11 Good Fiber Sources for Your Dog: Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts

Similar to humans, dogs need an adequate amount of fiber in their diet to stay healthy. It aids in their digestion and acts as a prebiotic for their beneficial intestinal bacteria. Beneficial bacteria or probiotics prevent pathogenic bacteria overgrowth and keep the colon healthy.

Increased fiber intake can reduce the risk of cancer in dogs by speeding up the elimination of any carcinogens your dog has consumed. It’s essential for maintaining your dog’s healthy weight.

On this list, you’ll find 11 good fiber sources for your dog. We’ve split them into whole foods you can use as treats, fiber supplements for when your dog is deficient, and high-fiber dog foods for regular feeding.

The 5 Best Fiber Sources for Dogs

1. Broccoli

Every parent tells their kid to eat their broccoli if they want to grow big and strong. But it’s not just kids that can benefit from broccoli. It's also nutritious for your dog. It packs in more nutrients than almost any other plant from the cabbage family and is loaded with fiber. Broccoli is completely safe for canines to eat, but that doesn’t mean your dog will be fond of it!

2. Carrots

Most people know that carrots can help your eyesight, but they also have several benefits for your dog. They are loaded with carotene and vitamins, including A vitamins, B6, and vitamin K. Carrots can keep your dog’s eyes healthy while providing a great dose of fiber.

3. Apples

Apples are a sweet, natural treat that many dogs love. Not only are apples packed with fiber, but they’re also loaded with vitamins A and C. Plus, apples are very low in fat and don't contribute to weight gain. But you must take care to remove the seeds and core first. The seeds contain cyanide, which is toxic for your dog.

• If your dog accidentally eats an apple core, our vet explains what you should do!

4. Pumpkin

We often think of pumpkins as a festive orange decoration to carve at Christmas time, but they also provide loads of nutrients and fiber for your dog while being very easy on their stomachs. You can easily blend pumpkin and freeze it to give your furry friend a sweet, cool treat on a hot summer day.

5. Brown Rice

Although grain-free diets have become more popular, grains are still a great source of fiber. You’ll find brown rice in many high-fiber dog foods because it’s fiber-rich and healthy for dogs. Each cup of cooked brown rice yields 3.5 grams of fiber, which boosts your dog’s overall fiber intake.

The 2 Best Fiber Supplements for Dogs 

6. Kin+Kind Pumpkin Fiber Stomach and Bowel Support

This supplement is 100% natural, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals harming your dog. It’s made with safe ingredients to boost your dog’s fiber intake, including pumpkin, organic flaxseed, organic coconut, and slippery elm bark. This formula is free of grains, chemical processing, artificial ingredients, and GMOs, so you can be confident you’re providing your dog with a safe and natural supplement.

7. Glandex Fiber Soft Chews Supplement

The Glandex fiber supplement from Vetnique Labs is made explicitly for anal gland support, but it’s loaded with fiber from sources like pumpkin seed powder, granulated pumpkin seed, dehydrated peanut butter, flaxseed oil, and potato starch. We recommend consulting your vet before feeding Glandex to your dog, but it can boost their fiber intake, and your dog may think the soft chews are treats.

The 5 Best High-Fiber Dog Foods:

8. 8. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food

With 12% total crude fiber in the Wellness CORE Grain-Free dog food, it will ensure your dog is never deficient. It’s loaded with health-boosting nutrients, including omega fatty acids, glucosamine, taurine, antioxidants, probiotics, and additional vitamins and minerals.

9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

This food has plenty of fiber to keep your dog’s digestive system functioning perfectly. It contains 10% crude fiber and 30% crude protein, which is ideal for an energetic canine.

10. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

The Nutro Wholesome Essentials dog food is more affordable than many of the other high-fiber alternatives. Still, this blend contains up to 12% fiber, making it an excellent formula for daily feeding. It’s made with high-quality ingredients like deboned lamb and chicken meal, so it provides a complete nutritional profile for your best friend.

11. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal High Fiber Dry Dog Food

If you’re looking for high-fiber dog food, this blend from Royal Canin is loaded with it. It contains 8.5% fiber at a minimum, with a maximum of 12.5%. Royal Canin is expensive, but it will ensure your dog always gets plenty of fiber.

Summing Up

Fiber is essential for keeping your dog at peak health. Luckily, there are many products that boost your dog’s fiber intake. We’ve covered many solutions on this list, ranging from high-fiber dog foods that you can feed your canine daily to whole-food treats that can increase your dog’s intake over time.

To prevent adverse reactions and digestive issues, it's best to discuss dietary changes with your veterinarian. Although the fiber sources we discussed are safe for dogs, your pup may be more sensitive to some of the ingredients.

Featured Image Credit: Ellina Balioz, Shutterstock