Hyperactivity & Canine Nutrition

When a dog is hyperactive or stressed, it is vitally important to make sure the animal's diet is nutritionally balanced. The nutritional needs of a hyperactive dog increase due to excess energy and stress. Overactivity in a hyperactive dog actually leads to malnutrition even when feeding the dog regularly. A balanced diet is a necessity to prevent malnutrition and other stress related conditions in a hyperactive dog.

Boost Immunity

According to veterinarian Jennifer Lander, director of medicine at the Adoptions Center for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City, higher levels of protein boost canine immune systems. Adding protein to the dog's diet not only prevents ailments but reduces stress and hyperactive behavior in dogs. Commercial dog foods contain many grains and fillers, so reading the ingredients in processed dog food is recommended. Choose a dog food that contains the highest amount of protein.

Calories

Hyperactive dogs tend to eat sporadically, taking less time to ingest enough calories and nutrients. When a dog is not eating enough to retain weight balance, add extra calories to the dog's mealtime. Select not only foods high in protein but dog foods that are high in fat content, as well. Adding cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and animal fat from chicken skin or fat trimmings off beef give needed fat content to a hyperactive dog's diet.

Treats

Additional treats can supplement the hyperactive dog's diet. Nutritional protein treats like dehydrated liver chunks, freeze dried chicken, pure salmon treats and cheese cubes all add needed nutrients to the dog's system. Dehydrating ground meats with added fish oil and applesauce makes a high nutritional jerky treat that can be carried anywhere.

Probiotics

Sprinkling a probiotic into the hyperactive dog's food adds digestive enzymes for giving the dog the full nutritional benefit of the food. Adding supplemental probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and other probiotic organisms supports the microflora that live in the dog's intestines. Probiotics help the hyperactive dog to absorb nutrients, detoxify the system, and help with the elimination process. Probiotics are found as bottled supplements or yogurt can be added to the dog's food.

Medical Evaluation

When a hyperactive dog does not gain weight or his stress is not relieved by increasing protein, fats, calories and probiotics, it is time to have the dog checked by the veterinarian. The vet will determine if the anxiety and stress is caused by an underlying medical condition. Hyperactivity, also known as hyperkinesis, can be related to a compulsive disorder with similar symptoms: frantic behavior, elevated heart rate, nonstop movement, weight loss and loss of appetite.

References

• Holland, C.C. "Would you describe your dog as being anxious? There are ways to diagnose his behavior and modify it, if necessary. Here's how." Dog Watch 10.12 (Dec 2006): 6(2). General Reference Center Gold. Gale.
• "Feeding the stressed dog: it's important to act quickly; nutrition is especially important for these animals.(NUTRITION). ." Dog Watch. 13.6 (June 2009): 3(1). General Reference Center Gold. Gale.
• Tilford, Greg. "In praise of prebiotics: feed the "good guy" bacteria in your dog's gut to help him get the most out of his food.(food and nutrition for your pet dog). ." Whole Dog Journal. 12.7 (July 2009): 12(2). General Reference Center Gold. Gale.

Resources

• Canine Hyperactive Facts