What is it?
Beet pulp has been criticised by some and referred to as a “cheap filler” with “very little to no nutritional benefit”, however this is not true!
Beet Pulp is a by product of the Sugar Beet industry, we extract the fibrous component of the sugar beet, eliminating the sugar and harvesting the fibre. Fibre is beneficial to pets.
Sugar Beet is a plant grown in temperate climates and is mainly grown for the sugar industry. Beet Pulp is also used in the equine industry in order to make up the fibrous component of horse feed. The equine industry has a much greater reliance on beet pulp, as horses require more fibre in their diet, for dogs and cats on average beet pulp is only included between 1 and 6%.
Main Benefits:
Why is Fibre Important?
- An important component of a healthy balanced diet
- It helps the digestive system to process food and steadily absorb nutrients
- It supports the functioning of normal healthy micro organisms living in the gut
- Acts similarly to a prebiotic food source for maintenance and proliferation of the ‘good bugs’
Types of Fibre
Insoluble fibre
- Helps the bowel to pass food by giving stools structure. This type of fibre helps prevent constipation and hairball (gut stasis). Includes cellulose, grains (wheat & rice) and tomatoes.
Soluble fibre
- Acts as a food source for bacteria that aid digestion however too much can cause loose and watery stools. Includes oats, apples.
- Beet pulp is a source of Soluble and Insoluble Fibre to help maintain normal intestinal transit time
A balance of both soluble and insoluble fibre is essential for cats and dogs
