Introduction
Your dog, along with wild canines do not have a physiological need for plant fibre. However, fibre plays an important role in your dog's health. Understanding why you need to feed your dog fibre will help you improve their diet for optimal health.
Fibre is an indigestible carbohydrate that is sourced from either plants or animals. It plays a critical role in your dog's gut health.
Wild canines will consume animal fibre through eating fur, feathers, bones and other parts of prey. They will also consume small amounts of plant fibre when they eat whole prey.
While our dog may enjoy the occasional lambs ear or rabbit's tail, your dog's only source of fibre will be through plant matter.
Soluble and Insoluble Fibre
Fibre is grouped into two further categories, soluble and insoluble.
Soluble Fibre: Dissolves in water and slows the digestive process
Insoluble Fibre: Does not dissolve in water and speeds up the digestive process
A diet deficient in fibre can cause diarrhoea, constipation and overall discomfort for your dog.
7 Benefits of Feeding Fibre to Your Dog
The benefits your dog will enjoy when you incorporate fibre into their diet includes:
- Regulates the flow of digestion
- Benefits the microbiome
- Supports bowel health
- Soluble fibre alleviates the symptoms of diarrhoea
- Insoluble fibre alleviates the symptoms of constipation
- Soluble fibre slows the rate of digestion, thus lowering blood glucose levels
- Prevents the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria
Feed your dog species appropriate fibre in the right amount will help them thrive because the correct type of plant fibre will help nourish your dog's gut and immune system. Your dog needs only a small amount of fibre, approximately 5-10% of the diet, for them to reap the benefits.
Sources of Fibre
Aim to feed your dog plant fibre sourced from whole foods. Where that is not possible, we recommend two fibre supplements from plant sources.
Pumpkin - Contains both soluble and insoluble fibre. It soothes stomach upset. It will slow digestion if your dog is suffering from diarrhoea; and it will speed up digestion if they are suffering from constipation.
Green leafy vegetables - Help promote healthy bowel movements. Gives your dog's immune system a boost.
Fruit - The fibre in fruits insulates the sugar, which slows the abosrption of sugars into the bloodstream. This prevents sharp increases in blood sugar. The fruit in fibre also supports weight loss and improved GI functions.
Slippery Elm - Soothes the gut and intestines. It helps relive inflammatory bowel conditions.
Physillium Husk - A soluble fibre that promotes a healthy stool quality. It can create the feeling of fullness, that supports optimal weight for your dog.
Conclussion
No matter what type of dog food you feed your dog, a spoonful of plant fibre will enable your dog to thrive. What fibre will try with your dog today? Need a quick and convenient way to add fibre to your dog's next meal check out Original Blend because it's rich in fibre and other health boosting nutrients.
Sources
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "An apple a day? Study shows soluble fiber boosts immune system." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 March 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100302171531.htm>.
- Beukema, M., Faas, M.M. & de Vos, P. The effects of different dietary fiber pectin structures on the gastrointestinal immune barrier: impact via gut microbiota and direct effects on immune cells. Exp Mol Med 52, 1364–1376 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-020-0449-2
- Brady, Conor. Feeding Dogs - Dry or Raw? The Science Behind the Debate. Farrow Road Publishing, 2020. P. 191.