Fibre is good for dogs as well as us
Five reasons why fibre should be an essential part of your dog’s diet and how you can make sure they’re getting enough.
All dog owners want the best for their furry friends; they are part of the family! During lockdown, dogs have helped us maintain our mental and physical health. But how do you ensure you are giving your dog the best diet to keep them fit and healthy as well as protecting them from dog diarrhoea or constipation?
We all know the importance of fibre to our diet, but it’s important for your dog’s health as well. However, fibre can’t always be found in regular dog food. A balanced diet is really important and natural supplements for dogs can help ensure you are giving them the best nutrition. A fibre supplement is helpful, particularly if you’ve noticed your dog dragging his bottom or is suffering from canine colitis.
PetExx Fibre Boost contains oat bran, which is high in dietary fibre, it also has probiotics for dogs, another good addition for gut health as they aid digestion and help the immune system.
Here are four reasons why add fibre to your dog’s diet is so important:
1. Fibre helps your dog’s anal glands
Blocked anal glands are a common issue for dogs. If your dog is dragging its bottom across the floor, it’s likely they have blocked anal glands. You should consult your vet who can express the contents of the glands. To keep the anal glands healthy, adding a fibre supplement to their diet will help form a larger stool. This results in more pressure on the anal gland and ensures they are expressed naturally rather than your vet having to perform the function.
2. Fibre will regulate your dog’s colonic function
The colon is a crucial part of your dog’s digestive system. It helps ensure vital nutrients are steadily absorbed to benefit the body and water is dealt with properly. If the colon isn’t functioning correctly, those nutrients will pass through too quickly and won’t always be absorbed. Soluble fibre usually slows the movement of your dog’s food and boosts the ability of the colon to do its job correctly.
3. Fibre can help manage colitis in dogs
Colitis in dogs is caused when there is inflammation in the colon (large intestine). One of the colon’s roles is to absorb water and if it’s inflamed, too much fluid is left in the stool and results in diarrhoea. Dietary fibre can help normalise the time it takes for things to move through the colon. This protects it against toxins and retaining excess water. This can all be helpful to a dog with colitis.
4. The addition of fibre can control a dog’s weight and treat canine obesity
Cellulose is a slowly fermentable fibre. By adding it to your dog’s diet it can increase bulk in the stomach and intestines. This in turn helps promote a feeling of fullness despite fewer calories being consumed. When combined with protein this is even more effective. For more tips on keeping your dog at an ideal weight get advice from organisations like Blue Cross.
5. Adding fibre helps to prevent constipation in dogs
Soluble fibre dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance that can bind to other substances in the gut. This makes the stool softer and easier to pass through your dog’s intestines. Psyllium is a fibre derived from the Ovata plant and is rich in soluble fibre and credited with easing constipation. You will find a safe quantity of psyllium in PetExx Fibre Boost.
