High Fiber Dog Food
by Evan Davis, Admin
Filed under Dog Nutrition
Dogs sometimes need a food with high fiber content, usually due to the fact that they are suffering from intestinal issues or problems in their digestive tract. While it’s true all kinds and brands of dog food contain fiber, it is the varying sources and the amounts that are the most important factors that distinguish a high fiber dog food from an “ordinary” type. You will find that regular, commercial dog foods contain about two to four percent of crude fiber while high fiber brands contain at least 10 percent.
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.
Most of us are aware of the great role fiber plays in our own diets, but unfortunately, most pet owners don’t realize that the same importance applies to our dog’s diets as well. Digestive issues, obesity, and anal gland disease are ailments that are often treated with high fiber foods rather than prescription medication, and adding fiber to a dog’s diet may also help to reduce risks of colon cancer. High fiber foods usually contain less unhealthy fillers, which in turn help the dog to feel fuller for a longer period of time, but produce bulkier stools.
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.
Here are three of the best brands of high fiber food based on ingredients, price, and consumer opinion:
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet High Fiber Dog Food: Royal Canin’s Calorie Control CC 26 dog food is formulated to aid with weight loss and contains more than eighteen percent of crude fiber. To purchase this food from Royal Canin you will need a prescription from your veterinarian. For the large 33-pound bag, expect to pay an average of around $74 and $20 for the small six-pound bag.
- Adult Lite Formula from Doctors Foster and Smith: This chicken and brown rice blend includes whole grains like brown rice and barley as well as carrots, sweet potatoes, and reduced calories in comparison to other, similar dog foods. This brand contains thirteen percent crude fiber and averages around $10 for a five pound package and $35 for the larger 23 pound bag.
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Light Dog Food: This dry dog food contains 18.5% crude fiber and ingredients such as soybean mill run, soybean meal, ground whole grain corn, and several vitamins. A five-pound bag averages $14 and the largest-40 pound size is $50.
Before increasing the fiber in your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian to ensure there isn’t another solution that might be more appropriate. Also, if you are switching brands or types of dog foods, only do so gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach or exacerbating any existing digestive problems.
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.
Need more information about high fiber dog food? Check out my blog for help on the best way to compare dog foods and to learn how to make your own dog food.
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