Could Your Dog’s Diet Be Behind Their Anxiety?

Over the years, as a canine nutritionist, I’ve seen first-hand just how powerful food can be — not just for physical health, but for a dog’s emotional wellbeing too.

It’s something I talk about a lot, because I think it’s often overlooked: what we feed our dogs can have a huge impact on their behaviour. I’ve worked with anxious, reactive, unsettled dogs who seemed “wired all the time,” only to see a massive shift in their emotional balance once we supported their gut and got them on a proper, fresh food diet.

So, let’s talk about what’s really going on inside when our dogs are emotionally out of whack — and how nutrition plays such a big role.

Hormones, Stress & Behaviour – It’s All Connected

Hormones help regulate everything from mood to metabolism to sleep. When they’re balanced, dogs feel grounded, resilient, and able to cope with life’s little stressors. But when those hormones are out of sync? That’s when we start seeing signs like:

• Anxiety or nervousness

• Over-reactivity

• Pacing or restlessness

• Destructive behaviours

• Even aggression or depression

And often, this isn't a training issue — it's a nutrition and internal health issue.

The Gut-Brain Axis: Your Dog’s Second Brain

Here’s where it gets really interesting. Your dog’s gut isn’t just for digesting food — it’s also directly connected to the brain via something called the gut-brain axis.

There’s constant two-way communication happening between the gut and the brain through nerves, hormones, and even gut microbes. In fact, around 90% of serotonin (the “feel-good” hormone) is produced in the gut — not the brain!

So when the gut is struggling, whether from poor diet, inflammation, or imbalance in gut bacteria, it can directly impact mood and behaviour. That’s why dogs with gut issues often show signs of anxiety, restlessness, or emotional sensitivity — even if they don’t have obvious digestive problems.

The Hidden Issue: Leaky Gut & Systemic Inflammation

One of the biggest underlying problems I see in dogs on a heavily processed, kibble-based diet is leaky gut. This happens when the lining of the gut becomes damaged and lets unwanted stuff (like toxins and undigested food particles) leak into the bloodstream. This sets off inflammation throughout the body — including the brain.

Most dogs eating commercial kibble, especially long-term, will develop some degree of leaky gut. And here’s the thing: it doesn’t always show up as tummy troubles. It can show up as:

• Increased sensitivity to noises or people

• Poor sleep and pacing

• Sudden changes in behaviour

• Reactivity on walks or around other dogs

These emotional signs are often the first clues that something deeper is going on.

So, What Can We Do?

When we remove the inflammatory, processed foods and give dogs the nutrition they’re biologically designed to eat, everything starts to change.

A balanced, species-appropriate diet supports:

• Healthy gut lining

• Balanced microbiome (those friendly gut bugs)

• Stable blood sugar and hormones

• A calmer nervous system

• Better emotional resilience

I’ve seen dogs go from high-strung and anxious to relaxed, curious, and playful again — just by making that switch to real, fresh food that truly nourishes their body and mind.

Final Thought

If your dog’s behaviour feels “off,” or if they’ve become more sensitive, anxious, or unsettled, it might be worth looking beyond training or environmental triggers.

Their food — and more importantly, their gut — could be the missing link.

And the good news is, with the right support, it’s absolutely possible to bring their body (and their brain) back into balance.

If this hits home for you, or if you’re curious about where to start, I’m always happy to chat.

Book a chat today!