1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3,269 kcal/kg, 353 kcal/cup
Crude protein: 30%
Crude fat: 10%
Crude fiber: 10%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate and L-Carnitine
First three ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), pea protein
If you’re looking for an easy way to improve your dog’s diet, switch to Blue Buffalo Wilderness, Healthy Weight chicken recipe. Made with lots of quality animal protein sources, healthy fats, fiber-rich plants and legumes and antioxidant-packed veggies and fruits, this is one of the best high fiber dog foods around.
This recipe contains chicken and chicken meal as its first two ingredients, which are not only excellent protein sources, but also contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate, which are compounds that help support joint health and repair. Besides chicken, this dry dog food also contains Menhaden fish meal which is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, peas and pea fiber, flaxseed, potatoes, sweet potatoes, alfalfa meal, dried kelp and other. And for increased fiber and antioxidant content, there is dried chicory root, barley grass, and added fiber, as well as blueberries, cranberries, turmeric and parsley. The recipe is free from grains, artificial additives and meat byproducts, so it’s perfect for both sensitive dogs and overweight pooches.
2. The Missing Link High Fiber Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 4387 kcal/kg, 13 kcal/tsp
Crude protein: 18%
Crude fat: 28%
Crude fiber: 15%
Maximum moisture: 10%
With omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
First three ingredients: ground flaxseed, cane molasses, rice bran
If you have a picky eater on your hands who not only struggles with digestive issues, but also lifeless, lackluster coat and itchy skin, give this supplement a try. The Missing Link is a powdered ‘superfood’ supplement that you can easily add to your pet’s regular meal. Just a spoonful of this a day, and your dog should feel and look healthier in no time.
The supplement is a blend of various antioxidant-rich foods that are also high in healthy fats. The ingredients include flaxseed, dried yeast, sunflower seed, freeze dried beef liver, dried fish solubles, dried carrot and freeze dried oyster. There are also added supplements, such as vitamins B3, B6 and B12, Taurine and folic acid. All of these nutrients make the supplement rich in fat, fiber and antioxidants which help promote healthy skin, glossy coat and gentle digestion. It’s a must-have if your pooch struggles with itchy, red skin and excessive shedding as numerous reviews show it’s nothing short of a miracle for both young and old dogs.
3. Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3,250 kcal/kg, 360 kcal/cup
Crude protein: 33%
Crude fat: 10%
Crude fiber: 8.5%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate and Beta-Carotene
First three ingredients: deboned turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal
High in protein and fiber, but moderately low in fat, the Wellness Core Reduced Fat formula is an excellent choice for overweight dogs, pups battling digestive problems and skin and coat issues. Made with wholesome ingredients, you can’t go wrong with this low fat high fiber dog food.
With a whopping 33% of protein, this formula clearly contains lots of quality animal meats and meals: turkey, turkey meal, chicken meal and chicken liver are the basis of this recipe. Of course, there are other, fiber and antioxidant-packed foods as well, including peas, flaxseed, spinach, broccoli, carrots, apples, blueberries, sweet potatoes and other. As for fat content and sources, with salmon oil and chicken fat, this formula contains a nice 10% of crude fat. To provide complete nutrition, the recipe contains added essential vitamins and minerals, as well as added probiotics, promoting healthy digestion and healthy weight maintenance. For more information on the brand, check out our Wellness Core Dog Food review.
4. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Dry High Fiber Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3334 kcal/kg, 287 kcal/cup
Crude protein: 21%
Crude fat: 14%
Crude fiber: 12.5%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Taurine
First three ingredients: chicken by-product meal, brewers rice, chicken fat
For dogs with various digestive issues, including constipation or diarrhea, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Fiber Response may be a good choice. This veterinary-exclusive diet is specially formulated for canines who struggle with any form of long- or short-term gastrointestinal sensitivities.
Moderate in protein and high in both healthy fats and fiber, this dry dog food promotes digestive health, and helps in managing common gastrointestinal issues. The ingredients include chicken by-product meal, rice, corn and wheat, dried beet pulp and psyllium seed husk for extra fiber. There is also fish oil which is high in omega-3 fatty acids that help lower inflammation and promote healthy coat and skin. This combination of easily digestible proteins and carbohydrate sources makes for a nutritious but easy on the gut dry dog food that is perfect for all adult dogs with digestive problems. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best dog foods for sensitive stomachs.
5. Earthborn Holistic Weight Control Dry Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3,090 kcal/kg, 325 kcal/cup
Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 7%
Crude fiber: 9%
Maximum moisture: 10
Added vitamins and minerals
With L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Taurine, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate
First three ingredients: Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca
All dogs, including chubby pooches, need healthy, great-tasting nutrition in order to thrive. This is where Earthborn Holistic Weight Control can help. Lower in calories and fat than other kibbles, but tasty and nutritious nevertheless, this formula is perfect for overweight, sensitive canines.
The main protein source here is chicken meal, easily digestible and highly nutritious animal protein that helps dogs maintain their muscle mass even while losing weight in general. The recipe also contains peas, flaxseed, blueberries, cranberries, apples, spinach, and other antioxidant-rich foods that help support a strong immune system. Thanks to pea fiber and other healthy veggies and fruits, the formula contains 9% of fiber – excellent for healthy digestion and weight control. As for fat source and content, with only chicken fat in the ingredient list and 7% of fat in total, this is a low fat, high fiber dog food. And since it’s grain-free, as well as artificial additives free, it’s suitable even for dogs with food sensitivities.
6. Fromm Gold Coast Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3,478kcal/kg, 341kcal/cup
Crude protein: 25%
Crude fat: 10%
Crude fiber: 8%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Added vitamins and minerals
With L-carnitine and probiotics
First three ingredients: whitefish, salmon meal, lentils
Featuring a unique blend of nutritious ingredients that help dogs lose weight or maintain optimal weight for their constitution, Fromm Gold Coast Weight Management is rich in protein, moderately low in fat and high in fiber dry dog food. It’s also free from grains and artificial additives, making it a good choice for sensitive pooches.
Some of the protein sources in this recipe include wild-caught whitefish, salmon and salmon meal and turkey liver. The formula also contains quite a few legumes and vegetables, including lentils, chickpeas, peas, potatoes and sweet potatoes, carrots, lettuce, chicory root extract and other. All of these ingredients contain plenty of vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which help promote healthy digestion and weight. Of course, the formula is also enriched with essential supplements, including L-Carnitine which helps animals burn fat faster and easier.
7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets High Fiber Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3,826 kcal/kg, 399 kcal/cup
Crude protein: 23%
Crude fat: 10.5%
Crude fiber: 2%
Maximum moisture: 12%
Added vitamins and minerals
With zinc
First three ingredients: brewers rice, corn gluten meal, whole grain corn
Dogs with gastrointestinal issues, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis need a special diet that won’t aggravate their health problems, but help decrease their symptoms. Purina Pro Plan’s Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Formula is perfect for that. With prebiotics and highly digestible ingredients, it provides complete nutrition for adult dogs struggling with diseases of the intestinal tract.
Some of the ingredients found in this formula include brewers rice, whole grain corn and corn meal, chicken meal, coconut oil and fish oil. Although not particularly high in fiber, the recipe is enriched with a prebiotic which helps promote healthy digestion and optimal nutrient absorption. The formula is also rich in zinc which further helps your dog effectively use the nutrients from the food. Equally important for sensitive dogs, the food doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
8. Natural Balance Original Dry Dog Food
Key Features
Calorie content: 3,750 kcal/kg, 410 kcal/cup
Crude protein: 23%
Crude fat: 13%
Crude fiber: 5%
Maximum moisture: 10%
Added vitamins and minerals
With Taurine, L-Carnitine and optimal levels of DHA and EPA
First three ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, peas
Looking for an easy way to improve your dog’s diet? For already healthy dogs, there’s no need to switch to ultra-high in protein and fiber and super-low in fat dog foods – instead, just choose well-balanced, real foods that nourish your pet’s complete well-being. Natural Balance Original Whole Body Formula is perfect for that.
Made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients such as chicken, chicken meal and duck meal for protein sources, this dry dog food provides a nice 23% of crude protein. The recipe also contains healthy and antioxidant-packed legumes, vegetables and fruits, including peas, potatoes, brown rice, oats, carrots, flaxseed, cranberries and blueberries. There is also menhaden fish oil and chicken fat which together provide plenty of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, so necessary for healthy skin and coat. With 5% of fiber and 13% of fat, the food is easily digestible and ideal for all life stages, including adult dogs, seniors and even growing puppies.
Best High Fiber Dog Food Buying Guide & FAQ
You’ve probably heard of the many health benefits of fiber on humans. But what about our canine companions? Is fiber as beneficial to dogs as it is to us? According to the American Kennel Club, dietary fiber is not only beneficial to dogs, it’s crucial if you want your pet to have healthy digestion and optimal weight. And it’s even more important for dogs with diabetes and EPI. For more options head over to our guide on the best food for diabetic dogs for more info.
But since most quality dry dog foods already contain some fiber, do you really need to switch to high fiber diet for dogs or incorporate fiber supplements? The short answer? It depends. The longer and more comprehensive one, along with a heap of useful information on canine nutrition, can be found in this buying guide. With this guide, we hope to not only help you choose the best high fiber dog food for your pet, but also help you gain a better understanding of proper canine nutrition.
What Is Fiber?
Fiber is the edible part of different carbohydrate sources that cannot be digested. It can be found in legumes, vegetables, grains, fruits and seeds, which is why it’s impossible for dogs on a meat-only diet to consume enough fiber. Among other things, fiber helps dogs feel fuller for longer, which is why it’s crucial in weight management dog foods. It also aids in digestion as it promotes beneficial bacteria and speeds waste elimination. But more on the benefits of fiber later; for now, let’s focus on the basic facts about dietary fiber and why it’s important to include it in your dog’s diet, no matter their health condition, breed or age.
There are two major subcategories of fiber and knowing which is which can help you decide which type your pet needs more.
Soluble Fiber
This type of fiber ‘feeds’ beneficial bacteria found in the canine gut, thereby promoting gut health and strong immune system. For this reason, some types of soluble fiber are also considered prebiotics. Generally, canine digestive tract doesn’t have that much of an effect on soluble fiber, however, the bacteria that live in the large intestine break it into short chain fatty acids which are a great source of energy for the cells that line this part of a digestive system. It should be noted here that because soluble fiber feeds beneficial bacteria, it also produces fermentation in the colon, which can lead to gases. However, this can easily be avoided if you introduce it slowly into your pet’s diet.
Soluble fiber is particularly important for dogs with EPI (pancreatic insufficiency), as they have a diminished ability to break down the foods they eat. However, it’s also worth noting that too much of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) can inhibit nutrient absorption, so diets very high in fiber should not be fed to dogs with pancreatic insufficiency.
This type of fiber can be found in:
- oats, barley, beans, rice bran, psyllium, beet pulp, inulin, chicory, apples, peas, potatoes and other plants.
Insoluble Fiber
Insoluble fiber cannot be digested which means it passes through your dog’s gut unchanged, promoting healthy digestion by stimulating bowel movement in the gastrointestinal tract. This is why insoluble fiber is essential for dogs who frequently suffer from constipation. However, when feeding lots of insoluble fiber, it’s also crucial to make your dog drink plenty of water, because this type of fiber absorbs liquid as it moves through the digestive tract. So, if you want to help your pet beat constipation, add insoluble fiber to their diet, plus lots of water.
This type of fiber can also help dogs lose or maintain body weight as it increases the volume of the food without increasing total calories much. It’s also important for dogs with anal gland problems, as it encourages the colon to push the waste easier and faster. Similarly, it can also help with diarrhea.
Unlike soluble fiber, insoluble type doesn’t produce fermentation and therefore gasses, so you can introduce it quicker if you want to.
Insoluble fiber can be found in:
- wheat bran, oat bran, cereals, seeds, sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots and skins of other fruits and vegetables.
Head over to our review of High Protein Dog Food for more choices.
The Benefits of High-Fiber Dog Foods
The health benefits of dietary fiber for dogs are comparable to those for humans. Good fiber for dogs, whether it’s coming from supplements, treats or high fiber dry dog food, can help with digestion, colon health, weight loss/optimal weight management, nutrient absorption, and many other things, including the symptoms of diabetes.
- Promotes Digestive and Colon Health
Both soluble and insoluble fiber are great for your dog’s digestive health. Soluble is fermented into short chain fatty acids which feeds the beneficial bacteria that reside in the large intestine. Insoluble adds bulk to the stool, helping your pet push out waste easier and quicker. But one of the most important benefits of fiber in dog diet is that it helps reduce the risk of colon cancer, and may even prevent it. How? By speeding up waste elimination and reducing the exposure to any toxins your dog may have consumed. Also, by feeding that beneficial bacteria while starving the bad ones in the colon.
- Helps in Weight Management
It’s no secret that overweight dogs are at a higher risk of developing various diseases. However, it’s also not surprising that many pet parents feel guilty when feeding their dogs less than they’re used to. If you’re one of those dog owners, you’ll be pleased to know that with a high fiber dog food you can both feed your pup plenty of food, and help him lose/maintain weight. This is possible because fiber, whether soluble or insoluble, adds volume to the food, allowing your dog to eat as much as they want to, without consuming too much calories. Furthermore, dog food with fiber (quality fiber, of course), will keep your pet feeling fuller for longer. For a wider selection of choices, check out our dog food for weight loss guide.
- Improves Diabetes
Dogs with diabetes may greatly benefit from high fiber dry dog foods, or even fiber supplements. This is because fiber helps slow the breakdown of food, especially carbohydrates, thereby preventing blood sugar spikes. When a diabetic dog consistently eats a high fiber diet, he’ll have fewer blood glucose fluctuations, meaning he may have fewer disease symptoms and better control of the illness.
That being said, not all diabetic dogs need high fiber diets – some will do great on regular, healthy dog food that contains moderate amounts of fiber, others may need much more. If your pet has diabetes, it’s best to first talk to your vet and see what they recommend.
Common Sources of Fiber for Dog Foods
There are many natural sources of fiber for dogs, but what’s really important is ensuring your pet eats enough of quality fiber sources. So, what are those?
- Legumes
Legumes such as black and red beans, green and red lentils, peas, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), soybeans and other contain lots of fiber as well as protein. Choose dry dog foods that contain them, or feed these foods by cooking them and mixing them with your pet’s regular meals.
- Vegetables
Sweet potatoes, potatoes, broccoli, carrots, beet pulp, kale, kelp and other veggies are all packed with antioxidants and fiber. This makes them the ideal ingredients in high fiber food formulations.
- Grains and Seeds
Both whole and refined grains are good sources of fiber, although whole grains are a better option. Oats, barley, rice bran, brown rice, flaxseed, sunflower kernels, chia seeds, psyllium husk and other grains and seeds contain plenty of fiber and some healthy fats (depending on the ingredient). They’re all great choices, however, some pet parents of sensitive dogs choose to avoid grains. Check out our guide on the best grain free dog foods for more info.
- Fruits
Pumpkin, apples, raspberries, blueberries and other fruits are a welcome addition to any dog’s diet. Owners of diabetic dogs, on the other hand, may want to stay away from foods that contain lots of fruits.
Tips for High Fiber Dog Food Diet
Whether you’re considering completely switching to high fiber dry dog food, or just feeding it in conjunction with your dog’s regular diet, it’s important to introduce the new food slowly. Transitioning from one diet to another (whether that’s igh in fat to low in fat, low in fiber to high in fiber, it doesn’t matter) can sometimes be difficult, if for no other reason, then because the new food tastes different. Some dogs have picky eating habits and will refuse to eat a new food if it doesn’t taste as good as the old one. But even more importantly, high fiber food needs to be introduced gradually because it can cause digestive upset. So, how should you go about this?
Step by Step
When introducing any new food, use the step by step approach, meaning don’t just suddenly start serving high fiber food when until yesterday, you fed your dog a regular, low fiber diet. Instead, mix the new food with your pet’s favorite kibble, gradually increasing the amount of the new food every few days. For instance, in the beginning, you can mix 20% of the new (high fiber) food with 80% of the old food and keeping serving it like that for a few days. After 4-5 days, mix 40% of the new food with 60% of the old food, and keep feeding it like that for another 4-5 days. Gradually increase the amount of the new food over the next few days, until your dog is used to eating its high fiber food alone. Alternatively, serve the high fiber food along with the regular kibble. For example, feed your dog the old kibble in the morning and feed the new food in the evenings.
Generally speaking, it’s always best to speak to your vet as they have the full knowledge of your pet’s health and may offer a better feeding strategy.
Our Top Pick
All dog foods we reviewed in our Top list are quality, healthy products, so whichever one you decide to try, we’re certain both you and your furry friend will love it. That said, our No.1 would have to be Blue Buffalo Wilderness, Healthy Weight, High-Protein, Grain-Free Chicken Recipe. This dry dog food is packed with wholesome, healthy ingredients, including lots of quality protein and fiber, but is moderately low in fat, helping canines maintain their ideal weight. And since it’s grain-free and enriched with all essential supplements, it’s also suitable for dogs with sensitivities to grains. All in all, one of the best high fiber dog foods out there!
