Efficacy of a diet containing caseinate hydrolysate on signs of stress in dogs

Abstract

The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of a diet containing caseinate hydrolysate (CH) on signs of stress in 2 groups of dogs (defined as Anxious and Nonanxious), using physiological (serum cortisol and lysozyme, N:L ratios and heart rate) and behavioral parameters.From an initial group of 40 female Beagle dogs, ranging in age from 10 months to 4 years (mean 5 1.47 years; SD 5 0.53) belonging to a dog colony, 32 were selected for this study according to their level of anxiety. A group of 16 Anxious dogs and a group of 16 Nonanxious dogs were identified.A baseline period, aimed to obtain reference values of investigated parameters, preceded the experimental phase. Both groups (Anxious and Nonanxious) were divided into a treatment group, which received the diet containing CH, and a control group which received a placebo diet (PD). Anxious CH and PD groups were balanced for anxiety level. Each dog was evaluated 3 times a day at 4 weeks intervals (T1-T2-T3). Each evaluation lasted 2 days and involved a Reactivity Evaluation Form, a blood sampling, heart rate recording, and a 10-minute behavioral video recording. Results from Reactivity Evaluation Form scores showed that although at T1 Anxious dogs had significantly higher scores (Mann-Whitney test, P , 0.001) compared with Nonanxious dogs, no difference was found between Anxious dogs fed with CH diet and Nonanxious fed with PD or CH diet at T3. Behavioral observations evidenced some signs of improvement in Anxious dog fed with CH diet. Cortisol level significantly decreased in Anxious dogs fed with CH diet (Friedman test, P , 0.05). Individual differences in physiological measures of stress responses may have contributed to the large variability, making interpretation of these measures difficult. These results suggest that CH may be used as a functional ingredient alleviating stress in dogs.

The Impact of Feeding Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Treats on Canine Response to a Noise-Induced Fear Response Test

“…However, some owners may be hesitant to administer such medications, whether due to the possibility of undesirable side effects, personal bias against drug use, or cost. This has led to increased interest in the use of natural extract products to alter fearful behaviors, like dog-appeasing pheromones or oral supplementations such as L-theanine, a tryptic hydrolysate of milk protein and fish hydrolysate (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Additionally, there has been renewed interest in the use of cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) in particular, to regulate anxiety disorders in both humans and companion animals (13).…”

A review of treatment options for behavioural manifestations of clinical anxiety as a comorbidity in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy

“…Anxiety disorders are common in veterinary species, regularly leading to behavioural responses which are reported as being problematic (Dreschel, 2010). Unfortunately, as Roshier and McBride (2013) explains, there is poor and incomplete recognition of animal behaviour within the veterinary profession, and, whilst research documenting specific psychological disorders in dogs is evident (Cannas et al, 2010;Palestrini et al, 2010), little in known in relation to epileptic patients. Shihab et al (2011) found significantly increased anxiety in dogs following IE onset, assessed using the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire.…”

Is Alpha-casozepine Efficacious at Reducing Anxiety in Dogs?

“…Two of these studies (Palestrini et al, 2010;Kato et al, 2012) investigated the use of diets with added alphacasozepine, though, in the Kato et al (2012) study the diet was also supplemented with another compound (tryptophan) thought to have anxiolytic properties. The remaining study (Beata et al, 2007) investigated the use of a daily capsule of alpha-casozepine.…”

“…The remaining study (Beata et al, 2007) investigated the use of a daily capsule of alpha-casozepine. The two studies focused on dietary interventions (Palestrini et al, 2010; Kato et al, 2012) used a placebo-controlled study design, whereas Beata et al (2007) compared alphacasozepine to another intervention (selegiline) that was already used commercially as an anxiolytic.…”