Dog Aggression With High-protein Diets

According to the Humane Society, 39 percent of households own a dog. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the U.S. Dog aggression can take many forms, from simply barking to actual biting, and while aggression can have different causes, some studies show that a dog's diet can affect its behavior.

  1. Significance

    • Protein, which is found in meat, is made up of amino acids; amino acids are chemical units that link together to form the protein and essential nutrients. Some proteins have more amino acids than others. According to Provet Healthcare, some of these amino acids--in high concentrations--can affect canine behavior.

    Features

    • Aggressive behavior may manifest itself in several ways. With territorial aggression, dogs may act violently towards visitors or strangers on the property and bark constantly at anyone walking by. Dominance aggression is characterized by a dog that growls often, demands constant attention, is possessive of food and sleeping areas and rarely obeys commands. With submissive aggression, the dog bites out of fear; it may also roll over, lick your hands and even urinate in submission or fear.

    Expert Insight

    • While there have been some reports of a low-protein diet reducing aggression in dogs, there have been few actual scientific studies that link high-protein diets with aggression. However, one study by Tufts University showed that dominance aggression was highest in dogs fed high-protein diets and lowest when the diet was supplemented with an amino acid called tryptophan, which is sometimes lacking in commercial dog food. Tryptophan may help to calm dogs.

    Misconceptions

    • Adult dogs actually require only about 18 percent protein in their daily diet, and 28 percent as a puppy or while lactating. They should be fed some grains and vegetables to supplement the protein; many pet foods will provide the correct balance of protein, grains and vegetables.

    Considerations

    • It is important to remember that dogs do need protein in their diets. They need 22 amino acids from protein sources for proper growth and to keep their immune system functioning. While a low-protein diet might show some decrease in aggression in some dogs, a diet containing no protein might stunt their growth and compromise their immune systems. Feeding a dog a quality pet food is the best way to ensure they achieve a balanced diet. Lowering protein is unlikely to remove aggression completely from an aggressive dog, and a dog that attempts to bite others should be seen by a trained canine specialist.