Anxiety, Hyperactivity, and Digestion in Dogs: What’s the Gut Got to Do With It?

Key takeaways:

• Dogs with anxiety and hyperactivity often have imbalanced gut microbiomes.
• The gut-brain axis links digestion to mood, stress, and behavior.
• Gut bacteria impact serotonin and dopamine, key for emotional regulation.
• Poor digestion can lead to symptoms like pacing, licking, restlessness, or poop-eating.
• Diets high in starch and low in digestible protein may worsen behavioral symptoms.
• Probiotics, enzymes, and gut-balancing ingredients can reduce reactivity.
• Treating the gut may be key to calming behavior and improving focus.

Can the Gut Really Affect a Dog’s Behavior?

Yes - and it’s more than just a theory.

A growing body of research confirms that a dog’s gut microbiome (the community of bacteria living in their digestive system) plays a critical role in:

• Mood regulation
• Stress response
• Focus and learning
• Aggression and fear
• Even compulsive behaviors like coprophagy (eating poop)

A 2024 NIH study found that dogs with anxiety and aggression showed significantly different gut microbiota profiles than balanced dogs.

Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis

This connection is called the gut-brain axis - the two-way communication between the digestive system and the brain.

• The gut produces over 90% of the body’s serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation.
• Disruptions in gut health can interfere with dopamine, cortisol, and other neurochemicals.
• Poor digestion → inflammation → behavioral symptoms

When the gut is inflamed or out of balance, the effects often show up not just in stool quality - but in how your dog feels and behaves.

Symptoms That Might Point to Gut-Related Behavior

  If your dog shows one or more of the following, the root issue may be digestive:

• Excessive barking or restlessness
• Hyperactivity or inability to settle
• Panting or pacing without reason
• Fearfulness or separation anxiety
• Excessive licking or chewing
• Compulsive behaviors (tail chasing, stool eating)
• Sudden behavior changes without environmental cause

VeterinaryPartner notes that behavior and digestion are often linked in complex, underdiagnosed ways - especially when the dog’s diet lacks quality protein or supports inflammation.

How Food and Gut Health Influence Anxiety

Feeding your dog the wrong food - or changing their food too quickly - can:

• Trigger inflammation
• Starve healthy gut bacteria
• Feed yeast and harmful microbes
• Disrupt hormone and neurotransmitter production

On the flip side, the right food can:

• Restore digestive balance
• Support serotonin and GABA production
• Calm reactivity and regulate energy
• Reduce compulsive behaviors linked to anxiety

In a 2023 review published in Animals by Kielbik & Witkowska-Piłaszewicz, researchers concluded that targeting the gut microbiome through diet and supplementation holds significant promise in treating canine behavioral disorders.

Is There Dog Food That Helps With Anxiety?

Yes - but it’s not about adding herbs or CBD. It’s about removing what harms the gut and replacing it with what supports healing.

What to Look for:

• High-quality, animal-based protein, such as lamb, turkey, chicken, venison, or eggs - not plant-based protein fillers
• Digestive enzymes (Amylase, Protease, Cellulase, etc.) to break down food and support nutrient absorption
• Probiotics to balance gut bacteria and support immune function
• Low-starch carbs, like cassava, that won’t feed yeast or spike blood sugar
• No soy, corn, rice, or excessive legumes

What to Avoid:

• Cheap fillers and byproducts
• High-starch ingredients like potatoes
• Artificial colors or preservatives
• Sudden diet changes or frequent brand switching

Why Brothers Dog Food Supports Behavior Through Digestion

At Brothers, we’ve seen firsthand how many “behavioral” issues clear up when a dog’s gut is supported.

Our formulas are built to:

• Starve yeast and bad bacteria with low-starch ingredients
• Rebuild the gut wall with high bioavailable animal protein
• Balance the microbiome with digestive enzymes and probiotics
• Avoid all major allergens and inflammatory triggers

And we don’t just treat the symptoms. We support the root cause - helping anxious, reactive, or compulsive dogs find a new baseline.

Final Thoughts: Feed the Gut, Calm the Mind

Behavior isn’t just about training.
It’s about chemistry - and chemistry starts in the gut.

If your dog struggles with:

• Hyperactivity
• Separation anxiety
• Poop-eating
• Mood swings or fearfulness

…it might be time to look in the bowl, not just at their environment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog’s unique health and behavior needs.