The Whole Body Approach to Behavior

I'm a proud University of California, Davis grad, two times over. I have kept in touch with a handful of my classmates, one of whom stayed in Davis and is working for the university as a small animal dietitian and researcher.  She was teasing me about a few of my recent blog posts that looked at what we feed our pets, whether it's their actual diet, or the treats and goodies we share with them. She joked that I had "veered into her lane," by taking a deeper look at food and our pets. I reminded her that my published research on cheetahs actually looked at how and what we fed those captive animals affected their health and well being, and most importantly, their ability to reproduce. If anything, I'm now veering back into that lane and wanting everyone to focus on how they nourish the bodies of their own animals.

When I was a kid, my mom was one of those body-conscious 70's women.  Food was fuel and she only allowed "healthy choices" in our house. This meant no cookies, candy, chips, ice cream, or sugar-laden breakfast cereals.  Of course, we also had diet soda laced with saccharine and other artificial sweeteners, but that's another story. Anyway, I never agreed with her approach, feeling that my grandmother's approach was a bit more even-keeled.  She believed that there weren't any "bad foods," just food.  Some, you should eat in moderation, some were treats for special occasions, and all were best enjoyed with friends and family.  So, by the time I had my kids, I allowed all foods in the house, and my kids learned to regulate themselves.  If they wanted cookies, we baked together.  If they wanted a sugary breakfast cereal, that was fine, as long as they also had fruit and protein (usually in the form of yogurt) along with it. It was all about balance.  My kids seem to be continuing with this mindset as they navigate adulthood and stock their own pantries and refrigerators. So, why am I telling you all this?

Just as it was with the cheetahs I studied, the food you put into your body affects your behavior and your well being, and the same goes for your pets.  Pregnant female dogs should be fed a diet rich in proteins and fats, with essential minerals like phosphorus and calcium, as doing so will result in a mother who is prepared to give birth and nurse her puppies.  That diet will also help her body to nurture those puppies in utero.  Healthy moms produce healthy puppies.  Happy moms produce happy puppies. Once those puppies start on solid foods, your focus is on growth and development, not just of their bodies, but of their brains.  This is why puppy food is rich in DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is vital to brain development.  Puppies raised by moms with a sound temperament and healthy body, are much more likely to be puppies who are also physically healthy and mentally sound. And, of course, if you add in an early puppyhood program like Puppy Culture to your puppy raising activities, you are again increasing the odds that those puppies are going to be well-rounded, well-socialized, and adept at tackling obstacles before they go to their new homes.  But it all started with the diet that you fed their mom!  Puppies born to mothers who didn't get enough food, didn't get the right food, and weren't nurtured themselves, produce stress hormones during pregnancy that directly affect the litter in utero, resulting in brain changes that they will carry with them all their lives. 

So, when you get a puppy, find out how its mother was fed and cared for.  Meet her too. Look at what the puppy has been fed and how its been raised before becoming ready to move on to a new life with you.  Feed your puppy puppy food!  Feeding them adult dog food regularly will result in puppies who don't receive all of the crucial nutrients they need to develop properly, resulting in puppies whose brains aren't being nurtured.  Why is this important? If your puppy's brain isn't get the fuel it needs to grow, then your puppy is going to be ripe for anxiety and behavior problems. No, I'm not saying that every behavior problem is related to a poor or inappropriate diet; clearly, genetics and environment also affect behavior. What I am saying is that diet plays an important role and we need to take it just as seriously. 

Anyway, my dietitian friend and I rounded out our conversation by sharing treat recipes with each other that our dogs love, lol.  And if you'd like to see my published research on cheetahs, just for fun, you can find it here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/016815919090036D

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Zelly loves to share cooked broccoli and that's awesome!  Broccoli is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, as well as being a good source of fiber. She's an adventurous eater and I love her all the more for it. Plus, the fact that she's eating broccoli means my daughter is eating broccoli, and that  makes this mom very happy and proud!