What’s The Best High-Fiber Dog Food For Anal Gland Problems? Reviews & Buyer’s 2021 Guide

If your dog is experiencing persistent anal gland issues, your veterinarian might suggest you switch to dog foods rich in fiber – a high fiber dog diet will help to steady bowel movements, which allows the anal glands to release regularly. Whenever anal sacs fail to discharge fluid regularly, there is a risk of infection.

Feeding your dog with high fiber dog food helps to minimize the need for your dog’s anal glands to be expressed physically. The market is flooded with several dog foods making it a challenge for dog owners to make a choice. If you are caught up in this dilemma, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the best dog foods for anal gland issues. You will also find a discussion on the causes of anal gland issues in dogs and how fiber helps.

Contents

What’s The Best High-Fiber Dog Food For Anal Gland Problems? Reviews & Buyer’s 2021 Guide

We already did all the research for you. If you’re in a hurry and just want to see the best high-fiber dog foods for anal gland problems, here are our top choices.

PRODUCT / PRODUCT DETAILS

PRODUCT

PRODUCT DETAILS

1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, Gastrointestinal Low Fat

Contains prebiotics that promotes a balance of good gut bacteria
Well-blended dietary fiber that helps in proper digestion
Omega-3 fatty acids sourced from fish help in soothing and nourishing your furry friend's gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Boosts your dog's immune system with the antioxidants it contains
Perfectly balanced to provide your dog with the calorie content it needs for its daily activities

2. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free, Roasted Bison & Venison Recipe

Perfectly balanced grain-free diet
Prepared with unique animal protein from meats like buffalo and bison
Offers highly-digestible energy from peas and sweet potatoes to keep your dog energized
Contains natural antioxidants derived from real vegetables and fruits that offer prebiotic support and proper digestion
Contains essential minerals combined with amino acids to increase food absorption

3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free, Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe

Grain-free dog diet
Prepared with real chicken and turkey, a great source of animal protein
Perfectly balanced with essential nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint and bone health
Does not contain unwanted ingredients such as flavors, preservatives, and meat by-products
Kibble is laced with probiotics that promote proper digestion in your dog

Top 10 Best High-Fiber Dog Food For Anal Gland Problems

1. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, Gastrointestinal Low Fat

This grain-free dry dog food is prepared for your dog’s gut health. It is specially formulated to help your canine recover from problems such as vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. The ingredient list contains prebiotics and dietary fibers that promote digestion and a healthy balance of bacteria in the dog’s gut.

It also ensures your furry friend’s tummy is comfortable by incorporating omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil. The presence of amino acids guarantees a robust immune system. This low-fat formulation is ideal for dogs with difficulty processing fats. The high fiber content in the formula is perfect for dogs experiencing anal gland challenges.

PROS

Low-fat content making it ideal for dogs with challenges processing fat
Contains antioxidants that support a dog's immune system
Uses hugely digestible proteins and prebiotics for healthy breaking down of foods and ideal excretion
Supports GI well-being through the omega-3 fatty acids sourced from fish oil and high-quality fiber
Recommended diet specially formulated to enhance proper digestive activity in dogs

CONS

2. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free, Roasted Bison & Venison Recipe

This grain-free recipe contains unique proteins like buffalo and bison. The recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes to give your dog hugely digestible energy. Natural antioxidants are derived from real fruits and vegetables and chicory root, which provide prebiotic support and proper digestion.

If your dog is having digestive problems, this high fiber diet will help soothe its tummy by promoting assimilation. Amino acids are mixed with essential minerals to maximize food absorption.

This diet perfectly blends the nutritional needs of your dog as well as the taste of the wilderness it craves. The food formula will help your dog develop healthy and lean muscles. Reputable suppliers supply the ingredients.

PROS

Grain-free and uses buffalo meat as the first ingredient
Contains other ingredients rich in protein, such as bison
Natural diet is blended with vitamins and robust antioxidants sourced from natural vegetables and fruits for overall healthy living
Ingredients sourced from trustworthy sources and free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and fillers
Prepared in the USA by a manufacturer that strictly observes advanced food safety procedures
Good for pet's gut health since it contains probiotics

CONS

3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food

This is a grain-free dry dog food prepared with protein sources from real chicken and turkey. The protein is balanced with antioxidant foods and other products rich in fatty acids, glucosamine, and probiotics.

This wellness formula works perfectly for mature dogs. Also, the recipe package contains none of the undesirable ingredients like by-products of meat and artificial colors.

PROS

Rice in protein and grain-free
Contains glucosamine and chondroitin that keep your dog's bones healthy and strong
Does not include undesirable ingredients
Probiotics covering the kibble enhances healthy digestion
Contains omega fatty acids that help your dog have healthy skin

CONS

4. Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free, Coastal Catch

The Earthborn Holistic grain-free recipe offers your dog a diet rich in protein. The protein is sourced from herring meal, salmon meal, and whitefish meal. This coastal catch recipe helps canines develop lean muscle mass and excellent energy levels.

The abundant protein is blended with natural fibers from vegetables and products like apples, blueberries, and carrots. These contain essential nutrients for your dog’s immune system health. It is highly digestible, making it ideal for dogs with anal gland problems. The presence of adequately balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids ensure healthy skin and coat.

PROS

Good for dogs with weight issues as it contains L-Carnitine, which helps to burn fat and sustain lean muscles
Contains protein that is hugely digestible for optimum dog health
Does not contain grain and gluten
Presence of antioxidants like Vitamin E and C expertly combined with nutrient-rich vegetables
Contains fibers sourced from natural veggies that enhance digestibility, which is good for the dog’s digestive health

CONS

5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain-Free Healthy Weight, Chicken Recipe

This grain-free dry dog food recipe is specifically formulated to nourish your dog devoid of too many calories. It also contains lean chicken and turkey protein. It is low in carbs and contains fresh veggies and fruits.

The formulation is prepared with LifeSource bits exclusive to Blue. The mixture is an accurate ratio of minerals and vitamins hand-picked by veterinarians and animal nutritionists. This dog food boosts your dog’s immunity.

The presence of fresh vitamin sources in this Blue Buffalo recipe also contributes enough fiber to your dog’s diet. This helps to eliminate or prevent any digestive system complications caused by poor food digestion.

PROS

Does not contain artificial preservatives and flavors
Grain-free
Does not contain chicken or poultry by-products that are not suitable for dogs with food allergies
Well-formulated to boost your dog's immunity
Fortified with L-Carnitine that boosts your dog's metabolism and helps in the burning of fats

CONS

6. Earthborn Holistic Grain-Free, Meadow Feast With Lamb Meal Recipe

The Earthborn Holistic dry dog food uses lambs meal as the sole protein source. The limited ingredient of the recipe makes it ideal for animals with allergies and food sensitivities.

The recipe also contains a perfect blend of vegetables that nourishes your dog with essential natural nutrients. The vitamins help your dog to maintain a healthy body. The dog food also contains L-Carnitine that ensures your dog maintains a healthy weight.

PROS

Uses a limited ingredient recipe that makes it perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs
L-Carnitine and a proper blend of omega fatty acids ensure your dog maintains a healthy weight and skin coat
Rich in protein from lamb meat balanced by other nutrients from vegetables to give your furry friend a whole meal
Does not have grain and gluten, making it an excellent substitute for grain-based dog food
Contains natural fibers from veggies and fruits that enhance digestion, making it ideal for dogs with anal gland issues

CONS

7. Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Healthy Weight, Salmon & Peas Formula

Wellness Simple dog food offers your dog a simplified meal containing unique protein sources while excluding carbs, fillers, and artificial additives. The formula uses natural ingredients expertly selected, making it ideal for dogs with food sensitivities.

Its high-quality ingredients include salmon, salmon meal, pea, dried ground potato, and potato. The dog food does not contain whole grains and gluten, and its simple formula does not have flavors or preservatives. This natural dog food is made in the USA with a limited list of ingredients to keep your dog healthy.

PROS

Minimal calories to ensure your dog maintains a healthy, lean muscle mass
Higher levels of healthy dietary fiber support digestion, making it suitable for dogs with anal gland issues
Supports your dog's hips and bones with glucosamine and chondroitin
Formula contains prebiotics and probiotics making it highly digestible
Does not contain meat products or any artificial flavors

CONS

8. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Healthy Weight For Large Breed Adult, Farm-Raised Chicken, Rice, and Sweet Potato Recipe

The Nutro Wholesome Essentials Healthy Weight recipe is the dog food of choice for pet parents with dogs that need to lose weight.

It is among the best dog foods for anal glands issues because it is rich in natural fiber that promotes proper digestion. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin that help your dog have healthy joints. The high-quality protein is sourced from farm-raised chickens as the primary ingredient.

PROS

High protein well-balanced formulation is suited for dogs keen on weight loss
Supports healthy joints in dogs due to the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin obtained from natural sources
Prepared with non-GMO ingredients and does not contain any unnatural flavors or preservatives
Contains fiber that is great for digestion, making it a great dog anal gland diet
Manufactured in the USA

CONS

9. Dr. Tim's Grain-Free, Kinesis Formula

Dr. Tim’s dry dog food is suitable for feeding young and senior dogs. The formula has a perfect mix of carbs, fats, and fiber to facilitate your dog’s daily activities. The recipe was expertly formulated by a dog nutritionist and an experienced vet.

The food comes with probiotics and prebiotics and other natural ingredients that inhibit oxidation. This formulation provides the required boost to your pet’s digestion and immunity. Such a fiber-rich meal is excellent for help with anal gland issues.

PROS

Contains primarily animal protein, which is excellent for your dog
Contains omega fatty acids derived from fish oil that prevents skin conditions
Well-balanced kibbles that can sustain the life of an active dog
Exclusive probiotic, BC30, that boosts your dog’s digestive system
Well-rounded recipe that feeds dogs at all life stages

CONS

10. "I and Love and You" Naked Essentials Grain Free, Lamb & Bison Recipe

This is a nutritious dry dog food prepared with wholesome ingredients to facilitate a healthy life full of activities for your dog. The recipe does not contain any fillers nor artificial additives. The brand has a reputation for delivering high-quality food free from grains.

The number one protein for the formula is real lamb. The meal is also mixed with sweet potatoes as well as probiotics and prebiotics, making it ideal for both puppy and senior bowels. If your dog has digestive system issues, this high fiber diet will help.

PROS

Grain-free meal
Promotes healthy digestion due to the presence of probiotics
Contains all the nutritive elements a dog needs to remain active and in good shape
Does not contain artificial additives like flavors and colors
Unique formulation good for dogs at all life stages

CONS

What Are Anal Gland Problems?

Your dog might suffer from several anal gland problems. The most prevalent anal gland issue is impaction. This complication occurs if your dog’s anal glands are not expressed well, be it naturally or regularly by the veterinarian or groomers. As a result, the gland swells, causing irritation, which is followed by bacterial infections.

If the pet parent does not notice the infected gland and it remains unattended, pus will collect, causing anal gland abscess—eventually, the abscess raptures. If the gland swelling is extreme, it could lead to high levels of blood calcium, which can damage the dog’s organs.

The following are noteworthy causes of anal gland problems:

Blockage of the anal ducts – prevalent in certain dog breeds and older ones

Diarrhea in your dog might cause the glands to be filled

Constipation also results in anal gland problems since the absence of stool prevents the anal glands from emptying

Allergies that cause the anal sac ducts to swell could also lead to anal gland problems

Fungal, bacterial, and parasitic skin infections are also probable causes

Hypothyroidism

The best course of action to prevent your dog from having anal gland complications is by providing a healthy diet and ensuring they exercise. Small obese dogs are at the highest risk of developing these anal issues.

A healthy, fiber-rich diet and regular exercise will significantly reduce the probability of digestive problems. The key is to ensure regular dog bowel movements which empty the anal sacs.

If your dog is already suffering from these issues, consider increasing fiber intake in the diet to make the dog’s stool bulky. Read the next section to find out how the increased fiber intake will help your dog.

Related Reviews:

How Does A High Fiber Diet Treat Anal Gland Problems?

Feeding your dog with food rich in fiber helps to keep your pet’s bowel movements regular and functioning well. Dietary fiber can be soluble and insoluble. [1]

Insoluble fiber cannot be digested. When your pet consumes insoluble fiber, it absorbs water and makes its stool bulky. More solid stool helps to express your dog’s anal glands naturally and protect it from developing complications.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is properly digested by your dog. This enables your dog to have regular bowel movements that help to express the anal glands.

High-fiber food can only treat your dog’s anal gland problems if the cause is poor diet. However, if other issues are causing the problem, take your pup to the veterinarian for further diagnosis.

You can also use the following tips for anal glands issues:

Select high-quality feeds prepared with natural ingredients sourced from reputable suppliers. It is advisable to select foods manufactured in the USA with farm-fresh ingredients.

The food must contain prebiotic fiber and probiotics to guarantee the proper breaking down of food and natural expression of anal glands.

Avoid foods that contain grains, artificial preservatives, and other fillers. The high-fiber dog foods you select should be as natural as possible.

In the cases of food allergies, talk to a professional. The veterinarian will advise you on probable cause and available solutions.

If your dog food does not have enough fiber to meet the dietary fiber requirements, add fiber supplements.

Apart from feeding your furry dog with a fiber diet, ensure he gets regular exercise. Exercising ensures your dog maintains a healthy weight.

Talk to your vet to show you how you can express your dog’s anal glands manually. In case the issue happens again in the future, you can sort it yourself from home.

You should also learn to differentiate between food allergies and food intolerances. A food allergy is an immune response, while food intolerance is a digestive problem. Your pup will experience intolerances when its digestive system cannot digest a particular ingredient. A common one is lactose intolerance, where dogs are unable to break down lactose.

Important Features To Consider

Whenever you are looking for the best dog food for anal gland problems, there are factors you must consider. In the market, you’ll come across many dog food brands marketing their recipe as the best high fiber dog food. If you don’t know what to look for in your dog’s food, you’ll get your dog’s diet wrong.

However, if you own a pet and you are willing to gain knowledge, you’re in luck. In this section, you’ll learn about the essential features you must consider to get your dog the best high fiber food.

Soluble And Insoluble Fiber

The best food for dogs with anal gland issues should contain fiber. Dietary fiber is available in two main groups: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber promotes digestion and aids in increasing the useful bacterias in your dog’s digestive tract. This fiber also absorbs water that helps to make the stool soft for natural excretion.

Insoluble fiber sources add substance to your dog’s feces, making them heavier. During defecation, the heavier stool helps to push the anal glands excreting them in the process.

Standard dog food has up to 5% fiber – anything higher than that is considered high fiber dog food. You should not feed your dog with food having more than 10% fiber; it could lead to problems.

Feeding your dog with a high fiber diet can lead to flatulence, diarrhea, weight loss, and a poor coat.

Probiotics And Prebiotics

Good dog food for gland problems must contain these two elements. Food containing these elements is easily digested and leads to natural anal gland secretion. They also keep your dog’s belly healthy by encouraging the growth of good bacteria when they ferment in the colon and produce food for useful bacterias.

Since these elements should be taken with meals, it would be best if you bought food that already contains it. If your diet does not include them and you want to add, seek professional opinion first.

Hypoallergenic

The best high fiber dog food anal gland problems are hypoallergenic. Food allergies are believed to cause gland anal problems. When selecting the best dog foods for anal gland problems, it must not contain allergens like corn, wheat, and soy.

It would be best to enquire from your vet to prescribe for your hypoallergenic dog foods. Most of these dog foods are prepared with hydrolyzed protein, which is broken into amino acids. This process makes the allergen to be almost invisible to your dog’s immunity system.

The best hypoallergenic dog foods use simple recipes, mostly with minimal high-quality ingredients. They also don’t contain any grains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pumpkin a good source of fiber in dogs?

Yes, pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber in dogs. You can feed your pet with fresh, steamed pumpkin or canned pumpkin, which is a good source of fiber. One cup of pumpkin has approximately seven grams of fiber that your dog can digest. Add half a teaspoon for every ten pounds of your dog’s weight.

What to feed a dog to firm up stool?

Feed your dog with food rich in insoluble fiber to firm up its stool. This type of fiber cannot be digested. It absorbs water in your dog’s belly and makes the feces more solid. If the problem persists, there could be other issues other than your dog’s diet causing it to pass loose stool. Talk to a vet for more examination.

Are raw carrots good for dogs?

Yes, raw carrots are an excellent source of fiber for dogs, especially those with anal gland problems. But, don’t give your pet canned vitamins as they contain a high ratio of sodium. You can add raw carrots to your dog’s fiber diet. The carrots should be chopped into smaller sizes to avoid choking your furry friend.

Conclusion

If your dog has anal gland issues caused by problems in its digestion, high fiber dog foods are a great solution. There are many fiber dog foods in the market from which you can choose. The fiber dog food varieties have different formulas.

The best high fiber foods are rich in protein, don’t contain grains and gluten, and help your dog maintain a healthy weight. Assess your dog’s nutritional needs other than high fiber food and select the best option, which in our trusted opinion is: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, Gastrointestinal Low Fat.

Remember, if you switch suddenly to a high fiber diet, it might upset your dog’s GI. To avoid this, introduce the high fiber diet gradually. Use the tips in this guide to find the best dog food for dogs with anal gland problems. If the best dog food for anal gland issues does not work, it would be best to seek the advice of an animal specialist.

Editor's Choice

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet, Gastrointestinal Low Fat

Contains prebiotics that promotes a balance of good gut bacteria
Well-blended dietary fiber that helps in proper digestion
Omega-3 fatty acids sourced from fish help in soothing and nourishing your furry friend's gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Boosts your dog's immune system with the antioxidants it contains
Perfectly balanced to provide your dog with the calorie content it needs for its daily activities

Kathy R. Conner

Kathy is a licensed veterinary surgeon and writer in Miami. With over 20 years of experience in deal with pets and small animal, she hopes to share her knowledge on what she learned throughout her life to all animal lover. On her free time, she likes to attend Yoga and Meditation classes.

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