Why Fiber is Important for Your Dog's Health

Sources of Fiber for Dogs

The fiber in dog food comes from a variety of sources, including grains like corn and brown rice, as well as soy, beet pulp, peanut hulls, pectin and cellulose.

Many dog parents use canned pumpkin as a DIY fiber booster. However, since it's about 80 percent water, it usually doesn't contain enough fiber to provide a therapeutic benefit. If you feed your dog canned pumpkin, be sure not to give them canned pumpkin pie mix, which can be high in calories and sugar, and avoid canned pumpkin that has added sodium. You can also buy dried pumpkin powder, which can be dosed similarly to dried psyllium husk (often sold as the fiber source in Metamucil). Make sure to consult your veterinarian before adding anything to your dog's meals.

How Fiber Can Help Manage Disease

Fiber is very useful for managing diabetes in dogs, as it helps regulate blood glucose levels and minimizes fluctuations. Dog food that contains a slowly fermentable fiber can also be helpful in managing your dog's weight or aiding in weight loss. This is because fiber increases bulk and helps dogs feel full while consuming fewer calories.

Dietary fiber has been added to therapeutic pet foods to help reduce accumulation of dental plaque and tartar, balance blood cholesterol levels, control body weight and discourage dietary indiscretion (when dogs eat things they shouldn't, like non-foodstuffs or spoiled or rotten food), and help manage chronic large bowel diarrhea and constipation.

Signs of a Fiber Imbalance

If your dog has a fiber deficiency, they may have constipation or very watery stools. It's important to understand that excess fiber can also cause health issues. If your dog consumes too much fiber, they may have a hard time absorbing minerals. A fiber imbalance can lead to:

• Diarrhea
• Increased stool frequency, urgency to defecate and/or defecating in the house

Adding Fiber to Your Dog's Meal Plan

If your vet informs you that your dog needs more fiber, the simplest and most effective solution is to feed your dog a therapeutic food based on their recommended feeding instructions. Depending on what your vet tells you about your dog's specific needs, the meal plan should contain increased amounts of either soluble or insoluble fiber.

Remember that the bacteria in a dog's gut take time to acclimate to abrupt changes, as dogs eat far more routine meals than people do. Always transition to a new food slowly, over the course of one to two weeks, and know that any change to your dog's food may cause diarrhea.