How do I know if my dog needs more fiber

What Is Fiber and Why Does Your Dog Need it in Their Diet?

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Your dogs diet should include high-fiber dog food, but its not always easy to navigate the best ways to include it. As a dog owner, you want to know what the best ingredients are to get fiber in dog food, what the best high-fiber dog foods are, and how much of it they should be eating. Fiber comes from plants and is a type of carb that doesnt get digested. Rather, it helps dogs digest other foods and serves several other important functions for your dogs health.

Different Types of Fiber Dogs Need

Fiber can be soluble or insoluble, and its important that dogs should get both from their diets. Soluble fiber can be dissolved in water, so when it reaches your dogs colon, it helps digestion by serving as food for the good bacteria that live there. Thats why soluble fibers are called prebiotics, because they stimulate the growth of these good bacteria.

Insoluble fiber on the other hand doesnt dissolve. It bulks up poop as it moves through the colon, promoting regularity. It also gives dogs a feeling of fullness, which makes it easier for them to remain satisfied while staying at a healthy weight.

Fiber that ferments in a dogs gut is beneficial for colon health and can guard against issues like cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Not all fiber can be fermented, but soluble fiber tends to be more fermentable. Despite the crucial health benefits that fermentation has, its all about balance. Too much fermentation can lead to problems like flatulence in dogs.

Fiber and Bowel Regularity in Dogs

Fiber can help regulate your dogs bowels, preventing constipation and loosening poop. When they arent getting enough fiber, dogs have trouble pooping, and adding the right amount of fiber can help them poop regularly. When dogs bowels are better regulated, they will feel less discomfort, and it can also help avoid problems like anal gland inflammation in dogs.

It may sound strange that fiber can both speed up bowel movements and at the same time, stop diarrhea in dogs. Its also true that loose poop can be a result of too much fiber. Soluble fiber actually soaks up excess water, making watery bowel movements less likely. Noticing any irregularity in your dogs poop should prompt a visit to the vet for an examination.

Where Should Dogs Get Fiber From?

Fiber, whether soluble or insoluble, will help your dog have smoother bowel movements and is essential to their diets. Adding fiber to your dogs diet is important, and most kibble contains a fiber called cellulose, which is also in some human foods. For example, it stops your shredded cheese from caking. But cellulose is an insoluble fiber, so your dog shouldnt get too much of it. You also need a mix of soluble fiber in your dogs food, otherwise, they will miss key benefits of a well-rounded, fibrous diet.

Fresh food that includes vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and green beans help dogs get the fiber that they need. The Farmers Dog uses these and other fiber-rich vegetables in their recipes for dog food.

Adding the Right Amount of Fiber to Your Dogs Diet

While the most reliable way to make sure that your dog gets the right amount of fiber is to choose a complete and balanced food that meets their nutritional needs, dogs who require an extra boost can get it from various places. You may have heard of pureed pumpkin to help your dog get fiber, just make sure that its plain, with no added sugar, spices, or other ingredients. Your dog can have various fruits and vegetables too, and certain supplements for dogs can also help. Before you decide to add any of these to your dogs diet, discuss with your vet how to go about it, and whether your dog needs more fiber. Its possible for dogs to have too much fiber, so you dont want to overdo it.

Fiber is an important part of your dogs diet, but more is not necessarily better. Be careful not to overdo it; dogs who eat too much fiber can experience weight loss, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Thats why humans should consult with a veterinarian when adding more fiber to their pups diet and do so a little bit at a time, monitoring the impact the changes have on their friend.

Getting Senior Dogs the Fiber They Need

Like humans, dogs bodies change as they get older, and some senior dogs may benefit from having more fiber if theyre experiencing constipation. Because fiber can make a dog feel fuller without consuming as many calories, it could also help prevent obesity in an older dog whos less active.

This isnt the case for every senior dog. Sometimes vets will recommend diets with less fiber for senior dogs if theyre having trouble absorbing nutrients. Figuring out what works for your dog will involve paying close attention to them and discussing their specific needs with a vet.

About The Farmers Dog

Founded on the radical idea that heavily processed pellets arent the best way to feed and sustain the health of our pets, The Farmers Dog has been making fresh, human-grade dog food since 2014. Made for the love and health of dogs, The Farmers Dog food is shipped direct to customers doors in precisely portioned packs. To date, the company has delivered over 300 million meals nationwide, and continues to apply technology, empathy, and common sense to reimagining how we care for our pets. #LongLiveDogs

10 Signs My Dog Needs More Fiber

Eating meals may be the highlight of your dogs day, but paying attention to fiber-rich foods isnt on the top of their important list. Unfortunately, most dogs dont get enough dietary fiber in their diet. Adding more fiber to your dogs food will improve your dogs digestive system, while also helping improve your dogs health and immunity overall.

Every dog needs fiberbut not all fiber is the same.

Not only does the fiber quality for dogs matter when youre trying to clean their gut health up, but the type of fiber does too. Whether its soluble fiber or insoluble fiber, you want to be sure that all the fiber is quality. High fiber dog foods may tout themselves as good for your dogs gut health, but even for dogs with high fiber diets, the sources of fiber and quality matter.

Most pet parents think a high fiber dog food is all a dog needs to make sure they have the prober fiber intake, but the truth is that even high fiber dog foods may have lower-quality fiber that doesnt do much more than go through your dogs digestive system. Dogs that eat a diet low in fiber or low in quality fiber often suffer from a variety of health problems that are specifically related to their digestive system. Fiber supplementation with a quality soluble and insoluble fiber product can help prevent conditions like constipation, diabetes mellitus, and diarrhea. When you add fiber to your dogs diet, you can also help with their weight loss and management.

Common signs your dog needs fiber

There are many signs your dog may not be eating enough fiber-rich foods and may benefit from fiber supplements.

If your dog experiences irregular bowel movements or struggles with constipation or diarrhea, it could be a sign of insufficient digestible fiber. Fiber for dogs helps regulate the digestive system and promotes healthy, regular bowel movements.

Obesity or weight management problems in dogs can sometimes be linked to a lack of fiber in their diet. Foods rich in fiber can help your dog feel fuller for longer, and this helps with weight control by minimizing their appetite and reducing overeating.

Excessive gas or flatulence in dogs can be miserable for you and your dog. Too much fiber thats not quality can lead to gas in dogs, but a fiber deficiency can also lead to flatulence. When your dog has quality dietary fiber as part of their regular diet, you can help regulate digestion and reduce gas in dogs.

If your best friend has loose or runny stools, they may not be getting enough fiber. How much fiber for dogs is necessary depends on each dog, but generally speaking, adjusting soluble fiber and insoluble fiber for dogs can help in the formation of well-formed, firm stools.what we like to call the Perfect Poop!

Dogs with insufficient fiber in their diets may experience anal gland problems. As weve said, fiber helps to bulk up your dogs stool and that helps their anal glands express as theyre going potty. This can reduce the risk of blockage and infection.

A lack of fiber in your dogs diet can impact their skin and coat health. Thats why vets are always recommending high fiber foods for dogsfiber rich vegetables can help with the nutrient absorption they need to maintain their shiny, healthy coats.

A dogs energy levels can be influenced by their diet. Insufficient dietary fiber can lead to a lack of energy and vitality. Fiber for dogs helps regulate their blood sugar levels, which can help provide a steady release of energy throughout their day.

Digestive issues, including frequent vomiting, can be a sign that your dogs diet lacks adequate fiber. Increasing fiber content can help promote healthy digestion and reduce instances of vomiting. Sometimes this is as simple as increasing the fiber in dog food, but likely youll still want to give them a fiber boost with a quality supplemental fiber.

Fiber-rich foods can contribute to maintaining your dogs dental health. Chewing on fiber-rich treats or incorporating fibrous foods into their diet can help reduce plaque and tartar build-up, supporting healthy teeth and gums. One GREAT way to add fiber to your dogs diet AND help their teeth be sparkly clean is our new dental treat, Charming Chompers! Designed to help your dogs dental health by working from the inside out, youll not find better tasting fiber for dogs!

If your dog experiences slow digestion or upset tummies regularly, it could be due to a lack of fiber. Adding Fiber helps regulate their digestive system, and this will help keep their tummies comfortable and their pooping schedule more regular.

Excellent ideas to help add more fiber to your dogs diet:

• Improve your dogs diet Review your dogs diet by writing down everything your dog eats in one day. If you feed your dog a commercial dog, food read the label carefully to determine how much crude fiber is included in the ingredients.Choosing a dog food that contains enough soluble fibers and insoluble fibers is essential to supporting your dogs overall health and especially their digestive system. If your dog eats other fiber rich vegetables with meals, thats a great start, but often, quality fiber supplements for dogs add in even more benefit.
• Add a supplement Dogs that dont get enough fiber in their diet through their food source can highly benefit from a supplement. Consider adding a fiber supplement to your dogs diet to help them maintain a healthy digestive system.

Taking care of your dogs fiber needs

Bernies Perfect Poop was created to help improve our own dogs diet. We knew gut health was important, and we were having a hard time finding quality fiber for dogs, as well as clean sources of fiber. It was also hard to judge how much fiber we needed to add so we got together with canine experts to create Bernies Perfect Poop!

With Perfect Poop, we werent just adding fiber, but we were adding additional quality ingredients that help gut health be optimal. Bernies Perfect Poop is an all-natural supplement that contains premium dietary fibers including, pumpkin, flaxseed and Miscanthus grass. These ingredients work together and supercharge the digestive system allowing your dog to experience easier digestion. But combined with pre- and probiotics and digestive enzymes, your dog will feel their best all the time. After all, healthier diets mean happier dogs!

Should I Add More Fiber to My Dogs Diet?

Should I Add More Fiber to My Dogs Diet?

Doctors recommend that the average person consume between 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Some folks get all the fiber they need from whole-grain bread, fruits, and vegetables, while others rely on fiber supplements to reach their daily quota. There is no recommended daily amount of fiber for dogs, but many pet owners opt for high-fiber pet foods or supplement their pets diets to address constipation and promote a healthy weight.

Does Your Dog Need More Fiber?

Probably not. Most dogs get all the fiber they need from commercially-produced dog foods. A veterinarian may recommend supplemental fiber for the following types of dogs:

• Dogs suffering from diarrhea or constipation or who regularly deal with these conditions
• Diabetic dogs
• Dogs with high levels of fat in their blood
• Overweight or obese dogs

Understanding Fiber

There are two primary types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fiber helps move food through the digestive tract at the appropriate pace, not too slowly or too quickly. Soluble fiber can help to regulate blood sugar and, working in tandem with gut bacteria, help promote healthy digestion in the long term.

Monitoring your own fiber consumption is about as straightforward as it gets. Look for the term dietary fiber on any food package and youll find how many grams are included in each serving.

Technically speaking, those labels dont always tell the whole story. Most dont specify which type (or types) of fiber a product includes. Dog food labels provide even less information, listing only crude fiber (mostly insoluble fiber). Whats more, the Guaranteed Analysis printed on pet food bags and cans doesnt tell you exactly how much fiber a product contains. Rather, it tells pet owners the maximum amount of fiber that it could contain.

Veterinary nutritionist Dr. Lisa Freeman notes that this can make it look like dry kibble contains much more fiber than wet dog food. This is merely the result of how much water is included in canned wet food. Serving for serving, Dr. Freeman says, the fiber content of dry kibble and canned food are not necessarily so different.

Health Benefits of Fiber for Dogs

Fiber is important, but not because its rich in nutrients. Most of the fiber that people and pets consume passes through the body undigested. Its impact mostly comes down to how it combines with other substances and parts of the body. While its not considered essential for dogs, fibers potential benefits are fairly consistent across species.

For dogs struggling with constipation, a little extra fiber can go a long way in alleviating their symptoms. As it passes through the digestive tract, some fiber ferments into fatty acids that can discourage the growth of harmful gut bacteria. Fiber may even reduce your dogs colon cancer risk.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight

Overweight and obese dogs are more likely to suffer from a variety of health conditions, including orthopedic and respiratory diseases. Eating high-fiber foods generally promotes a feeling of fullness that can discourage overeating in both people and dogs. Thats why many weight control foods include so much.

Regulating Blood Sugar

By slowing down digestion, certain types of fiber can prevent blood sugar spikes. Veterinarians have also observed that fiber can reduce a dogs insulin sensitivity and make living with diabetes more manageable.

Sources of Fiber for Dogs

In addition to high-fiber dog foods and supplements, plenty of fridge and pantry staples are safe for canine consumption. Small amounts of these fruits, vegetables, and grains can help address temporary constipation while promoting your dogs overall well-being. Make sure to avoid added salt, sugar, fats, and seasonings.

Pumpkin

In addition to fiber, this fall favorite is rich in various vitamins and minerals including iron, magnesium, and vitamin E. Adding small amounts of pumpkin to new foods is also a great way to soothe the upset stomach that may come with routine dietary changes. Steer clear of pumpkin pie filling to avoid serving up excess calories and potentially dangerous additives.

Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes provide a healthy dose of fiber, as well as nutrients like vitamins A and B6. Make sure not to serve raw spuds, which can cause an upset stomach or even an intestinal blockage. Also, peel the potatoes for easier digestion.

Brown Rice

With three times as much fiber as white rice, brown rice is often useful in helping dogs with diarrhea and upset stomachs.

Talk to Your Veterinarian

Nobody knows your pet better than you do, but nobody knows what they need to thrive better than their veterinarian. Never make a major change to your dogs diet without first seeking out their expert guidance or attempt to diagnose any health issue on your own. Sudden updates to their daily meals could leave your dog dealing with digestive issues and potentially result in more serious health consequences.

Your vet or a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist will first help you determine whether supplementary fiber will help your dog and then work alongside you to safely introduce it into their diet.