How much fiber is enough in cat food?

Raymon

My cat has hard stool sometimes so I kept his canned food the same (wellness canned) but switched the dry from innova which had 2 percent fiber to Wellness Core with 3 percent fiber. Is 3 percent fiber enough you think? Also has anyone tried the cat grass/oat grass? This is suppose to provide more fiber and help with hairballs? Thanks.



Antionette

Hard stool is best dealt with by eliminating the dry food entirely. Cats really dont need fiber, as they were designed to eat meat. Feeding an all canned diet will supply extra moisture for him, and should help with the constipation. You can always add a bit of unflavored Metamucil to his food (just a little) or some plain canned pumpkin if hell eat it. The dry food will actually cause his stool to become harder, which can lead to some real issues (megacolon) in some cats.



Candida

You can always give your cat some canned pumpkin (plain, not spiced) for extra fiber. I personally give my cat plain Metamucil, mixed with water, then mixed with wet food. It does wonders for her problematic anal gland. Its very important to mix it with plenty of water first - otherwise it can expand in their throats, stomachs, etc. and cause major problems like choking. I would ask your vet before starting either.



Lorean

Cats dont need fiber 3% is fine thoughThe dry food is the problem due to dehydrating factors. The system needs water to pass through and cats cannot drink enough to make up for the dehydrating factors of dry So your cats would be better off on all canned. I wont give you the nutrition lecture as you are obviously picking quality foods Add some acidoupholous to the canned when you feed



Callie

Cats are carnivores. they dont need fiber. Dogs dont even need fiber. I never even glance at the fiber content when looking at cat foods, I could care less, and my cat could care less. If you want to soften the stool a bit, feed meat based canned food.



Oralia

If the cat were eating meat like it is supposed to, it wouldnt have this problem. Cats are CARNIVORES and all they need is meat. They require NOTHING else.