What is the key purpose of fiber derived from carbohydrates?
Answer
For normal gastrointestinal function and maintaining healthy gut microbes.
Although dogs lack a strict, defined requirement for carbohydrates, these compounds frequently appear in their diets, often in the form of starch, and they are the source of dietary fiber. Fiber, a specific type of carbohydrate, is essential not for primary energy, but for maintaining the proper operation of the entire digestive system. Soluble fiber works by softening feces and acting as a prebiotic substance that feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, while insoluble fiber increases stool bulk. This function is fundamental for stable gastrointestinal health and supporting a diverse population of microbes within the intestines.
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