Most dog owners want the best for their four-legged friends. The least you can do for your pets is to take them to the veterinarian, play with them, and feed them well. That’s how you make sure your dog feels loved and safe in your house. But to truly help your dog be healthy, you’ll add high fiber foods to your dog’s diet.
Nutrition plays a vital role in your dog’s growth, well-being, and life expectancy. Every pet should get enough fiber since it can support the proper function of the digestive system and provide multiple health benefits.
You might feed your furry friend the most expensive dog food. That doesn’t mean; however, the food contains enough fiber to keep your pup healthy. Putting your dog on a diet that includes plenty of soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, can help control your dog’s weight and digestive problems.
Want to know more about adding high fiber foods to your pet’s diet? You can read reviews of the best grain-free dog foods or do your research to understand why fiber provides health benefits for your dog.
High fiber dog food benefits
Some dogs suffer from being overweight. Obesity can lead to heart and breathing conditions, arthritis, skin diseases, tumors, and difficulties after anesthesia.
Unfortunately, some dog owners are unwilling or unable to decrease the amount of food they give their dogs or start playing more with their four-legged friends. Problems with weight affect the dog’s quality of life and can take up to three years off the life of your pup.
Switching to a high fiber diet can help your dog maintain his weight and lead a healthy life. Fiber can make your dog feel full and energetic without overeating.
If you don’t want to put your dog on a diet, you can at least start by adding a few green beans (a natural fiber source) to daily meals.
Fiber also helps improve your dog’s digestive system and helps keep dogs that suffer from either chronic diarrhea or constipation.
Additionally, a high fiber diet can promote colon health. According to a study, fermentable fiber helps prevent colon cancer by speeding up the elimination process and protecting the colon wall.
Consider giving your pup more fiber is he has diabetes. Certain foods can help slow digestion and keep your dog’s blood sugar levels under control.
High fiber diets also help with digestion for dogs that have kidney disease or pancreatic insufficiency.
If your dog has a severe health issue like diabetes or kidney disease, consult with your vet before making any diet changes.
Good high fiber sources
High fiber foods for your dog aren’t expensive. You can find a lot of fiber in vegetables and fruits that are safe dogs to eat. Some good options include:
Canned pumpkin
Yes, dogs can eat pumpkins. Canned pumpkin is the source of vitamins, minerals, and soluble fiber. Eating pumpkin can help stop diarrhea and manage your dog’s weight. Just be sure to buy canned pumpkin without any added sugar or salt.
Sweet potatoes
One average-sized sweet potato contains around four grams of dietary fiber. Most dogs love the taste of sweet potatoes.
If you want to give some to your pup, wash sweet potatoes with warm water and pierce them with a fork. After that, cook them in your microwave for about ten minutes. Once cooked, cut and mash the sweet potato with a fork. Then, add two teaspoons of sweet potato to your dog’s food.
Other foods that contain both soluble and insoluble fiber include:
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Green vegetables
- Apples
- Bananas
- Whole grains
- Oats
- Flaxseed
- Beet pulp
Introducing new food to your dog’s diet
You should change your dog’s diet gradually since his body needs to get used to high fiber food, especially if you have never given him fiber before. Sudden changes can lead to digestive problems.
You can either contact your vet to get recommendations or monitor your dog’s behavior after giving him some fiber on your own. If you start on your own, add a few carrots or green beans to your dog’s food. Your dog will let you know what foods he likes.
Don’t hesitate to contact the vet first since they can create a diet plan according to your dog’s individual needs.
Adding excessive amounts of fiber is not healthy. Doing so can dilute some nutrients and decrease the absorption of some minerals. When in doubt, always talk to your vet.
The bottom line
Packaged dog food usually contains less than 5% fiber. That’s why you should consider adding natural sources of fiber to your dog’s diet.
Doing so will help improve your four-legged friend’s digestive system while beating obesity and prolonging your dog’s life expectancy.
Keep in mind some dogs can’t tolerate human fiber foods. For instance, most have trouble digesting corn and other grains.
Talk to your vet before changing your dog’s diet. Reliable veterinarians can create a high fiber diet by taking into account your dog’s allergies and individual needs.