BACKGROUND

The microbial toxin, 4-ethylphenyl sulfate (4-EPS) is a metabolite produced by gut bacteria. Among other microbial metabolites, 4-EPS enters the systemic circulation. Increased levels of 4-EPS in the blood is associated with stress, anxiety, brain damage and other behavioral issues. Reduction in levels of 4-EPS has been shown to alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Canine anxiety (anxiety) is a response to fear and agitation, or apprehension when the dog anticipates a threat or fearful situation. Some individual dogs experience disproportionate levels of anxiety. Anxiety can develop into an anxiety disorder and can lead to behavioral and other issues. Some dogs experience a generalized anxiety, in which the fearful reaction is displayed in a wide range of situations to which a “normal” pet would be unlikely to react. Anxiety can take the form of one of various anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorders, excessive stimulus anxiety, separation anxiety, confinement, noise phobias, among others.

Causative factors may include genetic components, prenatal and neonatal stressors, maternal separation, lack of socialization, unfamiliarity, or a previous unpleasant outcome during encounters with the stimulus (or similar stimuli). The most common causes are fear, separation and aging. Fear-related anxiety can be caused by loud noises, strange people or animals, visual stimuli, new or strange environments, and specific situations among others. Age-related anxiety affects older dogs and can be associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Separation anxiety is a specific anxiety arising from an inability of the pet to find comfort when separated from family members. About 14% of dogs have separation anxiety. Some separation anxiety may be the result of dysfunctional attachment as a puppy ages and matures. In some cases, separation anxiety may arise in cases involving a change in household or daily routine, while in others separation anxiety is associated with an underlying state of anxiety along with other behavioral issues such as phobias.

Anxiety may lead to destructive behavior (particularly at exits or toward owner possessions), distress vocalization, house-soiling, salivation, pacing, restlessness, inability to settle, anorexia, and repetitive or compulsive behaviors. In some instances, anxiety may play a role in aggressive behavior.

Common symptoms of dog anxiety include aggression, urinating or defecating in the house, drooling, panting, destructive behavior, depression, excessive barking, pacing, restlessness and repetitive or compulsive behaviors. Different dogs display different symptoms and combinations of symptoms when suffering from anxiety.

Canine stress is the response of dog to a demand placed upon it to change or adapt, typically exhibited as feelings of strain or pressure. Dogs experiencing stress may result in feelings of fear, agitation, hyperactivity, nervousness, oversensitivity or irritability. Negative stress, excessive stress and chronic stress can have a detrimental effect on behavior, health and overall well-being. Stress has the potential to bring on illness, suppress the immune system, cause undesirable behaviors, and increase arousal, which increases the probability of aggressive behavior.

Causes of stress in dogs include grief, exposure to conflict, excessive or insufficient stimulation, overcrowded conditions, environmental changes (schedule, people, animals, increased noise); punitive training, insufficient social time, frightening events, neglect, frustration, and uncertainty among others.

Dogs communicate that they are experiencing stress in different ways. Some indications that a dog is experiencing stress include dilated pupils, tightness around eyes, whale eye/half-moon eyes, yawning, lip/nose licking, panting, excess salivation, smiling, teeth chattering, cheek puffing, showing teeth, wrinkled muzzle, pinned back or upright ears. Other indications include tense body, stretching, excessive shedding, little or no movement, low body posture, weight shifted back, trembling/shaking, penis crowning, sweaty paws, tight brow, barking, growling, howling and whining. When stressed, a dog's behavior will often change. Common behaviors that are often stress induced include restlessness, insufficient or excessive sleeping, jumpiness/hypervigilance, irritability, excessive self-grooming, destructive behavior, loss of appetite, obsessive/compulsive behaviors, inability to focus, hyperactivity, increased urination and defecation, and vomiting and diarrhea among others.

There is a need for methods and compositions for reducing elevated levels of 4-EPS, particularly in canines. There is a need for methods and compositions for treating or reducing the severity of elevated levels of canine anxiety. There is a need for methods and compositions for treating or reducing the severity of elevated levels of canine stress.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods for treating anxiety or stress in an animal are provided. The methods comprise administering to the animal effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Methods for reducing elevated levels of 4-EPS in an animal with elevated 4-EPS levels are provided. The methods comprise administering to the animal effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Methods for preventing elevated levels of 4-EPS in an animal are provided. The methods comprise administering to the animal at risk of elevated 4-EPS levels effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Methods for promoting growth of beneficial microbes in an animal's microbiome and inhibiting growth of non-beneficial microbes are provided. The methods comprise administering to the animal effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Compositions for treating anxiety or stress in an animal are provided. The compositions comprise effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Compositions for reducing elevated levels of 4-EPS in an animal with elevated 4-EPS levels are provided. The compositions comprise effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Compositions for preventing elevated levels of 4-EPS in an animal are provided. The compositions comprise effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

Compositions for promoting growth of beneficial microbes in an animal's microbiome and inhibiting growth of non-beneficial microbes are provided. The compositions comprise effective amounts of soy protein and vitamin C.

