15 Best High Fiber Dog Foods For Anal Gland Problems in 2023

Fiber is an essential part of every dog’s diet. A higher fiber diet will help you prevent and stop anal gland issues in its tracks. To help you choose what high-fiber dog food you can buy, here’s a list of our top picks for the best high fiber dog food anal gland problems.

Best High Fiber Dog Foods For Anal Gland Problems

• Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
• Runner-Up: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food
• Best for All Ages: Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Low Fat / Low Calorie Adult Dry Dog Food
• Best for Dogs Needing Multiple Nutritional Support: Hills Prescription Diet with Multi-Benefit Digestive Management
• Best Grain-Free Formula: Nutrisca Salmon & Chickpea Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• Best High-FIber Dog Chews: Vetnique Labs Glandex Anal Gland Support Dog Chews Supplement
• Best Allergy-Free Dog Food: Nulo Puppy & Adult Small Breed Limited Ingredient Diet
• Best for Larger Breeds: Dr. Tim’s Grain-Free Kinesis Formula
• Best Naturally Derived High-Fiber Dog Food: Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
• Best for Weight Management: Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Food
• Best for Puppies: Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Healthy Weight Formula
• Best for Dogs with Sensitive Tummy: Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dog Food
• Best Value: Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dry Dog Food
• Best for Medium-Sized Pooch: Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet, Small Bites
• Best Budget: ‘’I and Love and You’’ Naked Essentials Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Great source of prebiotic fiber
• Pack with Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E
• Vet recommended
• Made in the USA
• Comes in 3 flavors and 5 sizes

Some dogs’ guts are so sensitive that regular dog food upsets their tummy. Since you want the best for your pooch without having to feed him with bland and tasteless meals, one of your best choices is Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food. This comes in 3 tasty flavors, giving you that satisfaction knowing he can finally eat yummy meals and enjoy a healthier gut, a more lustrous coat, and healthier skin with this in their diet.

Runner-Up: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Packed with real meat
• With healthy carbohydrates
• Antioxidant-rich
• Made the natural ingredients
• With Vitamins and Minerals
• Comes in 3 flavors and 3 sizes
• Can be bought with wholesome grains or grain free

Dogs with anal gland problems need specialized nourishment, which makes the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food a great choice. It contains the necessary Vitamins, Minerals, anti-oxidants, healthy carbohydrates, and more needed for a strong body and immune system. Since it also contains real meat, adult canines will surely love eating this in every meal.

Best for All Ages: Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Low Fat / Low Calorie Adult Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• With probiotic support
• Made from nutritious whole grains
• No artificial preservatives
• No corn, potato, wheat, and soy
• With omega acids
• Comes in 2 sizes

Dogs from pups to senior canines will enjoy eating this healthy but tasty dry food for dogs. It supports a high-fiber diet, focuses on weight control, and is perfect support for dogs with anal gland issues. The company ensures a holistic approach when creating its dry dog foods, giving you peace of mind knowing your favorite pooch’s healthy meal also supports sustainability.

Best for Dogs Needing Multiple Nutritional Support: Hills Prescription Diet with Multi-Benefit Digestive Management

Key Features:

• Clinically tested nutrition
• With added antioxidants
• Has high-levels of L-carnitine
• With moderate high fiber levels
• Features the S+OXSHIELD seal
• Comes in 3 sizes and in Chicken flavor

Some dogs have a weight problem while also sporting anal gland and blood sugar issues. With Hills Prescription Diet with Multi-Benefit Digestive Management, you don’t have to worry about your pooch’s nutrition since this clinically developed nutrition offers excellent support for healthy digestion, improved urinary health, and more. With its tasty chicken taste, your pooch will surely have a fun time eating his next favorite meal.

Best Grain-Free Formula: Nutrisca Salmon & Chickpea Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Grain-free formula
• Contains to soy, what, potato, and corn
• DHA from wild-caught salmon
• With chickpeas and peas
• With antioxidants
• With chelated minerals

When it comes to anal gland issues, dogs require a high-fiber diet while offering an alternative source of protein. Thankfully, Nutrisca Salmon & Chickpea Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food contains just the right amount of fiber content to support his needs. It contains no grains, is free of chicken, and has additional chickpeas and real salmon for that additional dog nutrition.

Best High-FIber Dog Chews: Vetnique Labs Glandex Anal Gland Support Dog Chews Supplement

Key Features:

• Patented scientific formula
• Unique fiber blend
• With probiotics and digestive enzymes
• 100% peanut butter flavor
• NO corn, wheat, soy, and artificial flavors
• Comes in 3 sizes

Glandex Anal Gland Support Dog Chews Supplement by Vetnique Labs are specially formulated soft chews made with healthy and naturally derived ingredients. It contains probiotic support and that nice unique fiber blend perfect for dogs with anal gland issues. Sealed with a satisfaction guarantee, you are sure to give only the best for your canine buddy.

Best Allergy-Free Dog Food: Nulo Puppy & Adult Small Breed Limited Ingredient Diet

Key Features:

• Allergy-friendly
• Grain-free
• With probiotic support
• With Vitamins and Minerals
• Made from natural ingredients
• Comes in 3 flavors and 7 sizes

Dogs with food sensitivity and anal gland issues will enjoy eating Nulo Puppy & Adult Small Breed Limited Ingredient Diet. It comes in 3 beautiful flavors, contains all natural and select ingredients that can help deal with food sensitivity, and even has improved skin allergies. Even with food allergies, he can get his daily dose of necessary nutrients thanks to this dry food solution.

Best for Larger Breeds: Dr. Tim’s Grain-Free Kinesis Formula

Key Features:

• With 87% animal protein
• With Omega-3 fatty acids
• Features patented BC30 probiotic
• Comes in 2 sizes

Dr. Tim’s Grain-Free Kinesis Formula works great in promoting healthy skin, gut, and a more active lifestyle in dogs. It contains Omega-3 fatty acids, BC30 probiotic, 87% animal protein, and is designed for dogs of all ages. Even dogs with sensitive stomachs will enjoy nibbling on this allergy-free dog food.

Best Naturally Derived High-Fiber Dog Food: Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe

Key Features:

• Grain-free nutrition
• With turkey and chicken
• With omega fatty acids
• With Vitamins and Minerals
• From field-grown veggies
• Features glucosamine and chondroitin
• Comes in 2 sizes

Dogs with anal gland issues will love eating this grain-free naturally-derived, high quality protein, and fiber-filled, balanced diet from Whole Earth Farms. It does ore than just deliver a balanced nutrition for your anal gland problematic canine. This is also great for dogs with joint issues.

Best for Weight Management: Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Food

Key Features:

• USDA certified recipe
• No artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
• Made from organic barley and oatmeal
• Made with no soy, corn, wheat, chickpeas or lentils
• Comes in 3 sizes
• Made in the US

Castor & Pollux Organix Organic Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Food is nutrition-packed kibble made only from the finest and most natural ingredients like farm-raised chicken, organic whole foods, and antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides-free ingredients. It helps with proper digestion and supports a healthy weight in dogs.

Best for Puppies: Wellness Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Healthy Weight Formula

Key Features:

• With premium protein, fiber, and healthy fats
• With omega fatty acids,taurine. antioxidants, probiotics, and glucosamine
• Made in the USA
• Comes in 2 sizes

This kibble tastes great, encourages a healthy coat and skin, and works well for pups with sensitive stomachs. The US-based company only makes use of the best all-natural ingredients and recyclable packaging. Green consumers who are also pet parents think this is definitely a worthy purchase for their pooch.

Best for Dogs with Sensitive Tummy: Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch Grain-Free Dog Food

Key Features:

• With L-Carnitine, omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids
• Made from gluten and grain
• With antioxidant ingredients
• With natural fibers
• Comes in 3 sizes

This dry kibble ensures your pooch will no longer suffer the wraths of his anal gland problem. It has ingredients perfect for delivering the right nutrition to dogs with sensitive stomach and gives more energy to dogs. Your pooch will also have shinier and softer coat with less shedding.

Best Value: Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
• With essential amino acids
• With B Vitamins
• With Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
• Contains beet pulp, peas, chicken fat, and whole potatoes
• Comes in 3 sizes

Rachael Ray offers a zero-grain nutrition to dogs without adding artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors to the mix. This supports healthy joints, digestive wellbeing, and even shier coat, and healthy skin. With this dry food, you no longer have to worry about your pooch suffering from anal gland issues. 

Best for Medium-Sized Pooch: Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet, Small Bites

Key Features:

• With Vitamins, Minerals, and Natural flavors
• Recipe made in the USA
• Smaller kibble size
• With ziplock seal

Improve your dog’s stools even with his food allergies with Nutro Limited Ingredient Diet, Small Bites. This kibble comes in a smaller size, making it easier for dogs to chew on them. It’s ziplock seal ensures freshness even when your pooch is unable to finish the product after a few feeding.

Best Budget: ‘’I and Love and You’’ Naked Essentials Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Key Features:

• Premium, grain-free formula
• With probiotics and prebiotics
• Has healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
• Made with no, wheat, soy, corn, rice, artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
• Comes in 4 sizes

This wholesome kibble for dogs contains every possible nutritional need a dog with anal gland problem requires. It is grain-free, rich with probiotics and prebiotics, and is crafted for dogs of all ages. Now, you can have that peace of mind knowing your pooch will have a healthier digestive system, better skin health, shiner coat, and more energy to stay active.

Understanding Anal Glands of Dogs 

Dogs use their anal glands as a stinky deterrent when facing a threat. They also use this as a way of communicating with other dogs. This is since the smell of their contents can be distinct to every dog.

Loose stool can cause the ducts to get blocked. This then causes inflammation, infection, and even fistulation and abscessation. Dogs ewith anal issues will need a special diet to resolve the issue.

Recognizing Anal Gland Problems in Dogs

The common symptoms in dogs with anal gland issues are:

• Bad smell
• Straining when defecating
• Difficulty defecating
• Biting or excessing liking around their anal part
• Scooting their behind on grass, the floor, or in carpets

Causes of Anal Gland Issues

Dogs with certain conditions and lifestyle factors are more likely to experience anal gland issues.

• Atopic dermatitis (food allergies or environmental hypersensitivities)
• Chronic bacterial or yeast skin infections
• Damage from trauma
• Hypothyroidism
• Improper or excessive evacuation of anal glands
• Infestation with skin mites
• Obesity
• Soft stools
• Tumors

Treating Anal Gland Problems With a High Fiber Diet

Simple diet is not enough if your canine buddy’s anal glands are already impacted. But still, a healthy regimen can help prevent any future anal gland issues. Here’s what you can do to avoid future anal gland issues for your pooch.

• Serve a high fiber diet to encourage firm and healthy stools
• Weight control regimen for obese pups
• Fish oil supplements to reduce irritation and inflammation

Sources of Dietary Fiber for Dog Foods

Plant-based sources are the best for your poor canine buddy. Here are the fiber—rich ingredients you can add to his diet.

• Apples
• Beet pulp
• Carrots
• Flaxseed
• Legumes – beans, peas, lentils
• Psyllium husk
• Oats
• Whole Grains – barley, brown rice, bran

Benefits of Feeding Your Dog High Fiber Diet

A high fiber diet has the perks to offer, including the following:

• Regulate the digestive system
• Prevent anal gland issues
• Reduce chances of diabetes
• Aid in improving digestion
• Reduce risk for colon cancer
• Regulate a healthier weight

Things to Consider When Buying High Fiber Dog Foods

Quality Ingredients

You want only the finest things in life for your pooch. That includes the ingredients used in this dry food. You want something that contains the following.

• real meat as the dry food’s first ingredient
• flaxseed
• fruits and vegetables (apples, pumpkin, blueberries, green beans)
• whole grains (brown rice, barley, oats)

Probiotics & Prebiotics

These two work hand-in-hand to improve your favorite canine’s digestion. So, make sure your choice will have these two tandem listed.

Fiber Content

Dogs with anal gland issues need dog foods high in fiber content. But too high of a fiber content can also be bad for dogs. The recommended amount is 5-10%.

Trusted Sources

It is best to find kibble made in the US, New Zealand, Canada, or Australia. This will give you peace of mind knowing your pooch will be eating dog food that is from and manufactured by trusted sources.

Hypoallergenic

Food sensitivities can influence anal gland issues. So, it would be better to find one that has allergenic ingredients. This includes avoiding dog food with wheat, soy, and corn.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the relation of food with anal gland expression?

The kind of food you serve to your pooch will impact his fecal matter. Serving less digestible food will make it harder for his anal gland to express. You can avoid this by giving him a high-fiber diet.

How can I improve my dog’s anal glands?

Improving his fog food can greatly help in improving your favorite dog’s anal gland. Serve food high in protein and fiber to boost anal gland health.

How can I add more fiber to my dog diet?

Here’s what you can serve to your canine best friend as part of his high-fiber diet

• Whole grains – Use only if he does not have an allergy to whole grains.
• Fruits and vegetables – add about 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of his body weight in his meals.
• Sweet potato – Add 1-3 tablespoons of cooked, mashed sweet potato to his meals.
• Pumpkin – add ½ a teaspoon of freshly steamed pumpkin for every 10lbs of his body weight to his meals.
• High-fiber dog food – use grain-free formula if he has food sensitivity.
• Fiber tablets – added to a short term basis.
• Psyllium husk – add ½ teaspoon for every 10lbs of his body weight.
• Coconut or Organic Acacia Fiber – add 1 teaspoon for every 10lbs of his body weight.

How do injuries interfere with anal glands?

Swelling as well as anus and tail head injuries can have a negative effect on his anal gland. Inflammation and scar tissue formation can happen, which then prevents him from emptying his anal glands.

What to do when diet doesn’t work?

The best thing you can do if diet does not help with your pooch’s anal gland issue sis to take him to his vet. A physical exam will help them determine if he has an underlying condition. They might suggest surgery if everything else fails.

Conclusion

Anal gland issues can be prevented by serving your pooch with the right food. Take action on the first sign of anal gland problem and find ways to prevent this from worsening or even happening at the future. When it comes to feeding him with a high-fiber diet, you can use this list as your guide when choosing what to serve to him.