Hormone levels can impact a dog’s mood, energy levels, and overall well-being
From estrogen and testosterone to adrenaline and cortisol, your dog’s hormones have a profound impact on their well-being — physically, mentally and emotionally.
Most people know that hormones are important for regulating body systems. These natural chemicals impact systems and metabolism on almost every level of the body, and also have a significant influence on behavior and mood — not only in ourselves, but in our dogs as well. Read on for a discussion of the most common hormones and how they affect your dog’s health and behavior.
DEFINING HORMONES
A hormone is a chemical transmitter substance produced by cells in the body. It is transported through the bloodstream to the cells and organs on which it has a specific regulatory effect. In other words, hormones act as chemical messengers within the body, in order to stimulate or suppress certain processes or actions.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON PLAYERS?
There are dozens and dozens of different hormones in the body, but the most well-recognized players include:
Testosterone
Estrogen
Adrenaline
Cortisol
Thyroid hormone
Growth hormone
Insulin
Melatonin
Additionally, specific neurotransmitters act as hormones in the body, and these include serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.
All these hormones act within complex networks collectively referred to as the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a network of glandular organs that produce and regulate hormones to control and coordinate the body’s metabolism, energy level, reproduction, growth and development, response to injury and/or stress, and mood.
Crucially important glands within the endocrine system include:
Hypothalamus
Pineal gland
Pituitary gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid gland
Thymus
Adrenal gland
Pancreas
Ovaries
Testes
The gut (gastrointestinal tract) also acts as an endocrine gland since it works with endocrine cells, neurons, and immune cells, using gut peptides as signaling substances. In fact, some of the hormones in the gut are also found in the brain, which supports the concept of the gut-brain axis.
These health problems are very common in our canine companions, and appear to be on the rise. There are many reasons for this, such as:
Processed foods and toxins: Many toxins are known to be direct endocrine disruptors, and include common pet food preservatives such BPA and BHA, and herbicides in foods such as glyphosate (Roundup).
Nutrient deficiencies: Trace minerals such as magnesium, selenium, zinc, potassium and iodine are critically important for the body’s glands to function appropriately. Trace mineral deficiencies are very common in both dogs and humans.
Spaying and neutering: Typically, when pets are de-sexed, the gonads (ovaries or testicles) are completely removed, which means the majority of testosterone and estrogen are gone for good. It is important to note that a certain level of sex hormones is crucially important for sustaining normal health and well-being.
As it turns out, the only other glands in the body that can produce some sex hormones are the adrenal glands. This means the adrenal glands in a spayed or neutered dog are placed under extra stress and demand throughout the animal’s lifetime. The adrenal glands are also responsible for regulating and releasing adrenaline and cortisol hormones, which is in itself a big job. Adrenaline is the hormone released during the body’s fight or flight response, triggered when stressful events occur.
Cortisol is also released by the adrenals in fight or flight scenarios, and is continually released in chronic stress situations. Ongoing stressors for dogs can include things like chronic pain, chronic itching due to allergies, environmental stressors, household upsets, separation anxiety, etc.
CHRONIC ANXIETY AND THE HPA AXIS
Chronic anxiety is becoming more common in animals, with growing numbers of dogs being placed on prescription medications to manage it. The common metabolic causes of anxiety include HPA dysfunction, compromised gut health, and nutrient deficiencies.
The HPA axis describes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, which is known as the command center and communication feedback system in the part of the brain that senses stress. The HPA axis controls reactions to stress and regulates digestion and the immune system, as well as mood and emotions.
When this system is continually firing under conditions of chronic stress, the negative feedback loop mechanism (which normally keeps things in check) can break down. This HPA dysfunction is recognized as a cause of chronic anxiety.
If the situation continues, this dysfunction can lead to adrenal gland depletion, otherwise known as adrenal fatigue. Other health conditions associated with adrenal dysfunction include Cushing’s and Addison’s diseases. All these adrenal gland conditions can affect a dog’s behavior, causing everything from anxiety and restlessness to low energy and fatigue.
ESTROGEN AND TESTOSTERONE
If your dog is still sexually intact, they will have higher levels of sex hormones — i.e. testosterone in males and estrogen and progesterone in females. These can certainly also affect behavior and mood.
Testosterone is known to influence confidence, dominance, and potentially aggression. However, this is not to say a neutered dog won’t display these behaviors. In fact, some dog parents see their dogs’ aggressive or reactive behaviors actually heighten after neutering; it appears that, in some circumstances, removing the confidence-supporting testosterone hormone could lead to more fear-related aggression behaviors. This demonstrates that hormones have very complex effects on the body, mind and mood.
Estrogen is known to help regulate mood. In human women, low levels of estrogen are shown to influence anxiety, depression and stress.
Progesterone is a “feel good” hormone that has a calming effect. In female dogs, progesterone is released after ovulation during the heat cycle, whether they are bred or not (even if they do not become pregnant), and continues to be measured at high levels for many weeks after.
In conclusion, it’s clear that hormones exert vast effects on the body and directly influence the emotional and mental well-being of our dogs and ourselves.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
The post Dug Up at Dogster: June 2023 Dog Events and Dog Holidays by Lauren Katims, Executive Editor Dogster appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Prioritizing Pet Emergency Preparedness: Essential Gear and Planning
It’s officially summer and here in Northern California that means hot, dry weather, lots of pool and ice cream time and the start of fire season. Over the past couple of years, devastating fires have destroyed homes and millions of acres of land, displacing families, pets and wild animals. Although, it’s not pleasant to think about, having an emergency preparedness plan for your family, including your pets, makes split decisions easier when disaster strikes. June is National Pet Preparedness month and an ideal time to start (or finalize) your plan. Need some inspiration? A couple years ago, I wrote this article about organizations that help pets in natural disasters.
One step is making sure you prioritize the right gear, such as a carseat, harness, leash and to-go bag packed with essentials. Having these items in one organized location eliminates the stress of decision making when you have to get out of the house fast.
Planning to attend any dog events near you? Send us pictures of your pup to be featured on our social media pages.
June 19-23:PSI’s National Take Your Pet to Work week
June 23: PSI’s National Take Your Dog to Work day
June 2023 dog events
Throughout June, 2023:Humane Society’s #MoreThanaPet campaign continues to raise money for pet parents who don’t have money or access for pet supplies and vet care. Visit morethanapet.humanesociety.org to learn more about the campaign and share the story of what your pet means to you. Every photo shared = one bowl of food for pets in underserved communities.
Throughout June 23, 2023: For the 10-year anniversary of Apoquel, a medicine to relieve allergic itch and inflammation in dogs due to atopic and allergic dermatitis, the company is launching a grant programfor pet shelters across the U.S. The program will enable 10 shelters to provide allergic relief to about 100 dogs in each of their local communities. Zoetis will announce the 10 selected shelters during “Itchy Pet Awareness Month” in August. To enroll and see requirements, visit Zoetis For Shelters by June 23.
June 2-4, 2023:Bark on Biddle is a three-day dog festival in downtown Wyandotte, MI. Dogs compete in Dock Jumping competitions, chase a lure at Lucky Dogs Lure Course, play in a Puppy Foam Party with their owners and participate in other contests throughout the day or socialize with other pets and their humans. There will be a variety of pet related vendors, doggy fashions, homemade dog treats, unique dog toys, dishes and samples of dog food and treats.
June 4, 2023:Petco will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. EST. for the grand opening of its new Union Square flagship, a unique one-stop health and wellness destination for pets, in New York City. The new two-story, 25,000 square-foot pet care center combines the best of Petco’s physical and digital offerings, including a stylish grooming salon, full-service veterinary hospital, JustFoodForDogs kitchen and curated merchandise assortment for a complete pet care experience. The ceremony will be followed by the “Paws in the Park” party and adoption event at noon. Petco Love will bring together more than 20 local animal welfare partners, including Muddy Paws and Animal Care Centers of NYC, to help hundreds of adoptable pets find loving homes. Additionally, there will be a fashion show, presented by BOBS from Skechers, featuring adoptable pets. To help raise awareness for Petco Love’s lifesaving work, local artist Andrea Cáceres, who is also featured in the flagship’s “17th & Bark” collection, will design a custom mural to be displayed at the event.
June 4, 2023: Join the Irvine Animal Care Center in Irvine, California to its 17th annual Super Pet Adoption & Fundraiser event. Local pet rescue groups bring adoptable dogs, cats and birds, along with vendors and services for pets and their humans like gourmet food trucks, a bake sale and a drawing giveaway. Tickets are sold at the door: $5 for adults, free for children. Event parking is free.
June 5, 2023:The ElleVet Project begins its summer veterinary mobile relief tour providing free veterinary care and supplies to the pets of the unhoused and low-income communities throughout the United States. The ElleVet team travels throughout the country treating thousands of pets in unhoused, low-income communities and areas stricken by natural disasters in a 32-foot RV dubbed the “ElleVan.” The complete schedule of summer dates and locations is available on the nonprofit’s website.
June 7, 2023: Tune in while Morris Animal Foundation co-hosts a webinar with TedxMileHigh on Hemangiosarcoma, a deadly cancer in dogs. Dr. Kelly Diehl, senior director of science communications at the foundation, will sit down with Dr. Antonella Borgatti, professor of oncology at the University of Minnesota, to talk about clinical signs, treatment options and new research findings that could change the odds for dogs suffering from this cancer. Register here for this event.
June 10, 2023: Join Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 35th Annual Spring Fling Gala on June 10 from 6 p.m to 11 p.m. at Fairbanks Village Plaza in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, music and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at silver, gold and platinum levels (ranging from $300 – $600 a ticket) with various special amenities included at each level.
June 11, 2023: Join the annual Put-in-Bay Pooch Parade at 10 am in Ohio, where judges determine the cutest, smallest, largest, most talented, individual best dressed, group best dressed and the dog that looks most like its owner. Registration begins at 9:30 am at the DeRivera Park gazebo.
June 12- 18, 2023: Bid on original artwork created by 16 of the world’s best painting canines (and one special guest sloth)! The 3rd annual Tripawds Dog Art Auction, held online and run by the Tripawds Foundation, raises money for amputee pets battling cancer by funding the Kaiserin Cancer Care Package program, which delivers monthly care bundles for dogs and cats who have lost a limb to cancer.
The post Dug Up at Dogster: June 2023 Dog Events and Dog Holidays by Lauren Katims, Executive Editor Dogster appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Wellcare World specializes in providing the latest advancements in wellness technology, supplementation, and lifestyle changes that improve health and increase the quality of people's lives.To learn more, visit WellcareWorld.com and begin living a better life today.
As it turns out, the only other glands in the body that can produce some sex hormones are the adrenal glands. This means the adrenal glands in a spayed or neutered dog are placed under extra stress and demand throughout the animal’s lifetime. The adrenal glands are also responsible for regulating and releasing adrenaline and cortisol hormones, which is in itself a big job. Adrenaline is the hormone released during the body’s fight or flight response, triggered when stressful events occur.
Nellie is a mature German Shepherd gal from California rescued in 2022 by the Tripawds,com founders. Her painting career is off to a great start with a special piece for the auction on June 12. © Tripawds Foundation
