Weight Management

Weight Management

Fiber

Increased dietary fiber can support weight management. Fiber adds very little usable energy (i.e., calories) to the diet, thus it can be used to reduce the overall metabolizable energy content of a diet.1,2 Fiber may also improve satiety.3-5

A Purina study with dogs showed that increased dietary fiber contributes to satiety.3

Dogs were fed either a low-fiber diet, as fed basis (2% crude fiber) or a high-fiber diet, as fed basis (9% crude fiber) during the morning feeding. During the afternoon feeding, both groups were fed an excess of the control diet and were allowed to eat until their appetite was satisfied.

Total daily calorie intake was significantly lower for dogs fed the high-fiber diet compared to low-fiber.3

Fiber in pet food usually comes from plant sources, such as chicory. Fiber can be classified as either soluble or insoluble, which simply describes whether it can dissolve in water (soluble) or not. Many natural fibers contain a mixture of soluble and insoluble components.

Fiber in pet food usually comes from plant sources. Fiber can be classified as either soluble or insoluble, which simply describes whether it can dissolve in water (soluble) or not. Many natural fibers, such as beet pulp sourced from sugar beets, contain a mixture of soluble and insoluble components.

Key thing to remember

  • Dietary fiber contributes to weight management by reducing the metabolizable energy of a diet and may improve satiety.

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  1. Laflamme, D. P. (2012). Obesity in dogs and cats: What is wrong with being fat? Journal of Animal Science, 90, 1653–1662.​
  2. Michel, K., & Scherk, M. (2012). From problem to success: Feline weight loss programs that work. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 14, 327–336.
  3. Jackson, J. R., Laflamme, D. P., & Owens, S. F. (1997). Effects of dietary fiber content on satiety in dogs. Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, 4, 130–134.
  4. Jewell, D. E., & Toll, P. W. (1996). Effects of fiber on food intake in dogs. Veterinary Clinical Nutrition, 3, 115–118.
  5. Weber, M., Bissot, T., Servet, E., Sergheraert, R., Biourge, V., & German, A. J. (2007). A high-protein, high-fiber diet designed for weight loss improves satiety in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 21, 1203–1208.