The Scientific Connection Between Nutrition and Behavior, and Why Natural Nutrition Is a Game-Changer
- Background
Just like in humans, our dog’s nutrition is the cornerstone and firm foundation for all of its body’s systems. The food that goes into its bowl every day directly affects its energy level, the quality, shine and strength of its coat, the proper functioning of its digestive system, the strength of its joints and its longevity.
What many dog owners aren’t aware of is that nutrition has a direct, deep and tight connection not only to physical health, but also to the dog’s emotional state and behavior (a mechanism known in science as the “gut-brain axis”). Scientific studies and rich field experience prove that processed and poor nutrition, based on empty carbohydrates, industrial leftovers, food dyes and preservatives, can produce in the dog inner restlessness, hyperactivity, severe attention and concentration problems during training, and even significantly increase levels of aggression, tension or environmental anxiety. Therefore, investing in proper nutrition is the first, most basic and most important step on the way to a healthy, balanced, calm and relaxed dog.
- Explanation
How do you read the shelf correctly, and why is natural nutrition the solution?
The shelves in pet stores today are packed with hundreds of brands, types and price levels, and choosing dog food has become an especially complex and confusing task for owners. In order not to fall into the marketing traps of dry food high in carbohydrates, the most important rule is to turn the bag around and carefully read the ingredient list: the main ingredient must be a quality and clear animal protein source.
That said, more and more behavior experts today understand that the transition to natural nutrition (Raw Food) is the real game-changer. Natural nutrition provides the dog with exactly what its biological system was meant to digest – fresh meat, without processing at extreme temperatures and without a carbohydrate load. The result is “clean fuel” with maximum bioavailability: the blood sugar level stays stable (which prevents the “jitteriness” and energy spikes), and there’s a dramatic decrease in inflammatory processes that affect the dog’s behavior and its ability to concentrate during training.
In addition, it’s essential to match the food precisely to the dog’s life stage, to the size of its breed, and especially to its daily level of physical activity. An energetic working dog that’s in intensive training needs a completely different metabolism than a home family dog that spends most of the day lounging in the living room.
- Continued
The place of treats and positive reinforcement in the education process
Alongside the regular and consistent meals in the bowl, the world of dog treats plays a central and very important role in your shared life, especially if you’re in the midst of a training process, puppy education or solving complex behavior problems. Treats aren’t just a random way to “pamper” the dog; they are your strategic and main work tool for creating positive classical conditioning, building high motivation for work, and immediately reinforcing the dog’s desired behaviors at home and outside.
At the same time, it’s very important to maintain high health awareness in the treats department too: in order to create attention in the face of strong stimuli in the street, always prefer natural treats made from 100% dried meat (such as lungs, liver or chicken breast), without added sugars, salts, or unnecessary flours that only burden the digestive system. A natural treat immediately activates the dog’s hunting and scenting instinct and enables faster learning. In addition, always remember to count the amount of treats as part of its overall daily caloric menu, in order to prevent obesity.
- Summary
The full picture at the A-ZK9 ISRAEL store
At the A-ZK9 ISRAEL center we see physical health and nutritional quality as an integral part of mental and behavioral balance. Out of a deep understanding of the direct connection between what the dog eats and the way it learns and behaves, we established our professional store.
We offer select natural nutrition menus from the leading companies, alongside a variety of natural meat treats precisely adapted for training sessions, and help you match for your dog the most perfect and healthiest nutritional and behavioral lifestyle for it.
Ready to make the change? Visit our store and discover the natural nutrition selection that will upgrade your dog’s health, training and quality of life >>
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