Can too much fiber be bad for cats
Do Cats Need Fiber in Their Diet?
Just like people, cats need to eat a nutritionally balanced diet to stay healthy. That diet should include appropriate levels of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, as well as one seemingly minor element: fiber.
The amount of fiber in a cats diet can influence how often they go to the bathroom, the consistency of their stool, and how well their colon functions.
When a cat doesnt get enough fiber in their diet, their intestinal health can be negatively impacted. Thats why its important to ensure your cats diet includes the right amount and type of fiber.
Do Cats Need Fiber in Their Diet?
Fiber is an important dietary component for cats. There are two types:
Soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves within the intestine water to form a gel that can slow the emptying of the stomach and improve nutrient absorption. Inulin and psyllium husk are examples of soluble fiber sources.
Soluble fiber can help increase feelings of fullness with fewer calories, which is helpful for cats who need to lose weight. It can also firm up stools, which can be beneficial for cats experiencing diarrhea.
Insoluble fiber. This type of fiber does not dissolve, but helps increase stool volume and frequency. Cellulose and wheat bran are examples of insoluble fiber sources. Insoluble fiber can help cats with conditions like constipation and hairball issues.
Fiber can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and help cats with blood sugar issues, such as diabetes. Its also beneficial for cats with high cholesterol and high triglycerides, which can be secondary effects of diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatic disease, adrenal disease, bile duct obstruction, pregnancy, or genetic disorders that affect levels of fats in the blood.
How Much Fiber Do Cats Need?
When selecting a cat food, look for foods from companies that follow the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for complete and balanced cat nutrition. A pet food company that follows these guidelines means that they adhere consistently to these standards through food trials and quality control testing.
A moderate level of fiber is classified as about 6%. A high-fiber diet has about 12% fiber, so most cat diets that are not specifically formulated for any health conditions include a moderate amount of fiber.
The label of most cat food packages will indicate the maximum amount of fiber present in that food. If you cant find what youre looking for, it may be helpful to reach out to the company directly.
Before selecting a food for your cat, talk with your veterinarian. The overall amount of fiber in your cats diet may need to be adjusted depending on their health and other factors.
Fiber for Cats with Constipation
As mentioned, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Fiber Response Dry Cat Food is a prescription food frequently recommended by veterinarians for cats with constipation.
An over-the-counter diet that may help with constipation is Hills Science Diet Adult Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food, which contains between 6.5% and 11% fiber to help move digestive contents like stool and hairball material through the colon.
Fiber Supplements for Cats
Fiber supplements are another way to add fiber to your cats diet.
One of the best fiber supplements is Vetnique Labs Glandex Probiotic Fiber Supplement, with pumpkin seed and apple cellulose as the fiber source. Pumpkin seeds and apple cellulose are sources of insoluble fiber that help increase stool volume and frequency in cats with constipation and hairball issues.
Another product, Vets Best Hairball Control Supplement for Cats, contains apple fiber, papaya extract, psyllium seed, marshmallow root, and slippery elm. Pure psyllium powder is a fiber that contains soluble and insoluble components. This supplement contains both soluble and insoluble sources of fiber, so it can help cats who have such diverse issues as hairballs, diarrhea, constipation, and obesity by increasing the feeling of fullness.
Plain canned pumpkin and sweet potato can also be added to your cats diet as natural fiber sources. Remember to work with your veterinarian before starting any supplements for your cat.
Do Cats Need Fiber FAQs
How do you add fiber to a cats diet?
It is usually easiest to measure out a powder supplement, just follow the directions on the product label, and mix it with wet food.
For cats on all-dry-food diets, a bit of warm water or low-sodium, pet-safe chicken broth can be added to the kibble to soften it. Then you can top it with the powder and mix everything together to make it more appetizing for your cat. Always check with your veterinarian about how much to add and how often.
Will fiber help ease my cats diarrhea?
The right kind of fiber can be very helpful for cats with diarrhea. Soluble fiber sources like sweet potato, guar gum, and psyllium husk can help firm stools and slow the movement of intestinal contents through the digestive tract, relieving symptoms of diarrhea.
Always check with your veterinarian about how much fiber to add and how often to give it to your cat. If your cats diarrhea lasts more than two or three days, contact your vet for an immediate appointment.
Featured Image:Ridofranz/iStock via Getty Image
References
The importance of fibre in the diet of dogs and cats. Veterinary Practice. https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/the-importance-of-fibre-in-the-diet-of-dogs-and-cats.
DACVIM (Nutrition) CRH VMD, MS. Fiber Frustrations. Clinical Nutrition Service at Cummings School. Published November 4, 2019.https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2019/11/fiber-frustrations/.
WRITTEN BY
Hannah Hart, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Hart graduated from veterinary school in 2017 and began her career with USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service as a public health...
Can You Actually Ingest Too Much Fiber?
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While many people dont get enough fiber, you could actually get too much, especially if you increase your intake too quickly. See a doctor if youre experiencing nausea, vomiting, a high fever, or a complete inability to pass gas or stool.
The recommended daily intake of fiber is 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men. However, some experts estimate as much as 95 percent of the population doesnt ingest this much fiber.
That said, if you have too much fiber, you may experience:
If you ate too much fiber and are experiencing the symptoms of too much intake, try the following to help counteract the effects:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stop using any fiber supplements.
- Avoid high-fiber foods.
- Eat a bland diet.
- Remove fiber-fortified foods from your diet.
- Look for foods that contain substances such as inulin and chicory root extract.
- Engage in light physical activities, like walking, as often as possible.
- Consider keeping an online diary of your food intake to help you see how much fiber youre getting each day.
- Consider following a low FODMAP diet if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This temporary diet can improve symptoms by removing fermentable, fibrous foods from your diet.
Once you start feeling better, you should slowly re-introduce fiber-rich foods into your diet. Instead of eating fiber-rich foods in one meal, spread them out throughout the day. Its best to get your fiber from a variety of foods, so dont rely on any one food or source. Aim for a wide range of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts.
The recommended minimum daily fiber intake depends on your gender and age.
Adult fiber intake
Child and adolescent fiber intake
Taking in more fiber than your recommended daily intake can cause unwanted symptoms like those listed above.
There are two main types of fiber. Each type of fiber plays a different role in digestion:
- Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and helps food pass more quickly through the stomach and intestines. It also helps balance the pH in your intestine, and may prevent diverticulitis, an inflammation of the intestine, as well as colon cancer.
- Soluble fiber attracts water and forms a gel-like substance with food as its digested. This in turn slows down digestion and helps you feel full faster, which is important in weight management. It may also help lower your risk of heart disease, regulate your blood sugar, and help reduce LDL cholesterol.
Fermentable fiberscan be from both these categories, though more often soluble fibers are fermented. Fibers fermented by bacteria help increase the bacteria in the colon, which aids digestion. It also plays a major role in human health.
While too much fiber can have negative effects, a proper amount of fiber is important for your health. Fiber is essential for regular bowel movements, cholesterol and blood sugar management, healthy gut bacteria, and preventing chronic disease, among other functions.
In populations that eat a regular high-fiber diet of more than
In general, its better to get fiber from the food you eat than from supplements. This is because high-fiber foods also have important vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.
Taking fiber supplements known as wheat dextrin, inulin, psyllium, and methylcellulose are other ways to get soluble fiber, though food is always best for both your body and your gut bacteria.
Shop for fiber supplements online.
Read further to learn about foods to avoid if you have IBS.
Fiber intake is a delicate balance. Though it may be better to have too much than too little, youll need to be cautious. Try not to make any drastic sudden changes to your fiber intake.
If you feel constipated and want to increase your fiber intake to help give you relief, add just a few grams of fiber to your diet each week from a variety of foods. Only take a fiber supplement if you dont think youre getting enough fiber from the foods you eat. Always be sure youre also drinking enough water to avoid constipation or indigestion.
See a doctor if you think youre eating too much fiber and limiting your intake hasnt helped your symptoms. While at the doctors office, consider asking the following questions:
- How do I know how much fiber is in a particular food?
- Could my symptoms be caused by eating too much fiber?
- Should I take daily fiber supplements?
- How do I take a fiber supplement correctly?
- How quickly should I increase my fiber intake?
Seek medical attention as soon as possible if youre experiencing nausea, vomiting, a high fever, or a complete inability to pass gas or stool for more than a few days.
Why is Fiber Important in Cat Food?
High-fiber cat food has become a staple for cats with gastrointestinal issues. But why exactly is fiber important for your furball of a pet?
In plenty of cases, cat food includes fiber to help with digestive functions and benefit the stool quality of cats who might otherwise have digestive upset. High-fiber foods may be beneficial in cases of constipation, diarrhea, diabetes and even obesity.
The Microbiome and It's Interaction With Cat Food With Fiber
The gutmicrobiome refers to the many millions of microbes (bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses) that live inside of cats (as well as dogs, humans and other living creatures) digestive systems This ecosystem of living organisms is fundamental to digestion.
Bacteria in the colon of pets helps to break down indigestible material and produce beneficial compounds like vitamins. Nowhere is the former function more evident than when it comes to breaking down fibers. Bacteria often engage with fibers in a process called fermentation.
Cats, even though they are carnivores, can benefit significantly from consuming a cat food with fiber.
Classifying Fiber in Cat Food
One way to classify dietary fiber is based on solubility. Soluble fibers tend to dissolve in gastric juices and water in the gut and some soluble fibers turn into gels that can hold water, and make stools easier to pass. Insoluble fibers add bulk to the food eaten to help to regulate the transit of foodstuff through the intestines and can help with stool consistency. Both soluble and insoluble fibers can be fermentable. This means that bacteria in the gut can breakdown these fibers and produce new compounds that, for example, can nourish the cells of the colon.
Prebiotics in Cat Food With Fiber
Cat food with fiber typically includes a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers to help promote a healthy gut and good stool quality.. Some of these fiber ingredients are also referred to as prebiotics ingredients, typically fermentable fibers, that promote the growth of the "good bacteria" that live in the intestines.
Some high-fiber cat foods work specifically because they help feed the beneficial bacteria and promote a balanced microbiome. Plenty of digestive conditions may cause a bacterial imbalance including chronic diarrhea, colitis and constipation.
Other Reasons to Feed High-Fiber Cat Food
Diabetic cats are typically fed high-protein, low-carbohydrate foods but may also benefit from high-fiber cat food if they are prone to becoming overweight or have certain types of GI conditions.. Some fibers slow the absorption of nutrients, allowing the sugars from starches to be absorbed more slowly and therefore stabilizing blood sugar levels. Overweight cats or those prone to weight gain may also benefit from food high in fiber, as it may make them feel more full than regular food and weight loss may help manage diabetes.
Furthermore, cat food with fiber may also help cats who suffer from GI diseases that affect the large intestine. Fiber can help regulate the motility in the GI tract and manage water balance to avoid the 2 extremes - constipation and diarrhea. Molecules called long-chain fatty acids may be derived from the breakdown of fiber to help nourish the colon.
Is High-Fiber Cat Food Natural?
Left to their own devices, cats eat plenty of things humans consider indigestible, like hair, bone, gristle, feathers, fish scales and stomach contents of their prey. Gross, but natural. Some of these are digestible to a point, while others may contain fiber that isuseful for digestion.
While there's a lot about feline nutrition that scientists have yet to understand, they're starting to realize that carnivorous cats actually can benefit from fiber. A study on cheetahs' eating habits published by the Journal of Animal Science found that those who ate whole prey fur, stomach contents and all had a more favorable fecal profile than those who ate simple meat. This has led researchers to conclude that carnivore digestive systems must do something useful with all that extra roughage.
The Role of Low-Fiber Cat Food
What if your vet recommends a low-fiber cat food instead? Typically, veterinarians recommend low-fiber food for cats with a sudden onset of GI upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. These foods tend to have higher levels of other nutrients such as electrolytes and B-vitamins to help recovery in these cats. Always consult a veterinarian when selecting a food for your cat. If your cat is on a high-fiber meal plan, their vet should monitor them to make sure their fiber-responsive conditions are well-managed.
Contributor Bio
Dr. Patty Khuly
Dr. Patty Khuly is an award-winning veterinarian known for her independent thinking, her spirited pet advocacy, her passion for the veterinary profession and her famously irreverent pet health writing.
Dr. K is an honors graduate of both Wellesley College and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She received her MBA at The Wharton School of Business as part of the prestigious VMD/MBA dual-degree program. She now owns Sunset Animal Clinic, a veterinary practice in Miami, Florida.
But that's not all. Dr. K is a nerdy reader, avid knitter, hot yoga fanatic, music geek, struggling runner and indefatigable foodie. She lives in South Miami with three dogs, countless cats, two rescued goats and a hilarious flock of hens.
You can follow her writing at DrPattyKhuly.com and at sunsetvets.com.
