How to Feed Your Dog More Fiber

• Offer your dog 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of pure pumpkin, chopped green beans, or sweet potatoes at mealtimes to give them more fiber.
• Give your dog a few apple slices or a couple of baby carrots to provide extra fiber, as well as essential vitamins.
• Opt for a high-fiber dog food recommended by your vet, like a prescription fiber formula, to help your dog get more regular fiber in their daily diet.

Adding Fiber to Your Dog’s Diet

Canned pumpkin Pumpkin contains large amounts of soluble fiber, which helps to regulate your dog’s digestion. Feed your dog pure pumpkin puree, or mashed raw pumpkin. Give a small dog only about 1 US tbsp (15 mL) per feeding. Offer a large dog of 50 lbs (22.67 kg) or more about 1/4 cup (236.58 ml) per meal. Be sure to give your dog only pure pumpkin, with no additives, spices or sugars, which can counteract the nutritional benefits.

Steamed green beans Fresh green beans are an additional source of fiber for dogs and contain other vital nutrients like B and A vitamins. Prepare a handful by lightly steaming them in a microwave for 20-30 seconds, then let them cool completely. Chop them into chunks, then incorporate them into your dog's meal, replacing about 10% of their food with the green beans. Raw green beans are less digestible, so your dog won't experience all of the possible nutritional benefits. However, they make a good snack during games and training. Avoid canned green beans, which tend to have unusually high amounts of salt.

Skinned sweet potatoes A single medium-sized sweet potato contains over 3 grams (0.11 oz) of fiber. They also help your dog’s digestive system stay more regular. To serve sweet potato to your dog, peel it first (the skin may upset your dog’s stomach) then chop it into small cubes. Put the cubes into a shallow bowl with a small amount of water, cover it with plastic wrap, and steam it in the microwave until you can easily pierced the chunks with a fork. Then incorporate 1–3 tsp (4.9–14.8 mL) of the chunks into your dog's main meal. Avoid feeding your dog sweet potatoes or yams if they have an existing heart condition, since these contain high amounts of fat.

Bran flakes, cooked oats, or rye Whole grains are another ideal and inexpensive way to supplement dog meals with fiber, as well as improve their gut health. Give your dog 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of any of these grains along with their regular food for a quick boost in fiber. That said, stay away from any products that have any additives like sugars or flavoring, which may not be healthy for your dog. Avoid feeding your dog brown rice, which is often hard to digest and isn’t recommended for dogs with stomach issues. So long as your dog isn’t diabetic, feed them a spoonful of white rice with their meal—the starch may help them with digestion.

Carrots or apple slices Dogs love apple slices, which is fortunate, since they contain high amounts of fiber and vitamins A and C. The same goes for raw carrots. Thinly slice either vegetable (removing the seeds and core from the apple) then offer your dog about a quarter of the apple or 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) of carrot once a day. Or, chop them into chunks and add the same amount to one of your dog’s meals. Avoid vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, spinach, kale, or kelp. These may be safe for your dog to eat in small amounts, but those small amounts make them less-than-ideal if you’re looking to significantly up your dog’s fiber intake.

Blueberries or strawberries Strawberries are high in fiber, vitamin C, and enzymes that can white their teeth. Blueberries, too, have high amounts of fiber, and also a number of healthy antioxidants. In fact, one study involving sled dogs with diets supplemented by blueberries found that the dogs had significantly increased antioxidant levels, even after strenuous exercise. These fruits are also high in sugars, so feed them to your dog in moderation. Offer them no more than 1-2 strawberries or 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of blueberries a day.

Over-the-counter fiber supplements Fiber supplements like Metamucil, psyllium, or a canine-formulated fiber supplement can help your dog through periods of diarrhea or constipation. Sprinkle it over your dog's food for the fastest way to resume regular bowel movements. Use about 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) for small dogs, or up to 2 US tbsp (30 mL) per meal for very large dogs. Add a small amount of water to blend the fiber. Always consult a veterinarian before adding a concentrated nutritional supplement to your dog’s diet. Use fiber supplements sparingly and for no more than 2 days to ensure you don’t overdo it and give your dog diarrhea.

High-fiber dog food Switching to a dog food with a higher listed fiber content, such as those made with grains, might be an easier way to supplement additional fiber without extra shopping or preparation steps. Or, talk to your veterinarian about a prescription dog food, which is specially formulated to meet your dog’s fiber needs. Stick to dog foods that have been labeled with the approval stamp of the AAFCO, a nonprofit organization that regulates the nutritional content of dog food.

How much fiber does your dog need?

Adult dogs need between 2.5 and 4.5% of their diet to be fiber. Your dog’s nutritional needs vary by size, age, and breed, so it’s hard to say exactly how much fiber a dog needs. Experts tend to think that a typical adult dog needs their diet to consist of between 2.5 and 4.5% of fiber. Usually, that amount is more than covered by your dog’s typical wet or dry food. When supplementing your dog’s diet with high-fiber foods, replace their normal food with no more than 10% of the supplementary food to avoid giving your dog too much fiber. Feeding your dog too much fiber can cause them to miss other vital nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, or damage their digestive system, so it’s vital to consult a veterinarian when making any changes to a dog’s diet.

Signs Your Dog Needs More Fiber

Diarrhea or constipation Constipation and diarrhea in dogs is often a symptom of too little (or even too much) fiber in their diet. Observe your dog’s stool for 2 days. If the problem doesn’t resolve within that time period, consult your vet about a change in diet or adding sources of fiber to your dog’s food. If the problem persists even after a change in your pet's diet, or for more than 4-5 days, bring your dog to a vet and ask about health problems other than a low-fiber diet.

Low-fiber dog food Many foods have adequate levels of fiber already provided. Look for dog food brands that are approved by the AAFCO, a dog food regulation organization. Foods labeled as “complete” and “balanced” have the adequate amount of nutrients, including dietary fiber, and in healthy ratios. If your dog food isn’t approved by the AAFCO, ask your vet about its nutritional content. It’s often hard to decipher dog food nutrition yourself, since nutrition amounts are measured in “guaranteed analysis,” or the maximum possible amount of an ingredient, rather than the actual amount.

Veterinary concerns The symptoms of constipation can overlap with those of urinary obstruction, which is very serious. If you see your pet repeatedly straining to pass stool, gaining weight, or having diarrhea, then a vet check is strongly advised. Ask your vet to include a rectal exam. If the primary issue turns out to be one of diet and digestion, your vet may suggest fiber supplementation. EXPERT TIP Brian Bourquin, DVM Brian Bourquin, DVM Veterinarian Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. Brian Bourquin, DVM Brian Bourquin, DVM Veterinarian Our Expert Agrees: If you're considering giving your dog fiber to treat loose stools or diarrhea, take them in to the veterinarian first. Most fortified diets contain all the fiber your dog needs, so the problem could be something like internal parasites, a food allergy, or something more serious, like pancreatitis.

Benefits of Fiber

Soluble fiber can help your dog’s digestive and immune system. Soluble fiber is fiber that easily absorbs water. These fibers are also converted into short-chain fatty acids, which give your dog’s colon energy and help it to pass stool. Soluble fibers also aid in the lower intestine’s immune system, making for healthy stools. Soluble fibers are often found in fruits and veggies, like apples and carrots.

Insoluble fiber helps your dog pass stool. These are fibers which don’t dissolve in your dog’s digestive system. They go out the same way they went in. This helps to add volume to your dog’s stool, as well as help them pass stool more frequently, which can also aid in weight loss. These kinds of fibers are often found in whole grains and wheats. Diets high in soluble and insoluble fiber can also help reduce the risk of colon cancer and regulate your dog’s diabetes when administered with the help of a vet.