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Ingredient file // Fiber

Locust Bean Gum

A wet food thickener with unproven gut benefits

Locust bean gum is a soluble fiber milled from the inner part of carob seeds. It thickens wet food and helps give it shape. Dog gut bacteria ferment it in lab tests, but feeding studies have not shown a gut health benefit.

Role in the food Does a job
What it is
A powder from the inner part of carob seeds that thickens wet food when mixed with water.
Made from
The inner part of carob seeds
Main job
Thickens wet food
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Reduced appetite or weight after a food change
Not the same as
Ground carob pods

Straight answer

Is Locust Bean Gum safe for dogs?

Treat it as texture, then judge the food

Locust bean gum low on a wet food list signals texture work, especially near other gums. Read the main ingredients and nutritional analysis first. Watch your dog's appetite, weight and stool after a food change. Give no extra credit for a prebiotic claim without a feeding trial.

Why it is in the food
Thickens wet food

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 55 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

2%

58 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 10 brands. All wet dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 13. In the top five of 4 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

37%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 63% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.36
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 2 priced foods, 3% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

34%

of the foods that list it are from Purina. 10 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Carob processors separate the pod pulp from its hard seeds. Gum makers remove each seed's coat and germ, then mill the fiber-rich inner part into a powder for food plants.6

  1. 01 // Source Carob pods The pods contain hard seeds surrounded by pulp that is separated during processing.
  2. 02 // Process Seed coats removed Heat or a controlled acid treatment loosens the tough coats for removal.
  3. 03 // Process Germs separated The peeled seeds are split, and the crumbled germs are sifted away from the inner parts.
  4. 04 // Output Gum powder The remaining inner parts are milled into a fine powder for mixing into food.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

92.9

% fiber

Total dietary fiber in one tested gum sample. The powder is chiefly fiber, with little protein to contribute to a recipe.

Total dietary fiber 92.9%2
Crude protein 4.9-6.4%5
Ash 1.1-3.5%5

The fiber figure comes from one sample; the protein and ash ranges come from two. Remaining seed coat or germ, and further purification, change what stays in the powder.2,5,6

Why it is in the bag

There to thicken wet food and hold water

  1. Main nutrition
  2. Supporting nutrient
  3. Does a job
  4. Mostly filler

Makers add locust bean gum to wet food as a texturizer. It thickens water at low concentrations, and in a canned food test, a 0.5% dose paired with guar held far more moisture in the loaf than a gum-free formula. Its fiber is likely too little to change the food's nutrition at these amounts, so it is not a fiber source. It is not filler either: it shapes the food.3,7

  1. 01

    Thickens wet food

    Its long fiber chains thicken water. In a canned food test, a formula containing locust bean gum and guar made a thicker batter before cooking.3

  2. 02

    Shapes the finished food

    Gum blends give canned food structure after heating. The tested locust bean gum blend produced an intermediate firmness, so the final texture depends on its partners and the recipe.3,4

  3. 03

    Treats a large batch

    Carob gum thickens water at low concentrations. A manufacturer therefore needs relatively little powder to change a batch's texture, though the sources do not show its purchase price.7

How much A canned food test used 0.5% locust bean gum with guar; a dog feeding trial tested 0.2 to 0.5% locust bean meal and carrageenan blends.1,3

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

    Thickens and shapes canned food

    Evidence

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

    A canned food experiment tested 0.5% locust bean gum with guar and found thicker batter. The gum was not tested alone in that recipe, and EFSA found the evidence insufficient to judge its effect across complex pet foods.3,4

  2. Brands say

    Makes your dog's stools firmer

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    In a crossover feeding trial, locust bean meal and carrageenan blends at 0.2 and 0.5% only trended toward lower fecal scores. The significant comparisons involved other gelling agents, and the trial did not isolate the locust bean ingredient.1

  3. Brands say

    Acts as a prebiotic for gut health

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A lab test using fecal bacteria from 3 dogs found fermentation and fatty acid production after 24 hours. The live-dog diets used fiber blends, so the study did not show a gut health benefit from locust bean gum in wet food.2

  4. Owners say

    Natural gum is harmless at any amount

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    EFSA calculated a safe concentration of 1,320 mg/kg complete feed for dogs. In a 60-dog, 28-day high-dose trial, food intake fell and weight loss increased with dose. Natural origin does not make every amount safe.4

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It thickens wet food and helps shape the finished product, which is a real manufacturing job. Its fiber content alone gives no reason to expect a gut health benefit at the amounts used for texture.2,3

  2. Q02

    Does it come from locusts?

    No

    It comes from carob seeds. Processors remove the tough coat and germ, then grind the inner part into powder. It is different from ground carob pods.6

  3. Q03

    Should I avoid it?

    Usually no

    Its place on a label does not reveal the dose. EFSA calculated a safe feed concentration for dogs, while its high-dose trial gives reason to watch appetite and weight after changing foods.4

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Purina 20 / 185
  2. Weruva 9 / 50
  3. Merrick 8 / 107
  4. Fromm 6 / 67
  5. Edgard & Cooper 5 / 11
  6. Bil-Jac 4 / 32
  7. Tiki Dog 3 / 30
  8. Wellness 1 / 118
  9. Hill's 1 / 116
  10. Iams 1 / 31

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 67%
  2. Carrots 43%
  3. Chicken Broth 40%
  4. Potassium Chloride 38%
  5. Liver 34%
  6. Guar Gum 29%
  7. Beef 22%
  8. Salt 22%
  9. Wheat Gluten 21%
  10. Pumpkin 19%
  11. Sunflower Seed Oil 19%
  12. Tricalcium Phosphate 19%

On the shelf

Foods that list Locust Bean Gum

58 foods in our catalog list it, highest on the label first.

Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Love Me Tender Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Love Me Tender Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 3 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Funk in the Trunk Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Funk in the Trunk Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Limited Ingredient Lamb Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Limited Ingredient Lamb Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Beef Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelMerrick Real Texas Beef Grain Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Real Texas Beef Grain Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Grain Free Real Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelBil-Jac Picky No More Pâté with Chicken & Chicken Liver Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Picky No More Pâté with Chicken & Chicken Liver Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelIams Proactive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken AND Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelMerrick Limited Ingredient Turkey Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Limited Ingredient Turkey Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelMerrick Grain Free Real Duck Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Grain Free Real Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts Beef & Salmon Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts Beef & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the label
Show 46 more
Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Fowl Ball Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Fowl Ball Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 4 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Marbella Paella with Mackerel & Pumpkin Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Marbella Paella with Mackerel & Pumpkin Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Goldie Lox Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Goldie Lox Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen The Double Dip Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen The Double Dip Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Thats My Jam Can Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Thats My Jam Can Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Lamburgini Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Lamburgini Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Hot Dayam with Lamb in Gelée Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Hot Dayam with Lamb in Gelée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelMerrick Limited Ingredient Chicken Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Limited Ingredient Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelMerrick Real Beef, Lamb and Bison Grain Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Real Beef, Lamb and Bison Grain Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelPurina ONE True Instinct Grain Free Turkey & Venison Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE True Instinct Grain Free Turkey & Venison Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelBil-Jac Pate Platters Pâté Platters with Chicken & Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Pate Platters Pâté Platters with Chicken & Vegetables Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Charlie’s Chicken Pot Pie Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Charlie’s Chicken Pot Pie Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Beef & Oat Meal Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Beef & Oat Meal Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Skin & Coat Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Skin & Coat Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Chicken & Duck Puppy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Chicken & Duck Puppy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Tins Chicken & Turkey Adult Dog Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Tins Chicken & Turkey Adult Dog Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelBil-Jac Pâté Platters with Duck & Pumpkin Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Pâté Platters with Duck & Pumpkin Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Puppy Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Brain & Heart Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Brain & Heart Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Bone & Joint Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Bone & Joint Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Dog Cup Beef Duck Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Dog Cup Beef Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Tins Chicken & Salmon Senior Dog Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Tins Chicken & Salmon Senior Dog Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelEdgard & Cooper Tins Beef & Duck Adult Dog Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodEdgard & CooperEdgard & Cooper Tins Beef & Duck Adult Dog Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelPurina ONE Lamb & Brown Rice Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Lamb & Brown Rice Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelWellness Complete Health Petite Entrees Shredded Medley Braised Lamb, Venison, White Sweet Potatoes & Carrots Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Complete Health Petite Entrees Shredded Medley Braised Lamb, Venison, White Sweet Potatoes & Carrots Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelBil-Jac Pate Platters Pâté Platters with Beef & Sweet Potatoes Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodBil-JacBil-Jac Pate Platters Pâté Platters with Beef & Sweet Potatoes Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oat Meal Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oat Meal Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelPurina ONE Beef & Barley Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Beef & Barley Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Tender Cuts in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelFromm Four-Star Pâté Seafood Medley Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Pâté Seafood Medley Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken & Salmon Lomi Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken & Salmon Lomi Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelFromm Pâté Salmon & Chicken Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Pâté Salmon & Chicken Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Paula’s Chicken & Pumpkin Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Paula’s Chicken & Pumpkin Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Chicken & Brown Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Milo Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Classics Milo Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken Huli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken Huli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelPurina ONE Lamb & Rice Healthy Puppy Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Lamb & Rice Healthy Puppy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Turkey & Venison Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE True Instinct Tender Cuts in Gravy Turkey & Venison Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelPurina ONE Vibrant Maturity Turkey & Barley Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Vibrant Maturity Turkey & Barley Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelFromm Four-Star Pâté Duck À La Veg Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Pâté Duck À La Veg Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken & Duck Maui Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Chicken & Duck Maui Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken & Rice Entrée Wet Dog FoodHill'sHill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Digestion Chicken & Rice Entrée Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 18 on the labelPurina ONE Beef & Brown Rice Wet Dog FoodPurinaPurina ONE Beef & Brown Rice Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 22 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Selected gelling agents in canned dog food affect nutrient digestibilities and fecal characteristics of ileal cannulated dogs Archiv für Tierernahrung, 2002 // Journal
  2. 2 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
  3. 3 The Effects of Select Hydrocolloids on the Processing of Pâté-Style Canned Pet Food Foods, 2021 // Journal
  4. 4 Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of locust bean gum for cats, dogs, pigs and poultry (FEDIAF) EFSA Journal, 2026 // Journal
  5. 5 Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2012 // Database
  6. 6 Carob bean gum: Chemical and Technical Assessment Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 2008 // Regulator
  7. 7 International trade in non-wood forest products: An overview - V. Plant gums Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d. // Government
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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