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High Fiber Dog Food

High fiber dog food can have many health benefits for your dog. Different types of fiber play different roles in the digestive process. Dogs with some common medical conditions can greatly benefit from foods high in fiber.

Want to know more about the roles played by fiber in dog foods? Wonder if your dog needs high fiber food? You have come to the right place! This page looks at the following topics:

Sources of Fiber in Dog Food

High Fiber Dog Food

Almost all carbohydrate sources contain some fiber. Fiber is basically the insoluble carbohydrates that resist enzymatic digestion in the small intestine, and is mostly found in the cell walls of plants and grains.

Some common food sources of fiber that are commonly found in dog foods include:

  • bran of whole grains, such as rice bran and oat bran
  • corn and corn-byproducts
  • soybean hulls
  • rice hulls
  • beet pulp
Other common foods that are high in fiber and are beneficial to dogs include cooked pumpkins, cooked sweet potatoes, and whole cereals.

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High Fiber Dog Food for Colon Health

While fiber is generally not considered by many as an essential nutrient and energy source in dog food, it is beneficial for the dog's colon health.

The main function of fiber in a dog's diet is to increase both bulk and water in the intestinal contents. It means that fiber is good for both diarrhea and constipation. Fiber absorbs extra water in watery stools, which prevents diarrhea. Also, it helps to hold onto water, which prevents constipation.

Some fiber is broken down in the intestine into fatty acids. These fatty acids help to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. They will also help the colon cells to recover from injury and possibly help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

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High Fiber Dog Food for Obesity Prevention

Dog food high in fiber is commonly fed to obese dogs as a mean of weight management. The extra fiber in the diet is useful in reducing and preventing obesity by increasing bulk and therefore promoting a feeling of fullness without adding calories. A dog that eats high fiber food feels satisfied and full, but consumes fewer calories and thus loses weight.

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High Fiber Dog Food for Anal Glands

High Fiber Dog Food

In dogs, the anal sacs contain a powerful, foul-smelling substance. During defecation, when the pressure of the stool presses on the glands, some of the secretion is deposited on the stool and therefore the anal sacs are emptied out (or "expressed").

However, if a dog suffers from constipation or if the stools are not hard enough, the anal glands cannot be emptied out, resulting in a condition called anal gland impaction.

Since high fiber dog food can prevent constipation and can give absorb water in diarrheic stools, it follows that dogs with impacted anal glands benefit from food high in fiber.

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High Fiber Dog Food for Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a common metabolic disease in dogs. It is also a disease that has no cure. To control the disease, insulin therapy is required together with diet management.

Research has shown that by feeding a diabetic dog a high fiber diet, the swings in blood sugar levels are greatly reduced, thus minimizing the peaks and valleys in blood glucose that often accompany this disease. As a result, it is now a common practice to feed dogs with diabetes a high fiber diet.

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An Excellent High Fiber Dog Food Product

Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl for Dogs 1 lb. Bag

Dr. Harvey's Veg-to-Bowl for Dogs

Veg-to-Bowl is an easy and fantastic way to add fiber as well as essential vitamins and minerals to your dog's diet. In addition to various vegetables (beets, sweet potatoes, beans, carrots, etc.), it also contains useful herbs such as parsley, ginger, and garlic. Great product!

Also click here to look at some high quality, all natural vegetarian dog food brands.



Related Topics

Natural Diets for Dogs
Natural Organic Dog Food
How to Read a Dog Food Label
Raw Diet for Dogs
Vegetarian Diet for Dogs
Canine Food Allergies and Hypoallergenic Dog Food

References

Pitcairn and Pitcairn, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Rodale, 2005).
A.D. Shojai, New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats (Rodale Press, Inc., 1999).
PetEducation.com


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