Switching to high fiber dog food is usually recommended for dogs with certain intestinal or digestive issues. Ordinary commercial dog food typically contains two to four percent crude fiber content whereas the high fiber variety will have at least 10 percent. All types of dog foods naturally contain some fiber, but it’s the amount and the source that’s most important.
Some natural ingredients in high fiber food for dogs include fruits and vegetables such as apples and sweet potatoes, whole grains, cereals, rice, the hulls of soybeans, beet pulp, and corn products.
You’ve probably heard of the importance of fiber in our diet but many pet owners don’t realize the impact it can have on their dogs. Problems like obesity, constipation, and anal gland disease are all often treated with a high fiber diet, which is said to reduce the risk of colon cancer. High fiber ingredients are usually lower in calories and will cause your dog to feel fuller longer, but without the added calories that contribute to weight gain.
Switching to a higher fiber food for your dog will help create larger, bulkier stools, which may not be exactly pleasant when it comes time to clean up the yard, but it just may help to put extra pressure on the anal glands, helping to solve the common but also irritating problem of anal gland disease. Anal gland disease may include abscessed, impacted, or infected anal glands, which are the two sacs just inside the opening of the anus that secrete fluid. Bulky stools can help to ease constipation as they put pressure on the inside of the intestines as they pass through the digestive tract, stimulating the entire process.
Although helpful and healthy, it’s important for pet owners to ensure their dogs aren’t getting too much fiber, which can have adverse health effects like excessive flatulence and diarrhea. Also, getting too much fiber can affect the way a dog’s system absorbs vital nutrients they need to thrive.
Three of the Best Choices When It Comes To Dog Food With High Fiber Content:
Based on consumer opinion, ingredients, and cost, here are three of the top brands of dog food with high fiber content:
- Royal Canin: Averaging around $20 for a six-pound bag and $74 for a 33-pound bag, Calorie Control CC 26 High Fiber Dog Food from Royal Canin Veterinary Diet contains 18.30% crude fiber. With natural ingredients designed to promote weight loss while adding fiber, this variety from Royal Canin will require a prescription from a veterinarian for purchase.
- Doctors Foster and Smith Adult Lite Dog Food Chicken Brown Rice Formula: This food contains 13% crude fiber, reduced calories, and has whole grains including barley and brown rice, fruits like apples, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots. A five-pound bag averages $10 and the 23-pound size is $35.
- Hill’s Science Diet: Averaging around $14 for a small, 5 pound bag and $50 for the 40 pound size, Adult Lite Dog Food from Hill’s Science Diet contains 18.5% of crude fiber thanks to ingredients like whole grain corn that’s been ground, soybean meal, and soybean mill run. This high fiber food also contains added vitamins and minerals.
Before taking matters into your own hands and changing to a high fiber food for your dog, ask your pet’s veterinarian for their advice and recommendations. Pet owners often make the mistake of misdiagnosing their dog’s symptoms, inadvertently doing more harm than good. Ask a professional before switching food and when making the change, do so over time to keep your pet’s digestive health operating at its optimal level and with as little disruption as possible.
Disclaimer: This article’s content is opinion only and is simply meant to provide the reader with general information. Nothing in this article should be looked upon as being medical advice. Always seek your veterinarian’s opinion before altering your dog’s diet in a major way.
Want to find out more about high fiber dog food? Visit my blog to learn how to compare dog foods and to find out how to make your own dog food.
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