Did your vet recommend more fiber in your dog’s diet? If so, you are in the right place. Our short list is helpful for dog owners who are just starting out or for those who have picky eaters on their hands.
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN BEFORE ADDING FIBER TO YOUR DOG’S DIET. Too much fiber can be detrimental to your dog’s health. If you are not sure why your dog is having digestive issues, check with your vet.
Our picks for the Best High Fiber Dog Foods:
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Canine Formula Dry Dog Food
- Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care with Chicken Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet
What is Fiber?
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is beneficial for gut health and digestion. There are two main types: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber is not digested and absorbed, so it stays in the gut and helps “move” things through. Soluble fiber is absorbed and has beneficial effects on blood glucose and cholesterol in the blood.
When speaking about dietary fiber, most people are referring to insoluble fiber. Most dog food labels only mention “crude fiber” which is another way of saying total fiber. They do not break it down to soluble and insoluble.
How Much Fiber is in a High Fiber Dog Food?
Most dog food has %5 or less fiber while high fiber dog food has anywhere from 6-10%. You want to stay away from foods that have more than 10% because there are drawbacks to having too much fiber and it can be detrimental to your dog’s health.
Stick to the 6-10% range and make sure your dog has reliable access to water. Fiber should always be paired with fluid to make sure things flow smoothly.
What are the Benefits of High Fiber Dog Food?
When your dog consumes enough fiber, their bowel movements will be more regular in consistency. Dietary fiber has many other benefits, including:
- Weight management – makes your dog feel full longer
- Improved gut health – dietary fiber enhances the gut microbiome (a world of microorganisms that live in the gut and help the gut perform various functions). The better the microbiome, the healthier the gut.
- Improved immunity – your dog will be less susceptible to illness with a healthier gut. The gut acts as a filter and decides what is absorbed into the bloodstream. The stronger the gut, the better it filters unwanted microorganisms from being absorbed.
- Regulates blood glucose – both insoluble and soluble assist with preventing or managing diabetes. This is true in both dogs and humans.
- Reduces risk of colon cancer – Adequate fiber intake is one way to treat the gut well and reduce the risk of cancer in the gut.
What are the Sources of Fiber in High Fiber Dog Food?
The fiber in dog food should come from plant sources including vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Some people prefer grain-free dog food to avoid heavy reliance on corn, wheat, rice, and other grains for the bulk of the food, but this is not necessary unless there is a specific intolerance to grains.
High fiber dog foods can source fiber from sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, beets, flaxseed (as long as it is ground), pumpkin, leafy greens, and apples.
If you are wondering whether you can add these whole plants to your dog’s diet, the answer is “yes”. These are great additions to their diet especially since these plants contain many other functional nutrients that are healthy including water.
But it is important to note that commercial dog food is formulated to provide balanced nutrition. It is hard to provide all of the nutrients a dog needs in the correct amounts without a little help.
How to Transition to a High Fiber Dog Food
If you decided to double your fiber intake tomorrow, then you would experience a reaction from your intestines. And this is not a desirable reaction.
It takes time for the intestines (a.k.a. gut) to get used to the increased amount of fiber intake and to adjust its response. So, slow and steady wins!!!
This applies to your dog too. Ease the new food into your dog’s daily diet. Below is a suggested transition schedule.
Days 1-5: 75% old food + 25% new food
Days 6-10: 50% old food + 50% new food
Days 11-15: 25% old food + 75% new food
Day 16: 100% new food
The 3 Best High Fiber Dog Foods
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
With 8% crude fiber, the Life Protection Formula from Blue Buffalo has the perfect amount of fiber to promote gut health. Meat is the first ingredient on the label which means that this is the most abundant ingredient by weight. The majority of the fiber comes from grains such as brown rice and barley followed by peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, cranberries, and other healthy plant sources. The majority of reviews indicate that dogs take well to the food and it is very effective in promoting weight loss in pups who need to drop a few pounds.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Canine Formula Dry Dog Food
The Fiber Balance Formula from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets line is a star in the dog food world. It contains 10% crude fiber and is designed with a dog’s palate in mind. With prebiotics, which are nutrients for those helpful microorganisms within the gut, this formula is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs and bowels.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care with Chicken Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet
The Hill’s Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Digestive/Fiber Care dry dog food is packed with 7.2% crude fiber. This formulation is focused on promoting good gut health for a healthy dog. Customer ratings for this dog food are among the best and rave about the regularity that their dogs experience after they have transitioned them to this food. Definitely worth the money and worth a try.
Check with the Vet
It is crucial that you check with your vet before switching to a high fiber diet to avoid causing your dog any unnecessary discomfort or issues. Only seek high fiber food for your dog if they need it.
Which means, if your dog is having bowel problems (e.g. constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, vomiting, etc.) then go to the vet to find out the true problem before troubleshooting at home. Rule out any major health issues and have a conversation about dietary fiber.
Conclusion
If your vet agrees that it is time for a high fiber diet, then look no further. Try one of the 3 Best High Fiber Dog Foods:
