A dog’s need for nutrients—protein, fiber, minerals and trace elements, and vitamins—is determined by the dog’s breed, age, size, physiological status, energy expenditure, and weight. A dog’s digestive tract is relatively short compared to humans and many other herbivorous mammals. In terms of metabolism and nutritional needs, the dog is therefore interpreted as an omnivore. A dog’s most important energy sources are fat and high-quality proteins, typically animal-based proteins. In addition, complete nutrition requires minerals and trace elements, vitamins, and fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6).
Depending on its diet, a dog can obtain the nutrients it needs from different food sources, both plant- and animal-based. When choosing proteins, it is important to ensure, above all, protein digestibility and the intake of all essential amino acids, especially when using plant proteins. Dogs have a defined nutritional requirement for 10 essential amino acids, and they must obtain these from their diet every day.
Fiber as support for beneficial gut bacteria
In addition to the nutrients mentioned above, a thriving and healthy dog also needs some fiber. Fiber supports, among other things, stomach and intestinal function, digestion, and a healthy gut flora. One important role of fiber in a dog’s body is also to regulate fluid balance and support a healthy bacterial population in the large intestine. Fiber therefore acts as a prebiotic in the gut, meaning it serves as a good growth medium for beneficial digestive bacteria. When there are enough beneficial gut bacteria, they take up space that would otherwise be available to harmful, disease-causing bacteria.
Fiber also affects stool. Fiber absorbs fluid and makes the stool firmer. Loose stools in dogs often indicate an insufficient amount of fiber. Firm stool is also important for the function of the anal glands. Normally, a dog’s anal glands empty during defecation. If the stool is too loose, it may not create enough pressure on the glands for them to empty properly. This, in turn, can lead to anal gland blockage and the need for manual emptying at the veterinarian. A fiber-rich diet supports a firm stool consistency and thereby supports proper anal gland emptying. Other signs that can indicate too little fiber intake include diarrhea, constipation, diabetes, obesity, or mucus or blood in the stool.
Different fiber sources – a rule of thumb: 5%
Fiber also helps with the absorption of other nutrients and with achieving and maintaining a feeling of fullness. This is especially useful for dogs that are overweight, or that gain weight easily. Generally speaking, a good amount of fiber is about 5% of a dog’s total diet. Dogs that need a higher-fiber diet benefit from food with a higher fiber content, around 6–10%.
Good fiber sources for dogs include vegetables, plant foods, berries, and various seeds, meals, and brans, such as chia meal, flax meal, or hemp meal. Among vegetables and berries, beetroot, carrot, rosehip, sea buckthorn, and cranberry are enjoyed by many dogs. There are, however, quite large differences in the digestibility of grains, and it is wise to keep them at moderate levels. Among Finnish grains, the most usable are oats, wheat, spelt, barley, and rye. Rice is also very digestible. Buckwheat may cause large intestinal irritation in some dogs. Potatoes and corn are also good sources of carbohydrates, but because they are relatively high in sugars, they can cause problems for dogs that are sensitive to yeast. Wheat, in turn, may cause skin problems.
There are different types of fiber: insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fibers do not digest, but pass through the intestine unchanged. Insoluble fiber stimulates smooth movement of food through the large intestine. It supports stool formation and passage and thereby helps prevent constipation. Soluble fibers also support sugar and fat metabolism. As the name suggests, they dissolve in water, forming a gel-like substance, and they act as food for gut bacteria in the digestive tract. Suitable soluble fibers for dogs include inulin, fructans, and pectin.
Gut health is critically important for a dog’s overall health, wellbeing, and immune defenses. For this reason, it is worth supporting a good and diverse bacterial population through the diet. A diet containing sufficient fiber is the foundation of wellbeing for the entire body.
Related products:
Milled Hemp Seeds 1,5 kg, 15,90 €
