Maintaining optimal digestive health is crucial to your dog’s overall well-being. Vetdiet^® natural dog food provides the right balance of natural dietary fiber and the highly digestible proteins and carbohydrates your dog needs.

What is fiber?

Dietary fiber is classified as both fermentable and non-fermentable. Natural sources of fiber contain a combination of both types of fiber to help regulate the digestive system and maintain a functional environment for optimal digestive health within the large intestine.

The Impact of Fiber on Your Dog’s Digestive Health

Non-fermentable fiber (i.e., insoluble fiber) helps ensure the efficient absorption of nutrients in the small intestine by regulating intestinal transit. Foods that move too quickly through the intestines can lead to diarrhea and poor absorption of nutrients; foods that move too slowly can lead to constipation. Non-fermentable fibers also absorb water from the intestines, which can make it easier to defecate. That’s why the proper balance of non-fermentable fibers in dog food can help prevent unwanted bowel movements. Learn more about your dog’s digestive health The large intestine absorbs water and electrolytes from undigested food and stores waste to be eliminated. Large numbers of beneficial bacteria, called microflora, live in the large intestine and feed on this 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 reduce the likelihood of harmful bacteria invading the hospitable environment of the large intestine, decreasing susceptibility to infection.

Do Dogs Need Fiber in Their Diet?

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

Myths and Truths About Fiber

There are many myths about the nutritional benefits of fiber and its value as a healthy ingredient in dog food. For example, fiber sources like tomato pomace and alfalfa have been labeled as controversial ingredients and fillers with no benefit to dogs’ digestive health since they are not fully digestible. This is false. Natural fiber sources play an important role in maintaining digestive regularity, promoting a healthy digestive environment, and helping to keep you full after a meal. They are generally considered to contain an optimal balance of fermentable and non-fermentable fiber, which contributes to your dog’s digestive and overall health.