Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs

Ingredient file // Fiber

Xanthan Gum

A useful thickener with little nutritional payoff

Xanthan gum is a powdered carbohydrate made by bacterial fermentation of sugars. In wet food it thickens gravy and helps keep ingredients suspended. The small amount used offers little nutritional benefit to a dog.

Role in the food Does a job
What it is
A powdered carbohydrate gum made by bacterial fermentation and used to thicken and stabilize wet food.
Made from
Carbohydrates fermented by bacteria
Main job
Thickens wet food
Typical amount
Supplier guidance: 0.05 to 0.35%
Watch for
Looser stools at higher intakes
Not the same as
Guar gum

Straight answer

Is Xanthan Gum safe for dogs?

Read it as texture, then assess the food

Xanthan near the end of a wet food list is doing a small texture job, so judge the food by the meat and broth above it. EFSA's cautious dog limit, 264 mg/kg of feed, sits below supplier doses but rests on a 200-fold margin over rat data, not on harm seen in dogs. Normal stools mean no reason to switch.

Why it is in the food
Thickens wet food

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 12 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

8%

261 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 28 brands. 245 wet dog food, 16 dog food topper.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 15. In the top five of 2 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

32%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 68% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $4.17
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 5 priced foods, 28% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

15%

of the foods that list it are from Cesar. 28 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Ingredient makers produce xanthan for food manufacturing. Bacteria grow in a carbohydrate-rich liquid and release gum into it. Processors recover the gum, dry it and mill it into powder.4

  1. 01 // Source Carbohydrate broth A carbohydrate feedstock is mixed into a liquid growth medium for the bacterial culture.
  2. 02 // Process Tank fermentation In aerated tanks, Xanthomonas campestris produces xanthan gum in the broth.
  3. 03 // Process Alcohol recovery Alcohol separates the gum from the liquid so processors can recover and dry it.
  4. 04 // Output Milled gum powder The dried gum is milled into powder for weighing into pet food recipes.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

83

% fiber

About 83% of one supplier's powder is measured as dietary fiber. At a small recipe dose, its texture matters more than its fiber contribution.

Dietary fiber 82.9%6
Soluble fiber 80.6%6
Insoluble fiber 2.4%6
Ash 9.9%6

These dry matter percentages are calculated from one supplier's analysis. EFSA specifications permit up to 16% ash on a dry basis, so that powder's mineral residue does not describe every batch.4,6

Why it is in the bag

A wet food thickener, not a source of nutrition

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

Makers add xanthan to canned and other wet foods to thicken the mix and bind water, so the food holds its texture. In a canned pâté experiment, xanthan paired with guar cut the liquid that seeped out of the product. Labels list ingredients by weight, and xanthan often sits well down the list, so it is likely too little to add meaningful fiber or calories. It is not filler: it does a texture job at a small dose.2,8

  1. 01

    Thickens gravy

    Xanthan increases a liquid's thickness at a small dose. A pet food supplier recommends 0.05 to 0.35% for thickening and suspending ingredients.7

  2. 02

    Holds moisture

    Thicker food releases less liquid. In a canned food experiment, a xanthan and guar blend had less expressible moisture than the control.2,7

  3. 03

    Works at small scale

    Fermentation supplies a manufactured powder, while the supplier's low recommended dose means each batch needs little of it. That limits the amount bought and shipped per recipe.4,7

  4. 04

    Partners with other gums

    Xanthan thickens mixtures with guar or locust bean gum more than either gum alone. Manufacturers use blends to set the texture of gravy or canned food.2,4

How much A supplier recommends 0.05 to 0.35% in pet food; one canned food experiment tested 0.5% xanthan with 0.5% guar.2,7

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. Owners say

    Xanthan gum gives dogs diarrhea

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    In a 5-day test with 8 or 9 dogs, a diet containing 1.2% xanthan on a dry matter basis raised fecal moisture from 57.3 to 62.5% and lowered stool quality. That does not show ordinary wet food doses cause diarrhea.1,7

  2. Brands say

    Xanthan gum makes wet food hold together

    Evidence

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

    In a canned pâté experiment, swapping 0.5% dextrose for 0.5% xanthan in a guar recipe cut expressible moisture from 26.93 to 17.16%, a significant drop. That shows what xanthan adds to guar, not how it works alone.2

  3. Brands say

    Xanthan gum feeds healthy gut bacteria

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    A lab experiment used feces from 18 dogs. Xanthan had little effect on fatty acid production, with a response from only 1 donor. The researchers did not feed xanthan to dogs or measure their gut health.3

  4. Owners say

    Xanthan gum is toxic to dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

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

    EFSA reviewed a 107-week dog study that reported no adverse effects at its highest tested dose. Its later assessment noted limits in the older studies. Wetter stools at higher intake are a tolerance concern, not evidence of poisoning.1,4,5

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    It has a clear job: thickening wet food and keeping ingredients suspended. It contributes little nutrition at the amounts used, but calling it filler misses why a manufacturer adds it.2,7

  2. Q02

    Why is it near the end?

    Small dose

    Ingredients are listed by weight when the food is formulated. Xanthan works in small amounts, so a place near the end is expected. The list does not reveal its exact percentage.7,8

  3. Q03

    Is it the same as guar gum?

    No

    Xanthan comes from bacterial fermentation; guar comes from a seed. Both thicken food, and they can thicken a mixture more when used together. That is why both may appear on one label.4,9

  4. Q04

    Does it add zero calories?

    No

    A supplier's powder analysis lists calories, and gut bacteria can ferment some xanthan. At the small amounts recommended for pet food, its contribution to a serving's energy is minor.4,6,7

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Cesar 39 / 45
  2. Pedigree 26 / 42
  3. Fromm 26 / 67
  4. Tiki Dog 21 / 30
  5. Weruva 18 / 50
  6. Merrick 16 / 107
  7. Nutro 15 / 71
  8. Wellness 10 / 118
  9. Iams 10 / 31
  10. Nulo 10 / 117

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

Plus 18 more brands.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Chicken 68%
  2. Chicken Broth 47%
  3. Carrots 41%
  4. Chicken Liver 35%
  5. Beef 33%
  6. Peas 28%
  7. Water 24%
  8. Potatoes 21%
  9. Dried Egg Product 20%
  10. Potassium Chloride 19%
  11. Beef Broth 15%
  12. Pumpkin 13%

On the shelf

Foods that list Xanthan Gum

261 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Wellness Core 95% Turkey & Spinach Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core 95% Turkey & Spinach Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelWellness Core 95% Chicken & Broccoli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core 95% Chicken & Broccoli Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 5 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Paw Lickin Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Paw Lickin Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Love Me Tender Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Love Me Tender Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNulo FreeStyle True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dog Food TopperNuloNulo FreeStyle True Boost Whole Prey Mixers Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the labelPurina Beyond Pacific Tuna Recipe Dog Food TopperPurinaPurina Beyond Pacific Tuna Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the labelPurina Beyond Alaskan Salmon Recipe Dog Food TopperPurinaPurina Beyond Alaskan Salmon Recipe Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 6 on the labelPedigree DRIZZLERS Wet Dog Savory Sauce, Natural Beef Dog Food TopperPedigreePedigree DRIZZLERS Wet Dog Savory Sauce, Natural Beef Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Tuna Bisque Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Tuna Bisque Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Pork Bisque Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Pork Bisque Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Senior Dog Mousse Senior Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Senior Dog Mousse Senior Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelNulo FreeStyle True Boost Skin & Coat Functional Mixers Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food TopperNuloNulo FreeStyle True Boost Skin & Coat Functional Mixers Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 8 on the label
Show 48 more
Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Fowl Ball Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Fowl Ball Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWellness Core 95% Beef & Carrots Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWellnessWellness Core 95% Beef & Carrots Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Goldie Lox Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Goldie Lox Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 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. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Chicken Bisque Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Chicken Bisque Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Beef Bisque Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Beef Bisque Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Salmon Bisque Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Salmon Bisque Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Lamb Bisque Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Lamb Bisque Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Duck Bisque Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTiki DogTiki Dog Aloha Petites Flavor Booster Duck Bisque Grain-Free Dog Food TopperTopper // No. 7 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Puppy Chicken Formula in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Puppy Chicken Formula in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 8 on the labelNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free 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. 9 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Funky Chunky Chicken Soup with Pumpkin Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Funky Chunky Chicken Soup with Pumpkin Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Bed & Breakfast Chicken, Egg & Pumpkin Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Bed & Breakfast Chicken, Egg & Pumpkin Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Amazon Livin Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Amazon Livin Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Diner Specials Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork Entrée in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelPedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree Chopped Ground Dinner Adult Pouch, Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelPedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Chicken & Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelSimply Nourish Grain Free - Shreds & Flaked, Chicken & Tuna Stew Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Grain Free - Shreds & Flaked, Chicken & Tuna Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelSimply Nourish Original Senior Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Original Senior Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelSimply Nourish Original - Shreds, Chicken, Beef & Pasta Stew Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Original - Shreds, Chicken, Beef & Pasta Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelSimply Nourish Original Adult Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Original Adult Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Lamb & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Signature Stews Chicken & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelNulo Signature Stews Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo Signature Stews Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Chicken, Duck & Pumpkin Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Beef, Beef Liver & Kale Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 9 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen The Double Dip Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen The Double Dip Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Peking Ducken Chicken & Duck in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Peking Ducken Chicken & Duck in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Lamburgini Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Lamburgini Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 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. 10 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Green Eggs & Chicken with Pumpkin & Greens Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Green Eggs & Chicken with Pumpkin & Greens Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelTiki Dog Pate Chicken, Beef & Beef Liver Cups 4ct Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Pate Chicken, Beef & Beef Liver Cups 4ct Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelFromm Four-Star balaya Beef, Vegetable, & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star balaya Beef, Vegetable, & Rice Stew Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelCanidae Pure Petite, Grain Free Chicken & Peas Pâté for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog FoodCanidaeCanidae Pure Petite, Grain Free Chicken & Peas Pâté for Small Breed Dogs Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelTiki Dog Taste of the World Peking Duck with Duck Wet Dog FoodTiki DogTiki Dog Taste of the World Peking Duck with Duck Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 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. 10 on the labelPedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodPedigreePedigree High Protein Chopped Ground Dinner Can, Beef & Bison Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 10 on the labelWeruva Classic Wok The Dog Chicken, Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Classic Wok The Dog Chicken, Beef & Pumpkin in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Jammin Salmon with Chicken & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Jammin Salmon with Chicken & Salmon Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Cirque de la Mer Tuna & Veggies in Soup Wet Dog FoodWeruvaWeruva Dogs in the Kitchen Classic Dog Cirque de la Mer Tuna & Veggies in Soup Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelSimply Nourish Original Senior with Glucosamine - Shreds, Chicken & Vegetable Stew Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Original Senior with Glucosamine - Shreds, Chicken & Vegetable Stew Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelSimply Nourish Grain Free Adult Wet Dog FoodSimply NourishSimply Nourish Grain Free Adult Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelIams Proactive Health With Chicken AND Whole Grain Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodIamsIams Proactive Health With Chicken AND Whole Grain Rice Classic Ground Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelFromm Four-Star Pâté Turkey Pâté Wet Dog FoodFrommFromm Four-Star Pâté Turkey Pâté Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Tuna, Pollock & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Signature Stews Small Breed Tuna, Pollock & Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Liver Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Classic Loaf in Sauce Chicken & Liver Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the label

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 The effects of guar gum (GG), hydroxypropylated starch (HPS), and xanthan gum (XG) on digestive dynamics in dogs fed canned foods ADSA/ASAS Joint Annual Meeting Abstracts, 2002 // Journal
  2. 2 The Effects of Select Hydrocolloids on the Processing of Pâté-Style Canned Pet Food Foods, 2021 // Journal
  3. 3 Effects of cRG-I Prebiotic Treatment on Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolic Activity in Dogs In Vitro Microorganisms, 2025 // Journal
  4. 4 Re-evaluation of xanthan gum (E 415) as a food additive EFSA Journal, 2017 // Journal
  5. 5 Safety of a feed additive consisting of xanthan gum (produced with Xanthomonas campestris strains ATCC SD-7012, DSM 23730, CNCM I-4861 and CIP 74.23) for all animal species with the exception of cats and aquatic species (BIOPOLYMER International) EFSA Journal, 2025 // Journal
  6. 6 NOVAXAN NF/FCC (Xanthan Gum) Nutritional Information Archer Daniels Midland, n.d. // Industry
  7. 7 Your guide to pet food, treats and animal feed Ingredion, n.d. // Industry
  8. 8 Ingredients - Making Pet Food AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  9. 9 Review of the Scientific Evidence on the Physiological Effects of Certain Non-Digestible Carbohydrates U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2018 // 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

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED