Aggressive dogs are characterized by low omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status

Abstract

Canine aggressive behaviour is one of the most common problems being reported by dog owners. However, the biochemical basis of this phenomenon remains unclear. In humans, alterations in omega-3 plasma polyunsatured fatty acids and elevated omega6/omega-3 ratio have been linked to behavioural alterations, including aggression. Thus far, however, the relationship between plasma polyunsatured fatty acid status and aggression has not been investigated in the dog. In the present study we sought to investigate whether polyunsatured fatty acid status could be altered in plasma of pathologically aggressive Canis familiaris. Eighteen adult male German Shepherd dogs, aged 4.9 +/- 0.9 years, showing no clinical signs but aggression, were investigated. Eighteen healthy male dogs, aged 4.8 +/- 0.7 years, with a negative history of behavioural and neurological disorders served as controls. Baseline fasting plasma polyunsatured fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. Compared to normal dogs, aggressive dogs showed lower docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 n-3) concentrations and a higher omega6/omega-3 ratio. In addition, they showed reduced cholesterol and bilirubin concentrations compared to their normally behaving counterparts. Altogether, our results suggest that low omega-3 fatty acids may adversely impact behaviour in dogs, resulting in greater propensity to aggression. However, given the cross-sectional design of our study, we cannot claim any causal relationship between the presence of alterations in fatty acid status and canine aggressiveness. Whether omega-3 fatty acids supplementation may be useful to reduce aggressive behaviour in the dog deserves further investigation.

Low plasma eicosapentaenoic acid levels are associated with elevated trait aggression and impulsivity in major depressive disorder with a history of comorbid substance use disorder

“…These studies have found increased aggressive behaviors with both omega-3 PUFA deficient (Demar et al, 2006) and high-omega-6 PUFA (Raygada, Cho, & Hilakivi-Clarke, 1998) intake, although depressive behaviors were increased on the omega-3 deficient diet and decreased on the elevated omega-6 diet. One study in dogs (Re, Zanoletti, & Emanuele, 2008) found that aggressive dogs were differentiable from normal animals by low DHA but not EPA levels, in contrast to our findings; however, they measured phospholipid rather than total plasma omega-3 PUFAs, and effects of substance use were not studied in the animal context.…”

Anger induced by interferon-alpha is moderated by ratio of arachidonic acid to omega-3 fatty acids

“…Lower LC n -3 levels are associated with aggression, (54) with poor affective regulation and impulse control (55), and with increased rejection of unfair offers in a neuro-economic task (56). Rodent models implicate low LC n -3 levels in increased aggression, particular in settings of increased stress (57, 58); and even aggression in German Shepherd dogs is associated with low DHA levels (59). …”

Behavioral Disturbances: An Innovative Approach to Monitor the Modulatory Effects of a Nutraceutical Diet

“…Thus, a Wi-Fi range extender was used to completely cover the distance between those boxes and the Wi-Fi station. Many studies have been performed to validate the usefulness of small, lightweight, motionsensing accelerometers for pets 44 and humans [46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] . The sensor used in this clinical evaluation presents some limitations with respect to the goldstandard method of using a video camera 55,56 , such as a lack of specificity in distinguishing rest activity from sleep and general motion from an anxiety-related one.…”

“…For instance, PUFA have been show to modulate behavioral symptoms in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients and in aggressive dogs 43 . These dogs had lower docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels than normal, as well as a higher omega-6:omega-3 ratio 44,45 . …”