Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

The main reason for adding fiber to your dog's diet is to keep bowel movements regular and good. Fiber is also used to relieve constipation and diarrhea, depending on the type of fiber. Some diets have higher fiber content to replace calories, increase feelings of fullness and help pets lose weight. You can add fiber to your dog's diet by taking an over-the-counter fiber supplement or incorporating healthy human foods into your dog's diet.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Assess the need for additional fiber in your dog's diet

1. 

   Check out your dog's current food. Many foods provide adequate amounts of fiber. The 'Guaranteed Analysis' information printed on the pet food bag indicates the maximum crude fiber content. Most pet foods contain about 5% crude fiber, and that should be enough for a healthy medium-sized dog.

2. 

   
   
   Watch your dog. Constipation or diarrhea can be caused by a common stomach ache, a parasite, another gastrointestinal disease, or stress from an enlarged prostate or obstructed stool and inability to move. Watch your dog to see if symptoms last for more than two days.

3. 

   
   
   Take the dog to the vet. The symptoms of constipation can closely resemble those of urinary retention, which is very serious. If you notice that your dog is constantly under stress, bring it to your veterinarian to check it and advise. Ask your veterinarian to conduct a rectal exam. If the cause is diet and digestion, your veterinarian may prescribe more fiber.

   

   
   

   Brian Bourquin, DVM

   Boston Veterinary Clinic veterinarian and owner Brian Bourquin is a veterinarian and owner of the Boston Veterinary Clinic, a veterinary and pet care clinic with two facilities at South End / Bay Village and Brookline. , Massachusetts. The Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in basic veterinary, healthcare and preventive care, disease and emergency care, soft tissue surgery, and dentistry. The clinic also offers special services in behavioral correction, nutrition, acupuncture pain therapy, and laser therapy.The Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Veterinary Hospital Association) certified veterinary hospital. Brian has over 19 years of experience in veterinary medicine, and earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Cornell University.

   

   Brian Bourquin, DVM
   Veterinarian and owner of the Boston Veterinary Clinic

   Experts agree that: If you are considering adding fiber to your dog for diarrhea or loose stools, see your veterinarian first. Most fortified diets already contain the necessary amount of fiber for the dog, so the problem could be with other factors like intestinal parasites, food allergies, or a more serious medical condition. , such as acute pancreatitis.

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Part 2 of 2: Add fiber to your dog's diet

1. 

   Incorporate canned pumpkin powder into your dog's food. A small dog only needs about 1 teaspoon of pumpkin powder per meal. Larger dogs that weigh about 23 kg or more may need 1/4 cup (240 ml) at a time.
   • Be careful when buying, as canned pumpkin powder is not a pumpkin cake mix, which contains additives and sugar that are unhealthy for dogs.

2. 

   Steamed green beans. Fresh green beans are an additional source of fiber for dogs. Prepare some green beans by steaming in the microwave, then let cool completely. Cut or mix green beans into dog food.
   • Raw green beans are harder to digest, so dogs won't absorb all the nutrients in them. However, raw green beans will be a delicious snack while your dog is playing games and exercising.

3. 

   Give your dog sweet potato. A medium sweet potato contains more than 3 g of fiber. To feed your dog, first peel and cut the potatoes into small pieces. Place the sweet potatoes in a shallow bowl of some water, wrap them in plastic wrap, and steam them in the microwave until you can easily pierce the potato with a fork. Mash potatoes with a fork and add 1-3 tablespoons of sweet potatoes to the dog's main food.

4. 

   Consult a veterinarian. Sweet potatoes and other vegetables can also increase concentrations of other nutrients, including potassium. This may not be beneficial for pets if they have health problems, such as kidney disease. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best vegetable based on your pet's health.

5. 

   Add 1 teaspoon of bran powder, cooked oats, or millet to your dog's meal. Whole grains are an ideal and inexpensive way to add fiber to your dog's meal. Some products are fortified with vitamins or other nutrients, so check all the nutritional information before using processed foods.

6. 

   Add extra fiber without a prescription. You can take Metamucil or another over-the-counter fiber additive for a few days to help your dog recover from an episode of constipation. Sprinkle it on dog food is the fastest way to help your dog have regular bowel movements. Use about ½ teaspoon of fiber for small dogs or 2 teaspoons for larger dogs with each meal. Add a little water to mix the fiber.
   • Use in moderation and for no more than two days to ensure the dog does not experience the adverse effects.

7. 

   Try a new diet. Switching to a higher-fiber, commercially available diet (or switching to a prescription veterinary medicine) may be an easier way to get more fiber without having to shop or prepare extra. You may have to go to your veterinarian to buy or order a prescription food, or ask your doctor to prescribe it at a pet food store.

8. 

   Don't overdo a commercially available diet. Fiber 'is a term that describes many different polysaccharides, and not all fibers are created equal. The different composition of fiber will have different effects on water absorption, digestion and fermentation in the gut. This can lead to undesirable effects, including bloating, bloating, or diarrhea. If your dog has any of these conditions, try switching to a different type of fiber or reducing the amount of fiber you include in your dog's meal.
   • Adding too much fiber to your diet for weight loss can also have dangerous effects by diluting essential nutrients and calories and reducing your ability to absorb certain minerals.
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Advice

• Check your dog's nutty foods for how much fiber (or not) is in each serving. Foods from rice, potatoes, and corn have less fiber than foods containing whole grains, including barley, oat bran, and wheat. The lower the ingredients on the dog food product's nutritional content list, the lower the nutritional value.

Warning

• Absolutely do not arbitrarily apply any remedy without consulting a veterinarian. If your dog has any intestinal problems, a medically trained professional can recognize the health problems and help you come up with a treatment plan to prevent constipation for your dog.