Fibre is one of the most necessary nutrients for dogs. It’s great for weight management, aids healthy digestion and keeps toilet time regular and predictable.
A dog’s digestive system is more sensitive than ours, but they need fibre in their diet for the same reasons. So, how do you know if your dog is getting enough fibre, and what high-fibre foods are good for dogs? Could your dog be suffering from a lack of fibre in their diet?
If you’re feeling stuck on how to get your dog more fibre, we’ve got you. Read on for the full lowdown on fibre-rich foods for dogs and how they keep your canine’s gut moving.
Why do dogs need fibre?
Firstly, let’s start by introducing this hard-working nutrient. Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that you receive from food, but the body can’t fully digest it. This is a good thing, however, as fibre has an important role in travelling all the way through the digestive system and ensuring healthy gut activity. There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble, which both have different functions (more on that later).
You could say fibre is the Operations Manager of a dog’s digestive system, keeping everything steady, balanced and running smoothly. It’s an essential component of a healthy, well-balanced diet for dogs. Here’s why fibre is so great for your dog:
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Regulates your pooch’s pooping. Fibre’s star role is regulating the digestive system, helping food move smoothly through the gut and adding movable bulk to stools, which prevents constipation.
It also absorbs excess water, if your pooch has diarrhoea. So when your pooch is getting enough fibre, they produce poops that are firm, healthy and always on time.
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Supports good gut health. The importance of a harmonious gut can’t be overstated - it affects your dog’s digestion, immune system, overall mood and physical wellbeing. Fibre plays a key role in keeping it healthy.
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Controls blood sugar. Fibre slows sugar absorption, which helps level out the spikes and crashes your dog might get from other foods. Basically, fibre balances your pooch’s energy levels so they feel calm and content.
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Useful for weight management. If you’re trying to keep your dog’s weight at a healthy level, fibre is a key dietary tool as it helps your dog feel full for longer.
- Finally, soluble fibre can help reduce cholesterol, the risk of heart disease and cancer in your dog.
What’s the difference between soluble and insoluble fibre?
The two types of fibre and their functions include:
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Soluble fibre dissolves in water and forms a gel in the gut, and is the type of fibre that keeps blood sugar stable. It’s found in things like apples, oats, citrus fruits and beans.
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Insoluble fibre doesn’t dissolve and adds bulk to stools, helping them move smoothly and regularly through the body. Insoluble fibre is found in things like wheat and rice, but also seeds and a number of veggies.
It’s important for your dog to get both types of fibre through the food they eat.
What high-fibre foods are good for dogs?
Fibre is found in plant-based foods, and the good news is that there is a wide variety of fibre-rich goodies that are dog-friendly and easy to include in your dog’s meals.
- Plenty of dog-safe fruits and veggies are high in fibre:
- Apples
- Berries
- Bananas
- Pears
- Watermelon
- Coconut
- Seaweed
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Brussels Sprouts
- Asparagus
- Peas
- Bell peppers
- Some seeds pack big doses of fibre for your dog:
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Flaxseeds
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Legumes are also rich in fibre:
- Lentils
- Green beans
- Chickpeas
- Black beans
Be careful not to overfeed these to your pooch, and get to know how well they digest legumes before piling up their plate.
How else can you get fibre into your dog’s diet?
Dog-friendly fibre supplements and specialist high-fibre dog foods pack a lot of tasty, fibre-rich ingredients into their recipes.
Always ask your vet before trying a new supplement in your dog’s diet or opting for a specialist high-fibre dog food. They can advise you on the best tweaks to make based on your dog’s breed, age and health level.
Common fibre-packed ingredients used in foods and supplements often include:
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Psyllium Husk is a natural fibre derived from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant, and comes as a powder to sprinkle into food, or it’s used as an ingredient in fibre supplements. It’s known for helping some dogs with diarrhoea or constipation.
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Pumpkin Puree. Pumpkin is a particularly fibre-rich vegetable that dogs love - so much so that you can buy it readily prepared to sneak into your dog’s meals. Be sure it's dog-friendly pumpkin with no added sugar or preservatives.
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Ground flaxseed. Flaxseed is one of the most fibre-packed seeds. Buy it ground to sprinkle onto your dog’s dinner as an extra fibre boost.
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High-fibre dog food. A high-quality dog food should have enough fibre to provide a well-balanced diet for your dog, however, if your pooch needs a bit extra, it can help to choose a specialist dog food with extra fibre. Pooch & Mutt’s high fibre collection is packed with fruits and veggies such as pumpkin, green beans and apple.
Signs your dog needs more fibre
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They have pooping issues. One of the biggest signs your dog needs to get more fibre is constipation and diarrhoea.
If their stools are too hard or backed up, they will strain a lot when trying to poop and won’t go regularly, with long periods between toilet breaks. Similarly, if your dog frequently has loose or watery stools, it can mean a lack of fibre is preventing waste in your dog’s gut from binding together.
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They’re always hungry. Fibre helps a dog feel full and it slows digestion, so your pooch is satisfied for longer. A lack of fibre can result in consistent hunger, where your dog is always ready and waiting for more food.
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They gain weight, or can’t lose weight. As fibre helps prevent overeating, your dog might gain weight and have difficulty slimming down without getting enough fibre in their diet.
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They scoot around on their butt. If your pooch ‘bum-scoots’, this could indicate issues with their anal glands. A sufficient amount of fibre helps dogs empty their anal glands naturally when they poop - if they aren’t getting enough, they can get full and cause discomfort.
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General digestive discomfort. Your pooch might be bloated, have tummy pain, and fart a lot more without fibre-rich foods.
What if your dog doesn’t get enough fibre?
If you don’t feed your dog enough fibre, long-term, not only will they likely show some or all of the above symptoms, they will be at risk of more serious conditions like
- Colorectal diseases
- Weight gain
- High cholesterol
- Sometimes cancer.
Their reduced overall health will be obvious by their low mood and increased lethargy, and will show through their dull skin and coat.
When to see a vet
If you are trying your utmost to feed your dog fibre-rich foods as part of a well-balanced, nutritious diet, but they’re still having issues with diarrhoea, constipation or just digestion in general, it could be worth taking your dog to the vets for a check-up. They can also recommend some high-fibre dog foods that have been shown to work.
FAQs
What high-fibre foods are good for weight loss in dogs?
If you want to use fibre-rich foods to help with weight management in your pooch, you can start by assessing how many fibre-rich foods they’re currently eating and if their diet is lacking. High-fibre foods could include fruits and veggies like apple, pear, banana, pumpkin, broccoli, sweet potato and berries; or you could add legumes such as lentils and black beans, or seeds like flaxseeds or chia seeds. Also, go to your vet to ask them about whether a specialist high-fibre dog food could be helpful.
Does fibre help prevent cancer in dogs?
While fibre doesn’t directly prevent cancer, it contributes towards a healthy gut and overall digestive health, which boosts a dog’s immune system and helps to reduce the likelihood of your pooch getting cancer and other serious illnesses. If your dog has cancer, a well-balanced diet rich in fibre, proteins and healthy fats can help support them through treatment, but should never be used as the only remedy.
Is high-fibre dog food good for dogs with diabetes?
Yes - high-fibre dog food is a good option for dogs with diabetes, because fibres help slow glucose absorption and prevent blood sugar spikes. High-fibre dog food might include healthful ingredients such as spinach and other leafy greens, broccoli and pumpkin (which many dogs love!).
Is high-fibre dog food good for dogs with anal gland issues?
If your dog gets anal gland problems, foods naturally high in fibre are the best way to naturally ease this. Fibre improves the firmness of stools and adds bulk, meaning the anal glands are naturally cleared each time they poop. If your dog has been bum-scooting a lot or seems in discomfort, consider whether a lack of fibre could be the culprit.
Can a dog get too much fibre?
Yes - they can. Confusingly, the symptoms of too much fibre are similar to if they’re not getting enough. Such as constipation, diarrhoea and general toilet issues, as well as tummy pain and lethargy. One of the opposing factors is hunger levels - whereas a fibre-deficient dog may be extra hungry all the time, a dog eating too much fibre won’t have much of an appetite. Keep an eye on your dog when trying to boost their fibre, as if they show the above symptoms, you may be going overboard. Go to a vet if you’re not sure.
If you’re looking to get more fibre into your dog’s diet, Pooch & Mutt’s high-fibre dog food recipes could be just the ticket to get things moving. Packed with delicious, fibre-rich ingredients like sweet potato, pea protein, pumpkin, psyllium husk and seeds to have your pooch feeling regular and balanced.
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