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Ingredient file // Fiber

Guar Gum

A useful thickener, not a health treatment

Guar gum is a soluble fiber milled from the center of guar seeds. In wet food, a small amount thickens the mixture and reduces moisture separation. Studies reporting changes in dogs' cholesterol or digestion fed much larger amounts.

What it is
A water-thickening soluble fiber made by milling the gum-rich center of guar seeds.
Made from
The endosperm of guar seeds
Main job
Thickens wet food
Typical amount
A canned pet food study used 0.5%
Watch for
Digestive changes at high amounts
Not the same as
Guar meal

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 6 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

16%

411 of the 2,533 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 40 brands. 359 wet dog food, 49 dog food topper, 3 dry dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 12. In the top five of 13 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

67%

Listed before the salt in 67% of foods. In the rest it is under about 1% of the recipe.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.09
All foods $3.23

Median of the cheapest bag price across 21 priced foods, 27% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

11%

of the foods that list it are from Blue. 40 brands use it in total.

The story

The South Asian seed gum inside canned pet food

Guar is a bean crop grown mainly in the semi-arid north and northwest of India, notably Rajasthan, and in eastern Pakistan. Those 2 countries supply about 98% of the world's guar gum. The food industry has used the gum since the 1950s to thicken products and keep ingredients evenly mixed, in foods from frozen pizza to ice cream and baked goods.4,8

Canned dog food is mostly meat and water, sterilized in the can, and it relies on binding systems much like restructured meat products made for people. A 2021 canned pet food study chose guar gum for its strong thickening power and because it was common in commercial canned pet foods. The same authors noted that gum use has waned as companies try to set their recipes apart from competitors.2

The turning point came in July 2007, when high levels of pentachlorophenol and dioxins turned up in Europe in batches of guar gum from India. The EU imposed special import conditions in 2008. By a 2011 audit, India was sending every exported lot with a certificate and a report from an accredited lab. Canada tested 20 Indian samples in 2008 and 2009 and found 1 above the European guide level.9,10

What it is

How it is made

Guar is grown for the gum in its seeds, which goes to food and industrial markets. Millers separate the germ and hull for a different feed ingredient, then grind the gum-rich center into powder.4,7

  1. 01 // Source Guar seeds The mature seeds contain a gum-rich center surrounded by a hull, with a germ alongside it.
  2. 02 // Process Split and sift Milling splits the seeds, and sieving separates the germ from the endosperm halves.
  3. 03 // Process Loosen the hull Hot air loosens hull material still attached to the halves, which is removed by sifting.
  4. 04 // Output Ground guar gum The cleaned endosperm is milled and screened into a powder that thickens when mixed with water.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

85-95

% galactomannan

This is the reported share of the cleaned seed center. Galactomannan is the soluble fiber that makes a little guar gum thicken water.

Galactomannan 85-95%7
Crude protein 5.1%3
Ash 0.9%3
Crude fat 0.5%3

The gum share depends on how fully the germ and hull are removed. Protein, ash and fat come from one analyzed sample, so they are examples, not guaranteed ranges.3,7

Benefits

What it does for your dog

Each benefit carries the same evidence grade as the claims below.

  1. 01

    Wet food that stays evenly mixed

    Galactomannan binds water, so a small addition thickens the batter before canning and leaves less free liquid to separate. This was measured in the food, not as a health effect in dogs.2,7

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None
  2. 02

    Fermentable fiber for gut bacteria

    In lab tests with dog feces, guar gum produced among the most short chain fatty acids of 14 fibers. No dog study shows a health gain at the small amounts used for texture.13

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Thickens the mixture

    Guar gum binds water before canning. In a canned pet food experiment, the mixture flowed less readily after guar gum was added.2

  2. 02

    Reduces separated moisture

    The same experiment found less liquid could be squeezed from food containing guar gum. The tested amount increased toughness but did not increase measured firmness.2

  3. 03

    Works at small additions

    A small dose changed texture in the canned food test. Guar is also produced for other food and industrial uses, giving manufacturers an existing supply of milled powder.2,4

How much A canned pet food experiment used 0.5% guar gum; dog studies of cholesterol and digestion fed up to 7% of dietary dry matter.1,2

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Guar gum keeps wet food thick and uniform

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In a controlled canned pet food experiment, 0.5% guar gum thickened the mixture and reduced expressible moisture. It increased toughness but did not increase measured firmness. These are food texture effects, not health benefits.2

  2. Brands say

    Guar gum lowers cholesterol in dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A small Beagle crossover found lower blood cholesterol when guar gum reached 7% of dietary dry matter. That does not show that the small amount used to thicken wet food treats high cholesterol.1

  3. Brands say

    Guar gum feeds a healthier gut microbiome

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    EFSA reviewed laboratory fermentation and rat data supporting bacterial use of guar gum. That mechanism does not show that a thickening dose improves a dog's gut microbiome or health.6

  4. Brands say

    Guar gum controls blood sugar in dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    In Beagle crossover studies, guar gum changed some insulin measures, but the study found no effect on plasma glucose before meals. Neither experiment tested diabetes treatment, and its dietary amounts exceeded a typical thickening dose.1

  5. Owners say

    Guar gum is toxic to dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    An applicant-supplied tolerance trial assigned 72 healthy dogs to diets with or without added guar gum. EFSA judged the analyzed use level safe but found the higher level was not tolerated. Toxic at any amount goes beyond those findings.5

The research

Studies worth knowing

Published research we read for this page, dog studies first.

  1. 1998 // Feeding trial, 3 fibers

    Guar at 7% of the diet lowered dogs' cholesterol11

    Healthy Beagle dogs (the abstract does not give the count)

    Found. At 7% of dietary dry matter, guar gum lowered fasting cholesterol and post-meal insulin. It also cut digestibility of dry matter, protein and fat, and it raised wet stool output.

    What it means. The metabolic effects came at a far larger dose than a thickener supplies, and the dogs paid for them in digestibility.

  2. 1993 // Breath test, 3 meals

    Guar in a canned meal did not change gut transit12

    7 healthy dogs

    Found. Dogs ate a 770 g canned meal alone or with 7.7 g of guar gum or wheat bran. Median time for food to reach the large intestine was 105 minutes with and without guar.

    What it means. At about 1% of a canned meal, guar gum did not speed up or slow down how fast food moved through these dogs.

  3. 1995 // Lab fermentation, 14 fibers

    Dog gut bacteria ferment guar gum readily in lab tests13

    Fecal bacteria from dogs, tested in the lab

    Found. Of 14 fiber sources fermented with dog feces, guar gum joined lactulose and citrus pectin in producing the most short chain fatty acids, above 6.8 mmol per g of organic matter.

    What it means. Guar is food for dog gut bacteria, but a lab flask does not show a health effect in a living dog.

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It has a measured job in wet food: thickening the mixture and reducing moisture separation. It contributes little protein or fat, so judge the food's nutrition by its main ingredients and analysis.2,3

  2. Q02

    Can it cause loose stool?

    At high amounts

    Beagle studies found wetter stools and lower nutrient digestibility when guar gum made up several percent of dietary dry matter. Those studies do not show the same effect from a small amount used for texture.1,2

  3. Q03

    Is guar meal the same thing?

    No

    Guar gum comes from the milled seed center. Feedipedia identifies guar meal as the germ and hull left during gum production. It is a separate, protein-rich feed ingredient.4

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Blue 45
  2. Merrick 39
  3. Nulo 28
  4. Purina 24
  5. Cesar 23
  6. Pedigree 22
  7. Wellness 16
  8. Royal Canin 15
  9. Nutro 15
  10. Evanger's 14

Plus 30 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 63%
  2. Carrots 41%
  3. Chicken Broth 41%
  4. Chicken Liver 31%
  5. Beef 28%
  6. Natural Flavor 23%
  7. Dried Egg Product 23%
  8. Water 21%
  9. Peas 20%
  10. Salt 18%
  11. Potatoes 17%
  12. Turkey 17%

On the shelf

Foods that list it

411 foods in our reviews list it. Here are some of them.

Authority Sensitive Stomach & Skin Shreds in Broth Adult Dog Meal Dog Food Topper90.0% proteinAvoDerm Wild By Nature 24 CANS- SALMON ENTREE IN CONSOMME Wet Dog Food72.2% proteinEvanger’s Grain Free Duck & Sweet Potato Dinner Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinEvanger’s Heritage Classic Beef & Bacon - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinEvanger’s Heritage Classic Lamb & Rice Dinner - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinEvanger’s Heritage Classic Senior & Weight Management Food - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinEvanger’s Organic Chicken & Turkey Dinner - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinEvanger’s Super Premium Beef Dinner for Dogs - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food40.9% protein
Show 56 more Blue True Solutions Digestive Care Wet Dog Food34.1% proteinBlue Natural Veterinary Diet WU Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinBlue True Solutions Weight Control Wet Dog Food34.1% proteinPedigree Choice Cuts IN Gravy Adult Pouches, Grilled Chicken & Filet Mignon Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinEvanger’s Grain Free LID Venison + Beef Dinner Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinEvanger’s Chunky Chicken Casserole - packed by hand! Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinEvanger’s Super Premium Heritage Classic Beef, Chicken, & Liver Dog Food Topper45.5% proteinWellness Complete Health Beef Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinStella & Chewy’s Wild Red : Whole Prey Chicken & Turkey Recipe, Protein Rich, Grain Free & Legume Free Stew Wet Dog Food46.7% proteinTaste of the Wild High Prairie Canine Recipe with Bison in Gravy Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinWellness CORE Beef, Venison & Lamb Wet Dog Food54.5% proteinBlue Wilderness Beef & Chicken with Grains Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinBlue Life Protection Formula Homestyle Recipe Grain-Free Senior - Chicken & Garden Vegetables Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinBlue Natural Veterinary Diet WM Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinEvanger’s Super Premium Heritage Classic Beef & Bacon Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinEvanger’s Heritage Classic Puppy Food - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinEvanger’s Organic Turkey with Potato & Carrots Dinner for Dogs - Case of 12 Wet Dog Food36.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Venison & Salmon Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Age Advantage Pate Chicken Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinInaba Churu Meal Tuna with Beef Recipe Dog Food Topper46.7% proteinInaba Churu Meal Chicken with Pumpkin Recipe Dog Food Topper46.7% proteinInaba Churu Meal Chicken with Cheese Recipe Dog Food Topper46.7% proteinInaba Churu Sprinkles Chicken and Vegetables Recipe Dog Food Topper80.0% proteinInaba Churu Meal Chicken Recipe Dog Food Topper46.7% proteinInaba Churu Meal Chicken with Beef Recipe Dog Food Topper46.7% proteinInaba Churu Sprinkles Chicken Recipe Dog Food Topper80.0% proteinInaba Churu Sprinkles Chicken and Cheese Recipe Dog Food Topper80.0% proteinInaba Churu Sprinkles Chicken and Beef Recipe Dog Food Topper80.0% proteinINABA Churu Sprinkles Tuna Recipe Dog Food Topper80.0% proteinWellness Complete Health Pate Turkey Salmon Entrée Smooth Wet Dog Food47.7% proteinWellness Core Mini Meals Chicken & Turkey Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Pate Turkey Dinner Smooth Loaf Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinWellness Complete Health Petite Entrees Shredded Medley Braised Lamb, Venison, White Sweet Potatoes & Carrots Wet Dog Food40.0% proteinWellness Core Mini Meals Chicken & Tuna Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinWellness Complete Health Pate Age Advantage Tuna & Salmon Wet Dog Food47.7% proteinVictor Select Grain Free Cuts Gravy | Beef and Vegetables Stew Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinHalo Elevate Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Chicken & Salmon Stew w/ C Wet Dog Food32.5% proteinCanidae All Life Stages , Chicken and Rice Wet Dog Food40.9% proteinOrijen Original Pâté with Liver Wet Dog Food45.5% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Performance for Active Dogs, Beef & Chicken Recipe Can Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinArtemis Osopure Grain Free Lamb Formula Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinArtemis Osopure Grain Free Duck Formula Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinIams Proactive Health Adult Lamb, Peas and Carrots Recipe Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinHalo Elevate Dog Kettle Cooked Chunky Healthy Grains Duck and Beef Stew with Carrots, White Potatoes, and Brown Rice Can Wet Dog Food32.5% proteinNow Fresh Good Gravy Beef Coated in Bone Broth Dry Dog Food28.9% proteinArtemis Osopure Grain Free Chicken Formula Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinEukanuba Puppy Mixed Grill Chicken & Beef Dinner in Gravy , case of 12 Wet Dog Food43.4% proteinEukanuba Adult Chicken & Vegetable Stew , case of 12 Wet Dog Food42.1% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Chicken Recipe for Healthy Weight Can Wet Dog Food34.1% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Performance Turkey & Chicken Recipe Cuts in Gravy Can Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Turkey & Potato Recipe Can Wet Dog Food31.8% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Chicken & Brown Rice Stew for Puppy Can Wet Dog Food38.9% proteinPure Balance Pro+ Mature Cup Wet Dog Food41.7% proteinOl’ Roy Country Chicken Stew Flavor Cuts in Gravy Can Wet Dog Food44.4% proteinOl’ Roy Meaty Loaf Chicken and Rice Dinner Can Wet Dog Food38.6% proteinOl’ Roy Meaty Loaf Chicken and Beef Loaf for Puppies Can Wet Dog Food40.9% protein

Our read // On the bag

Read it as a texture ingredient

Look at the meat and other main ingredients above guar gum on the label. A small addition has a useful job in wet food, but its list position cannot tell you the exact amount. Judge the recipe as a whole, and skip promises that guar gum treats cholesterol or blood sugar.

On labels as

Other names for this

Manufacturers do not all use the same wording. These all mean the same thing.

Organic Guar Gum

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Dietary fibre in dogs diet: comparisons between cellulose, pectin, guar gum, and between two incorporation rates of guar gum Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 1997 // Journal
  2. 2 The Effects of Select Hydrocolloids on the Processing of Pâté-Style Canned Pet Food Foods, 2021 // Journal
  3. 3 Chemical Composition and Palatability of Nutraceutical Dog Snacks Applied Sciences, 2023 // Journal
  4. 4 Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) forage, seed and meal Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), n.d. // Database
  5. 5 Safety of a feed additive consisting of guar gum for all animal species (AIPG - Association for International Promotion of Gums) EFSA Journal, 2026 // Regulator
  6. 6 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of guar gum for all animal species (A.I.P.G. Association for International Promotion of Gums) EFSA Journal, 2022 // Regulator
  7. 7 Re-evaluation of guar gum (E 412) as a food additive EFSA Journal, 2017 // Regulator
  8. 8 The boom and bust story of a crop called guar Marketplace, 2014 // Reference
  9. 9 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/175 laying down special conditions applicable to the import of guar gum originating in or consigned from India due to contamination risks by pentachlorophenol and dioxins European Commission (via legislation.gov.uk), 2015 // Regulator
  10. 10 2008-2009 Dioxins in Guar Gum from India Canadian Food Inspection Agency, n.d. // Regulator
  11. 11 The influence of sugar-beet fibre, guar gum and inulin on nutrient digestibility, water consumption and plasma metabolites in healthy Beagle dogs Research in Veterinary Science, 1998 // Journal
  12. 12 The effect of short-term dietary fibre administration on oro-caecal transit time in dogs Diabetologia, 1993 // Journal
  13. 13 Dietary fiber for dogs: IV. In vitro fermentation of selected fiber sources by dog fecal inoculum and in vivo digestion and metabolism of fiber-supplemented diets Journal of Animal Science, 1995 // Journal
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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