Could I ask what dry food people feed their labs on and does anyone have an opinion on whether changing to a lower protein food (my 16 month old is currently on Sneyds which has 22% protein content) might make her less manic? Thanks!
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Hi , a high protein content can certainly contribute to hyper behaviour , working dogs need extra protein because they expound more energy, but the average pet dog dosent need so much , 22% isnt high to be honest , my two are on a wheat free kibble , its 20% which is fine for their lifestlye
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Kate, what food is that then? I have a hyper lab who has rather loose faeces, trying to find a food which suits - dried not raw!
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Not so sure about that. Here is what vet Vicky Payne said in a comment on my author site recently Any one know of any studies on this?
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Humm, thats interesting Pippa , just going on advice given to me some years ago by Jan Hyams , a highly thought of and qualified Dog Behaviourist who has done much research into high protein food for dogs , especially high protein kibble foods . I guess its another of those cases where what suits one and doesnt necessarily cause over excited behaviour , may then have the oposite effect on another dog My own Vet recommended a lower protein food for Sam when he was about six months old as he was growing more quickly than my Vet wanted him too, saying it was preferrable to have a slower steady growth in a potentially bigger dog . My own bete noire is additives and colourings , maybe these in a higher protein diet can contribute to more hyperactive behaviour ? I will investigate further and see if I can find any substanciated papers on this subject as its of great interest to me
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? I deliberated over this one long and hard (as I do a lot of things : ) Having opted for a food with 80/20/0 ...Meat/fruit'n'veg/grain....and with a whopping 41% crude protein you might expect a dog bouncing off the walls if the protein theory played out. Not so in our case. From what I have read, certain dogs may be susceptible, just like certain kids go completely hyper with smarties, but its not an across the board thing. That's my tuppence-worth ;D
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? I switched Charlie from a 26% protein to a 18% on the recommendation of a trainer and his concentration was noticeably improved enough so for him to focus on me for training. I contacted the dieticians of a couple of brands before switching and they both advised that a high protein food is only necessary for working dogs. That's just my experience though.
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Can I ask what brand your 18% food is please? Thanks
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? It's Burns Alert. Hope you sort it out it's a minefield of brands etc. on the market. You can ring the manufacturers and speak to the Dieticians for advise which is what I did. They will also send you samples for your dog to try. Good luck
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? When I was looking into the contents of Charlie's food (33% protein), the articles I read suggested that a link between high protein levels and hyperactivity is a myth. Most articles that claimed this referenced a 1996 study carried out by the American Veterinary Medical Association. This study is not available to download online (the online records only go back to 2000) but the abstract is available (and can be found easily via google) - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8575968. It wasn't a huge study though.
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Thanks Julie, looks like they did a follow up study. Again, with significant results only for aggression. And another small study too. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10953712?dopt=Abstract Worth thinking about for people with dogs that have aggression issues though.
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? It is a minefield re food and whats best for what : I sometimes long for the " good old days " when there wasnt so much choice and it wasnt such big business
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? Just to and my 10ps worth, my dog, Lady, was manic when she was a puppy and we got all sorts of advice about protein and additives being the cause. We even ended up being referred to a dog behavioural specialist when we wanted to engage a dog walker for a while and she wouldn't take Lady on until she'd been assessed as a potentially aggressive dog. The outcome of that was there was nothing wrong with her, just a bit of insecurity and nervousness that needed addressing, and some hard work to stop her mouthing and jumping up (emphasis here on the hard work bit and then some). We avoided additives because I think they can affect mood, but didn't really look at protein content, just fed her on James Welbeloved, then Burns. It didn't seem to make any difference at all about which variety she was on - she was still manic. She started to calm down as she approached 3 yrs of age and I think personally - without any scientific basis at all - that it's just Lab puppy behaviour and you have to endure it until they grow out of it. ;D Consistency of approach seems important to fostering good behaviour characteristics, but there again she was still a puppy and needed to play. She started to cool down from about 2 and a half, and is now pretty much completely steady at 4 (except when she's not ). But mouthing and jumping up are things of the past thank goodness. Now I actually miss her hooning around like she did when she was a puupy. She's on Burns Alert now and it seems to suit her just fine. It's also tax free (if you are in the UK). Make the most of the puppy bit - it's all over and done with before you know it.
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? [quote author=David link=topic=3094.msg32826#msg32826 date=1383132936] She started to cool down from about 2 and a half, and is now pretty much completely steady at 4 (except when she's not ). [/quote] Oh god, 22 months to go before "start to cool down".... : : : [quote author=David link=topic=3094.msg32826#msg32826 date=1383132936] But mouthing and jumping up are things of the past thank goodness. [/quote] I cannot wait - Charlie gums everyone to death....it is impossible for him to keep hands, ears, arms and toes out of his mouth. Never, ever, even nibbles - no nips or bites - just needs to put them in his mouth...I must add it to my things to do something about list. For some reason, not everyone likes it... : ;D
Re: Does food protein content contribute to poor behaviour? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3094.msg32827#msg32827 date=1383134047] Oh god, 22 months to go before "start to cool down".... : : : [/quote] Don't worry Lady has always been hot stuff (!!!) Charlie might not take (quite) that long ;D
