Fiber supplement

[Chase]

I was wondering if it's ok to give dogs a fiber supplement? Like metamucil fiber gel tabs? The reason I ask is because Chase seems constipated and it's because his diet mostly consists of boiled chicken at this point. He's eating 1/4-1/2 cup of his BB kibble each meal and ~ 2 oz of green beans, but that doesn't have enough fiber and is much less than what he was used to getting from his full 1.5-2 cups of BB at each feeding. He's not a fan of pure canned pumpkin either. I'm also hesitant to add more veggies to his dish since he still very picky and we feel lucky everytime he eats at all.

[SandyL]

Re: Fiber supplement

I use Metamucil powder ( fine and sugar free ) in both my dogs meals. Tiggy gets 1 tsp per day... She weighs 15lbs.
It has really seemed to help with both dogs and their glands too!

Sandy

[Kat Negron]

Re: Fiber supplement

Good question to ask! I was wondering about that as I'll be tweaking Gigi's diet a bit and want to make sure she gets some fiber. Thanks for starting this thread!

[Abby's Mom]

Re: Fiber supplement

Another natural alternative are green beans (they can be raw), as well as pumpkin (I get the organic pure pumpkin...make small dollops..put them on a cookie sheet and freeze them... Once frozen, I then placed in a Baggie, and remove one or two as needed). I have not had any problems with Abby. I have just reintroduced flax seed as well, but for other reasons, but they have a lot of fiber in them as well.

[farrwf]

Re: Fiber supplement

Many use the fiber supplements to slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

It sure can't hurt as there are many other benefits.

[MaryLea]

Re: Fiber supplement

Many use the fiber supplements to slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

If I remember correctly, one side effect of slower sugar absorption is to reduce the sudden spike some experience after food and insulin.

Mary

[jesse girl]

Re: Fiber supplement

those are good points

if the curve you are getting say for example has an early drop slowing the adsorption could intensify that drop which may not be a good thing

so when adding any supplement you need to test to see if and how it affects the numbers and the curve . thats why we like home testing

[HarrysMom]

Re: Fiber supplement

I used to give Harry both fiber from veggies (green beans and broccoli) and water soluble fiber from Metamucil (make sure it is sugar free - just inulin). Our holistic vet and IMS think that a body needs both types of fibers - water soluble and bulky ones. I do think that Metamucil helped Harry with his steep mountain curve - it flattened out quite a bit.

[Kat Negron]

Re: Fiber supplement

Sounds like this might help Gigi. Her curves seem to consistently show a spike in her BG after a meal.

[Shellie]

Re: Fiber supplement

I've given Hank a teasponful of Metamucil (sugar free...just the plain stuff) each day since he was diagnosed. I know it helps his stools alot. Keeps him very regular and less messy. And I'm sure it helps with at least a bit in the regulation end of things since fiber does last longer.