A large part of your cat's overall health depends on maintaining a healthy digestive system. With Vetdiet^® natural cat food, we promise that your cat will always enjoy the right balance of natural dietary fiber, highly digestible proteins, and carbohydrates.

What is fiber?

There are two types of dietary fiber:

• Fermentable
• Non-fermentable (i.e., insoluble fiber)

The presence of both fermentable and non-fermentable fiber helps regulate the digestive system and maintain a functional environment for good digestive health in the large intestine. At Vetdiet^®, we use a combination of ingredients to balance the types of fiber present.

The Impact of Fiber on Your Cat’s Digestive Health

Increased levels of non-fermentable fiber in cat food have been shown to help ingested hair pass through the digestive tract, reducing the occurrence of hairballs (or trichobezoars). The proper balance of non-fermentable fiber in pet food can also help prevent unwanted bowel movements. This is because non-fermentable fiber absorbs water from the intestines, which can make it easier to defecate. Non-fermentable fiber also helps ensure the efficient absorption of dietary nutrients in the small intestine by normalizing intestinal transit time. Food that moves too quickly through the intestines can cause diarrhea and poor nutrient absorption, while eating too slowly can lead to constipation.

The Role of Bacteria in Your Cat’s Digestive Health

Large numbers of beneficial bacteria, called microflora, live in the large intestine and feed on undigested food. Bacterial digestion of fermentable fiber (i.e., soluble fiber) produces short-chain fatty acids that can be absorbed by the large intestine and used as energy by the body. A healthy population of “good” bacteria in the colon can also decrease susceptibility to infections by reducing the likelihood of harmful bacteria invading the hospitable environment of the large intestine.

Do Cats Need Fiber in Their Food?

Natural sources of dietary fiber, including chicory root, tomato pulp, alfalfa, and pumpkin, are commonly used in Vetdiet^® natural cat food. Although fiber is not considered an essential nutrient, it is beneficial for cats because it supports digestive health, just as it does for humans.

Myths and Truths About Fiber

There are many myths about the nutritional benefits of fiber sources and their value as a healthy ingredient in cat food. For example, some fiber sources are controversial because they are not fully digestible, such as tomato pomace and alfalfa. This is false. Natural sources of fiber play an important role in maintaining good digestive health, supporting a healthy digestive system and helping your cat feel full after a meal. Natural fiber sources are generally considered to be balanced between fermentable and non-fermentable fiber, which is optimal for your cat's digestive and overall health.