How to Add Fiber to a Cat's Diet and Help It Stay Healthy?

Fiber in food is a very important ingredient for every animal and human, for digestion and maintaining overall health. Cats are the most loved pets among all. Also, they are very sensitive, so feeding your cat can be a serious issue if you do not follow a healthy routine because excessive eating of fiber can lead to digestive problems and nutrient absorption problems.

While you are in this article, I can guess you're so conscious about your cat's health, and definitely you are on the right page, and let's learn how to add fiber to your cat's diet. 

Why Might Your Cat Need More Fiber? Understanding the Benefits

Fiber is a form of carbohydrate, and because the body of the cat can't digest it, it is necessary for cats and humans as well. Fiber helps to regulate the blood sugar of the cat's body, and because it does not get digested, it does not get broken down into sugar molecules. As a result, it keeps your cat fuller without gaining weight. 

• Digestive health 
• Gut microbiome 
• Weight management 
• Managing specific conditions

Understanding Fiber Types: Soluble vs. Insoluble

Dietary fiber is divided into two types, soluble and insoluble. Both are equally important for overall health for a cat and a human as well.

The above table describes the necessity of fiber in cats' food. Now, let's discuss how you can add fibre to your cat's diet in an effective way.

Natural Sources of Fiber for Cats

You can add fiber to your cat's diet from natural sources. Remember, natural sources are the best in terms of authenticity and harmlessness. There are a lot of natural fruits and vegetables, which can fulfill the needs of your cat's diet for fiber. 

Pumpkin (Canned and Fresh)

Canned and fresh, both types of pumpkin can be a good source of fiber. Pumpkin contains potassium, phosphorus, vitamin A, C, K, calcium, and fiber, which are truly nutritious and safe. They are normally carnivorous and need meat-based protein, but fiber is also important, which can be fulfilled by pumpkin.

• Canned: canned pumpkin is pure and ready to feed, and available in almost every grocery store. Before buying, read carefully about unnatural and additive ingredients. While eating, excessive consumption is always safe.

• Fresh: Fresh pumpkin can be cooked or ready to feed, so no issue with additives or over-sweetened ingredients. Avoid pie filling, which includes spices and sugar.

If your cat has any dietary concerns, it becomes mandatory to consult a veterinarian before adding pumpkin to your cat's diet.

Green Beans

Green beans are nutritious for your cat, but don't worry, your cat turns its nose up at green beans because it's okay. They are carnivorous, and they can get all their nutrition from green things. But if your cat likes to eat, then it has some benefits. In every 100 grams of green beans, it includes nutrients like:

• Fiber: 4g
• Calories: 44
• Protein:2g
• Fat:0.2g
• carbohydrate:10g

While it is good for your cat's diet, 2-3 green beans of 1 inch cause no problems for almost every cat.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be offered to your cat, but potatoes are not a primary dietary food. So it is not that beneficial or harmful if offered in a moderate amount. If you notice your cat is curious about sweet potatoes, you can let your cat eat it because a small slice of sweet potato is no harmful as long as it has no salt, is not seasoned, or has any toppings added. 

Apart from your cat's main food, a 10% dietary supplement can be added. In terms of sweet potato, it has enough soluble and insoluble fiber. 

Safe Vegetables

Vegetables are always a good part of a diet for cats. If you offer your cat a moderate amount of vegetables in their diet, it can be perfect alongside their main protein food. Sometimes, pure, baked, processed vegetables can be used as a very good diet for your cat. But excessive feeding of vegetables can cause digestive issues. 

And if your cat is concerned about dietary issues, then don't add any diet plan without showing a veterinarian. Which vegetables are most likely to offer your can? Let's take a look at the following.

• Carrot
• Broccoli
• Peas 
• Green beans 
• Spinach 
• Pumpkin 
• Cucumber

Oat Bran and Brown Rice

Oat bran and brown rice can be mixed to feed your cat for a diet. It is a good source of fiber and nutritious. They are both standard diet food for cats, but can not be used as primary nutrients.

• Oat bran: need to be careful because some cats can cause allergic issues when feeding oat bran, but if it has not made an impact, then it can be a good diet because it helps manage weight, reduces fiber lack in your cat's body. 

• Brown rice: Occasionally, in a small amount, brown rice can be offered to your cat if it is not spicy, seasoned, or additive. It has no such nutritious ingredients for your can, but no harm if you give it in a moderate amount.

High-Fiber Commercial Cat Foods

There are a large number of commercial cat foods in the marketplace, and they offer benefits like improved stool quality, digestive health, weight management, diarrhea, hairball prevention, etc, etc. Let's take a look at the high fiber commercial cat foods below.

• Dry cat food 
• Wet cat food
• Prescription food 
• Grain-free food

In terms of feeding high fiber commercial cat food, you must be careful about FDA and state agencies authorized food and trust or search their review, then make a decision to buy. There are several brands that sell high fiber cat food, so you can choose easily but carefully.

Fiber Supplements for Cats

Fiber supplements are the extra amount of fiber beyond what is found in natural food, which helps cats dirty for extra support in digestive health. Fiber supplement

• Cat Stool Softener
• Superfood Supplement Powder
• Teeth Cleaning and Hairball Removal
• Natural Coconut Fiber Ball
• Pea Fiber
• Canned sweet potato 
• Canned pumpkin

Before starting to feed those supplements to your cat, visit your veterinarian. It is mandatory, because excessive feeding can cause danger to your cat, or if your cat's health does not match with the particular supplement, then it is also risky, as some cats might have an allergy to pumpkin, some might not. 

So it becomes essential to check before you take any step. There is an acute distinction between fiber supplements and high fiber commercial cat food. Let's take a look at their differences.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Too Much Fiber

Adding fiber and its standard amount is more significant than just feeding because excessive fiber consumption can cause diarrhea, constipation, and bloating, as well as potentially interfere with nutritional absorption. Your cat can face gas and abdominal discomfort, which can also decrease appetite and lower weight. So be careful about your cat's food and its over-consumption.

• Gastrointestinal upset 
• Reduce nutrition absorption 
• Paradoxical effect

Those are the main forms of effects that can cause your cats' bad health. Not only cats but also humans are the same in terms of over-eating of fiber. 

Conclusion

There's no need to worry too much. Visit your cat's veterinarian regularly, feed a healthy diet, and see the result. Maintaining food is always mandatory for sensitive pets like cats. So it's important to feed them fiber, remembering not to eat too much. 

Cats are one of the best companions for human beings, so taking care of your cat is also your responsibility. And you can do it, all explained in the above article, and finally, have a happy journey.