The benefits of fiber in our four-legged friends feed
Adding fiber to our dog’s diet is usually recommended by the Vet in many cases: to help it lose weight if it’s an overweight dog, to fight diabetes or treat diarrhea, in case of constipation or other intestinal problems. Apparently, as with humans, your dogs can also benefit greatly from dietary fiber.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is not digested by the body (note that some animals digest carbohydrates better than others, and dogs not particularly inclined to do so). The fibers manage to pass more or less intact through the digestive system.
So if the fiber cannot be digested by the body, why does it bring benefits? Because moderate amounts of fiber can bring numerous benefits throughout their gastrointestinal journey. Here are the most important:
– Facilitate digestion: fiber has an incredible ability to regulate digestive function. It can help draw water in the intestine to combat constipation and can help absorb water in case of diarrhea. Increases the dog’s stool volume, helping to ensure normal bowel function. Be careful though: too many fibers can cause foul smelling gases. It is always important to slowly increase the fibers and always get advice from your veterinarian.
– Reduce blood sugar levels: fiber helps keep the dog’s blood sugar levels in a normal range, helping to prevent obesity and canine diabetes.
– Satiety effect: the fiber occupies a lot of volume in the dog’s stomach, and since it is not digested, it can be used to help the dog feel full and satisfied at 0 calories. That’s why fiber is often an important ingredient in dog food formulated to help him lose weight.
Obviously, the dog will also need carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
But how much fiber can the dog eat? Since fiber content above 10% can be potentially problematic, it is important to choose dog food with a fiber content (or raw cellulose) within 6%.
One of the alternatives for getting your dog to ingest the natural fibers he needs is to use feed that is already rich in fiber. However, you can decide to include the following foods in your diet:
– Whole grains (oats, rice): Try adding these fibers to your dog’s feed. Moistening it with a little water will facilitate digestion.
– Apple: This fruit is extremely rich in fiber, and is therefore ideal in these cases. However, be careful with the quantities, because an excessive dose could be harmful to the animal. Also avoid letting them ingest the seeds of the fruit, which could be toxic.
– Cooked pumpkin: Here is another perfect food for our goal, if given in small doses. You can incorporate a spoonful of pumpkin into its daily meal.
– Vegetables and legumes (peas, carrots or green beans): Once cooked, you can add them to your dog’s feed.
Another faster way to integrate fiber into your dog’s diet is to use 2G PET FOOD complementary feed: DIET FLAKES. Diet Flakes is a flaked food that supplements daily feeding, adding the fibres of vegetables, cereals and legumes to your dog nutrition. Diet Flakes consists of selected raw materials, total absence of by-products, dyes, flavorings and preservatives.
It’s quick to add to the meal, because it’s already steamed and dehydrated. Just add it to the normal daily ration from 10% to 25%, moisten it with water or broth and serve.