Effects in dogs with behavioural disorders of a commercial nutraceutical diet on stress and neuroendocrine parameters

• Published in: Veterinary record 2017-01, Vol.180 (1), p.18-18
• Main Authors: Sechi, S., Di Cerbo, A., Canello, S., Guidetti, G., Chiavolelli, F., Fiore, F., Cocco, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino acids; Animal behavior; Animals; Antioxidants; Anxiety; behavioral disorders; chronic stress; Diet; Diet - veterinary; Dietary Supplements; Dog Diseases - diet therapy; Dogs; Female; Free radicals; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Male; Mental Disorders - diet therapy; Mental Disorders - veterinary; Metabolites; Neuroendocrine parameters; Neurosecretory Systems; nutraceutical diet; Oils & fats; Oxidation; Oxidative Stress; Pet food; Proteins; Regulation D; stress parameters; Treatment Outcome; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0042-4900; 2042-7670
• DOI: 10.1136/vr.103865

The well-being of dogs can be affected by changes in human lifestyle, eating habits and increased stressors that lead to behavioural disorders including fear, hyperactivity and anxiety, followed by negative affective moods and poor welfare. This randomised, controlled clinical evaluation involved 69 dogs, 38 males and 31 females, of different breeds, with behavioural disorders related to anxiety and chronic stress. They were fed a control diet or a nutraceutical diet (ND group) for 45 days. Neuroendocrine (serotonin, dopamine, β-endorphins, noradrenaline and cortisol) and stress (derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP)) parameters related to behavioural disorders were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study period. Results showed a significant increase in serotonin, dopamine and β-endorphins plasma concentrations (*P