The 9 Best High Fiber Dog Foods
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
A high-fiber diet is frequently recommended for In rare situations, a veterinarian may prescribe this sort of diet, particularly if your dog suffers from constipation or diarrhea after eating.
Specialty high-fiber dog meals often include between 4 and 12 percent fiber. This is similar to feeding an average-sized dog weighing around 50 pounds 12 cups of pumpkin every day. These foods are exceptionally rich in fiber.
The majority of these meals can be obtained without a prescription. They increase the bulk and weight of your dog's feces, making elimination simpler and preventing constipation. In addition to absorbing water, fiber solidifies watery diarrhea and hardens your dog's feces.
With so many options on the market, it is tough to choose the correct brand and food. BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has analyzed some of the most popular meals and developed a list of the best high fiber dog foods based on user feedback. Continue reading if you're seeking the finest high-fiber dog food for tiny or large breeds!
Reviews
The best overall dog food is Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Fiber
The principal components of Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Fiber Dry Dog Food are chicken by-product meal, brown rice, and brewer’s rice. Produced from food manufacturing waste, chicken by-product meal is not the most appetizing foodstuff, but it has a high protein content.
It also comprises maize and derivatives of corn. It has somewhat less protein than usual and more carbohydrates than typical. This Royal Canin high fiber food has a fiber level of 3.6%, which is not the highest, but it is well-liked by owners and dogs alike, is ideal for dogs of all sizes and breeds, and is relatively expensive.
If your veterinarian has instructed you to provide a high-fiber diet, despite the price, this is a wonderful choice of dry kibble.
Overall, this is the finest high-fiber dog food for both small and large dog types.
Pros
- Omega-3 fatty acids obtained from fish oil
- Antioxidants help preserve immune system
- Contains prebiotics for beneficial gut flora
Cons
- Slightly costly
The best value in dry dog food is Rachael Ray’s Nutrish
With chicken and chicken meal as its key components, Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Small Breed Dry Dog Food is loaded with carbs to provide your small breed dog with more energy. It also contains omega oils that will maintain the health and luster of your dog’s coat.
Cranberries help your dog manage stress, and the formulation is rich in peas, beets, and carrots, giving the dish a fiber concentration of roughly 4.5%.
Alfalfa is included because of its high fiber content, however it is more frequently linked with horse feed than with dog food. Unfortunately, the product contains iron oxide, an artificial pigment. This gives the food a crimson tint, which is certainly not for the dog’s benefit but for the owners’.
The lack of probiotics, which are used to coat high-quality food and make it simpler for your dog to digest the kibble, is another reason why this meal did not get the number one rank.
The cuisine is well-balanced, with average amounts of protein, carbs, and fat, and it has the lowest price per pound on our list of reviews. This makes it the most affordable high-fiber dog food available.
Pros
- Cheap
- Well-balanced dog food
- Includes omega oils
- 5% fiber
Cons
- Includes artificial coloring
- No probiotics
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy Food is the Best for Puppies
The Blue Dog Life Protection Formula The main constituents of Dry Dog Food are chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, and oats, and the food contains a fiber level of 5.6%. Also present is flaxseed, an excellent source of omega-3 and soluble fiber.
Alfalfa meal is put in the food to increase the fiber content; yet, it is a popular element in horse feed.
The recipe lacks artificial colorings, which is a plus, although it does include garlic. Garlic in dog chow is considered a contentious element.
Although there are purported advantages to the chemical, it is poisonous in high doses, and many skeptics argue that even lesser levels are still harmful. Another problematic ingredient in this meal is dried yeast, although unless your dog is sensitive to it, it should be safe in the quantities present.
The Blue Buffalo recipe has average quantities of protein, fat, and carbs, and is regarded the finest brand for pups because to its small kibble size and probiotic coating, which will aid your puppy’s digestion.
Pros
- 6% fiber
- Flaxseed oil supplies omega-3
- No artificial colorings
- Small dog food is appropriate for pups
Cons
- Contains garlic and dry yeast
- Protein levels might be increased for dogs
Wellness CORE Dry Dog Food, Grain-Free
Wellness’s CORE Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is available in a number of tastes, such as ocean whitefish, herring, and salmon. The non-poultry recipe has a greater than average protein content and a lower than normal carbohydrate content.
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has 7 percent fiber due to the presence of pea and tomato pomace. There is also flaxseed, which contributes both soluble fiber and omega-3 oil.
The Wellness CORE mix has no grains, which is one of its many advantages. Some animals may be allergic to or intolerant to grains. This can result in itching, flaking skin, and other symptoms, such as abdominal discomfort. If you have removed all other possible allergen triggers, the grain in your dog’s diet may be causing pain.
CORE is a pricey product, but it derives the majority of its nutritional value from high-quality animal protein sources, including whitefish, herring, and salmon, and does not rely on the addition of large amounts of vegetables or fillers.
It is also blessedly free of problematic components, with only tomato pomace and pea fiber being somewhat controversial because to their mild nutritional advantages.
Pros
- High protein concentration in meat
- Contains no meat by-products or fillers
- Added vitamins and minerals offer further value
- Grain-free dish
Cons
- Expensive
- Not every owner want a grain-free recipe
Natural Balance Low-Calorie Dog Food for Fat Dogs
Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog Food has a high fiber content of around 11.5% and is formulated for overweight dogs that need to lose weight.
Due to the utilization of components including beet pulp, pea fiber, alfalfa powder, and dried tomato pomace, Natural Balance has a very low fat level. In many instances, these ingredients would be deemed to be of middling to poor quality due to their lack of nutritional value. However, when utilized to limit caloric intake, they provide a healthy supply of protein and fiber.
Chicken meal and salmon meal are the key components. These are termed meat concentrates and contain substantially greater protein contents than regular meat. This dish also contains a significant amount of garbanzo beans, popularly known as chickpeas. These are rich in protein, although vegetable protein is not regarded as being as helpful or high-quality as animal protein.
Natural Balance does include brewer’s yeast, therefore if your dog is allergic to this ingredient, you should avoid feeding it to him. In addition, an increasing number of individuals assert that brewer’s yeast increases the probability that a dog may acquire bloat, despite the lack of scientific evidence to support this assertion.
Pros
- Low amounts of fat
- 5% fiber content
- Primary components include chicken, fish, and chickpeas
Cons
- Pricey
- Suitable only for overweight canines
Dry dog food from Taste of the Wild without grains
Buffalo is the primary ingredient in Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, which has an average fiber content of about 4% for a food of this type. It contains average amounts of protein and fat, which could be increased for the benefit of the majority of dogs.
The formulation is grain-free, but the lengthy list of ingredients makes it unlikely that dogs with food allergies will be able to consume this food. The beef, venison, and other meat ingredients promote robust muscle growth. There are no additives or preservatives added artificially.
Additionally, your dog will benefit from the probiotics that aid digestion and make it simpler for them to absorb the nutritional ingredients.
Omega-3 and omega-6 are among the added vitamins, but there are foods with a higher omega-6 content. This food may not contain sufficient protein for highly active dogs, but it should be more than sufficient for less active canines.
There are no components that are deemed hazardous for canine eating, and only the pea protein and potato protein are considered of low quality, making this a premium-grade diet despite the extensive list of ingredients.
Pros
- No grains
- An abundance of protein-rich meaty ingredients
- No harmful components
Cons
- Not ideal equilibrium for active canines
- Omega-3 content could be increased
Wilderness Grain-Free Dog Food by Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo claims to utilize a cuisine that harkens back to a time when wild canines thrived on a diet rich in animal protein and devoid of additives such as grains. Corn is used by many food makers because it is inexpensive and increases the quantities of protein and other nutrients.
However, in practice, the protein generated from these sources is not as high quality or as healthy for your dog as animal protein. Some dogs may also be sensitive to grain components, resulting in itchy skin, excessive scratching, and gastrointestinal issues.
The formulation of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Dry Dog Food contains 6% fiber and, among other components, fish meal and flaxseed, which provide adequate amounts of omega-3 and omega-6.
It does include yeast, which is another possible irritant, but unless your dog is sensitive to this particular ingredient, it should be deemed entirely safe in the quantities provided.
Pros
- Recipe without flour
- 6% fiber
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Chicken is the primary component
Cons
- More costly than average
Grain-Free Earthborn Holistic Meadow Dog Food
The moderate level of fiber in Earthborn Holistic Meadow Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is 4.4%. Bison meal, a highly concentrated version of bison with a high protein content, is the main component. In addition, it has a high concentration of peas, which contribute natural fiber.
Canola oil is an important element as well. Canola oil is a contentious ingredient since it is generated from genetically modified rapeseed. Nevertheless, it is a decent source of omega-3, but not as bioavailable as fish-derived essential oils.
The meal is said to draw a significant amount of its protein from high-grade animal sources, however the canola oil, pea protein, and pea fiber present in this formula are not of high quality, especially considering the premium pricing of this specific food.
Pros
- Adequate amount of meat content
- Grain-free recipe
Cons
- Includes canola oil
- Contains pea protein and fiber
- Expensive
Blue Buffalo Basics Diet Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo is renowned for offering premium, high-quality meals, such as grain-free and high-fiber options. The Basics line is less expensive than the premium line. Blue Buffalo has reduced the price by utilizing a formula that is strong in carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are an inexpensive method to fill up a dog, but they lack the nutritious content your dog need.
This dish is rated as having a higher-than-average amount of carbohydrates. It contains 6.7% fiber, which is regarded above normal, but its fat content is not particularly low for a product classified as diet.
Blue Buffalo’s Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food also contains canola oil, which is sourced from genetically modified rapeseed and does not have the same level of omega-3s as high-quality fish oil. This meal also contains dried yeast, which is a possible allergy and, according to a number of dog owners, increases their pet’s risk of developing bloat.
Pros
- Fairly inexpensive
- Marginally less than average fat
Cons
- Not as low in fat as other diet meals
- Contains canola oil
- Includes yeast
- Utilizes fillers like alfalfa meal
Buying Advice: Selecting the Finest High Fiber Dog Foods
Why Foods High in Fiber?
You may be wondering why a high-fiber diet is a good choice for a dog with constipation. Because both insoluble and soluble fiber can aid in regulating bowel activity. Insoluble fiber moves through the digestive tract and adds bulk to the stool, which aids in relieving constipation (or loose stools), but both types are beneficial. Additionally, fiber can also:
- Support your dog’s weight loss or maintenance
- Improve blood sugar control
- Reduce the likelihood of developing colon cancer
All of these are excellent justifications for feeding your dog a higher-fiber diet!
What to Look for in a Dog Food High in Fiber
If you’re not sure what to look for in high-fiber dog food, take a look at the list below!
Fiber
The first thing you should consider in a dog food is the amount of fiber it contains (obviously). This will be listed under “crude fiber.” The amount of fiber in dog food varies widely. Many dog meals include 1-2%, although some have 10% or more.
If your dog suffers from constipation, they may require a bit more fiber in their food than the average dog, which only needs 2-4% fiber. Consult your veterinarian to determine how much your dog should be eating.
Different Ingredients
You’ll also want to examine the dog food’s other components besides those that produce fiber. Check to examine how much and what kind of protein a food has, since your dog will require a great deal. Real meat as the first component is usually superior, although meat by-products and meat by-product meals are also acceptable as the first ingredient.
In addition to the protein source, you must ensure that the remaining ingredients are healthy and beneficial for your pet.
Peas & Legumes
Peas and beans are ingredients to watch out for in dog food. There have been some correlations between them and canine heart disease, however much more study is necessary. You’ll need to decide how you feel about these components before purchasing dog food (especially since many higher fiber dog foods contain these ingredients).
Price
If you’re not cautious, dog food may get rather costly. It is beneficial to shop around for the greatest bargains by searching for many foods that have the desired elements.
Reviews
Reviews from other dog owners are an excellent method to determine the quality and effectiveness of a dog food for constipation. These assessments are frequently more sincere than advertising and branding promises.
Conclusion
An important component of a dog’s diet is fiber. It can solidify soft stools and prevent constipation. If your veterinarian recommends that you offer your dog a high-fiber diet, you should still provide your dog with a formula with the appropriate amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, as well as other vital vitamins and minerals. in order to promote health. active and healthy dog.
In our quest for the finest high-fiber dog food, we discovered that Royal Canin High Digestible High Fiber Dog Food, although rather pricy, is an excellent value. of superior quality. Not only is Rachael Ray Nutrish Little Bites Little Breed Dry Dog Food terrific for small dogs, but it is also suitable for small dogs who want a little more fiber.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) would like to thank our visitors for visiting our website to learn about and research the best high fiber dog foods. We hope you’ve selected an appropriate high-fiber dog food.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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