Fiber content in dog food

[Britster]

Does anyone know anything about fiber in dog food?

Is there an "ideal" amount of fiber a food should have? Does it differ from dog to dog? I'm just curious because while browsing dogfoodanalysis a few days ago and comparing ingredients, etc... I noticed Blue Buffalo Wilderness has a 6.5% max crude fiber content, while Go! Endurance has a 3% max crude fiber, and Orijen is max 2.5%! Why the huge difference, or does it really make a difference?

Would "good poop" be more due to ingredients simply agreeing with a dog, or does fiber have a lot to do with? For a dog, do you want more fiber in their diet, or less, what makes them poop less, etc? Is it like humans.. more fiber, more poop?

Jackson's last bag of food was Orijen Regional Red and I found his poop to be better on Orijen than Acana?

[Maximo]

Good question Brit. Fiber is considered essential for human colon health, but canine systems are different, so it necessary?

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by Britster

Does anyone know anything about fiber in dog food?

Is there an "ideal" amount of fiber a food should have? Does it differ from dog to dog? I'm just curious because while browsing dogfoodanalysis a few days ago and comparing ingredients, etc... I noticed Blue Buffalo Wilderness has a 6.5% max crude fiber content, while Go! Endurance has a 3% max crude fiber, and Orijen is max 2.5%! Why the huge difference, or does it really make a difference?

Would "good poop" be more due to ingredients simply agreeing with a dog, or does fiber have a lot to do with? For a dog, do you want more fiber in their diet, or less, what makes them poop less, etc? Is it like humans.. more fiber, more poop?

Jackson's last bag of food was Orijen Regional Red and I found his poop to be better on Orijen than Acana?

Nutrition is beyond fascinating.
Just like humans, our individual pups have unique and sometimes disparate systems . While a certain percentage of fiber might work well with one pup, it might not work well for another. Certain diseases, like Diabetes, work better with higher fiber percentages; as fiber is a complex carbohydrate and goes through the digestive tract more slowly than simple carbohydrates. Therefore, the flow of glucose into the bloodstream and into the body is slower; keeping a balanced glucose level. Definitely essential when maintaining chronic illnesses such as Diabetes.

Some feed their pups food which is high in simple carbs, and their pups consequently have highs and lows. You have probably seen pups that after eating become quite active and hyper, and then after some time, crash and sleep. Not great for their body.

In another blog someone had asked about beets and beet pulp within dogfood. Beets and beet pulp are a good source of low fermentable fiber, which also contains prebiotics which promote the growth of probiotics within the intestines. The digestive process of beet fiber produces short chain fatty acids which the probiotics on the intestinal walls feed on.

Anyway, long story short, I believe that the amount of fiber for your particular pup is dependent upon their unique system and the chronic diseases that they are facing. If you have found something that is working well I would say stick with it. Only you can tell what is really working for your pup. Good luck......

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by lil fu fu girl

Nutrition is beyond fascinating.
Just like humans, our individual pups have unique and sometimes disparate systems . While a certain percentage of fiber might work well with one pup, it might not work well for another. Certain diseases, like Diabetes, work better with higher fiber percentages; as fiber is a complex carbohydrate and goes through the digestive tract more slowly than simple carbohydrates. Therefore, the flow of glucose into the bloodstream and into the body is slower; keeping a balanced glucose level. Definitely essential when maintaining chronic illnesses such as Diabetes.

Some feed their pups food which is high in simple carbs, and their pups consequently have highs and lows. You have probably seen pups that after eating become quite active and hyper, and then after some time, crash and sleep. Not great for their body.

In another blog someone had asked about beets and beet pulp within dogfood. Beets and beet pulp are a good source of low fermentable fiber, which also contains prebiotics which promote the growth of probiotics within the intestines. The digestive process of beet fiber produces short chain fatty acids which the probiotics on the intestinal walls feed on.

Anyway, long story short, I believe that the amount of fiber for your particular pup is dependent upon their unique system and the chronic diseases that they are facing. If you have found something that is working well I would say stick with it. Only you can tell what is really working for your pup. Good luck......

Great post!

I'm one of those who really believes in fiber, and we are just beginning to learn all the benefits. One thing, you can't add too much too quickly, the result will be gas, and nobody likes a gassy dog.

[BonBon]

I've wondered about this, too. I'm feeding Acana now and my guys have small, firm stools. When I fed foods with higher fiber (well, and higher filler content too), their stools were larger, softer and smellier. So, which is healthier for them?

If you think the food you're feeding is low in fiber you could always add a few green beans, etc. to their daily treats to up that fiber count.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by BonBon

I've wondered about this, too. I'm feeding Acana now and my guys have small, firm stools. When I fed foods with higher fiber (well, and higher filler content too), their stools were larger, softer and smellier. So, which is healthier for them?

If you think the food you're feeding is low in fiber you could always add a few green beans, etc. to their daily treats to up that fiber count.

That's what I do, as well as adding a tsp of ground flax seed.

[ArmaniMan]

I know most people search for a dog food that produces very small poops- these are usually the foods that are low in fiber. However, I had mine on this kind of food for a short time and the result was anal glands not be expressed correctly by the dog and therefore needing to be done by the vet. Not good in my opinion- if they can do it themselves, naturally, that is the best. So now, I try to stick with a food with a higher fiber level so that we don't have any gland issues

[Yorkiedaze]

Sweet potatoes and butternut squash are also high in fiber if they need it. I seriously doubt you will ever know if they are getting the fiber they "need" or even it it matters in a dog. As long as their stools are not too hard to where they have a difficult time with them, or the stools are too soft, which has no shape to them, just a "patty", then I'm sure they are doing well with what you feed. Of course it doesn't hurt to feed them a little sweet potato or butternut squash once in awhile either.