Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that relay signals between the nerve cells of your dog – and thus control pretty much everything you observe in him daily: his behaviour, his mood, his bodily functions.

If your dog trembles during a thunderstorm or falls asleep like a stone after a long walk, neurotransmitters are at work. These tiny molecules decide in a fraction of a second whether it reacts anxiously or calmly, whether it dashes excitedly through the flat or lies relaxed in front of you.

How do neurotransmitters influence my dog’s behaviour?

Imagine the dog’s brain as a vast radio network – neurotransmitters are the signals constantly being sent back and forth within it. Each messenger substance has its own specific task.

Serotonin is, broadly speaking, the messenger substance for inner calm. A dog with sufficient serotonin remains composed when visitors ring the doorbell or unfamiliar situations arise. If it is lacking, anxiety disorders or inexplicably aggressive behaviour often arise – sometimes both simultaneously.

Dopamine drives your dog on. It makes fetching so tempting, playing so satisfying. Too much of it can, however, tip into hyperactivity – some dogs then literally do not know what to do with themselves.

GABA is the natural dampener in the system. It brakes excessive nerve activity and helps your dog to calm down again after exciting moments. If GABA is lacking, this shows as chronic restlessness – in the worst case, in epileptic seizures.

How can I recognise a neurotransmitter imbalance?

Behavioural abnormalities are often the first signal that something is wrong with the chemical balance. And you usually notice it earlier than you think.

A dog with a serotonin deficiency shows excessive fearfulness. It hides at every unfamiliar noise, barks excessively or suddenly reacts aggressively to touch. Some dogs also begin to lick or chew compulsively – themselves, furniture, anything within reach.

Dopamine disorders are more insidious because the picture appears contradictory: behaviour switches between extreme excitement and complete lack of drive. Hours of hyperactivity – and then suddenly no interest in the game that the dog loved yesterday.

GABA deficiency manifests mainly through constant restlessness. Affected dogs hardly find any peace, pant without an apparent reason and react excessively to the slightest stimuli. Anyone who knows this understands how exhausting it can be for dog and owner.

What role do neurotransmitters play in dog diseases?

Many behavioural disorders and neurological diseases have their roots in disturbed neurotransmitter systems – even if this is not immediately visible in everyday life.

Epilepsy often arises from an imbalance between stimulating and calming messenger substances. Too much glutamate or too little GABA – and the sensitive system falls out of rhythm, up to and including convulsive seizures.

Age-related cognitive dysfunction in older dogs is linked to an acetylcholine deficiency. Affected animals become disoriented, forget their established routines or suddenly no longer recognise familiar people. Anyone with an old dog may know this quiet, painful change.

Separation anxiety and thunderstorm phobia often go hand in hand with a serotonin imbalance. A deficiency of this messenger substance makes dogs measurably more susceptible to stress – which explains why some animals react to things that others completely ignore.

How are neurotransmitter disorders treated?

Short answer: usually with a combination of medication and behaviour therapy. The longer answer is somewhat more complicated – and very individual.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine are used for anxiety disorders and aggression. It generally takes four to six weeks until full effect is achieved – this is important to know so that expectations remain realistic. In parallel, you train your dog specifically in relaxation behaviour.

Benzodiazepines are used in acute anxiety situations. They enhance the GABA effect and calm quickly – but they are explicitly intended only for short-term use, not as a long-term solution.

Epilepsy medications such as phenobarbital regulate the balance between stimulating and inhibitory neurotransmitters. The dosage must be adjusted individually and checked regularly.

Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids and tryptophan – a building block from which the body produces serotonin – can support neurotransmitter balance through diet. In severe disorders, however, they do not replace drug therapy. This is no free pass for self-treatment, but a sensible component in the overall concept.