Contents
Our Best High-Fiber Dog Food Choices
- Missing Link Ultimate Skin & Coat Dog Supplement
- Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
- Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food
- Earthborn Holistic Dog Food, Natural Flavor
- Nature’s Variety Instinct Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Meal Formula Dry Dog Food
We all know the health benefits that come along with getting enough fiber. You feel light and agile, you maintain digestive and colon health and you stay… erm… shall we say “regular”.
Naturally, a high-fiber diet is also beneficial for our best friends and ever-loving companions: our dogs!
Your dog’s health is surely of paramount importance to you, and monitoring the fiber content of their food is one important way you can keep them feeling great. In this article, we will explain why a natural balance of fiber will benefit your dog, and then examine some of the best dog food brands for providing this.
Best High-Fiber Dog Foods Comparison
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As pet parents, we want to give our dogs the best life and the best quality products possible. It can be difficult, however, to sift through all the information out there. Even once we have done our research, we are tasked with selecting the right product with literally thousands of options available. What are doggy moms and dads to do?
This article is here to educate you and help you make this decision yourself. As usual, it is always the best idea to visit a veterinarian if you are truly unsure which diet is best for your dog’s health. However, it cannot hurt to know as much as about your dog’s body as possible, and hopefully this article will help you in this regard.
High Fiber, Forever
Like us, dogs may gain weight and have irregular bowel movements if they do not have enough fiber in their diets. It can make them bloated, uncomfortable, compromise their immune systems and contribute to painful, smelly and just plain yucky anal gland problems.
Much as a lot of fiber may help humans avoid hemorrhoids, a high-fiber diet for dogs promotes the natural emptying of the anal glands which may help you forgo this gross problem altogether. Which begs an obvious question – why don’t we feed them that way?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMdD6w7FI9A
The bottom line? High-fiber dog foods have also proven to reduce the development of – as well as reduce the negative effects of – diabetes in dogs. Fiber also helps your dog feel full, so high-fiber dog food may help it eat less while still feeling satisfied, reducing your dog’s chances of obesity, which can lead to diabetes.
Thus, there are many benefits of a natural balance of fiber in your dog’s diet. However, do not think of it in the same way that humans need fiber. Your dog has its own special set of needs and dietary restrictions, and it is important as a dog owner that you understand these.
Slow and Steady
When introducing a high fiber diet for dogs and selecting a new type of food for your pet, especially one with a fundamentally different make up, always buy a small bag first. This will save you money if your dog reacts poorly to the new food. This way, you can test to see if it is a good fit for your dog, the most important metric.
You should also work your dog’s new food in gradually. Any new food can cause an adverse reaction and its system needs time to adjust. So what does that mean exactly?
Finding this balance is key, and you will not know what works fully until you try. So give this method a shot and hopefully your dog will find a new food that has them feeling better than ever before.
Finding Fibrous Food
With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide on a good dog food for your pet. A good veterinarian can recommend a great brand for you, based on your dog’s breed, whether or not it is prone to obesity and how sensitive its stomach is. Always consider your vet’s advice, but make sure to do your own research too.
You also need to consider your budget and how much activity your dog gets. Even a very expensive, very high-quality dog food can upset his stomach if it is too rich, or make it gain weight if it is not getting enough exercise to burn off the calories.
Ok, so you might be wondering how to identify a dog food that is high in fiber. Most quality dog foods are made up first of protein, then fat, then fiber.
Knowing how to read dog food packaging is quite important in identifying what will help your dog. But as usual, it is best to know what it is your dog actually needs first, and there is nothing like a trip to the vet to sort this out.
Not Ready to Commit?
There are many ways to incorporate more fiber into your dog’s diet, instead of or in addition to switching its food. We don’t ever recommend giving your dog products that are made for people, as dogs have different digestive systems and many of these products may contain sugar, flavoring agents and artificial color. Your dog has its own needs, so it is important to use products that are made for dogs, such as these:
- Fiber Tablets: Unless your dog is having some pretty severe blockage issues, it’s likely unnecessary for it to have fiber tablets every day. However, it may be good to keep some on hand to clear your dog out in case it ever gets constipated. Fiber supplements such as these are useful for a certain purpose, but should not be relied on all of the time.
- Pumpkin or Sweet Potato: Vegetables such as pumpkin and sweet potato are great, cheap and all-natural solutions to incorporating fiber into your dog’s diet. These are super foods and a great source of fiber for dogs and can help soothe both constipation and diarrhea. If using canned pumpkin, make sure you are using pumpkin pulp and don’t accidentally select pumpkin pie filling. Simply mix a few tablespoons of pumpkin pulp or about a third of a cooked sweet potato into your dog’s dinner.
- High-Fiber Dog Treats: Another great way to introduce more fiber into your pup’s diet is with high fiber dog treats. You can make them yourself or buy one of the many available options at the store. Follow this link to a site with a few homemade dog treat recipes.
Colitis is a common condition in dogs that happens when there is inflammation of the colon. As with people, eating a lot of fiber can give us major bowel issues and gas.
Now you may wonder whether or not feeding a dog a high-fiber diet will cause loose stools or aggravate colitis.
But as long as you choose a quality source of fiber, high-fiber dog food may actually do the opposite, as “high fiber content will absorb the excess water that is generated from the loose stool of an agitated colon”.
If you’ve decided that you want to enrich your dog’s diet and potentially extend its life? Well, lets take a look at our list of…
The Top 5 Best High Fiber Dog Foods
1. Missing Link Ultimate Skin & Coat Dog Supplement
- SKIN & COAT HEALTH - Add a daily spoonful of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to your dog's food to help with shedding, soothe dry or irritated skin, reduce itchiness...
- POWERFUL POWDER - Chock full of healthy skin and coat promoting superfoods like fresh ground flaxseed and kelp. Plus dietary fiber and phytonutrients to support...
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Missing Link Ultimate Skin and Coat Dog Supplement is a delicious and nutritious high-fiber supplement for your dog. It contains quality foods such as flaxseed, yeast and sunflower seeds to help you introduce fiber into your dog’s diet.
The Missing Link powdered formula comes in a 1 lb or 5 lb pack. It simply needs to be mixed into your dog’s food during one of its daily meals. On top of the fiber, this supplement also promotes the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria and delivers fatty acids and enzymes to your pet.
The Missing Link can also help restore a soft, shiny coat on your dog. It even helps regrow tufts of missing hair that can fall out if your pet is not getting the right nutrients.
Because it contains fatty acids, the Missing Link also promotes skin health with many users reporting that it helps eliminate sores and dry, itchy, flaky skin. The Missing Link also promotes immune system health, so is good for your pet as it ages as well.
The Missing Link is very moderately priced for the amazing results it produces. Also, as your dog will only require 1 teaspoon a day, even one small bag will last quite a while.
The Missing Link is definitely a suitable product if you’re trying to introduce more fiber into your dog’s diet. It is affordable, ensures high user satisfaction and helps promote skin, coat and immune system health, while providing high quality sources of fiber.
Aside from the fiber, it is a great all-around dog food that provides many of the all natural ingredients your dog requires for a healthy life.
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2. Taste of the Wild Dry Dog Food
- A taste of the wild with ROASTED BISON; REAL MEAT is the #1 ingredient; optimal amino acid profile, protein rich for LEAN, STRONG MUSCLES
- High protein ingredients with added vitamins & minerals; fruits and vegetables as SUPERFOODS for hard-working ANTIOXIDANTS; fatty acid blend for SKIN & COAT
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Taste of the Wild is a dry dog food that boasts a six-flavor collection. Variety is the spice of life and we can get behind a product that offers a few different and exciting taste choices for our pets.
The Taste of the Wild is made with real roasted meats and is grain-free, soy-free and corn-free. The fiber in the formula comes from real fruits and vegetables. As grains are something a dog would never encounter in the wild, this dog food is aligned with what dogs would instinctually eat in nature.
Although dogs are not usually picky eaters, this dog food is delicious and you can purchase a different flavor every time. This dog food is easily digestible, packed full of natural antioxidants and helps promote immune system health.
The Taste of Wild’s cost is on par with other high quality dog foods. It is in fact quite well priced for a corn, soy and grain-free dog food.
This dog food is appropriate for dogs with sensitive stomachs and can help relieve them of digestive issues such as diarrhea. Even more selective dogs enjoy this food and it seems to help with skin issues as well.
In short, a very well priced grain, corn and soy-free option if you are looking to switch your dog onto a high -fiber diet for dogs. This is a great choice if you are looking for a dog food option that is made with real, natural ingredients that are meant to replicate how a dog may eat in the wild. These ingredients help to ensure that your dog not only stays healthy, but actually enjoys the food that you give them.
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3. Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food
- Packaging May Vary
- Contains One (1) 24-Lb Bag Of Blue Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food, Salmon
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Wilderness Blue Buffalo High Protein Dry Adult Dog Food comes in 5 different sizes and a variety of flavors. We like that this brand also has different foods for small breeds and large breeds, as they have different needs and smaller dogs may turn up their noses up at too large kibbles.
This high-protein formula is grain-free and is packed with antioxidants and complex carbohydrates to help support immune system health and keep your dog’s tummy healthy.
This dog food is a suitable choice if you are trying to get your dog to slim down with a low fat-diet, or if you are trying to prevent weight gain in a breed that is prone to being on the heavy side. It is a great weight maintenance tool and promotes lean muscle growth.
This dog food is slightly more expensive than the Taste of the Wild Food, but most high quality grain-free dog foods are more costly. This formula is delicious with even picky eaters loving it. It also helps promote skin health and a nice shiny coat.
Wilderness Blue Buffalo dog food also has Life Source bits mixed into the kibble, which are a cold-formed “blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists” Although expensive, this dog food is a great weight maintenance tool that promotes healthy skin and coat. It is an easy way to incorporate more fiber into your dog’s diet and it is grain, soy and corn-free.
So if you are looking for a great option and price isn’t as much of an issue for you, this is a great all-around choice to suit your dog’s dietary needs.
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4. Earthborn Holistic Dog Food, Natural Flavor
- Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, 28 Lb. Resealable Bag
- Herring And Salmon Meals, Rich In Omega Fatty Acids, Help Maintain Overall Good Health
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Earthborn Holistic Dog Food is a dry food that comes in 6 different sizes. It is a high protein, grain and gluten-free dog food.
The protein in this dog food is all from fish: salmon, herring, and whitefish. This means that this food promotes energy and lean muscle growth while being an appropriate food to protect against weight gain. This is a great option for a dog who is on a low-fat diet.
It is also high fiber and rich in antioxidants from natural plant sources. It only comes in ‘Natural Flavor’, but dogs tend to love it (although it may result in slightly fishy breath).
For dogs with allergies, this food may be a great option to try. Many dogs are allergic to gluten as well as chicken. A more traditional dog food may actually be setting off his allergies. This is an excellent dog food for dogs with undiagnosed skin conditions or allergies.
This food also promotes coat health. Users reported that within weeks their dogs were boasting a long, luscious coat. It is also great for dogs with sensitive stomachs and helps with solid, consistent stools.
As with most high protein, high fiber, grain-free dog foods, this food is fairly expensive. It may save you money on vet bills and allergy medications in the long run, however!
This food will cost you a pretty penny, but it is an all-natural food for your dog and, since it contains no gluten or chicken/chicken byproducts, it is a great option for dogs suffering from sensitive stomachs or allergy issues. So if you want a great food that may prevent many of the ailments common to your dog’s breed, this might be just the option you are looking for.
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5. Nature’s Variety Instinct Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Meal Formula Dry Dog Food
- Helps pets lose or maintain their ideal weight. Contains 20% less fat and 15% fewer calories than Instinct Raw Boost Chicken Meal Formula
- Formulated to mirror your dog's ancestral diet. Diets are high in animal protein, grain-free and gluten-free
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Nature’s Variety Instinct Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Meal Formula is a dry, high protein, gluten and grain-free dog food. It also contains no soy, corn or fillers.
This dog food is ideal for weight loss or maintenance so if you have a breed like a lab, beagle, or Rottweiler, this may be a great choice for you. This kibble features dry food along with raw meat pieces, ensuring a pure high-protein, low-fat feed.
It also contains probiotics to promote healthy digestion and lots of fiber to help keep your pet regular and to help it feel full and satisfied. Best of all, you can help your pet maintain its weight without cutting on portion sizes.
If your pet suffers from allergies, you will want to be aware that in this particular dog food, chicken is the main source of protein. This dog food tastes amazing and dogs will definitely love the raw bits.
It also contains fatty omega 3 acids to help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny and whole sources of fiber such as flaxseed and pumpkin seeds. The kibble bits are small, so even small breeds will enjoy this food.
The verdict on this food is that it is expensive, but a great weight loss/maintenance tool and even a picky eater will love the taste and the raw, freeze-dried meat bits in the kibble.
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So Which Is the Best?
Which high-fiber product to buy your dog depends mostly on your dog and on you! If you want to incorporate more fiber into your dog’s diet without necessarily completely switching its dog food, the Missing Link Supplement is an affordable boost that can be mixed into any food.
If your dog has severe allergies and skin problems, the Earthborn Holistic Dog Food may be an appropriate choice for you, as it is all natural and contains none of the common canine allergens.
If your pet is overweight or at risk of developing obesity because of its breed, the Nature’s Variety Instinct may be your best bet for high-protein, high-fiber but low-calorie dog food.
Finally, if you have a fairly normal dog but you want to introduce some extra fiber into their diets, both Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo are great choices that come in lots of flavors to satisfy your dog’s palate and are similarly prices.
As always, remember that the best dog food for your dog’s specific needs will depend on just that, your dog’s needs. So be sure to do your research about your breed, and even pay a visit to the vet, in order to identify and cater to the individual requirements of your pup.
Choosing a dog food is very important in maintaining good health in your dog, and a high-fiber diet can of course help in this regard. However, the proper way to inject this fiber into your dog’s diet will depend on the dog.
Hope We Helped!
In conclusion, almost all dogs can benefit from a diet that is higher in fiber without risking loose stools or aggravating colitis. Fiber is an important tool to help keep your dog regular, gas and bloat-free and to maintain its healthy weight, much as it does for humans.
As you switch your dog’s food, it is a good idea to mix the new high fiber food in with the old food so you don’t shock the dog’s system and so it can slowly adjust to the new food. Try to buy a small bag first so you do not waste your money if your pooch rejects the food or if its body reacts poorly. As with many dog food choices, sometimes it simply comes down to whether or not your dog actually likes it.
The incredible benefits of fiber in a dog’s diet are countless and too important to pass up. Hopefully, our suggestions will help you find the right product to help your dog live the healthy, happy life it deserves and to keep that tail wagging for many years to come!
I grew up in a household that was filled with animals. I believe that my fate as a dog-loving person was sealed in early childhood since my parents owned several dogs of varying sizes and breeds. There was no choice but to take care of and learn about dog habits and the best animal care practices — otherwise, I’d be clueless about how to go about the creatures I was surrounded by day and night.
As a life-long puppy lover, I know a thing or two about dogs and how to go about caring for them in the best way possible. Although I’m not a professionally trained dog behaviorist, trainer, or veterinarian, all of my knowledge and experience with canines comes from a place of love and a deep-rooted passion for dogs and animals in general.
Seeing as dogs kept me company throughout every stage of my life, I decided to follow a different path in my academic life and obtained a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing Management and Digital Advertising, which ultimately allowed me to combine my professional training and personal experience by creating the ultimate dog lover’s resource website! Along with my husband, Dave, I run MySweetPuppy for like-minded dog lovers who want to have a single, clear, and reliable information source about anything and everything related to dogs and their well-being.
Excellent advice…extremely helpful information!
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.
Fiber is usually found in every commercial high-quality dog food. It’s terrific for colon health, for weight-control, helps with diarrhea, constipation, and also other digestive issues. It also helps with diabetes. Consult with your veterinarian for a complete health check prior to changing diets, so that your veterinarian can help advise as to how much added fiber your dog needs.
You list dog foods with 4% fiber content as “high fiber.” That is standard fiber content for almost all standard dog foods. I need a dog food with 20% fiber–are there any besides Hill’s w/d?
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.Adding fiber to your furry best friend’s diet helps to improve colon health. It also helps to support weight management, helps with diarrhea,constipation, and diabetes in dogs. Consulting with your veterinarian for advice, as to how much fiber to add to your dog’s diet, is just as important.Too much fiber causes diarrhea and bloat. Older dogs do well on added fiber too. Canned pumpkin, certain veggies, bran, brown rice,cubed apples (no seeds), are foods rich in fiber. It’s always best to start adding these in slowly, and then adjusting the amount added to your dog’s meal. Hills Science Diet and Royal Canine High Fiber are high-quality dog food formulas, that are most recommended by veterinarians, for dog’s needing additional fiber.
I spent some time searching each of these 5 products. I found lists of ingredients, but not one of them provided the percentage of fiber or fat. Thus, we have only this website’s word that these products are, in fact, high fiber and low fat.
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.
If you go on the dog food’s specific website, you’ll be able to see the breakdown/percentage of each ingredient. If you scroll down to the guaranteed analysis, by the feeding guidelines and ingredients, you will see the exact percentage of fiber, fat…. Hope this helps.
Of the 5 high fiber foods, which is best for a very small chihuahua (5 to 6 lbs.) She has a varacious appetite and we are having a hard time controlling her weight. She is always hungry so our vet suggested a high fiber food.
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.You can add the Missing Link supplement to your dog’s food. With this powdered superfood, you’ll be adding essential Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, phytonutrients and fibre to your Chihuahua’s diet. This aids in supporting your dog’s skin, coat and immune system. Muscle and tendon function are improved together with energy levels and health.
I adopted a beagle mixed from a shelter she was there for 4months no buddy wanted her cause she had diarrhea all the time the agency only did rabies shot had her spayed heart worm every month and a boradella shot.but never did anything for the runs so I took her so loving and special.i took her to the vet the following Monday I brought in a stool sample.she had a parasite giardia I believe from stagne\ant water but they said she came from a abusive family.so after 6 weeks of pills panacur 5days she is free of the parasite but now her stools are not watery but like mush. I feed her purina one sensitive digestive syastems she stll has mush what should I be feeding her grain free high protein
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.
Dewormers will result in a loose stool. Give your dog time to recover and consult with your veterinarian for the best advice. Please keep in mind that the FDA has recently linked grain-free dog food to heart disease.https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm613305.htm
I think that what you posted made a bunch of sense. However, consider this, what if you typed a catchier title?
I am not saying your information isn’t solid, but suppose you added something that makes people want more?
I mean Top 5 High-Fiber Dog Foods [Buyer’s Guide For 2017] | MySweetPuppy.net is a little boring.
You should glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create news headlines to
get viewers interested. You might add a related video or a related pic or two to
grab readers excited about everything’ve written. Just my
opinion, it would bring your blog a little bit more interesting.
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.
My two Poms have loose bowels and throw up at least once a month. Can you recommend a good dog food with high fiber.
My fur baby…12 yrs old….has never turned is nose up to any food. Suddenly now he will not eat is Royal Canin fiber diet… as he is prone to very loose stools. I’ve tried mixing everything with it but he still refuses. Any suggestions?
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.Please consult with your veterinarian for the best advice. Sometimes adding a warm (not hot) beef or chicken broth to the kibble with grilled chicken/salmon and some steamed veggies may help. Also ask your veterinarian about switching dog food brands. He may be tired of the taste. With so many high-quality dog food options out there,it may be time to change over to another dog food brand, depending on how long he’s been on Royal Canin. That said, he just may not be feeling well.
Bella is over weight and has them bad gland that need to be cleaned 3to 4weeks she eats diet food both dry and wet ? What can I do any help would be helpful n
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.
With correct nutrition and weight management, and also by following a strict personal hygiene schedule, it should be possible to prevent, and to reverse negative symptoms related to anal gland problems in dogs. As usual, always consult with your veterinarian for the best advice. You seem to be doing the right thing by following a high-quality dog food diet that is high in fiber and low in fat. As you know, anal gland secretions can be expelled with regular bowel movements, but not if your dog suffers from diarrhea. Ask your veterinarian about adding a fiber supplement to his feed. This will help firm up his stool, and aid in expressing the anal gland secretions naturally.Make sure that there is no bleeding with the bowel movements.
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.High-fiber dog foods should be recommended by your veterinarian.Providing Fido with the most appropriate diet that is healthy and beneficial to his lifestage will help give your dog a long and healthy life. High-fiber dog food formulas will also add bulk to your dog’s stools.Most commercial dog foods will have enough fiber. Opt for a high-quality dog food that is appropriate for your dog’s lifestage.With added fiber, you’ll be providing your pooch relief from constipation and diarrhea. You’ll also be helping reduce the risk for colon cancer. By feeding a high-fiber dog food you’ll be reducing the caloric density, yet your pooch will still feel full.Feeding a high- fiber dog food helps regulate blood sugar levels, and decreases anal gland inflammation. Consult with your veterinarian for the best nutritional advice. Hope this helps!
Thanks for connecting to Mysweetpuppy.net. Please keep in mind that I, Claudia Bensimoun, do not write any of the blogs or reviews on this website, nor have I in the past. I only answer the comments section.At MySweetpuppy.net we do our best to update all our blogs and reviews with the most current information.