Anxiety in dogs: how dog food strengthens your dog's nerves

In addition to nutrition, personality influences anxiety in dogs and physiological stress reactions, particularly the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Different personality traits can lead to varying stress responses. Dogs that are considered anxious or insecure often show increased cortisol release in stressful situations. This suggests that such dogs are more sensitive to stressors and take longer to calm down. Dogs that are considered courageous , on the other hand, react to stress primarily by releasing adrenaline and noradrenaline, which leads to an increased readiness to act (fight-or-flight response). The personality type that develops is already determined in puppyhood . Science has shown in mouse models that pups that experience early stress (e.g., being separated from their mother too early) exhibit an increased susceptibility to stress throughout their lives. These animals showed a higher tendency to develop anxious behaviors and to react passively, with depression and helplessness , according to the higher cortisol release during stress.

There are many ways to support anxious dogs. Below is an overview of useful measures.

• clear structures in social interaction
• regulated, uniform daily routine
• physical and mental activity

In everyday life , clear structures, consistent routines, familiar walking routes, and structured rest periods can help insecure dogs reduce stress. Adequate physical and mental stimulation is also crucial for well-being. If the dog is successful in this, it releases serotonin (the happiness hormone), which counteracts the stress response and reduces anxiety in dogs.

• Trust: reliable reference persons
• Education without punishment
• Do not put your dog in overwhelming situations
• Promote curiosity: play and search

Another factor that can be determined when a dog is anxious is the bond they have with their human caregiver . Scientific studies show that cortisol levels in stress reactions are lower when the caregiver is present (Schöberl et al., 2016). It is crucial that dogs are allowed to learn without punishment. Aversive stimuli must be avoided at all costs, as this links stress and anxiety with the caregiver and reduces the calming effect. Overstimulation (e.g. "He just has to get through it" concepts) is also counterproductive . According to the Yerkes-Dodson law, optimum performance is achieved with moderate tension. However, if the animal is under- or over-stimulated, it will no longer learn the desired training content in the long term. Therefore, overwhelming situations must be avoided with an anxious dog at all costs . Another way to connect with anxious dogs is to encourage play behavior. Curiosity counteracts anxious behavior and can help to strengthen the bond and reduce stress.

• Give control over the environment (proximity / distance to the stressor)
• Giving control over your own body

An often neglected aspect when anxiety occurs in dogs is the animal's self-efficacy . Giving an individual control over a situation can greatly reduce anxiety-provoking behavior. Dogs can often cope better with stressful situations when they can decide for themselves to create distance from the stressor. The use of cooperation signals (e.g., in medical training) can also help them learn good resilience. For this, outdated and simply false concepts must be put aside: Fear in dogs cannot be reinforced by rewards. Fear is reinforced by fear-inducing experiences , never by rewards.

• Tryptophan
• Tyrosine
• Vitamin B complex
• Fats and fatty acids

Diet and behavior in dogs are often interdependent. Diet can influence anxiety in dogs by regulating brain metabolism and the availability of critical nutrients. The amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine, which serve as the building blocks for the happiness hormone serotonin, play a central role in this. Serotonin has a balancing and calming effect on the nervous system and positively influences the behavior of anxious dogs. The digestibility and quantity of these amino acids are crucial for their availability. The ratio of tryptophan to other amino acids such as tyrosine, leucine, and isoleucine is particularly important, as these compete for transport across the blood-brain barrier. Low tryptophan levels in the brain can limit serotonin production and lead to increased nervousness and imbalance (DeNapoli et al. 2000). A diet high in protein but low in carbohydrates can exacerbate this deficiency, while carbohydrates increase insulin levels and thereby reduce competition from other amino acids. This facilitates the entry of tryptophan into the brain and can thus increase serotonin levels.

In addition, certain fats and fatty acids , particularly eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ), can have an anti-anxiety effect (Oshima et al. 2008). Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, flaxseed, and certain meats , have anti-inflammatory effects and support neuronal function, which can have a positive effect on stress response.

The vitamin B complex also plays an important role in the nervous system of dogs. B vitamins support the production of serotonin and dopamine, regulate the brain's energy balance, and stabilize the nervous system in stressful situations. An adequate supply of B vitamins can help effectively reduce anxiety and stress.

✅ Foods with tryptophan : important for serotonin production, promotes relaxation and well-being (turkey, chicken, salmon, eggs, pumpkin seeds, oatmeal, bananas, cottage cheese)

✅ Foods with tyrosine : important for dopamine production, promotes alertness and motivation (beef, chicken, fish especially tuna, salmon, dairy products especially yogurt, cheese, soybeans, nuts, legumes)

✅ Foods with vitamin B complex : essential for nerve function and stress management (liver, eggs, spinach, broccoli, oatmeal, brown rice, fish, legumes, dairy products, especially yogurt)

✅ Foods with healthy fats & fatty acids : support brain function and nervous system (salmon, mackerel, herring, linseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, avocado, coconut oil, eggs, sunflower seeds)