If your veterinarian has recommended a high fiber diet for your dog, it’s probably for one of two reasons: (1) to form better quality stools, or (2) to help regulate his bowel movements. Too much fiber could cause serious health issues, so be sure to chat with your vet before switching to a high fiber homemade dog food.
Other reasons to switch to a high fiber diet include treating anal gland problems and alleviating constipation or diarrhea. Your vet may also recommend a high fiber diet if your dog is overweight. Extra fiber can help your dog feel full for a longer period of time than with a traditional dog food.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that resists enzymatic digestion while being processed in your dog’s small intestine. It is most commonly found in the cell walls of plants and grains, but almost every source of carbohydrates will contain at least traces of fiber.
Some fiber-packed ingredients to include in a high fiber homemade dog food recipe include: bran, brown rice, lentils, beet pulp, corn and pumpkin. This recipe includes 3 of these ingredients.
High Fiber Homemade Dog Food Recipe
High fiber diets help to keep your dog feeling fuller longer, so they can help your pup shed unnecessary pounds. Studies have even shown that insoluble fiber has a positive effect on diabetic control in canines. Likewise, a high fiber diet can also be beneficial for colon health in canines.
Recipe: High Fiber Homemade Dog Food
If your dog receives too much fiber in his diet, it may make it hard for his body to absorb minerals. If the balance of fiber in the diet is off, your dog may suffer from diarrhea, urgency to defecate, defecating in the house or increased frequency of bowel movements.
For these reasons, it’s imperative that you talk with your veterinarian or a canine nutritionist before switching your dog’s diet. Whether you’re considering a high fiber homemade dog food or a commercial high fiber food, you should consult an expert before making the change.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: about 10 cups 1x
- Category: Cooked Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Dog Food
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- 2 lbs. shredded chicken
- 3 cups water
- 1 medium sweet potato (diced)
- 2 cups brown rice
- 1/2 cup lentils
- 2 tbsp. pumpkin puree
- 1 cup broccoli (chopped)
Boil the chicken in 3 cups of water over medium heat for 20 minutes. At the same time, cook the brown rice according to the instructions on the packaging.
Remove the chicken from the water, shred it and set it aside. Add the cooked rice, sweet potato and lentils to the water and bring it back to a boil. Cook for 15 minutes on medium heat.
After 15 minutes, add the remaining ingredients (except the shredded chicken) and cook until the liquid has been completely absorbed. Mix in the cooked chicken and stir until well combined.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 183
- Sugar: .6 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 4.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 16.1 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Serving Size Recommendation: You can serve this food to your dog as soon as it has cooled. I recommend feeding about 1/2 cup of food for every 20-25 pounds of body weight. This recommendation is for 2 servings per day. So, a 25-pound dog would eat about 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.
This is just a guideline. Some dogs, like working dogs and very active breeds, will need more calories than this. Lazier pets and senior dogs may not need as many.
It’s best to consult your veterinarian about the appropriate serving size for you dog. They will also help you evaluate the meal to make sure it will meet your pet’s unique nutritional needs. If necessary, they will assist you in choosing the best supplements and/or multivitamins to add.
How to store: You can store the leftover high protein homemade dog food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days or freeze them, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that this recipe includes no preservatives, so that it won’t last nearly as long as commercial dog food.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treats recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you’re new to home cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.