Increased dietary fiber intake improves fecal and clinical activity scores in dogs with chronic enteropathy.

Increased dietary fiber significantly improves fecal and clinical scores in dogs with chronic enteropathy.

This retrospective uncontrolled study evaluated the effects of increased dietary fiber on clinical outcomes in 32 dogs with chronic enteropathy (CE). Dogs were assessed at baseline and follow-up (median 21 weeks) using Purina fecal scores and canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index scores. Median crude fiber increased from 0.6 to 1.8 g/100 kcal, while total dietary fiber increased from 1.7 to 4.7 g/100 kcal. Fecal scores significantly improved (median 4.5 to 2, effect size r=0.82), and clinical activity scores decreased substantially (median 4.5 to 1, effect size r=0.86). At follow-up, 87.5% of dogs showed improved fecal scores and 97% demonstrated improved clinical activity scores. These findings support dietary fiber supplementation as an effective management strategy for CE in dogs, complementing existing nutritional approaches. The substantial improvements in both objective fecal scoring and subjective clinical assessments suggest fiber modification warrants consideration as part of standard nutritional management protocols for canine chronic enteropathy.

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