Best High Fiber Dog Food for Anal Gland Problems

Is your dog facing digestive issues with stools softer than usual and a change in its behavior? Do you find him scooting often and frequently pooping with discomfort? Then, your dog is probably going through anal gland problems, which need your immediate attention. To know more and how to tackle the situation, read further.  

The Anal Gland in your dog’s anus is two small scent glands that produce your dog’s unique scent. They use this scent to express themselves and mark their territory. When these glands cannot secrete regularly, your dog faces problems and becomes uncomfortable.

Dogs mostly suffer from anal gland problems due to the soft and inconsistent passing of stools, which doesn’t allow these glands to secrete, as they require a little pressure for the expression. When left unreleased, these glands get overfilled, and your dog tries helplessly to express them through frequent scooting and passing of stools on places not marked.

The issue is uncomfortable for your dog and needs immediate care to avoid an increased risk of infections and even severe ailments like rupturing glands, which may require surgery. 

You can help your dog with this issue through a change in their diet and right at home with fiber-rich content. Yes, a high-fiber diet will help your dog express the glands easily, as firm stools help in the process. A diet rich in fiber will make the stools firm and help your dog’s glands express themselves.

So, let’s discover the best high-fiber dog food for anal gland problems in the list below, which will help you shop better. And also a piece of information under the buyer’s guide for an insight into the issue and how to tackle it effectively for better health of your pooch. So, let’s go through it.

Best High Fiber Dog Food for Anal Gland Problem – Review

1. Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• Easily digestible grain-free dog food for daily consumption

Nature’s Recipe grain-free dry dog food is ideal for your four-legged friend with anal gland issues. The grain-free formula of dog food is rich in healthy, digestible, and fiber-rich ingredients like pumpkin and sweet potato. The crude fiber content in the formula is 4.5%, which is ideal for addressing the issue after absorption.

Dog food also has chicken as the first ingredient, which makes it taste great for your dog. The formulation is also rich in carbohydrates, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and antioxidants, which are necessary for your dog’s overall health. The formula also has added minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. The best part is the dog food contains no fillers like wheat, soy, corn, proteins, preservatives, and artificial flavors.

You can buy Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free dry dog food in two flavors and different quantities. This is an excellent dog food to be introduced as a regular meal to your dog, who has shown anal gland problems and soft stools.

2. Lucy Pet Formulas for Life – Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food, All Breeds & Life Stages – Salmon, Pumpkin, & Quinoa

• Balanced dog food for sensitive stomach and better gut health

Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food from Lucy Pet Formulas for life is an exceptional product to address your dog’s sensitive stomach, which gets affected easily and results in other ailments like anal gland problems. The dog food from Lucy is rich in fibrous ingredients like pumpkin and quinoa, along with the great taste of salmon for your dog. It is specially formulated for easy digestion and gut health with prebiotic-balanced fiber, which helps balance bacteria in the digestive tract.

Apart from being formulated for easy digestion, the food is balanced for your dog’s overall health. The food is rich in protein, omega acids, and antioxidant nutrients. It also helps your dog with increased immunity, resulting from a healthy gut. Altogether, the product is an ideal choice for a healthy stomach with improved digestion and gut health with your dog’s overall health, including muscle health, skin, coat, and immune health.

The product is ideal for all breeds and growth stages of dogs and is available in different quantities and flavors.

3. Glandex Anal Gland Soft Chew Treats with Pumpkin for Dogs Chews with Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics Fiber Supplement for Dogs

The Glandex Anal Gland Soft Chew Treats with Pumpkin for Dogs come in two delicious flavors. Dog owners can choose from Peanut Butter and Pork Liver as per their dog’s choices. Also, it is available in various sized packages, including 30ct, 60ct, and 120ct. This product has been specially made to support dogs to keep healthy anal glands. One of the main ingredients is Pumpkin seeds which help to empty the anal glands naturally. 

It also sports a healthy digestive system and protects against seasonal allergies of various kinds. So many veterinarians support this dog food as it is beneficial in many ways. Moreover, for dogs who have anal gland problems, this one would be perfectly suited for them. It contains a unique fiber blend along with omega fatty acids. Also, many digestive enzymes and probiotics are included in this dog food. 

4. Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs – Probiotics for Gut Flora, Digestive Health, Occasional Diarrhea & Bowel Support 

The Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs is nature-inspired gut health and will keep your dog healthy. It contains quinoa, millet, amaranth, and sorghum that support the doggy’s gut health. Elements included in this dog food offers better probiotic elements that will boost immunity. With regular consumption, you will see normal gut flora. 

It is a chewable supplement with Papain, Bromelain, and Psyllium Husk. All of these will ensure a better digestive tract and well-maintained health of your doggy. The immune booster support offered by the product will ensure immunity and better health with regular consumption. It also promotes boosting of immunity and the entire immune system. The manufacturer offers various flavors. Flavors such as Chicken, Bison, Pumpkin, Chicken – Advanced Chicken – Vet Strength, etc. are offered. 

5. Nulo Puppy & Adult Small Breed Freestyle Limited Plus Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• Natural formula for digestion, immunity, and allergy sensitivity

Nulo Puppy & Adult small breed grain-free dry dog food is a grain-free dry dog food with tons of goodness. The food is loaded with GanedenBC30 probiotics, other probiotic fibers, antioxidants, fatty, and omega acids. The grain-free formula and inclusion of fibers make it ideal for dogs with anal gland conditions and other digestive issues.

The four flavors available in the food include one animal source, which makes it simple and ideal for dog owners to take care of allergies and taste their dog prefers. The food is perfect for a rich nutrient diet, along with taking care of digestive issues. The food is free from fillers like peas, tapioca, potatoes, wheat, corn, and more. Users can get dry dog food in salmon, Alaska pollock, small-breed turkeys, and Turkey. 

6. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Sensitive Stomach & Skin

• Dog food formulated for effective digestion and firm stool

Hill’s Science range of products is vet recommended, and also they have a range of prescription dog food and supplies. Hill’s Science diet dry food for sensitive stomachs and skin is an ideal product to introduce if your dog faces anal gland, digestion, or stool issues. The formula of the food is rich in prebiotic fiber, which promotes a balanced gut microbiome for better digestion, immunity, and absorption resulting in consistent and firm stool.

Its formula is ideal for your dog’s sensitive stomach, with all-natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. The food is also rich in Vitamin E and Omega 6 fatty acids, which is excellent for your dog’s healthy and lustrous coat. It has chicken, so your dog loves it, and all the essential goodness your dog’s stomach loves. The size of the kibble is small, and the product is available in three different quantity packaging.

7. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance Formula Dry Dog Food 

• Balanced formula for high digestibility and healthy GI tract of your dogs

Next on the list is a premium product from Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Canine Formula Dry Dog Food is specially formulated for high digestibility.

The food is rich in prebiotic fiber and healthy ingredients, which promotes a healthier GI tract, and the high digestibility of the food encourages nutrient absorption. The healthier GI tract of your dog eventually results in a better immune system.

The food contains medium-chain triglyceride (MCT), vegetable oil or coconut oil, a source of MCTs, and antioxidants for excellent health. It is also rich in protein and great taste, which your dog will love. The size of the kibble is also ideal for the consumption of various sizes of breeds. The product is trusted and is available in two different sizes.

8. Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• Grain-free everyday nutrition with digestive and all-around body care for your dog.

The grain-free formula of Wellness Core natural grain-free dry dog food best suits your dog with anal gland problems. The formula is rich in prebiotics, probiotic fibers, and other necessary nutrients. The formula is also rich in protein but is low in fats to promote a healthy weight. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for better joint health.

The dog food formula includes the goodness of turkey, chicken, and salmon oil. For rich fiber content, the food consists of pea fiber, flaxseeds, and a lot of dried fiber-rich ingredients, along with a grain-free formula. The best part of the formula is that it has no fillers like wheat, corn, soy, artificial flavor, preservatives, and color.

Its formula lets your dog enjoy a tasty, crunchy treat with high-fiber and nutrition-rich content without excess fats to control weight, leaner muscles, and better gut health. The product can be purchased for dog breeds of various sizes and in different quantity packaging.

9. Simply Perfection Super Premium Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Kibble

10. Royal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Small Digestive Care Dry Dog Food

Buyer’s Guide to High-Fiber Dog Food for Anal Gland Problems

If the anal gland problem in your dog is a relatively new thing for you or you know a little about it, then we have a simple piece of information that will help you to understand it quicker and better.

Anal glands are scent glands in your dog’s anal cavity or precisely in the muscle layer of their rectum. These glands, also known as scent glands, have liquid, the unique smell of your dog, which it uses to mark its territory. Dogs even sniff each other back for this very smell to know more about them.

These glands are expressed or, in simple language, released when a dog passes stool through the pressure, which secretes them. These glands get filled and need to be released. When the expression of the glands doesn’t happen naturally, they get overfilled and make your dog uncomfortable, which it tries to release helplessly. You can find your dog popping around or scratching its back, licking it frequently, scooting abnormally, and more.

The problem can get worse if left untreated. These glands can get infected, get abscesses or pus, become abnormally large, and rupture. The problem can get worse, which may also require surgery. And the best way to help your dog is to address the problem initially and act accordingly.

However, how can you know if your dog suffers from an Anal gland problem? So, we have possible signs that will help you determine and address the issue.

Possible signs that your dog is suffering from an Anal gland problem

• Soft, inconsistent, and frequent passing of stool
• Scooting on the ground or other places like carpets, rugs, mats, and more
• Biting or licking of the back
• Inflammation, irritation, and pus from the anus

What causes Anal Gland problems in dogs?

Anal gland problems in dogs are caused mainly when the fiber requirement in their diet is not met, along with other digestive and tract issues. The lack of fiber and indigestion in dogs results in soft stool, discouraging the expression of the anal glands.

Other medical reasons for the problem are misplaced anal glands, which make their expression impossible, and gland cancer.

What do you need to do to help your dog with anal gland problems?

It is always better to consult a veterinarian if your pet suffers from any ailment. However, it is quite simple to address the anal gland issue, which is also a common problem and too very frequent with some breeds.

Preventive measures must be taken by introducing your dog to a high-fiber diet, dry food, supplements, or a home-cooked fiber-rich meal. The diet will naturally bring back your pet’s firm stool and help them express. You can always rely on the above-listed product for the purpose.

You can also manually help your dog with expression. To help your dog with the manual expression, insert your finger in the anus and gently apply pressure to the glands, which will help them secrete. The process will be uncomfortable for your dog, and you will require extra hands to handle your pooch.

Also, hygiene must be maintained with gloves, tissues, and, most importantly, lubrication. The glands are located approximately at 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock and will be pea-size, which will squirt out while expressing.

The change in diet and sometimes the manual expression will solve the problem. However, if the problem remains persistent or worsens, it will be better to see a veterinarian and get your dog checked and treated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the Best High Fiber Dog food for Anal Gland Problems.

1. How can I add more fiber to my dog’s diet?

The easiest way to introduce a fiber-rich diet is to change to high-fiber dry dog food and add fiber supplements to your dog food. You can also introduce home-cooked fiber-rich food to your dog, like pumpkin, brown rice, and more. We have a list of high-fiber dog food for anal gland problems in the above article.

2. What can I feed my dog for fiber?

You can feed your dog fiber-rich food items like pumpkin, rice bran, flaxseeds, oats, brown rice, psyllium husk, and other ingredients. You can also get your dog fiber-rich dog dry food or high-fiber supplements.

3. What is the best high-fiber dog food?

Various high-quality, high-fiber dog foods are available in the market for different breeds and problems. We list eight of them in the above article, which is some of the best.

4. What causes anal gland problems in dogs?

The anal gland problem in dogs is generally caused by soft stool, which doesn’t allow the expression of their anal glands. Without expression, these glands get overfilled and irritate your dog. The other reasons included misplaced glands, cancer, and a few more medical problems.

5. How much fiber is in regular dog food?

Dog foods are available with 1 to 10 % of fiber content. Regular dog food has somewhere around 1 to 4 % of fiber content.

Conclusion

High-fiber dog food is a preventive and ideal treatment for your dog’s anal problem right at home. And there is no harm in introducing it without the problem if you think your dog needs a high-fiber diet. And with the list of best high-fiber dog food for anal gland problems, you have a list worth shopping for and for the better health of your dear dog.

We also hope that along with the reviews of the best dry dog food for loose stool and anal gland problems, you also had a good insight into the problem and how to identify and treat it with our buyer’s guide.

So, go ahead and make the best decision for the best health of your furry friends and order goodness for them from the links above.