about anything, if you give them a treat when you're done.

Oh I know what you mean! I let my horse be the "guinea pig" for a vet that was getting his license to practice acupunture on horses. Helped my horse out alot and he got his license, lol.

brookcove

Posted : 1/22/2007 12:59:19 AM

Helped my horse out alot and he got his license, lol.

Congrats! What kind of liscense did your horse get?

[sm=rotfl.gif]

mudpuppy

Posted : 1/22/2007 10:18:18 AM

I suppose if your dog is weirdly aggressive it wouldn't hurt to try a food change. I do believe there is a strong link between diet and behavior. Lots of dogs fed sugar-packed cheap diets have this frenzied unfocused hyperactive behavior that goes away when they switch to meat-based diets. I once fed a few cans of Mighty Dog (a gift) to my dogs and watched in disbelief as they acted like they'd been given strong stimulants for 24 hours.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 1/22/2007 11:06:41 AM

Lots of dogs fed sugar-packed cheap diets have this frenzied unfocused hyperactive behavior that goes away when they switch to meat-based diets. I once fed a few cans of Mighty Dog (a gift) to my dogs and watched in disbelief as they acted like they'd been given strong stimulants for 24 hours.

I'm amazed at how red tinted, flavoring scented JRT act so insane. My JRT is perfectly handleable. She's active, but she's not hyper. Kibbles N Bits breath dogs act like they're on crack. It's amazing. If I stand around for two long with her on a leash, she lays down and goes to sleep. The JRT that I groom would never go to sleep. That's gotta be bad for dogs' hearts.