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Beet pulp is an important source of fiber that is good for helping your dog maintain intestinal health and can enhance his ability to absorb ingredients. Beet pulp is the material that remains after sugar is extracted from sugar beets.
There are two types of fiber: Nonfermentable and fermentable. Nonfermentable fiber remains undigested as it passes through a dog's intestines, providing bulk to move wastes out. Cellulose is an example of a nonfermentable fiber.
In contrast, fermentable fiber is broken down in the intestines into short-chain fatty acids that provide energy for cells that line the intestine.
Moderately fermentable fiber does both: It provides bulk to move waste and supplies energy to cells lining the intestine. Beet pulp is a moderately fermentable fiber. IAMS™ products contain a patented, moderately fermentable fiber, beet pulp, to keep your dog's digestive system healthy.
Beet pulp contains no toxins and is not harmful. It is a very safe fiber source. Beet pulp does not affect coat color. There is nothing in beet pulp that can affect coat pigment—the inside is light in color, and the dark outside peel is not used in our foods.
By definition, beet pulp is the material left over after the sugar is removed from sugar beets. Therefore, beet pulp contains no sugar.
There is no evidence that beet pulp causes bloat. Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV) is related to a stomach defect that delays the stomach’s emptying. It is believed that bloat is not related to diet or ingredients, such as beet pulp. However, the cause of bloat remains unknown.
IAMS has conducted extensive research on many types of fiber. The results of this research point to the fact that beet pulp maintains intestinal health and works with other nutrients to provide optimal nutrition in all of our products, including IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Adult MiniChunks. No other food manufacturer can match our formulas. Only IAMS holds a patent for moderately fermentable beet pulp.
IAMS research has shown that some dog-food products are best formulated using a combination of carbohydrate sources. All IAMS dog foods are formulated precisely to meet the nutritional needs of your dog in his life stage. Such a combination offers optimal digestibility and helps maintain energy levels.
Our dog foods contain a variety of carbohydrate ingredients:
Barley: IAMS uses ground whole-grain barley that's cooked at high temperatures and finely ground in our dry dog-food formulas as part of our patented carbohydrate blend.
Corn: IAMS uses high-quality corn kernels that have been finely ground to break up the outside covering of each kernel, and then cooked at high temperatures to increase digestibility.
Grain sorghum: Also called milo, it is cracked, finely ground, and cooked before it is added to our dry dog foods. It is another carbohydrate source in our patented carbohydrate blend.
Rice flour: Our foods contain small kernels of white rice that have been separated from the larger kernels of milled rice, ground, and cooked at high temperatures to optimize digestibility.
Wheat: This is another high-quality carbohydrate source. In our biscuits, the wheat is an excellent, palatable carbohydrate source and adds a firm texture to the biscuit during the baking process.
Highly digestible diets are an important factor in the well-being of your dog. They deliver more essential nutrients more efficiently, so there is less waste.
Innovative and patented research by IAMS scientists has found that when the complex-carbohydrate sources grain sorghum and barley are used in a dog's diet, their breakdown is enhanced at another level.
These carbohydrate sources are all highly digestible, meaning your dog's body will still metabolize a high percentage of each for energy. What's unique about these grains is that they break down slowly and evenly, providing a stable source of energy.
The slow, even breakdown of grain sorghum, corn, and barley results in moderate, stable blood glucose levels after a meal. By minimizing swings in blood glucose, diets containing such a blend supply sustained energy. IAMS holds a patent on using grain sorghum and barley in a blend for dogs.
