The Gut–Behaviour Connection in Dogs: Why What Your Dog Eats Matters More Than You Think

If you’ve ever felt “off” after eating something that didn’t agree with you, bloated, irritable, low-energy, anxious, you already understand the gut–behaviour connection.

And here’s the part most people don’t know:

💛 Dogs experience this too.
💛 Their gut health directly affects their emotional wellbeing.
💛 And their emotional wellbeing directly affects their behaviour.

As a Dog Parenting & Behaviour Coach supporting overwhelmed dog parents, I see this every day. Some dogs aren’t “naughty,” “stubborn,” or “reactive”… they’re uncomfortable. Their bodies are under stress. Their nervous systems are working overtime.

And just like us, when dogs feel better on the inside, everything on the outside becomes easier.

Today I want to take you deeper into the science, in a simple, human way, and show you how supporting your dog’s gut can genuinely shift behaviour.

If you’re curious about trying fresh food for your dog, I’ve included my Butternut Box 75% discount link at the end. I only recommend things I’ve personally used, trust, and see good results with.

The Gut–Brain Axis: The Missing Piece in Dog Behaviour

Let’s talk about something called the gut–brain axis, a communication pathway between the digestive system and the brain.

You can think of it as:

🧠 the brain ↔ the gut
💬 constantly talking to each other
⚡ influencing mood, stress levels, and behaviour

This is true for humans and for dogs.

When the gut is inflamed, irritated, or stressed:

✔ cortisol rises
✔ frustration tolerance drops
✔ anxiety increases
✔ reactivity becomes easier
✔ sleep worsens
✔ impulsivity rises
✔ learning becomes harder

So when I’m working with dogs who struggle with:

• barking at sounds
• reactivity on walks
• low frustration tolerance
• hypervigilance
• restlessness
• sensitivity to movement
• difficulty settling
• unpredictable behaviour

…I'm always looking at the whole picture, including the body.

You can’t separate behaviour from physical wellbeing.
Ever.

Why Diet Matters More Than Most Dog Parents Realise

Many dog parents tell me:

“He’s always on edge.”
“She just can’t switch off.”
“He gets hyper so fast.”
“Her behaviour is all over the place.”

But when we dig deeper, the diet could be:

• ultra-processed
• high in fillers
• low in digestibility
• irritating to the gut
• causing peaks and crashes in energy
• contributing to inflammation

And because the gut holds 70% of the immune system and influences serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter), dogs who don’t feel well internally often behave like dogs who are struggling emotionally.

Just like humans who feel anxious, irritable, or low when their gut health dips.

Fresh Food and Behaviour: What I’ve Seen in Real Life

When dogs move from heavily processed food to a high-quality fresh diet, I often see:

✨ softer behaviour
✨ faster settling
✨ less reactivity
✨ reduced hypervigilance
✨ better sleep
✨ improved digestion
✨ less itching or discomfort
✨ more stable energy
✨ better focus during training

Because when the body feels safe…
the nervous system feels safe…
and behaviour naturally follows.

This is physiology.

I tell clients:
training sticks better when the gut isn’t fighting the brain.

Why I Recommend Butternut Box (and What Makes It Different)

I only ever recommend something if it genuinely supports dog wellbeing, and fresh food is one of the biggest “under-the-radar” behaviour tools most dog parents don’t know they have.

Here’s why Butternut Box stands out:

✔ gently cooked, highly digestible
✔ no fillers, grains, or “mystery meals”
✔ stable energy release (no sugar-like spikes)
✔ excellent for sensitive or anxious dogs
✔ supports the microbiome (which impacts mood)
✔ improves stool quality (gut health indicator)
✔ already portioned for your dog
✔ easy to store + serve

And honestly?
Every dog I’ve worked with who has switched has shown some level of positive change, even if it's simply improved comfort, less itching, or more predictable energy.

Want to Try It? Here’s Your Butternut Discount (Huge One!)

If you want to explore whether fresh food helps your dog feel calmer, more settled, or more regulated, here’s the link:

👉 75% off your first box + 25% off your second
https://butternutbox.com/LavenderGarden

It’s a brilliant way to test how your dog responds without a big commitment.

And remember: diet won’t fix behaviour on its own.
But it will often make your dog’s nervous system more stable and more responsive to training.

It’s one of the easiest changes you can make that supports the whole dog.

Final Thoughts: Behaviour Starts in the Body

When your dog feels good on the inside, everything else becomes easier.

Training…
listening…
calmness…
confidence…
connection…

It all begins with a regulated nervous system, and the gut is a huge part of that.

If your dog has been struggling with reactivity, restlessness, hyperarousal, or settling, diet is one of the most overlooked, powerful levers you have.

And if you want to try a fresh food option that supports both health and behaviour, here’s the link again:

👉 https://butternutbox.com/LavenderGarden

Supporting your dog’s emotional and physical wellbeing is never a one-step fix, but every step counts.

And this one is a big one.