High Fiber Dog Foods

4761 Views 18 Replies 9 Participants Last post by pinehawk, Aug 11, 2006

G

Discussion Starter · Jul 28, 2006

I had Stickers at the vet today. Her anal glands were totally full! The Vet expressed them one month ago. I switched her food from Hills Science Diet Lamb & Rice to Eukanuba Lamb & Rice. Her stool production decreased and her stool seemed to firm up. Both kids love the taste too. I was hoping that would solve the anal issue. WRONG! The Vet suggested I consider switching her to a high fiber dog food. I know Eukanuba doesn't make one. I know Hills does but the kids hated the Science Diet. I don't want to add any table food, pumpkin, carrots. The Vet also advised against this. I really want the kids only to have dry dog food. Does anyone feed their hound a high fiber dry food?? If so, have you seen any improvment. I feel bad that she is having this issue. Stickers is such a sweet dog. Any input would be great!

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Beverly Anne

· #2 · Jul 28, 2006

I wonder why the vet doesn't like vegetables or pumpkin? My vets have all recommended them and it's been very effective and not to mention far cheaper than buying the vet's food.
I express Francis's anal sacs myself so, believe me! I worked hard to solve the problem.

G

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 28, 2006

Molly had an infected, impacted anal gland at Thanksgiving. I have never heard her cry in such pain in my life. Of course the screaming started at like 2am and so it scared us all half to death! We were so relieved to find out that was all it was.....when it became VERY obvious that she was in extreme pain so many things flashed thru my mind.
The vet never suggested switching food though. Interesting information. sorry you have to go through this though.
I have heard from many people that pumpkin is a great solution to these issues.....
Good luck! Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom!!!
Jennifer

biscuit

· #4 · Jul 28, 2006

pumpkin, carrots, canned green beans --- all are very effective for anal glands. and they're good for the dog. they're also cost effective.

i've never heard of a vet saying these foods shouldn't be given to a dog, unless that dog is on a special diet for, say, stones. did your vet say why?

AmyB

· #5 · Jul 28, 2006

In addition to the veggies already mentioned, I've discovered that Spencer loves broccoli. I've been warned that this can cause stinky gas, but so far, it has not been a problem. Neither have his anal glands, & we were going to the vet regularly to have them emptied.

Betsy Iole

· #6 · Jul 28, 2006

They shouldn't get canned pumpkin pie fillling, because that's obviously loaded with sugar. But I can't imagine why a vet would object to canned, unsweetened pumpkin.

If you're truly insistent about just feeding them dry food, I'd suggest purchasing the cheapest dog food you can find. Do so will guarantee voluminous stools. :twisted:

G

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 28, 2006

I mentioned to the Vet about adding pumpkin, green beans, etc. She said any kind of canned pumpkin, filling or unsweetened would make the stool softer??? She also said she has seen to proof that adding green beans makes the stool firmer?? I just want a guarantee solution. Maybe I want to much????

Rubydoo

· #8 · Jul 28, 2006

Ruby used to have no problems pooping and still ended up with impacted and infected anal glands all the time if you recall.

She ended up getting an anal gland marsupialization (not removed) and she's been A-Okay (in that body part) ever since.

Carrots and string beans are her fav treats. Always have been, always will be. Oh and we split an apple today. A fresh apple from my neighbor's tree!

G

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 29, 2006

Sorry don't know about high fiber diets. Tummy has to have his glands expressed every 4 weeks. I (presently have him on Wellness (fish & sweet potatoes.) When he isn't on a green bean diet- The vet thinks it's fine to give yogurt and plain pumpkin on top of Wellness. (small amounts) daily. She said some Bassets can go with 6 months before they need to have it done &some R like Tummy and need it done every 3 0r 4 wks. The clinic cares for BBR's houndies. Good luck. Tummy Boy's Mom.

Mikey T

· #10 · Jul 31, 2006

You may want to consider somthing like Fiber choice Chewable tablets w/no sugar added. Worked well for Toughy.

I mentioned to the Vet about adding pumpkin, green beans, etc. She said any kind of canned pumpkin, filling or unsweetened would make the stool softer??? She also said she has seen to proof that adding green beans makes the stool firmer??

The addition of fiber does not firm stools unless the dog has diarrhea Fiber will increase stool volume and tend to keep the dog regular and consistent. Hard stool are acommplished with a low of fibre highly digestable incredients. don't quite understand what your are looking for and not sure your are either.

Betsy Iole

· #11 · Jul 31, 2006

[ OT ]Good to see you, Mike-where ya been?[ /OT ]

Mike is right. Most fiber acts by increasing moisture in the colon, which increases stool volume and softens stool consistency. The afore-mentioned fruits and vegetables exert their positive effects in this way, by supplying additional fiber.

Many of the higher-end dogs foods are low-residue, meaning that they decrease stool volume, leaving less for the owner to pick up. Not all dogs tolerate these formulations, anal gland-wise.

If the goal is to increase stool volume *and* stool hardness, you may end up with one constipated pup! :shock:

G

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 31, 2006

The bottom line is the volume of stool is fine. The stool appears normal, not rock firm but not soft either. I am searching for a diet that will allow the anal secretions to pass so her glands don't need to be expressed on a monthly basis. Maybe this isn't possible?? I was hoping that adding some fiber (maybe 1/2 carrot daily) would make the stool even firmer and help psuh out the secretions?? I am just searching for a solution.

Betsy Iole

· #13 · Jul 31, 2006

Yes, you keep saying that, but colonic physiology doesn't work that way.

A daily carrot is a good idea and might indeed help, but not by making the stool firmer. It's more likely to help by increasing stool moisture, volume and frequency.

Rubydoo

· #14 · Jul 31, 2006

Some dogs are more prone to anal gland problems and some aren't. Per Ruby's old vet in FL, it doesn't necessarily have to do with a specific brand of food/diet.

It's like humans: if we eat more plant based fiber, we'll feel better than eating grain based fiber because of the added moisture in the vegies and plant based fiber digests quicker. Sometimes grain based fiber "stays too long" in the system for humans and dogs. (at least in my and Ruby's experiences).

Canned pumpkin never did anything to help Ruby's horrific problems with anal glands. It gave her looser stools but she still had impaction problems all the time.

The marsupilazation is the only thing that helped but it should only be the last resort. For those who don't know, this is NOT anal gland removal but a different type of surgery. Apparently there was only one vet in Jacksonville (FL) who does this surgery and she was an expert.

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G

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 31, 2006

You are right, that surgery should be the last resort. My German Shepherd had anal problems for years. On top of that he had many other problems. We finally made the decision to have the anals removed. Horrible long recovery. He lost bowel control for a month. He did make a full recovery but it was a very long road. I will keep you posted on how things are progressing.

jonloanranger

· #16 · Jul 31, 2006

:roll: Baxter has to get squeezed every three to four weeks. His anal glands are full and runny stools have been an issue for us as well. We have since switched to Natural Balance sweet potatoe and fish formula and that has started to firm up his BM's. He loves it too! I was also given Olewo carrots (they are pellets that you add a little water too) and those help a little too. It is kind of messy (the carrots) but he really likes the Natural Balance food. We still have to get squeezed at least monthly but at least his stools are firming up. I was amazed at my vet for not mentioning the Natural Balance food and had to do my own research and thank God for our holisic pet food store where the owners are knowledgable and they care! We even attempted a raw diet but he would have nothing to do with that. Good luck. Oh, and Baxter has a lot of allergies so we have to watch out for the itchies as well. Cheers! :lol:

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Beverly Anne

· #17 · Jul 31, 2006

It's been my experience that the only time most veterinarians recommend a food is when they sell it. They're like a lot of physicians in that they really don't talk up nutrition other than the low fat-low calorie recommendations.
I was getting Francis's glands expressed regularly and NOT ONCE did the veterinarians ever mention increasing his fiber. I learned about it here at the forum and it's been close to a miracle. When I mentioned high fiber to the vet she smiled rather vaguely and said, "That sounds like a good idea" :roll:
They're an excellent veterinary practice for the most part but when it comes to feeding a basset I've really gotten the best ideas from this forum.

Elmer-n-Button

· #18 · Aug 11, 2006

Button and Elmer have never had any anal problems, although I read about this in the Basset book I bought when we got them. They eat Science Diet Light which helps with their tendency to be overweight. Is this something that we can expect as they get older? Both of their stools are normal looking, although sometimes Elmer strains more.

pinehawk

· #19 · Aug 11, 2006

i can't remember any problems with anal glands in any of our dogs no matter what breed.i guess the field trial bloodlines that we have are not prone to this problem, and they all live to be between 10-14 years old,unless by some accident they die young. We have only had 2 die from cancer( my dogs are not "FIXED" either,so i don't buy the"FIXING Them Will Help them live longer talk.) and i think they were 11 and 9 years old. is the anal gland thing something that the dogs inherit or is exercise and chasing rabbits keeping the field lines from having problems? could it be the type of food they are fed? has there ever been any studies done on this problem? any more info would be helpful,we need to put Mikey T on the case!!! I also feed high protein,high fat,between 28%-30% protein 18%-20% fat. when the dogs are not being trained hard they get the same food,just less. since i'm now in the Purina Pro Plan Club i've been using the Pro Plan Performance blend and even though there is corn in it they have been doing even better on it than when they were on the Buckeye Pro Kennel Super Bits, plus after many phone calls and e-mails to Buckeye about Field Trial sponsorship which they do not do at least Purina gives back to the dog world with research money and trial sponsorship.

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