As pet owners, we are frequently questioning what our furry friends are thinking. Often, however, we do not always consider how even the most minute of our practices and rituals impact our pets’ health, behavior, and mood. Freshpet acknowledges that diet is one of the factors that pet owners have the most control over and provides a few ways in which your pet’s diet can affect their feelings and behavior.
Being Overfed: Even with quality foods, it is important that you are giving your pet their recommended serving sizes as per consultation with your veterinary provider. A pet that is fed too much or too often can have a variety of health issues, ultimately impacting their behavior. Sluggishness, tiredness, or a general lazy demeanor can cement itself within your pet quite quickly, so it is very important that you feed them appropriately and take special note of mood shifts that may be influenced by eating too much in one sitting.
Pet Food Ingredients: Freshpet knows that our pets have a variety of different nutrients that they need to receive via a balanced diet in order to remain happy and healthy. A necessary nutrient for both dogs and cats is protein, which can vary in levels from brand to brand. A deficiency in protein or other necessary nutrients could mean distress or depression symptoms for your pet. Freshpet reviews the science and notes that fresh foods are commonly higher in protein than dry kibble, however, the decision for what pet food is best for your pet and how much protein they require will depend on your pet’s specific needs. For this reason, it is always wise to consult your veterinarian when deciding what types of food will be best for your pet.
Being Underfed: Pets that are underfed can experience discomfort and stress if left unchecked due to nutrient deficiency. Nutrient deficiency can cause a variety of issues for your pet, ranging from; weight loss, coat problems, and issues with the digestive tract. As one could imagine, these health issues can cause emotional distress as well, ranging from depression or general lethargy to aggravation. It is imperative, especially for owners of larger pet breeds, to feed your pets an appropriate amount of food as part of a balanced diet.
One thought on “How Your Pet’s Diet Can Affect Their Mood”
Comments are closed.
Extra weight can also affect a pet’s quality of life, it slows their energy level, making them less likely to want to play or interact with the family, thus affecting their mood.