If you have a pup that’s constantly constipated on your hands, then you’re likely desperate for a solution (especially if nothing you’ve tried thus far seems to have helped). That’s where high fiber dog foods come in. Though it’s not a necessary part of their diet, fiber has benefits for dogs just like us humans—and one of those benefits is making it easier for your pet to poop.
You’ll find there are many dog foods out there that are labeled high fiber (and some not labeled as such that have plenty of it), so you may be wondering where to start your search. Below you’ll find the 10 best dog foods for constipation—this list will help you find a dog food that’s perfect for your dog. Each one has a quick review with pros and cons, so you’ll get a good idea of what each food contains and what people thought of it. Then head on to our buyer’s guide to find out more about fiber, how much a dog needs, and what to look for in high fiber dog foods!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe
Vet-recommended
Prebiotic fiber to improve gut health
Backed by research
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Best Value
Diamond Hi-Energy Sporting Dog Formula Dry Dog Food
Added fiber
Keeps active dogs active
Carefully balanced for the best nutrition
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Premium Choice
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal High Fiber
Two types of fiber for better intestinal movement
Prebiotics to improve gut health
Highly digestible proteins
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Best for Puppies
ACANA Wholesome Grains Puppy Recipe Gluten-Free Dry Dog Food
Gluten-free grains that are rich in fiber
High-quality proteins
Legume-free
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Vet’s Choice
Annamaet 25% Medium & Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Wholesome grains for fiber
Pro- and prebiotic for a healthier gut
Contains L-carnitine to support lean muscles
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for Constipation
When it comes to the best overall high fiber dog food for constipation out there, our recommendation is Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin. Not only does it provide your four-legged friend with a good amount of fiber to help them out, but it’s also an easily digestible food due to prebiotic fiber (from beet pulp) that supports gut health. The company claims this food is backed by tons of research, so it should be helpful for constipated pups. Plus, it also provides plenty of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E for healthier skin and coat.
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, yellow peas, cracked pearled barley
Crude protein content: 20%
Crude fiber content: 4%
Calories: 394/cup
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This dog food is vet-recommended for dogs with digestive issues. Also, note that this dog food does contain peas, which have been linked to heart disease in dogs (although more research is needed).
Pros
Vet-recommended
Prebiotic fiber to improve gut health
Backed by research
Cons
Occasionally, dogs developed loose stools after eating
Picky eaters weren’t fans
Give your dog a nice boost of fiber with this dog food! As the best high fiber dog food for constipation for the money, Diamond provides not just added fiber to improve digestion but a careful balance of protein and fat as well to keep your pet healthy. This food is designed for those dogs who love to be active at all times and contains vitamin B12 to keep that energy going. Diamond Hi-Energy is also enhanced with a wealth of other things to meet your dog’s nutritional needs, such as fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Vet-recommended
Prebiotic fiber to improve gut health
Backed by research
- Vet-recommended
- Prebiotic fiber to improve gut health
- Backed by research
Occasionally, dogs developed loose stools after eating
Picky eaters weren’t fans
- Occasionally, dogs developed loose stools after eating
- Picky eaters weren’t fans
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, ground corn, wheat flour, rice bran
Crude protein content: 24%
Crude fiber content: 5%
Calories: 433/cup
This food is made in the United States and follows scientifically-advanced safety protocols to ensure each batch is safe for your pet.
Pros
Added fiber
Keeps active dogs active
Carefully balanced for the best nutrition
Cons
Rare reports of dogs developing diarrhea after eating
When you want a food that’s high in fiber and a bit more premium, why not go with Royal Canin? This high fiber food contains a blend of both soluble and insoluble fibers to support better intestinal movement. And with prebiotics and highly digestible proteins, it promotes optimal stool quality and better digestive health, in general. Plus, omega-3 fatty acids help nourish and soothe any issues in the GI tract. This food by Royal Canin also provides your pet with plenty of energy to run and play, all while maintaining their weight.
Added fiber
Keeps active dogs active
Carefully balanced for the best nutrition
- Added fiber
- Keeps active dogs active
- Carefully balanced for the best nutrition
Rare reports of dogs developing diarrhea after eating
- Rare reports of dogs developing diarrhea after eating
Main ingredients: Chicken by-product meal, brewer’s rice, chicken fat, powdered cellulose
Crude protein content: 21%
Crude fiber content: 8.5%
Calories: 290/cup
Pros
Two types of fiber for better intestinal movement
Prebiotics to improve gut health
Highly digestible proteins
Cons
Low-calorie so may not be enough for larger dogs
Pricier than other foods
Have a little one on your hands that’s dealing with constipation? Then we recommend this puppy food by ACANA. The grains found in this food aren’t only high in fiber and supportive of gut health, but they are also gluten-free (if that’s a concern). Other high-quality ingredients found here include free-run chicken and turkey and free-range eggs, all of which provide your pup with a boost of protein that will keep their development on track. ACANA’s food also contains a wealth of omega fatty acids designed to support the growth of your puppy.
Two types of fiber for better intestinal movement
Prebiotics to improve gut health
Highly digestible proteins
- Two types of fiber for better intestinal movement
- Prebiotics to improve gut health
- Highly digestible proteins
Low-calorie so may not be enough for larger dogs
Pricier than other foods
- Low-calorie so may not be enough for larger dogs
- Pricier than other foods
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oat groats, whole sorghum
Crude protein content: 28%
Crude fiber content: 6%
Calories: 425/cup
This food is free of legumes, so you don’t have to worry about any potential heart health issues.
Pros
Gluten-free grains that are rich in fiber
High-quality proteins
Legume-free
Cons
Picky eaters refused to eat
Want to give your dog a food that’s recommended by vets? Annamaet might be just the thing! Featuring plenty of wholesome grains that provide fiber, along with probiotics and prebiotics to boost gut health, this food is excellent for your pet’s digestive system. It’s also high in protein to give them energy and help them stay strong and healthy. Marine microalgae provide plenty of omega-3 fatty acids for healthier skin and coats, while L-carnitine is there to support metabolism, so your dog stays lean.
Gluten-free grains that are rich in fiber
High-quality proteins
Legume-free
- Gluten-free grains that are rich in fiber
- High-quality proteins
- Legume-free
Picky eaters refused to eat
- Picky eaters refused to eat
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, brown rice, millet, rolled oats
Crude protein content: 25%
Crude fiber content: 4%
Calories: 414/cup
The downside to this food is that it’s made for medium and large breed dogs, so it likely won’t be suitable for those with small breeds.
Pros
Wholesome grains for fiber
Pro- and prebiotic for a healthier gut
Contains L-carnitine to support lean muscles
Cons
Not suitable for small breeds
Kibble pieces on the small side
This dog food has a bit less fiber than others on our list, but it still contains a decent amount. Plus, it has live probiotics to provide an extra boost of support to the health of the gut and improve digestion. Because Purina Pro Plan’s food has chicken as the first ingredient, it’s also rich in protein, so your dog will get all he needs to stay healthy and strong. And it’s not just kibble here; there are also shredded bits of meat to provide a texture and flavor your pup will love! Formulated to meet your dog’s nutritional needs 100%, this food also contains omega fatty acids for a healthy, shiny coat.
Wholesome grains for fiber
Pro- and prebiotic for a healthier gut
Contains L-carnitine to support lean muscles
- Wholesome grains for fiber
- Pro- and prebiotic for a healthier gut
- Contains L-carnitine to support lean muscles
Not suitable for small breeds
Kibble pieces on the small side
- Not suitable for small breeds
- Kibble pieces on the small side
Main ingredients: Chicken, rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal
Crude protein content: 26%
Crude fiber content: 3%
Calories: 387/cup
Pros
Has live probiotics to support gut health
High protein
Cons
Contains a bit less fiber than other dog foods
Kibble pieces on the large side
Give your dog a food that contains plenty of natural fiber to help improve the health of their digestive tract with Nutro Natural Choice. This food is made, in particular, for large breed dogs, so it is formulated to meet all their nutritional needs. Real chicken as the first ingredient provides more than enough protein to meet your pup’s daily needs, while the natural fiber comes from the whole grain ingredients. There are also a host of antioxidants to boost the immune system’s health, as well as chondroitin and glucosamine to support your pet’s joint health, keeping them as active as they want to be.
Has live probiotics to support gut health
High protein
- Has live probiotics to support gut health
- High protein
Contains a bit less fiber than other dog foods
Kibble pieces on the large side
- Contains a bit less fiber than other dog foods
- Kibble pieces on the large side
Main ingredients: Chicken, whole grain brown rice, whole grain sorghum, brewers’ rice
Crude protein content: 20%
Crude fiber content: 3.5%
Calories: 335/cup
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed is recommended for dogs over the age of 18 months.
Pros
Natural fiber from whole grains
High protein
Supports healthy joints
Cons
Only for large breed dogs
Picky eaters refused it
This Blue Buffalo food is packed with fiber to ensure your dog has an easier time pooping. It also helps them stay at a healthy weight since the fiber keeps them feeling full longer while still providing all the nutrients they need to stay strong. Real chicken as the first ingredient ensures plenty of protein for your pup, while fruits and veggies provide all the vitamins and minerals to meet their nutritional requirements. It also contains L-carnitine to keep muscles lean and strong.
Natural fiber from whole grains
High protein
Supports healthy joints
- Natural fiber from whole grains
- High protein
- Supports healthy joints
Only for large breed dogs
Picky eaters refused it
- Only for large breed dogs
- Picky eaters refused it
Main ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, barley
Crude protein content: 28%
Crude fiber content: 14%
Calories: 324/cup
Blue Buffalo says this recipe is science-based, so it should be a good fit for nearly any pup.
Pros
Extremely high fiber
Maintains healthy weight
Cons
Kibble pieces on the larger side, so some smaller breeds had trouble eating
A couple of dogs managed to gain weight on this food instead of losing
The fiber in this dog food comes from pearled barley and brown rice and will keep your pup’s digestive system running smoothly. (There is also pea fiber in this food; keep in mind there have been some links found between peas and heart disease in dogs, though more research into this is needed.) Probiotics and a blend of superfoods help to further support the health of the gut and keep your pet’s GI tract moving along as it should be. Fresh caught pollock and pollock meal pack in the protein while also offering your dog healthy omega fatty acids for boosting the health of the immune system.
Extremely high fiber
Maintains healthy weight
- Extremely high fiber
- Maintains healthy weight
Kibble pieces on the larger side, so some smaller breeds had trouble eating
A couple of dogs managed to gain weight on this food instead of losing
- Kibble pieces on the larger side, so some smaller breeds had trouble eating
- A couple of dogs managed to gain weight on this food instead of losing
Main ingredients: Pollock, pollock meal, pea fiber, pearled barley
Crude protein content: 26%
Crude fiber content: 10%
Calories: 330/cup
And because this food is low fat and low calorie, it’s great for those dogs who need to lose (or maintain) weight.
Pros
Plenty of fiber
Contains live probiotics
Low fat & low calorie
Cons
Rarely dogs became gassy after eating
Strong fishy smell
A few people found the kibble to be too hard
Inulin found in this ORIJEN food provides soluble and insoluble fiber for your dog to help keep their GI tract healthy and working properly; whole grains such as quinoa and oats also give a fiber infusion. Prebiotics and probiotics further aid in keeping the digestive system working as it should at all times. And with the first five ingredients of this food being raw or fresh animal protein, this food packs a walloping 38% crude protein to keep your dog strong and healthy.
Plenty of fiber
Contains live probiotics
Low fat & low calorie
- Plenty of fiber
- Contains live probiotics
- Low fat & low calorie
Rarely dogs became gassy after eating
Strong fishy smell
A few people found the kibble to be too hard
- Rarely dogs became gassy after eating
- Strong fishy smell
- A few people found the kibble to be too hard
Main ingredients: Chicken, turkey, chicken liver, whole herring
Crude protein content: 38%
Crude fiber content: 4%
Calories: 490/cup
ORIJEN mimics what your dog would eat if they were in the wild by using bones and organs to meet protein needs.
Pros
Blend of soluble and insoluble fiber
Extremely high protein
Mimics a diet found in the wild
Cons
Rare report of gassiness after eating
Rarely dogs developed diarrhea after eating
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best High Fiber Dog Foods for Constipation
Why High Fiber Food?
You might be wondering why, exactly, a high fiber food is a good choice when your dog has constipation. It’s because fiber—insoluble and soluble—can help regulate bowel activity. Insoluble fiber is the one that moves through the digestive tract and adds bulk to the stool, which helps to clear up constipation (or loose stools), but both kinds are good to have in a food. Fiber can also:
Blend of soluble and insoluble fiber
Extremely high protein
Mimics a diet found in the wild
- Blend of soluble and insoluble fiber
- Extremely high protein
- Mimics a diet found in the wild
Rare report of gassiness after eating
Rarely dogs developed diarrhea after eating
- Rare report of gassiness after eating
- Rarely dogs developed diarrhea after eating
Help your dog lose or maintain weight
Improve blood sugar stability
Reduce the risk of colon cancer
All of these things are excellent reasons for putting your dog on a food that’s higher in fiber!
Help your dog lose or maintain weight
Improve blood sugar stability
Reduce the risk of colon cancer
- Help your dog lose or maintain weight
- Improve blood sugar stability
- Reduce the risk of colon cancer
What to Look for In a High Fiber Dog Food
If you’re unsure what you should be looking for when it comes to high-fiber dog foods, take a look below!
Fiber
The first thing you want to look at in a dog food is how much fiber it has (obviously). You’ll find this listed under “crude fiber”. Fiber amounts in dog food come in a wide range. Many dog foods will only have 1–2%, while others will have 10% or more. Most dogs really only need 2–4% of fiber in their diets, but if your dog is suffering from constipation, they might need a bit more. We advise speaking with your vet to find out just how much your dog should be getting.
Other Ingredients
You’ll also want to look to see what ingredients are in a dog food other than the ones that provide fiber. Your pup will need plenty of protein, so check and see how much a food has and whether it’s high-quality. Real meat as the first ingredient is always excellent, though meat by-products and meat by-product meals among the first ingredients are fine as well.
Besides the protein source, you’ll want to check that the rest of the ingredients are wholesome and offer benefits for your pet.
Peas & Legumes
Ingredients to be wary of in dog foods are peas and legumes. Though much more research is needed into this issue, there have been some links between them and heart disease in dogs. You’ll need to figure out how you feel about these ingredients when buying a dog food for your dog (especially since many higher fiber dog foods contain these ingredients).
Price
Dog food can get extremely pricey if you aren’t careful. Shopping around for the best deals by looking for more than one food that contains the ingredients you like is helpful.
Reviews
Reviews from other dog owners are a great way to get a good idea of just how good a dog food is and how well it works for constipation. These reviews are often more honest than branding and marketing claims.
Conclusion
For the best overall high fiber dog food, Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin offers a good amount of fiber and an easily digestible meal. For the best value, try Diamond Hi-Energy Sporting Dog for its high fiber content and low price point. Check out the fiber-rich and gut-healthy Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal High Fiber Food when you want something premium. ACANA Wholesome Grains Puppy Recipe Gluten-Free is great for those with puppies who want high fiber while remaining gluten-free. Finally, the vet’s choice food is Annamaet 25% Medium & Large Breed Food for its high fiber and protein amounts.
Featured Image Credit: Daniel Brunsteiner, Unsplash
