34 Best High Fiber Dog Foods For Anal Gland Problems: Dry, Canned, Treats, Raw & Supplement (We Asked A Vet)

Dr. Libby Guise

If you’ve ever seen your furbaby scooting his but across the ground, you probably know about impacted anal glands. As a vet, one of the stinkiest jobs I’ve had is expressing or cleaning out these sacs when they’re packed full of gunk.

So…what are anal glands? How do these little organs become clogged up, and what can be done about it? These are some of the questions we’ll explore together.

Once we look at some information about impacted anal glands, we’ll take a look at 34 food brands currently on the market that may help your pal’s condition. Then we’ll share our pick for best high fiber dog food-anal gland problems

Top 32 High Fiber Dog Food Brands For Anal Gland Problems Review

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

3.2/5

Price Range: $$

This Royal Canin kibble is for dogs with digestive sensitivities and is only available through your veterinarian. With a maximum fiber of 12.5% and omega 3 fatty acids, this food has ingredients to support digestive health. It has a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers, digestible proteins, prebiotic fibers, and antioxidants. The product uses chicken by-product meal as the primary ingredient and includes whole grains. You can purchase this food through your veterinarian.

What We Like About It

What We Don't Like

Hill's Science Diet Light for Weight Management, Small Paws for Small Breeds, with Chicken Meal & Barley

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Light, Small Paws, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe

Our Rating:

4.8/5

Price Range: $$

Formulated especially for small breed dogs, this Hill’s dry dog food has a maximum crude fiber content of 12.4%. Chicken meal is the first ingredient. It contains antioxidants, omega 6 fatty acids, and vitamin E to support healthy skin and coat. This product is made in the USA with ingredients from trusted sources. In addition to whole grains, the formula includes apples, cranberries, broccoli, carrots, and peas. This food is also available in medium and large dog varieties.

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What We Don't Like

A Tip From The Vet

Fiber supplement - If Fido’s diet alone doesn’t provide enough fiber to firm up his poop, you can add a fiber supplement like psyllium husk or canned pumpkin.

Nulo Small Breed Limited Ingredient Diet for Digestive & Immune Health - Allergy Sensitive Non-GMO

Our Rating:

4.7/5

Price Range: $$

Nulo Freestyle is a limited ingredient diet for dogs with food sensitivities. The maximum crude fiber is 3.5%. This product is grain-free and contains no chicken product, artificial colors, or synthetic preservatives. You can purchase the food in 4.5, 11, or 24-pound bag sizes. With deboned turkey as the first ingredient, the formula offers a high protein (30%) diet. Probiotics, prebiotic fiber, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants are also included in this food. It’s made in the USA using ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

Dr. Tim'S All Natural Pet Food Grain Free For All Life Stages

Our Rating:

5/5

Price Range: $$

Dr. Tim’s is formulated for all dogs except for large breed puppies. With no corn, wheat, or soy in the product, this food can help pups with grain sensitivities. It contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, antioxidants, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics. The crude fiber content of this kibble is 4.5%. This product is made in the USA with ingredients from trusted, non-GMO sources.

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What We Don't Like

NUTRO MAX Adult Dry Dog Food, Regular & Large Breed

Our Rating:

4.6/5

Price Range: $$

This dry food from Nutro Max is specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed dogs. It uses farm-raised chicken and whole grains. There are no artificial preservatives, colors, or preservatives, and there’s also no corn, wheat or soy in the product. With digestible ingredients and prebiotic fiber, this formula should be easy on the gut. It’s made in the USA with ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.6/5

Price Range: $$

Blue Buffalo healthy weight food has deboned chicken as the first ingredient. It’s a grain-free, high protein food with prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The crude protein content is 10%. The formula includes antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Lifesource bits are mixed with the kibble to provide a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

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What We Don't Like

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food

Whole Earth Farms Grain Free, Natural Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

This Whole Earth Farms recipe uses Chicken and Turkey as the protein sources. With no corn, wheat, or soy, the product is made to be readily digestible. It contains 4.5% crude fiber and 26% crude protein. There are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in the formula. This food offers balanced nutrition and has natural whole foods and probiotics. It’s made in the USA with ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.6/5

Price Range: $$

Instinct by Nature’s Variety is a grain-free recipe with raw freeze-dried chicken as the primary protein source. The formula includes whole food ingredients from trusted sources. It also has omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics. The crude fiber content of this made in the USA product is 4%.

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What We Don't Like

Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Food

Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $$

Made in the USA, this product uses farm-raised chicken as a primary protein source and organic whole foods. There are no artificial preservatives, and the ingredients are free of antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides. The formula includes Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Prebiotic fiber and probiotics are also included in the kibble to aid proper digestion.

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What We Don't Like

Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Healthy Weight Formula

Wellness Complete Health Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Small Breed Turkey, Chicken & Salmon

Our Rating:

4.8/5

Price Range: $$

Wellness complete dog food uses no wheat, corn, or soy in the formula. With 5.5% crude fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics, this food helps to support digestion. The product is made in the USA using all-natural ingredients. It includes antioxidant-rich foods, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. The company uses recyclable packaging.

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What We Don't Like

Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dog Food

Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $$

Packed with antioxidants, this dry kibble includes natural fruits and vegetables in the formula for a healthy balance. The protein comes from a blend of salmon, herring, and whitefish meal. This product includes omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics to help support skin, coat, and digestion. It’s made in the USA and packaged in a recyclable, BPA free bag. The crude fiber content is 4%.

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What We Don't Like

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

This Taste of the Wild food has roasted bison and roasted venison. There are vegetable and fruit superfoods in the recipe that provide a rich source of antioxidants. The product also has prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and a balanced blend of omega fatty acids. It has 4% maximum crude fiber. As a family-owned company, the manufacturers make this kibble in the USA using trusted global sources.

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What We Don't Like

A Tip From The Vet

Exercise your pal - Exercise can help to tone the abdominal and rectal muscles. This provides the strength to exert appropriate pressure on the glands while defecating. Also, regular activity stimulates smooth muscles in the gut to keep things moving regularly.

Our Rating:

4.3/5

Price Range: $$

Racheal Ray’s Nutrish uses turkey and chicken as protein sources. The formula includes vegetables and prebiotic fiber for easy digestion. This is a grain-free product with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s made in the USA with trusted ingredients from global sources. There’s about 4% crude protein in the kibble.

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What We Don't Like

ORIJEN High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat

ORIJEN High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat, Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

Made in Kentucky from regionally sourced ingredients, this dry kibble uses a variety of whole foods. It has 38% crude protein from raw and dried animal sources. There’s no rendered product in this food. As a grain-free product, the formula includes fresh fruit and vegetables to provide antioxidants and other essential nutrients. There are also omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics in the kibble.

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What We Don't Like

Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet, Small Bites

NUTRO Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

This dog food from Nutro is made with smaller kibble to accommodate a range of dog sizes. There’s no chicken, beef, dairy, corn, wheat, or soy in this product. As a limited ingredient food, it’s designed to be easy on the digestive system. The kibble also has prebiotic fiber and a balanced blend of vitamins and minerals. It’s made in the USA using non-GMO ingredients.

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What We Don't Like

Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Natural Dry Dog Food

Rachael Ray Nutrish Dish Super Premium Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $$

Nutrish Dish dry food starts with farm-raised beef as the top ingredient. It’s made with natural whole foods to supply essential nutrients and antioxidants. There are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in this product, and it’s corn, gluten, soy, and wheat-free. This product has a crude fiber content of 4%. It’s made in the USA with ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

This Wellness Core product is a grain-free kibble that’s designed for weight management. With 8.5% crude fiber, 33% crude protein, and lower fat than the average adult dog food, this product supports lean muscle mass. The formula includes fruits, vegetables, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics to promote healthy digestion. There are also sources of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, prebiotic fiber, and probiotics in the food. Wellness Core is made in the USA using ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

‘’I and Love and You’’ Naked Essentials Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

I and Love and You’ Naked Essentials Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

Naked Essentials dry food with lamb and bison is a grain-free kibble that has real meat as the top ingredient. It has no artificial ingredients, wheat, soy, corn, rice, or by-product meals in the formula. The product has balanced nutrition and a kibble size that any dog can eat. With added prebiotics, probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, this food provides support for healthy skin, hair, and digestion.

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What We Don't Like

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $$

This Blue Buffalo Wilderness dog food is a grain-free kibble with Salmon as the first ingredient. The digestible carbohydrates and antioxidants come from a combination of fresh fruits and vegetables. This product contains prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin, coat, and digestion. As a natural dog food, there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives in the kibble. The formula includes a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in their trademark lifesource bits.

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What We Don't Like

Fromm Gold Coast Grain Free Weight Management 4lb

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

Gold Coast weight management food from Fromm is a grain-free kibble. It uses ocean fish as the primary protein source and has 8% crude fiber. This product includes prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and a blend of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. As a family-owned, US business, the company packages this food in Wisconsin and uses ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Real Meat Recipe Premium Wet Canned Stew Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Grain Free Real Meat Recipe Premium Wet Canned Stew Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.2/5

Price Range: $$

This Taste of the Wild canned food comes in a stew form and includes beef, lamb, bison, and venison protein sources. There are no grains, and the product is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. With quality whole foods and probiotic fiber, this food is made to be easily digestible. It’s made in the USA using ingredients from trusted sources.

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What We Don't Like

Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Grain-Free Natural Chicken Holistic Weight Control Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.2/5

Price Range: $$

Fit and Fabulous from Solid Gold uses wholesome, all-natural ingredients from trusted sources. With no fillers, grains, BPA, or artificial colors or preservatives, this product should be easy on the gut. The product has chicken as the first ingredient and includes fiber-rich food sources for easy digestion. It’s made in the USA.

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What We Don't Like

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Wet Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.2/5

Price Range: $$

Limited Ingredients dog foods from Natural Balance are high in fiber to help support digestion. These foods come in six flavor options so that you can find one to suit your pup’s taste. Each product is grain-free and contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s formulated to help minimize food sensitivities.

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What We Don't Like

A Tip From The Vet

Deal with allergies - Food and environmental allergies can cause inflammation that leads to swollen ducts. If your pal has any sensitivities, work with your veterinarian to treat them and keep the symptoms under control.

Weruva Grain-Free Natural Canned Wet Dog Food

Weruva Grain-Free Natural Canned Wet Dog Food

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

Weruva Jammin’ Salmon canned food has chicken and salmon as the protein sources. As a limited-ingredient product, it includes pumpkin and other whole foods to provide digestible fiber. There are no grains or artificial colors or preservatives in the recipe. The food is manufactured in BRC-approved facilities that also make human-grade food.

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What We Don't Like

Glandex Anal Gland Soft Chew Treats with Pumpkin for Dogs – Vet Recommended

Glandex Anal Gland Soft Chew Treats with Pumpkin for Dogs

Our Rating:

4.4/5

Price Range: $$

Glandex soft chews for dogs are tasty treats that are designed to support normal anal gland function. These peanut butter flavored goodies have pumpkin seed, apple pectin, digestive enzyme, and probiotics to aid the gut. It’s made in the USA using trusted, natural ingredients.

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What We Don't Like

Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs

Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs

Our Rating:

4.7/5

Price Range: $$

As a prebiotic dog treat, this product contains fiber from pumpkin and natural enzymes from papaya. The probiotic blend has six strains and is designed to aid with digestion. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, corn, or soy in this product. If your furbaby suffers from gas, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, or other digestive upsets, these treats were made with your pal in mind.

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What We Don't Like

Whole Life Pet Living Treats Pumpkin Treats for Dogs

Whole Life Pet Living Treats Freeze Dried Pumpkin Treats for Dogs

Our Rating:

4.7/5

Price Range: $

Whole LifeTreats are made in the USA using trusted domestic sources. The product has chicken as the first of six ingredients. It includes yogurt with active cultures to provide a rich source of probiotics. There are no added chemicals, flavors, or preservatives. The fiber content of these tidbits is 2%.

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What We Don't Like

Wholesome Pride Pumpkin Strips - Vegan, Gluten and Grain-Free

Wholesome Pride Pumpkin Strips

Our Rating:

4.1/5

Price Range: $

These strips from Wholesome Pride are a single ingredient dog treat. The product is made in Honduras from trusted ingredients. The hypoallergenic goodies undergo minimal processing and have a maximum crude fiber content of 6%. With no added ingredients, this food should be easy on the digestive system. The strips come in an 8 oz., resealable bag.

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What We Don't Like

Portland Pet Food Company - All Natural Limited Ingredients, 5 Ounces, Pumpkin Flavour

Portland Pet Food Company All-Natural Dog Treat Biscuits

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $$

These limited-ingredient dog biscuits are made from wholesome, locally-sourced foods. There are no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives in the treats. This product is hypoallergenic and gluten-free. It’s made in the USA from domestic sources and packaged in a BPA-free bag. Other available flavor options include bacon and gingerbread.

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What We Don't Like

PetMio Bites - Human Grade Dog Treats, Banana Almond Butter Pumpkin Recipe

PetMio Bites Human Grade Dog Treats, Banana Almond Butter Pumpkin Recipe

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $

This gourmet recipe is made in the USA using human-grade food sources. There are no artificial ingredients, flavors, or preservatives in the product, and it’s gluten-free. With 9 ingredients, this treat is made to support healthy digestion, skin, and hair. The chewy tidbits come in an 8 oz. jar.

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Diggin' Your Dog - Pumpkin Super Supplement (Anti-Diarrhea & Anti-Constipation)

Diggin' Your Dog - Pumpkin Super Supplement

Our Rating:

4.5/5

Price Range: $$

Diggin’ Your Dog Pumpkin Supplement contains a dried pumpkin blend that you can to Fido’s diet. It comes in a 4-ounce bag that holds the equivalent of 3 cans of pumpkin supplement. The packaging is BPA free. The mixture includes dried pumpkin and apple pectin. As a rich source of fiber and antioxidants, this supplement can help support your pup’s digestion and firm up his stools.

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What We Don't Like

A Tip From The Vet

Do a Doggy Cleanse - Make a fiber broth with bone broth or coconut water and psyllium husks. Feed this mixture to your pooch for 1-2 days in place of his normal food. Observe Fido when he poops during the cleansing period to make sure he’s not having difficulty.

The Missing Link Ultimate Skin & Coat Dog Supplement

The Missing Link Ultimate Skin & Coat Dog Supplement

Our Rating:

4.6/5

Price Range: $$

This Missing Link Supplement is a superfood product that’s designed to support healthy skin, coat, and digestion. It includes omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and a blend of nutrient-rich whole foods and concentrates that are unprocessed. The crude fiber content in this product is 15%.

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What We Don't Like

BERNIE'S PERFECT POOP Digestion & General Health Supplement for Dogs

BERNIE'S PERFECT POOP Digestion

Our Rating:

4.7/5

Price Range: $$

Bernie’s Perfect Poop digestive support supplement comes in granular form to add to your pup’s normal food. With a 4-in-1 formula containing fiber, enzymes, prebiotics, and probiotics, this product has essential ingredients for the gut. It’s gluten-free and made in the USA with non-GMO ingredients. Introduce this slowly to your dog’s diet and build up to the recommended dose over several days for the best results.

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What We Don't Like

Zesty Paws Advanced Probiotic Bites for Dogs

Zesty Paws Probiotic for Dogs

Our Rating:

4.9/5

Price Range: $$

The Advanced Probiotic dog Bites from Zesty Paws include sources of prebiotic fiber, probiotics, and digestive enzymes to support healthy digestion. These supplements are chicken-flavored soft chews that are easy to give to your pooch. There’s no soy, grains, artificial flavors or preservatives in this product. It’s made in the USA with trusted, natural ingredients.

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Note: Before you make any changes to Fido’s diet, consult with your veterinarian. The information in the article should not replace medical advice from the doctor that knows the most about your furry pal’s history and needs.

Anal glands are small sacs located in the muscle layers under the base of the tail. These are scent glands that pups use in communication. When everything is functioning normally, the tiny pouches secrete an oily substance through ducts every time your furry friend poops.

Anal Gland Impaction

Unfortunately, sometimes anal glands can become a problem.

The most common issue with these sacs is an impaction. In this case, the ducts become inflamed and swell shut. There’s no secondary evacuation route for the oily secretions, and they start to build up in the pouches. Unless the glands are emptied, they can enlarge, be painful, become infected, and eventually abscess.

Older dogs can also develop cancer in the anal glands.

Recognising Anal Gland Problems in Dogs

There are a few tell-tale signs of anal gland problems.
There are some conditions and lifestyle factors that may increase the likelihood of anal gland issues.

Do My Dog’s Anal Glands Need to Be Expressed?

The answer depends on whether your dog is having problems with the sacs. If everything is functioning properly, the glands naturally express when your pup defecates.

If Fido has impacted anal glands, then they may have to be expressed manually. It’s best to let a veterinarian or technician who has the training do it. The tissue is delicate and can be injured if you don’t know what you’re doing. Because it’s a messy, stinky job, you may prefer to leave it to someone else anyway!

How Can Injuries Interfere With the Anal Glands?

Injuries around the tailhead and anus can affect the anal glands. Whether the trauma is from an unrelated cause or due to excessive or improper expressing of the sacs, damage to the tissues leads to inflammation and possible scar tissue formation.

Swelling alone can block the ducts and lead to an impaction. However, after the initial irritation recedes, there may also be scar tissue that prevents proper emptying of the anal glands.

Once the anal glands become impacted, the diet won’t fix the clog. However, feeding your pal a healthy regimen may help to prevent future bouts. It could also be useful even if Fido has never had a problem.
Dietary fiber or roughage is a nutrient found in plants. It’s similar to carbohydrates except neither people nor dog’s digestive tracts can break it down into usable sugars. For this reason, fiber passes through our systems, but along the way, it can help regulate the digestive process.
There are two kinds of fiber:

How Much Fiber Do Regular Dog Foods Contain?

The average dog food contains around 2-4 % dietary fiber. Depending on the brand and type of food, the amount can range from 1-10% fiber.

Prevention

Feeding your dog a diet that’s high in insoluble fiber can help add bulk and firmness to his stool. That way, when Fido defecates, the feces exerts natural pressure on the anal glands so that they excrete the liquid. Unless there are other underlying conditions, this may be enough to prevent an impaction.

Foods That Are Sources of Dietary Fiber for Dog Foods

To add dietary fiber to your pup’s food, you’ll need plant-based sources. This nutrient is not found in meat, dairy products, or sugar. Additionally, highly refined foods like most white bread have negligible amounts of useful fiber. Some whole food ingredients that can add fiber to the diet are:

While a high-fiber diet had many benefits, there can be too much of a good thing. Too much soluble fiber can increase transit time and lead to:
The key is to use a moderately high-fiber diet that’s nutritionally balanced for your pup’s health needs.

Fiber Content

A high fiber diet should have 5-10% fiber based on the guaranteed analysis. Anything above 10% can cause negative effects.

Quality Ingredients

Highly processed foods don’t pack the same punch when it comes to fiber. Look for:

Probiotics/Prebiotics

Prebiotics and probiotics work together to encourage proper digestion. The short-chain fatty acids that come from prebiotic fermentation in the colon serve as food for the beneficial bacterial strains found in probiotics.

Hypoallergenic

Because inflammation from food sensitivities can contribute to anal gland problems, avoid allergenic ingredients like corn, soy, and wheat.

Ingredients from trusted sources

Check the label to see if the food is manufactured in the United States. You should also see if the ingredients come from trusted sources like the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

How Can I Add Fiber to My Dog’s Diet?

If you think your furry friend would benefit from a high-fiber diet, you have several options:
If your dog is experiencing chronic anal gland problems because of soft stools or infrequent defecation, a high-fiber diet can be helpful. But sometimes, there are other underlying issues, for example:

What if the diet alone doesn’t help Fido keep his sacs expressed? Take your pooch to your veterinarian for a physical exam to determine the next steps. There may be something that requires medical attention. Or if all else fails, it may be time do discuss surgery.

Anal glands are scent organs, so their removal shouldn’t negatively impact your pup’s health. There is a slight risk that nerves controlling the anal sphincter could be accidentally cut or nicked. If that were to happen, and it’s rare, your furbaby wouldn’t be able to control his bowel movements.

Do Older Dogs Need High Fiber Dog Food?

While it is not required to add fiber to an older dog’s food, it can be beneficial in some cases. It depends on your pooch and his needs. If your pal suffers from constipation, fiber may help to keep him regular. Additionally, in the early senior years, added fiber can help prevent weight gain.

How Does Dietary Fiber Help Control Inflamed Anal Glands?

The most common cause of inflamed anal glands is impaction. The fiber in the diet adds bulk and results in more waste. The larger stools push against the anal sacs and cause them to excrete the liquid.

How Can Fiber Help a Diabetic Dog?

Insoluble fiber helps to slow down the digestive process. This allows a more consistent release of sugar into the bloodstream so that there’s less risk of spikes in insulin.

How do you clean your dog's glands?

If you don’t want to take your pal into your vet or local groomer, you can express the anal glands at home. Before you do it the first time, talk to your veterinarian about the risks. Sometimes you can do more harm than good by rupturing the sacs. To clean the sacs, first collect paper towels and put disposable gloves on your hands. The best way to empty the glands is using the internal method, demonstrated in this video:
There is also an external method, but repeatedly using this approach may increase the risk of impaction:

How can I treat my dog's scooting at home?

Scooting can be caused by an infection/irritation around the anus, parasites, or swollen anal glands. You should consult with your veterinarian for a diagnosis. If impacted anal glands are the source of the scooting, have them expressed. You can also apply warm compresses to the area to help soothe the irritation. 

What happens if you don't express your dog's glands?

If your dog has a problem expressing his own anal glands, they can become impacted if you don’t clear the thick fluids out of the sacs. When your dog shows signs of impaction such as scooting and frequently licking around the anus, you should have the glands expressed to avoid infection or rupture of the sacs.

Is pumpkin a good source of fiber for dogs?

Pumpkin is an excellent source of soluble fiber for dogs. It also has Vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals potassium and iron.

Is it OK to give dogs pumpkin everyday?

Yes, you can add a 1-4 tablespoons of plain, canned pumpkin to your pup’s daily diet. Start slow and build up to make sure that the change doesn’t upset his stomach.

Is Sweet Potato good for dogs?

Cooked sweet potatoes are good for dogs, unless they have diabetes. They’re an excellent source of Vitamins A, B6, C, as well as the minerals calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Do not feed any potatoes raw because they contain solanine which is poisonous to dogs. Cooking helps to neutralize the compound to a safe level for canines.

Our Top Pick

After reviewing the above products and comparing their ingredients with our criteria for high-fiber dog food for anal gland problems, we have a top pick. And the winner is Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.

It contains a combination of prebiotic fiber and probiotics to encourage healthy digestion. The salmon oil also provides omega fatty acids that can help to control inflammation.

This product has ingredients that we like. The first item on the list is protein from boneless turkey. With a mixture of fruits and vegetables, the whole foods provide a crude fiber content of 8.5%. As a grain-free food, the kibble is less likely to be a problem for pups with food sensitivities.

In addition to satisfying these criteria, owners report that dogs with anal gland problems show improvement when they eat this kibble.

All of these factors are the reason that we chose this Wellness Core product as the best high-fiber food.