Dealing with anal gland problems in your dog can be smelly, gross, and frustrating. Anal gland issues are uncomfortable for your dog, and some even develop abscesses and other serious infections related to anal gland problems.

If you see your dog scooting, it may indicate that its anal glands are bothering it. Have a vet check your dog over to ensure the problem is related to the anal glands, but a high-fiber diet can benefit dogs with anal gland issues.

Fiber adds bulk to the stool, making it easier to express the anal glands when your dog poops. By switching your dog to high-fiber food, you may diminish your dog’s anal gland problems. We’ve reviewed the 10 best high-fiber options to help support your dog’s anal glands, so there’s a food here that should help your dog.

Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different, and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.

A Quick Comparison of Our Top Picks (2024)

The 10 Best High-Fiber Dog Foods for Anal Gland Problems

1. Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Canned Dog Food – Best Overall

Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Canned Food is the best overall high-fiber dog food for anal gland problems. This food features a whopping 22.7% fiber content, along with 15.9% protein and 9% fat. Pork liver is the primary protein, and this food is formulated to support weight control, healthy glucose levels, urinary health, and satiety in dogs that are prone to obesity. It contains antioxidants to support immunity and supports the metabolism of fat without the loss of lean muscle. The pate texture is easy for dogs with chewing difficulties to eat. This is a prescription-only food, so you will have to get your vet to sign off on it.

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2. Purina Beyond Mixers+ Digestive Support – Best Value

The Purina Beyond Mixers+ Digestive Support canned food is the best high-fiber dog food for anal gland problems for the money. It has 6.8% fiber, 36.4% protein, and 22.7% fat. It is high in omega fatty acids for immunity and support of the skin, coat, joints, brain, and heart.

This food topper can be paired with your dog’s favorite food as an additional source of digestive support. It is free of corn, wheat, soy, and poultry by-products meal. The texture is soft, easy to eat, and highly palatable, with real Alaskan cod as the first ingredient. It is made with certified sustainable seafood. Although this is a fish-based food, it does contain poultry ingredients.

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3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support Dog Food – Premium Choice

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support wet food is the premium choice for high-fiber dog food. This food contains 22.6% fiber and 34.8% protein but only 3.9% fat. It’s designed to support satiety while helping overweight dogs lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health, and the protein content helps maintain muscle mass as your dog loses weight. Antioxidants support immunity, while fiber promotes healthy digestion and stool formation.

This food is on the S/O Index, which can help reduce the chance of bladder and kidney stones developing. This is a prescription-only diet and sells for a premium price.

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4. ACANA Wholesome Grains Puppy Recipe Gluten-Free Dry Dog Food

Fiber is important for puppies as well! Our recommendation for high-fiber food is ACANA Wholesome Grains Puppy Recipe Gluten-Free Dray Dog Food for your special little pooch. Most puppy foods have between 3–4% crude fiber, while this recipe contains 6% per serving. The primary protein in this formula is chicken; it contains quality grains such as sorghum, millet, and oats. These hearty grains help add needed fiber to your puppy’s diet to keep their digestive system healthy at a young age.

While this recipe has a higher percentage of fiber than other puppy foods, it is not high enough for adult dogs who might have anal gland issues. Feed this food to puppies only. In addition, some people who own pickier puppies have found they do not enjoy this blend of ingredients as much.

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5. Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Dry Food

The Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Dry Food contains 22.5% fiber, 18.5% protein, and 10.7% fat. It is higher in protein and fat than the wet version of this food. It’s formulated to aid in weight loss and maintenance as well as fat metabolism by promoting satiety and stabilizing blood sugar levels. It promotes urinary health and can help prevent the formation of bladder and kidney stones.

Antioxidants support the immune system, while the fiber content leaves your dog feeling full and having normal stools that support anal gland expression. This is a prescription diet that sells for a premium price.

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6. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal High Fiber Dry Food

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal High Fiber Dry Food contains 13.9% fiber, 23.3% protein, and 15.6% fat. This food contains prebiotics and a blend of soluble and insoluble fibers to support digestive health. It contains omega fatty acids for digestive, heart, brain, skin, and coat health, and antioxidants for immunity. The high fiber content aids in satiety without leading to weight gain when fed as directed. The smallest bag size this food comes in is 8.8 pounds, so it may be difficult to keep it fresh for small dogs. This is a prescription-only food that sells for a premium price.

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7. Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF

The Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet HF is a great option for dogs with severe food allergies as it uses hydrolyzed protein, which means the protein has been broken down into a form that is not likely to cause allergy issues. It contains 13.6% fiber, 36.4% protein, and 9% fat, making it a good option for weight loss and maintenance. It’s a good source of omega fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s free from corn, wheat, and soy.

However, this is a premium-priced prescription diet. It has a strong, fishy smell that many people report finding unappealing. It may not be a good option for picky dogs.

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8. Stella & Chewy’s Wild Red Chicken & Lamb Stew

The Stella & Chewy’s Wild Red Chicken & Lamb Stew contains 13.3% fiber, 46.7% protein, and 13.3% fat, making it a good high protein, high fiber, and moderate fat food. Pumpkin and other natural fiber sources support digestive health and stool formation. This food is free of grains, potatoes, lentils, preservatives, peas, and fillers. It’s palatable and contains shreds of real meat in a flavorful broth. This is a non-prescription food.

This food is less expensive than most on the list, but when you compare the amount you’ll need to feed a medium or larger dog, this works out to a premium price if fed as the primary food. It’s a soupy wet food, with some people finding it too soupy for the price.

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9. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance

The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance formula contains 11.1% fiber, 38.9% protein, and 15.6% fat, making it high in protein and fiber but only moderate in fat. It’s formulated to help maintain body weight and muscle mass, as well as healthy blood sugar levels, thanks to its low starch content. This food is rich in antioxidants to support immune health.

This is a prescription-only food that retails for a premium price. It may not be as palatable to picky dogs as some other food options. Some people report finding the smell of the food to be strong and unappealing.

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10. Party Animal California Chicken & Oats Recipe

The Party Animal California Chicken & Oats Recipe contains 6.7% fiber, 25.6% protein, and 15.6% fat. It contains natural fiber sources, like pumpkin, broccoli, carrots, and pumpkin seeds. It’s a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it contains probiotics and prebiotics for digestive health. It’s a good source of omega fatty acids, and it’s free of corn, wheat, artificial flavors, and preservatives. No prescription is required for this food.

This food retails for a premium price and contains less fiber than most foods on the list. This food is not recommended for large breed dogs that are still growing. This applies to dogs that are expected to be above 70 pounds when fully grown.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Right High Fiber Dog Food for Anal Gland Problems

When choosing the best food to meet your dog’s needs, make sure to talk to your dog’s vet. They’ll be the best resource to help you narrow down the foods that might work best for your dog. Having a knowledge of your dog’s medical history and current issues is the best starting point for finding the right food for your dog.

Your dog’s food should be chosen based on flavors and textures that your dog likes, but it’s important that the food also accounts for factors like your dog’s age, weight, allergies, and medical problems. If your dog is overweight, then food that aids in satiety will be a better option than food with lower fiber and protein content. For dogs with diagnoses like diabetes and pancreatitis, the nutritional needs can be very specific. It’s essential that you discuss your dog’s current food, needs, and possible food options with your dog’s vet.

Conclusion

These reviews have brought together the top picks for high-fiber foods for your dog, but whether you decide on a prescription or non-prescription food, make sure to talk to your dog’s vet before making dietary changes. The top option is Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit Canned Food, which is a great fiber source and is formulated with multiple medical conditions in mind. The more budget-friendly pick is the Purina Beyond Mixers+ Digestive Support, which can be fed as a food topper or as a primary food. The top premium pick is the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Satiety Support formula, which offers added satiety to dogs to increase comfort and decrease begging.

• See also: Why Do Dogs Anal Glands Fill Up? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

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Featured Image Credit: Anastasiya Tsiasemnikava, Shutterstock