Do Dogs Need Fiber in Their Diet?

Britt
by Britt
Photo credit: Nina Buday / Shutterstock.com

Fiber is an integral part of a balanced diet for your dog, just like it is for humans. It helps ensure their digestive system runs smoothly and can also play an essential role in weight management (or weight loss if that’s what you’re working toward).


But how much fiber does a dog actually need, and what is the best way to add fiber to their diet?


In this guide, I’ll discuss why fiber is important for your dog's health and well-being, the different types of fiber, and the best options to boost fiber content in their diet. Let’s get started…


How Much Fiber Does a Dog Need?


While I would love to say the answer to this question is easy, it’s not as simple as giving a specific amount that will work for every dog’s ideal diet. Instead, the amount of fiber needed will vary considerably based on several factors, including your dog’s age, weight, digestive health, or any conditions they currently live with relating to their digestive system.


For example, a senior dog usually needs more fiber than a young, healthy adult dog as their bodies in these later years have a more challenging time with different stages of the digestive process. Our golden oldies often suffer from conditions like constipation that, while not life-threatening, do have an impact on their overall quality of life. Making changes to the fiber they are consuming can offer relief.


That being said, experts use some general guidelines to create a foundation for these decisions. Depending on who you ask, fiber recommendations for a healthy adult dog range from 1.5% to 4% of a complete diet.


How Can Fiber Help My Dog?


As already mentioned, fiber can help support a healthy digestive system. But what exactly does this nutrient do to help keep your dog happy and healthy? Let’s look at some of the benefits of fiber for dogs:


Encourage Healthy Bowel Movements


If you have a dog that suffers occasionally (or regularly) from constipation, you may be searching for a solution to help regulate their system, soften waste, and make doing their business easier. After all, no one wants to live with that discomfort, including our dog! Including the right amount of fiber in your dog’s diet can help move waste through the intestines more quickly, softening stool and allowing it to pass on a more frequent schedule.


But be careful – too much fiber can also be hazardous. You don’t want your dog to deal with constipation, but diarrhea can also be upsetting and uncomfortable. The goal is to find a happy medium for healthy bowel movements.


Prevent Anal Gland Problems


The anal glands are an element of a dog’s health that is sometimes overlooked simply because we don’t understand their function or don’t want to discuss that general area. However, ignoring your dog’s anal gland health can lead to severe complications.


These little pouches serve an essential role in communication. When your dog does their business, they release a strongly scented fluid that will share key information with other dogs that discover it, including their age, sex, and overall health. However, if that fluid isn’t released with your dog’s bowel movements, it can lead to pain, swelling, infection, and abscesses.


One way to promote better anal gland release is to ensure your dog is passing healthy stools, which can be accomplished with the help of fiber.


Regulate Blood Sugar Levels


If your dog is a diabetic and has been prescribed a medical approach to manage their blood sugar levels, don’t consider this a reliable alternative. However, for healthy dogs, having their blood sugar suddenly spike can actually lead to diabetes and other health problems. Therefore, one of the best ways to prevent these conditions is by keeping their blood sugar balanced and regular.


Fiber works by slowing some stages of the digestive process, which also slows the amount of sugar released into your dog’s bloodstream. This isn’t to say it magically eliminates sugars from your dog’s diet, but it spreads out when they are absorbed into the bloodstream, preventing a sudden sugar spike.

Photo credit: AnnaStills / Shutterstock.com

Promotes Healthy Weight


You’ve likely heard it from many different sources – dog bloggers, veterinarians, canine nutritionists, and other experts in the field – but we are currently seeing an epidemic of obesity in dogs. Boosting the fiber in your dog’s diet will help your canine companion reach a healthy weight in several ways.


First, by preventing blood sugar spikes (as mentioned above), you can decrease the risk your dog’s body will store fat. This allows them to burn fat more effectively when engaging in physical activity, allowing you to create an exercise plan for your dog that will help them lose weight and reach a healthier weight.  


Increased fiber in your dog’s diet can also address the other (and arguably more important) side of your dog’s weight loss efforts – what and how much they eat. Fiber-rich foods will make your dog feel full longer. Feeling less hungry makes them less likely to beg for food, sneak/steal food, or eat more than they should to reach and maintain their ideal weight.


Support Better Gut Health


We often refer to bacteria as harmful, leading to illness or disease. But a healthy gut relies on the presence of beneficial bacteria, whether you’re referring to your own gut or your dog’s. These microorganisms play a key role in digestion by breaking down plant matter and protecting your dog from harmful pathogens. To allow them to effectively do their job, we must create the ideal atmosphere for them to thrive – a healthy gut.


Soluble fibers, also known as “prebiotics,” serve as food for good bacteria. By supporting their growth, you’re indirectly improving your dog’s digestion, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal problems, and encouraging overall immune system health. These are both great advantages for dogs of all ages and lifestyles!

How to Add Fiber to Your Dog’s Diet


Now that we have established that fiber can improve your dog’s health and well-being let’s look at the best ways to add healthy sources of fiber to their diet. You can take two approaches to boost your dog’s fiber intake – natural sources of fiber and fiber supplements.


Deciding on the right option will depend mainly on how much fiber you need to increase their fiber intake and your dog’s overall dietary preferences. For example, a dog who is overly picky about their food may not take to having natural sources added to their meals, while some supplements are nearly undetectable when added to their daily routine.


Here is a summary of each of these options and ways to introduce it into your dog’s meals:


Natural Sources of Fiber


One of the best ways to add any nutrient to your dog’s meal is by considering natural, whole food options rich in what they need. For example, for fiber, dog-friendly foods that are high in fiber. Of course, it’s important to note that not all human foods are safe for our canine friends. These foods can be mixed into their meals, added as a food topper, given as single-ingredient snacks, or used to make homemade dog treats and meals.


Here are some great natural sources of fiber for dogs:

  • Pumpkin
  • Carrots
  • Broccoli
  • Apples
  • Kelp
  • Flaxseed
  • Kale


Our dogs are excited by many of these options. For example, just open the crisper and pull out a carrot in our house. You will have two dogs sitting patiently and giving you the “puppy eyes” – determined to show you that they are the best-behaved dogs ever and deserve a carrot reward. Likewise, they are often given broccoli and apples (no cores or seeds) as a crunchy snack.


Each of these items can be added to a meal, whether you feed kibble, raw, homecooked, or any combination of the three. Many can also be used with a lick mat. We will spread pumpkin puree or mashed carrots on our favorite lick mats to keep our dogs busy or often an enriching snack.


Finally, try cooking with these ingredients as a fun way to spoil your pup. Here are a few recipes we have previously shared that feature high-fiber ingredients:


Fiber Supplements for Dogs


Whether your dog is a picky eater, refusing to eat the above items in any form (raw, cooked, mixed in their food) or you’re navigating food allergies and sensitivities in your dog, adding a natural source of fiber to their daily routine may not be feasible. Don’t get discouraged. In these situations, there are some great supplements on the market designed to boost fiber intake and promote better digestive health.


Some supplements we currently use or have tried in the past (and liked) include:


Of course, if there are concerns regarding the ingredients and allergies, you will need to carefully check each of these products before giving them to your dog. Many contain the same fiber sources we listed above in a more convenient form. But for picky eaters, these simple powders and chews often make it easier to slip a little extra fiber into your dog’s food unnoticed and avoid causing them to turn up their snoots.


Another option that, while not a supplement, deserves to be mentioned here is the availability of high-fiber commercial dog foods. These kibble or canned food diets have been formulated with attention to the fiber values in the food to accommodate dogs with higher fiber needs. If you believe this is the best option for your dog, consider speaking with your veterinarian, a canine nutritionist, or your local pet store manager to learn more about your options.

Final Thoughts: Fiber and Your Dog


Fiber benefits your dog’s overall health in many ways. Luckily, many delicious, natural sources and convenient supplements are available, making it easy to meet your dog’s fiber needs. But remember, every dog is an individual, so the secret to success starts with finding the approach that works best for them.


Start slowly! Introduce new supplements and fiber-rich foods gradually to avoid upsetting their digestive system. When starting something new, carefully observe your dog’s reaction. Do they gobble it up with excitement or turn their nose up, refusing to taste it? Don’t be afraid to get creative and find innovative ways to incorporate these healthy options, like creating lick mats or trying new dog treat recipes.


With a little planning and experimentation, you can find the best way to add fiber to your dog’s diet, promoting a happy and healthy digestive system. After all, as the experts say, a happy gut means a happy pup!


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Britt
Britt

Britt Kascjak is a proud pet mom, sharing her heart (and her home) with her “pack” which includes her husband John, their 2 dogs – Lucifer and Willow – and their 2 cats – Pippen and Jinx. She has been active in the animal rescue community for over 15 years, volunteering, fostering and advocating for organizations across Canada and the US. In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the country camping, hiking, and canoeing with her pets.

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