High-fiber dog foods can help your dog with several health concerns. From weight management for overweight pups to digestion improvement, your dog may benefit from a high-fiber diet to maintain a comfortable and healthy life.
Our vet advisor, Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, reviewed dozens of high-fiber dog foods, and she chose Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food, w/d Multi-Benefit as her top pick. With multiple benefits such as weight, glucose, and urinary management, it’s a great option for many dogs who could benefit from a high-fiber diet.
While this was Dr. Coates’s top choice, she also offers a series of her top tips for what to look for in choosing the best high-fiber food for your pup, a section on who should avoid purchasing them altogether, and she personally selected the best high fiber foods for a variety of specific use cases.
The 5 Best High-Fiber Dog Foods
- Best Overall – Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food, w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive/Weight/Glucose/Urinary Management
- Best Budget – Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas & Oatmeal
- Best for Puppy – Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Best for Seniors – Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food, Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs
- Best Wet Dog Food – Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food, Adult, Light for Healthy Weight & Weight Management
High-Fiber Dog Foods Compared
Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and features of different products.
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating | Wet or Dry | Life Stage-Specific Formulas | Weight Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food, WD Multi-Benefit | Dry | |||
| Best Budget Buy | Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low Calorie Dry Dog Food | Dry | |||
| Best for Puppies | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | Dry | |||
| Best for Senior Dogs | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food | Dry | |||
| Best Wet | Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food, Adult, Light for Healthy Weight & Weight Management | Wet |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Eat a High-Fiber Dog Food
- Frequently constipated – A high-fiber diet can help lessen the frequency of constipation struggles. Talk to your veterinarian first if your dog’s constipation is severe, however. High-fiber foods aren’t right under all circumstances.
- Overeaters – High-fiber food makes dogs feel fuller faster and for longer, which can help reduce overeating and help with weight management.1
- Other health problems – High fiber diets can be used to manage a variety of health conditions including anal gland impactions, diarrhea, and diabetes mellitus.2
Who Should Not Eat a High-Fiber Dog Food
- Gassy dogs – If your pup has especially pungent or frequent gas, then extra fiber may be to blame or make it worse.
- Dogs with no health issues on an already balanced diet – Too much fiber can decrease the absorption of nutrients and result in loose stools and more frequent defecation.3 If your dog is already on a balanced diet and has no health concerns, he probably doesn’t need high-fiber dog food.
Buying Guide: Research Tips From a Veterinarian
Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best food based on your dog’s particular needs, but if you have a good handle on what you’re looking for, you’ll still want to keep a few things in mind.
- Pick the right amount of the right types of fiber – Fiber comes in two forms – soluble and insoluble. The easiest way to compare fiber levels in dog foods is to look at the maximum crude fiber level reported on the guaranteed analysis. However, crude fiber doesn’t measure a food’s level of insoluble fiber so it isn’t a perfect measure – just the best we have that is readily available.4
- Get the prescription – High-fiber prescription diets, like Hill’s w/d, generally contain more fiber than do over-the-counter foods and will provide more information about the food’s fiber content on the label.
- Don’t skimp on other nutrients – All foods, regardless of fiber content, need to provide complete and balanced nutrition based on a dog’s stage of life and other factors. Only feed foods that are labeled with an appropriate AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement of nutritional adequacy.
- Look for respected brands – Only purchase foods from companies that have a well-deserved reputation for making quality products.
If your dog is having problems with an upset stomach, you may want to try a few home remedies before switching to a portion of high-fiber dog food. It may also be a good idea to familiarize yourself with your dog’s digestion so that you’re better equipped to handle any concerns that may arise.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $45 and $90 a month
There’s no way around it – you get what you pay for with high-fiber dog foods. You’ll pay more for the prescription foods that require your vet’s authorization, but you’ll get a higher-quality product, too. But if your dog’s problems aren’t severe, a less expensive, the over-the-counter product may do the trick. All things considered, you should expect to spend between $45 and $90 a month on your dog’s fiber-rich food.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Pet News Daily
I have only recommended high-fiber foods made by companies with a well-deserved reputation for their excellent quality control standards and who make foods that follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) guidelines. The products I’ve selected are commonly recommended by veterinarians, and vets report having had good success using the products listed, which has led me to these picks. For significant health problems, you should talk to your veterinarian to determine the best food based on your dog’s particular needs. – Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM
The Best High-Fiber Dog Food Reviews
1. Best Overall – Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food, w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive/Weight/Glucose/Urinary Management
Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food, w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive/Weight/Glucose/Urinary Management has a very high crude fiber percentage (a maximum of 16%) and it includes both soluble and insoluble fibers. It’s hard to find another well-made food that contains more fiber than Hill’s w/d.
Once upon a time, this was only available at your vet’s office. Though you can still usually pick it up at your vet’s office, you can now order online as well – with veterinary authorization. There is also a canned formula if that’s a better match for your dog’s needs or if you’re interested in feeding both wet and dry food.
- For digestion, glucose, urinary, or weight problems
- Therapeutic L-carnitine to boost fat metabolism
- Natural ingredients
- Requires veterinary authorization
- Acquired taste
2. Best Budget – Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas & Oatmeal
The Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas & Oatmeal contains an impressive ingredient list. For an over-the-counter food, the crude fiber level (maximum 10.5%) is quite high.
It’s also an inexpensive food that you can purchase without veterinary authorization.
- L-carnitine for healthy weight
- Balanced nutrition for long-term use
- Proprietary fiber and protein blend
- No flavor variety for picky pups
- May trigger food sensitivities
1. Best Overall – Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food, w/d Multi-Benefit Digestive/Weight/Glucose/Urinary Management
2. Best Budget – Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal, Salmon Meal, Garbanzo Beans, Peas & Oatmeal
3. Best for Puppy – Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Most puppy foods are low in fiber to increase their energy density. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food has a relatively high crude fiber content (maximum 5%) for a puppy food. Typically, it’s lower to make sure your dog doesn’t get full too quickly before he consumes the extra nutrients he needs to grow.
There is also a similar large breed puppy formula if your puppy is going to be a big dog. So no matter what your dog’s breed, Blue Buffalo has a high fiber option for him.
- Proprietary “Lifesource Bits” support immune system
- Contains antioxidant-rich vitamins and minerals
- Cold-formed kibble preserves potency
- Moderate fiber levels may not be enough for some dogs
- May trigger food sensitivities
4. Best for Seniors – Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food, Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food, Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs has a relatively high crude fiber (maximum 7%). There are a variety of sizes so you can give the food a try with a smaller bag and then switch to a larger bag for long-term use.
There are also formulas for senior large and small breeds dogs, so you can get the exact food your dog needs, no matter the breed. As with any food, the manufacturer recommends you transition your dog to a new diet gradually so as to prevent upsetting your dog’s stomach.
- Proprietary “Lifesource Bits” support immune system
- Contains glucosamine for healthy joints and mobility
- Cold-formed kibble preserves potency
- No flavor variety for picky dogs
- May trigger food sensitivities
5. Best Wet Dog Food – Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food, Adult, Light for Healthy Weight & Weight Management
If you’re looking for a wet dog food that’s high in fiber, consider Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food, Adult, Light for Healthy Weight & Weight Management. On a dry matter basis (a calculation that takes into account the “extra” water in canned food), you can see that this over-the-counter diet has a very high crude fiber level (maximum 13%). It’s a light food that contains a lean protein source, liver, to help your overweight pup get back to a healthy weight.
The added omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E will help your dog maintain healthy skin and coat, as well – so if that’s a concern, this food can help address that problem, too.
- Low-calorie for weight management
- Made with natural ingredients
- Made in the USA
- 100% money-back guarantee
- Acquired taste
- Multiple sources of protein, which may trigger allergies
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Resources
If you have additional questions about the right dog food for your puppy, we’ve created a series of resources to help you get the information you need:
- A large list of the human foods that dogs can and cannot eat
- A list (and ranking) of the best automatic dog feeders
- A guide to adding fiber to a dog’s diet
- An article on how long it takes for a dog to digest food
A series of deep dives on different categories of dog food, including:
- The best dog food for Dobermans
- The best high-fiber dog food
- The best dog foods for dogs with allergies
- The best small-breed puppy foods
Article Sources
Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Flickinger B. The role of fiber in weight loss diets. Aaha.org. Published. August 31, 2011. Accessed March 5, 2021.
- Linder D. What’s the best diet for my dog with diabetes? Vetnutrition.tufts.edu. Published January 2020. Accessed March 5, 2021.
- National Academy of Sciences. Your dog’s nutritional needs: A science-based guide for pet owners. Nap.edu. Published 2006. Accessed March 5, 2021.
- Heinze C. Fiber frustrations. Vetnutrition.tufts.edu. Published November 2019. Accessed March 18, 2021.
- Freeman L. The problem with pumpkin. Vetnutrition.tufts.edu. Accessed March 5, 2021.
- Tortola L, Zaine L, Vasconcellos R, et al. Psyllium (plantago psyllium) uses in the management of constipation in dogs. Vin.com. Accessed March 5, 2021.
Dr. Jennifer Coates was valedictorian of her graduating class at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced in Virginia, Wyoming, and Colorado. She is also the author of numerous articles and books including the Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-Speak Deciphered for the Non-Veterinarian.
