7 safe fibre sources for your dog

Many dogs are like vacuum cleaners, consuming anything in sight. Others are fussy eaters that are difficult to satisfy no matter how hard you try. These picky dogs are prone to nutritional deficiencies as their desperate owners try to excite them with meals. Fibre is an essential nutrient for dogs and many of them don’t get enough from their diet, resulting in irregular bowel motions and poorly formed poo. If this is your dog, fibre supplementation could help.

Fibrous fruit and vegetables can also provide a healthy low-fat snack for your dog. 

Here are some that your dog could try:

• Beetroot pulp. Coming in with a whopping fibre content of 11-19% of crude fibre,  beetroot pulp is a great extra fibre source for dogs. Your dog’s poo may turn purple or red after eating beetroot due to the natural dye in the vegetable. Take care as beetroot can easily stain your furniture. 
• Pumpkin. Cooked pumpkin is a delicious fibre-rich food source for your dog. Add some pureed pumpkin on top of their regular dog food or smear some on a Lick Mat as a yummy boredom buster. 
• Apples. Apple slices (don’t include the core and seeds as these can be toxic) are another fantastic way to add extra fibre to your dog’s diet. Many dogs enjoy munching on a slice of apple - be sure to give only small amounts at a time. 
• Carrots. Along with the other added benefits of vitamins A, K, and B6, carrots provide a great source of fibre. They are also a healthy snack for your dog and can be fed raw or cooked.

• Green veggies such as spinach, kale, green beans and broccoli are all great fibre sources to add to your dog’s diet. Stick to the fresh or snap frozen variety, rather than canned. Be sure to feed them in moderation, as excessive amounts can lead to bloating and discomfort. 
• Brown rice. Brown rice is found in many high-fibre dog foods. Be careful giving too much because it can contribute to weight gain if fed in excess.
• Strawberries and blueberries. A sweet snack that many dogs love. With the added perk of antioxidants, these fruits are a good fibre source. Take care and avoid feeding too many due to their high sugar content.

For many dog parents in today’s busy world, time and preparation can be a problem. Your dog may also be fussy and not enjoy eating fruit and vegetables. At DOG by Dr Lisa, we’ve made things easier. Introducing our new supplement: DOG Fibre. This is a convenient, vet-approved way of adding extra fibre to your dog’s diet in carefully dosed amounts.  Our organic DOG Fibre supplement can help regulate bowel movements by either firming loose stools or softening firm ones. It contains prebiotics, postbiotics and paraprobiotics to support bowel health. And its tasty flavour means that you can add it to meals with ease - your dog may not even know it’s there!