30 Oct, 2024

Inulin in Dog Diets: Is It Safe and Beneficial?

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Irina Turcan
Inulin in Dog Diets: Is It Safe and Beneficial?

What is inulin?

The principal query we’re addressing in today’s article is this: is inulin safe for dogs and how can it benefit their health? But before answering those questions, we should ask another, more basic one: what is inulin?

Inulin is a type of soluble dietary fibre that’s found in plants – over 36,000 species of them to be precise!(1) Some of the best sources include chicory roots and Jerusalem artichoke tubers. Like many kinds of fibre, inulin is what we call a prebiotic. That means it nourishes the good bacteria living in your pet’s gut (and yours!).

How is inulin safe for dogs when it nourishes bacteria? Well, your pup’s gastrointestinal tract is home to a large and diverse community of microbes – just like ours is. These can have a huge influence on health, in both positive and negative ways. Prebiotics like inulin help to make sure the beneficial bacteria thrive, while inhibiting the harmful bacteria. This is advantageous not only for digestive health, but for many other aspects of your pooch’s wellbeing.

The reason inulin works as a prebiotic is that dogs lack the enzymes needed to break down and digest it. However, when it reaches your pup’s colon, the microbiota there can do so via fermentation.(2) This process produces short-chain fatty acids, or SCFAs – such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate – which lower your pooch’s intestinal pH. It’s this change that's responsible for many of the beneficial effects of prebiotics, which we’ll talk about below.

Inulin is available as a supplement and found in wholefoods like barley that you can add to your pet’s diet. Before we discuss how to feed it to your pup, let’s look in more detail at why you should.

What are the benefits of inulin for dogs?

So, is inulin safe for dogs? Absolutely. In fact, you may find that it’s already in the pet food you currently give your pooch. But why might you want to up their intake of this ingredient?

As we said above, inulin nourishes the good bacteria in your pup’s gut and inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. The fermentation process produces SCFAs, which improve the health of the digestive tract. For example, butyrate helps to increase the gut’s surface area by lengthening the villi (projections in the small intestine). This increases the amount of nutrients your pet can absorb from their food, boosting wellbeing in all sorts of ways.(2)

Adding more fibre, like inulin, to your pet’s diet could also assist with healthy weight management. This is because it creates a feeling of fullness, which reduces the chance of your pup overeating. Is inulin safe for dogs who are already overweight? Well, studies suggest the ingredient could be effective at reducing inflammation and regulating the gut microbiota in obese canines. Such findings indicate it could therefore help with weight loss.(3) However, if your pooch is carrying some extra kilograms, speak to your vet first to confirm whether inulin is suitable for them.

What’s more, inulin could lend a paw in managing your pup’s blood glucose levels. Research shows that consuming more fibre might improve glycaemic control and decrease the amount their blood sugar rises after eating.(4) However, further investigation is necessary to clarify how useful inulin is for pets who have diabetes. Is inulin safe for dogs with diabetes? Again, we recommend speaking to a vet before adding a new functional food to their diet. This is particularly important if your pup is on medication.

Why is gut health important for pets?

We’ve seen that not only is inulin safe for dogs, but it also supports their gut health. This is vital for more than just your pet’s digestion. Gut health affects many other aspects of wellbeing. For example, it has a significant influence on the immune system.(5) Around 70% of your furry friend’s immune cells are in their gut. A healthy microbiome can help fight off pathogens and prevent them from reaching your pooch’s bloodstream or other organs. Furthermore, the gut microbiota regulates the local production of antibodies.

Interestingly, your pup’s gut health could also affect their mental health.(6) This is due to something called the gut-brain axis. Essentially, the condition of the gut affects the condition of the brain, and vice versa. And the gut microbiome plays a key role in this, through a few different mechanisms. For instance, it contributes to the production of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. These have a direct effect on your pet’s mood and behaviour.(7) SCFAs are especially important in this respect. That means prebiotics like inulin could be a big help if your pup suffers with stress or anxiety.

In addition, your pooch’s gut health can have an influence on their cardiovascular health.(8) That’s because the gut microbiota affects the heart, too. Studies have found that dogs with certain types of heart disease have an imbalance in their gut microbiome.(9) While research in this area is still in the early stages, it suggests improving gut health could benefit heart health.

Let’s return to our main question. Is inulin safe for dogs? Yes – and more than that, it could actually improve their wellbeing. That’s sure to get your pup’s tail wagging!

How can dogs eat inulin?

We’ve established that not only is inulin safe for dogs but it’s also beneficial for them. Now let’s turn to a more practical question. How can dogs have inulin in a tasty and convenient way? We mentioned above that you can find this type of fibre in many species of plant. However, not all these plants are suitable for our canine companions to eat. For example, garlic and onions are both rich sources of inulin – but they both contain compounds toxic to pups, too. This highlights how important it is to look beyond inulin content alone when choosing which foods to feed your pet.

So, from which sources is inulin safe for dogs? Chicory root can be a fantastic choice, as well as Jerusalem artichoke, lightly cooked asparagus, and bananas. If your pup hasn’t tried these foods before, start off with small amounts to see if they like them. It’s also a sensible idea to check with your vet first, to make sure they’re suitable for your pooch. All our beloved pets are different, and what’s ok for one animal might not be ok for another!

Is inulin safe for dogs in any amount? No – as with all foods, you can have too much of a good thing. While inulin and other types of fibre have beneficial effects on your pet’s health, you want to avoid large doses. Too much could cause digestive issues like diarrhoea and flatulence. The exact amount they can have will vary according to factors like your dog’s size, age, and health needs. So, speak to your vet to find out what’s best for your fluffy friend. And always follow the guidance on any inulin product you give your dog.

Introducing our organic Jerusalem artichoke powder

One of the simplest ways to add inulin to your pet’s diet is through a powder created specifically for pups. That way, you know you’re not barking up the wrong tree in terms of which foods to choose! Studies show Jerusalem artichoke acts as prebiotic for pooches, boosting the amount of good bacteria and SCFAs in the gut.(10) It also has a positive effect on the immune system. So not only is inulin safe for dogs when it comes from this ingredient, it can enhance their wellbeing.

We source these terrific tubers directly from small farmers in Eastern Europe. They cultivate the plant using only organic ingredients – plus plenty of expertise and care! After harvesting, the team carefully dries the artichokes before grinding them into a fine powder. We don’t sneak in any nasty additives like preservatives, artificial flavourings, or filler ingredients. What your pup receives is 100% pure organic Jerusalem artichoke – just as it should be! We ship this out to you in environmentally friendly amber glass jars. Store yours in a cool dry place to keep it fresh, and please recycle it once it’s empty.

When you say the word inulin dogs don’t get excited like they do when you say dinner or treat. So, how do you persuade them to tuck into this ingredient? It’s easy – you mix the powder into your pooch’s normal food. For guidance, we recommend starting with a quarter of a teaspoon a day per 5kg of your pup’s body weight. You can then gradually increase this to a maximum of one teaspoon per 5kg of body weight a day. Consult with your vet first to confirm that Jerusalem artichoke is suitable for your pet’s needs.

Is inulin safe for dogs with health conditions?

Just because an ingredient is suitable for some doggies, doesn’t mean it’s suitable for them all. So, let’s quickly cover some of the most common questions about which pups can have it.

Is inulin safe for dogs with health conditions? This will depend on the specific condition your pet has, and whether they’re on medication for it. Speak to your vet before adding Jerusalem artichoke or any other functional foods to their diet. This helps prevent them from experiencing any unwanted side effects or interactions.

Is inulin safe for dogs who are pregnant or nursing? There has been little research into this question. As such, it’s better to err on the side of caution and not give Jerusalem artichoke to pregnant/nursing animals. Once the puppies are weaned, you can speak to your vet about adding it to their mum’s diet.

Is inulin safe for dogs who are still growing? Again, there’s not a lot of research we can turn to in order to answer this. Therefore, we advise you not to give Jerusalem artichoke – or any functional foods – to puppies. Fully grown pooches only please! Once they grow up, you can talk to the vet about feeding your new family member Jerusalem artichoke powder.

Is inulin safe for dogs with sensitive tummies? Even healthy canines may react badly to sudden changes in their diet. As such, be sure to introduce a new food like Jerusalem artichoke to your pup’s meals slowly. This will allow their tummy to get used to it, and help you avoid unpleasant side effects.

Other ways to support your pup’s digestive system

Is inulin safe for dogs? Yes. Is it the only way to improve the health of their digestive system? Of course not! There are plenty of other steps you can take to help make sure your pet’s gut is functioning at its best. Here are a few top tips:

  • Always feed your dog the right amount of food, and stick to a regular feeding schedule.
  • Try not to let your pooch scavenge food when you’re out on walks. We know that can be harder than it sounds, but eating like that is a surefire recipe for tummy troubles!
  • Avoid giving your pup too much human food – no matter how adorably they turn those puppy-dog eyes on you! And always check which foods are safe for dogs to eat and which are toxic. You might be surprised at what they can and can’t have.
  • Take your pet to the vet if you notice any strange symptoms or changes in their behaviour.
  • Ensure your dog always has access to fresh water so they can stay hydrated.
  • Try to minimise the amount of stress in your pet’s life.

Is inulin safe for dogs? The final verdict

The evidence is in, and the findings are good. Not only is inulin safe for dogs, but it can have a positive influence on their wellbeing in several ways. That includes improving digestion, helping to regulate blood sugar levels, and supporting the immune system. Through enhancing gut health, it could also be beneficial for the heart and brain. So, why not try sprinkling a little Jerusalem artichoke powder on your pup’s meals? They – and their gut bacteria – will thank you!