Dietary Strategies for Relieving Stress in Pet Dogs and Cats

Abstract

A variety of physical, emotional, and mental factors can induce a stress response in pet dogs and cats. During this process, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenal medulla (SAM) axes are activated to produce a series of adaptive short-term reactions to the aversive situations. Meanwhile, oxidative stress is induced where there is an imbalance between the production and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative damage is also incorporated in sustained stress response causing a series of chronic problems, such as cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, immune dysfunction, and development of abnormal behaviors. In this review, the effects and mechanisms of dietary regulation strategies (e.g., antioxidants, anxiolytic agents, and probiotics) on relieving stress in pet dogs and cats are summarized and discussed. We aim to shed light on future studies in the field of pet food and nutrition.

Keywords: dietary strategy; dog and cat; oxidative stress; pet food and nutrition; stress response.

Figure 1

Regulatory mechanism of stress response. The components highlighted in green are mainly affected by the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, and those in yellow are mainly affected by the sympathetic–adrenal medulla axis. It is worth noting that only the main impact is presented, and there is a broader and more complex relationship between the two systems. The elements in red indicate the possible harm of stress. Stress can induce oxidative stress to cause ubiquitous damage to cells, tissues, and organs. ROS, reactive oxygen species; CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone; AVP, arginine vasopressin; ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Figure 2

Mechanism and influence of oxidative stress. SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, catalase; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; 8-oxo-dG, 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine; 8-oxo-G, 8-oxo-guanine; GSH, reduced glutathione; GSSG, oxidized glutathione disulfide; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease.