How much fibre do dogs need?

At YuMOVE, we love to tackle questions pet owners really want to know the answer to. 

Many pet owners have contacted us over the years to ask ‘how much fibre does a dog need?” And it’s a good question, especially if your dog has anal gland issues or loose stools; fibre can make a real difference in managing these symptoms. 

So, we thought, let’s share our fibre-related knowledge so more owners understand what fibre is, the best sources, how much to feed and the relationship between fibre and gut health. 

What is fibre and why does it matter for dogs? 

Fibre is found in plants, specifically a carbohydrate from plants that a dog's body is unable to digest. There are two types of fibre: soluble and insoluble fibre. 

Soluble fibre dissolves in water. It forms a type of gloop that passes through the digestive tract, providing energy to the millions of bacteria that live in your dog's large colon, and the cells of the colon itself. The bacteria in the large colon directly impact on your dog's health, so it's important these bacteria have energy to do their job! 

Insoluble fibre does not dissolve. It instead acts as a source of roughage, adding bulk to the stool. Too little, and the result is loose wet stools; too much and the stool is too firm and uncomfortable for your dog to pass. 

The benefits of fibre for dogs 

There are many health benefits of dietary fibre for dogs:

• Helps regulate blood sugars
• Helps maintain a healthy body weight, as it creates the feeling of being full/not hungry
• Promotes regular expression of the anal glands, reducing blockages or infections
• Contributes to faecal bulk and consistency 

How fibre feeds your dog's gut bacteria 

Fibre travels through the stomach to the small intestine mostly unchanged. When it reaches the large intestine or colon, it acts as a food source for the millions of bacteria present in the large intestine. Learn more about your dog's gut microbiome. The bacteria ferment or break down the fibre and use it for energy. As a result of fermentation, the colon becomes acidic. This creates an environment that kills off ‘bad’ bacteria - those types of bacteria that would harm your dog, such as Salmonella, and retains the ‘good bacteria’. This process is called prebiotic fermentation. 

During the process of fermenting the fibre, bacteria create short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as butyrate as a byproduct. The byproduct is very useful, as SCFA are needed to feed and nourish the cells that line the colon, reduce inflammation in the colon and boost the immune system. 

From this description, it's clear that fibre plays a huge role in canine digestive and gut health, and it can only take a few days of eating an unbalanced diet to have a huge effect on the bacterial make-up of the colon. 

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How much fibre does a dog need? 

A healthy adult dog's fibre needs 2-4% of their diet to consist of fibre. Most diets you buy from the shop or online are manufactured to meet this standard, so there's a fair chance your dog is already getting the right amount of fibre. To check, look for the section on the dog food packaging labelled "Guaranteed Analysis." 

There are exceptions. For example, diabetic dogs need a higher fibre content than healthy dogs. This helps regulate their blood sugars and digestive transit times. For dogs with specific medical needs, fibre contents can increase to up to 10% fibre on a dry matter basis. 

A veterinarian is the most accurate source of advice when seeking a recommendation for fibre quantities for your dog. They will consider a dogs life stage, energy needs and medical history before making a recommendation.  

What foods are high fibre for dogs? 

If you are creating home-cooked meals for your dog, you may prefer to use natural sources of dietary fibre for dogs. You will need to find foods that are packed with fibre and are safe to feed to your dog.

Vegetables and fruits 

When considering what types of high fibre food for dogs to feed, know that not all vegetables and fruits are safe for dogs to eat. Please check our full list of safe items here. 

• Sweet potato contains both soluble and insoluble fibre, and lots of it, with roughly 3g of fibre per 100g of cooked sweet potato! Sweet potato is an excellent choice of vegetable if you are looking to help feed the gut and improve the microflora of your dog's digestive tract
• Carrots contain four types of fibre: pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. These are a mix of soluble and insoluble fibre. Carrots have the added benefit of promoting dental health
• Green beans are high in insoluble fibre, so a great choice for dogs on a weight-loss journey, or those who suffer from anal gland issues.
• Pumpkin
• Broccoli
• Apples 

Grains and Seeds 

Our top picks for safe grains and seeds to feed your dog for extra fibre are 

• Oats
• Brown rice
• Psyllium husk  
• Bran
• Chia seeds
• Flaxseed 

Some grains such as oats, psyllium husk and chia seeds are a natural source of soluble fibre, the type of fibre that dissolves into the water, creating a gloopy substance to feed the ‘good’ bacteria in the gut. 

Other grains such as flaxseed and brown rice add insoluble fibre to the diet. Insoluble fibre helps increase the volume and consistency of stools, prevents constipation and helps keep your dog feeling full.

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Signs your dog may need more (or less) fibre 

Signs your dog is lacking in dietary fibre include loose or non-formed stools, flatulence (farting), straining to defecate and problems relating to the anal glands. 

However, when considering how much fibre does a dog need, more is not necessarily better. The body needs balance, and fibre is no exception. Too much fibre can lead to bloating, belly pain from trapped gas and stools that are too big to pass comfortably. Sometimes large stools can get stuck, leading to obstipation, a rare and serious complication of oversupplementing fibre. 

Conclusion 

Fibre has the potential to completely change your dog’s digestive health. If you notice signs your dog may be lacking in dietary fibre, adding in natural sources of fibre such as pumpkin can help reduce health issues such as anal gland blockage. Fibre not only influences stools, but it also affects digestion and helps feed the bacteria in the gut. For dogs who need a reset of gut bacteria, such as dogs who have had major surgery or have been hospitalised for treatment, dietary fibre and probiotics in combination can help to reset your dog's digestive tract quickly and safely. 

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FAQs 

What is crude fibre in dog food? 

Crude fibre is a term used on the Guaranteed Analysis section of a dog food packet. It measures the insoluble fibre present in the dog food, and is usually a figure between 2 and 4%. 

What is the difference between soluble and insoluble fibre for dogs? 

Soluble fibre dissolves in water and acts as a food source of the cells lining the intestines, and the bacteria in the gut. There are ‘good’ bacteria present in the gut needed to help break down food for extra energy, and if these bacteria are not fed they can die off, being replaced by ‘bad’ bacteria, leading to poor gut health. 

Insoluble fibre does not dissolve, and instead adds bulk to the stools. This helps to keep dogs bowel motions regular and healthy. 

Can too much fibre be bad for dogs? 

Yes, too much fibre can cause belly pain, bloating and stools that are too large to pass comfortably. This can lead to small tears in the intestinal lining and blood in the stools. 

What foods are high in fibre for dogs? 

Vegetables, fruits, seeds and grains are high-fibre foods. Sweet potato, carrots and broccoli are high in fibre, with the added benefits of vitamins and minerals too. 

Supplements for dogs with fibre 

Sometimes a dog will refuse to eat fruits and vegetables. We can get creative and use ‘treats’ as ways to get extra fibre into dogs. Look for supplements that have added fibre or probiotics for dogs. These types of treats have been created for medical issues such as anal gland blockages or infections.