Fibre and Your Dog’s Nutrition
Fibre Levels and Fermentability
High Fibre and Weight Loss
Fibre in Iams Dog Foods
Fibre refers to a type of carbohydrate that isn’t digested by enzymes in the animal’s gastrointestinal tract. Fibre is important to the health of dogs, providing bulk to move food through the intestinal tract. Some types of fibre can be fermented (broken down by bacteria) in the intestinal tract. This process creates short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are a key energy source for the cells lining the intestinal tract.
What’s good for you may not be good for your dog
Today people are more aware of fibre and its role in their diet. Studies showing the beneficial effects of higher fibre levels in humans influence the way many people think about their own food and the food of their pets. Some pet-food manufacturers apply the recommendations of human nutritionists and make high-fibre diets for dogs.
But dogs have a much shorter digestive tract than humans. Unlike humans, dogs are best fed as carnivores, meaning their nutritional needs are better satisfied with meat rather than plant materials. So dietary needs of humans are not the same as dietary needs of dogs!
For more than 50 years, companion animal nutritionists at The Iams® Company have been studying diets to better meet the special nutritional needs of dogs.
Fibre Levels and Fermentability
Iams® research shows the optimal crude fibre level for healthy dogs ranges from 1.4 to 3.5%. At these levels, nutrient digestibility is maximised.
An important characteristic of fibre is its fermentability—how well it can be broken down by the bacteria that normally reside in the dog’s intestine. This breakdown of dietary fibre produces Short Chain Fatty Acids(SCFAs) which provide energy to the cells lining the intestines. Different types of fibre vary in fermentability. Fibre sources used in pet foods include cellulose, which is poorly fermentable; beet pulp, which is moderately fermentable; and gums and pectin, which can be highly fermentable. Research has shown that moderate levels of moderately fermentable fibre, such as beet pulp, provide the benefits of energy for the intestinal lining and bulk without the negative effects of excessive stool or gas.
High Fibre and Weight Loss
High levels of poorly fermentable fibre are used in some weight-reduction pet foods to dilute the calories in a serving. Iams research shows that this is not a good practice because high fibre levels can decrease the digestibility of other nutrients in the food and, therefore, reduce the nutritional quality of the diet. Pet owners also see a marked increase in stool quantity in the garden due to the undigestible fibre.
Fibre in Iams® Dog Foods
When choosing a pet food, fibre is an important consideration. However, remember that the dietary fibre needs of dogs are not the same as those of humans. A moderate level of moderately fermentable fibre, such as beet pulp, provides proven nutritional benefits for dogs. Diets containing high levels of poorly fermentable fibre to dilute calorie content do not provide nutritional benefits. All Iams® products are formulated with optimal levels of moderately fermentable fibre to promote a healthy intestinal tract and enhance the well-being of your dog.
