Beagles need to have a proper diet with nutrients and vitamins, according to their age and physical activities. They have high-energy levels along with many fun outdoor sessions. Therefore, it is essential to serve them with a disciplined diet. A pup’s diet should include iron, minerals, and other essential nutrients to maintain perfect health, but what about fiber? We all know how beneficial it is for us humans. But can you give a beagle fiber?
Beagles can have fiber, it is good for their digestive tract. Certain fibers keep blood sugar levels under control. Fiber-rich food can also help with weight management as it makes the beagle feel full without consuming more calories.
Further, in this article, we will look into why fiber is essential in a beagle’s diet and see various benefits of it. We will also look into various healthy sources of fiber.
Why is Fiber Important?
Fiber is not only an essential nutrient in a Beagle’s diet, but it also has many benefits that support the digestive system. With the proper consumption of fiber, your beagle can stay away from diseases like diarrhea and a constipated stomach. Fiber is essential for a proper and smooth gastrointestinal tract.
Beagles need a high-quality diet, to maintain their high-energy levels and prevent obesity. Fiber has numerous benefits to a dog’s body before making its way out. It can eliminate the absorption of some toxics. A proper intake of fiber helps in maintaining colon health, controls intestinal functions, promotes with gut flora, and slows down the process of absorption of glucose in the blood.
Fiber is classified into two types: Soluble and Insoluble. Both types of fiber have a different effect on the body of the beagle. These types of fiber have different effects on the process of the digestive system too. Soluble fibers dissolve in water and are digestible, whereas insoluble fibers absorb water and are indigestible.
Which fiber is the best?
If your beagle is suffering from acute diarrhea or large bowel movements, soluble fiber will work best for them. Incorporating soluble fiber absorbs the water contents from the intestinal tract and slows down the digestive process.
If your beagle has constipated bowel movements, then insoluble fiber would get things done. As the intake of insoluble fibers makes it much easier to let stool pass out easily and helps to reduce a constipated stomach.
Benefits of High Fiber Food
The intake of a fibrous diet increases the bulk and water content in a Beagle’s body.
Consumption of fiber can slow down the process of the digestive tract for Beagles, who have fast-transit. Similarly, speed up for the ones with a slow transit process. Some types of fiber break down the intake of fatty acids, making it easy to digest the food. Also, it prevents the excessive growth of bacteria and maintains a healthy gut. Consumption of the right amount of fiber allows the water and nutrients to pass through the large intestine and then into the bloodstream.
Boosts Digestive System
If your beagle’s bowel movement is irregular, then surely intake of proper fibrous diet can help. Fiber is a fantastic component of your beagle’s digestive tract. Consumption of fiber can allow drawing water in the intestine when necessary and combat constipation. Mainly, insoluble fiber absorbs water, attracting the moisture from outside the colon to soften the bowel movement.
Fiber speeds the process of removing and reducing the number of carcinogens consumed by your beagle. Carcinogens can severely harm your pet’s health. Fibrous diet can eliminate the risk of colon cancer. It can also add as an energy source for the good bacteria in the gut. It also helps in maintaining and promoting a better and healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Promote Good Health
While keeping your beagle on a commercial diet, it is necessary to include high fibrous food items. As the intake of fiber takes up space in a Beagle’s stomach, making it a calorie-free diet and high on energy levels. Along with fiber, your beagle would need proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and fat too. Including fiber to the diet can dilute the calorie contents of the food, hence, serving a low-calorie plate.
But with high-fiber ingredients and low calories, your pup will have a full stomach and boost up energy. It creates a feeling of a full stomach and reduces unnecessary hunger pangs. In this way, a low-calorie can help your beagle to lose weight and have proper weight. Beagles with overweight issues can be given a diet high in fiber, especially for weight loss and maintaining adequate energy levels.
Anal Sac Impaction
During normal bowel movements, the emptying of the anal sacs process may be incomplete, which makes the beagle irritated. In this case, if you provide proper fibrous supplements to your beagle. Fiber is proven to have effective control over the anal sac impaction. Including insoluble fiber can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. On the other hand, the toxic feces would get captured with water and concentrated into potential carcinogens.
Good Sources of Fiber
Beagle should be fed a high-quality fibrous diet to maintain good health and reduce weight issues. They need much fiber, proteins, vitamins, and fewer calories. Dogs are recognized as carnivorous, which is not exactly right. They are omnivorous creatures and require a mix of vegetables and meat for better growth, proper digestive system, and to boost energy.
Banana: Bananas are a great source of fiber as well as potassium, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and other healthy nutrients.
Pumpkin: The most versatile squash loved by Beagles is Pumpkin. It provides the most efficient nutrients and a proper amount of fiber. Pumpkin contains a high rate of potassium, vitamin A- Beta carotene. It boosts up the beagle’s metabolism and improves muscle health.
Apple: Apple is another sweet and favorite treat for Beagles. This fruit is high in vitamins, iron, and fiber. Don’t forget to cut off the core of the apple, as it can be toxic for pets.
Milled Flaxseeds: Milled flaxseeds provide soluble and insoluble fiber contents to a Beagle’s stomach. Whole flaxseeds only provide insoluble fiber. The primary role of flaxseeds is to improve the digestive system and regulate bowel movements.
Carrots: We all know carrots are good for eyesight and health too, but also carrots are a great source of fiber. Carrots are filled with vitamins, beta carotene, which gets converted into vitamin A. It helps to maintain a good digestive and heart health.
Broccoli: A nutrition-packed veggie from the cabbage family, broccoli is a good source of fiber. Broccoli consists of high fiber, vitamins, iron, and most importantly, it is low in fat.
Kale: We love Kale, and it includes a lot of nutrients. This vegetable will also benefit your beagle’s digestive health. Kale consists of iron, fiber, folate, calcium, and thiamine.
Sweet Potato: Sweet potato has high fiber content, which makes it the best snack for your beagle. They are rich in vitamin C, A, B6, and have the low-calorie content. Also, they are sweet, which makes it more likely for the dogs.
How to add fiber in your Beagle’s Diet?
Adding a good source of fiber in your beagle’s diet is essential, but also how to incorporate it is equally important. We know our pups can be a little moody while having new supplements; your beagle should enjoy the taste of those fibrous food items. These fibrous supplements should be given in a proper portion; excessive fiber can cause loose stools or make them feel a bit bloated.
Pumpkin is one great fibrous squash. If pumpkin isn’t available, you can opt for unseasoned canned pumpkin. Freeze canned pumpkin in an ice cube tray and give it to your beagle as a summer treat. Make sure you don’t get the pumpkin pie can, as it contains sugar in high quantity.
Raw broccoli tastes a little bland as well as difficult to digest. Make sure you boil the broccoli and season it so that your beagle is quite happy about how it tastes.
Carrots are good for the eyesight as well as for your beagle’s bowel movements. Carrots are included in many of the dog foods, especially biscuits. Likewise, you can feed your Beagle one baby carrot a day for a quick snack after outdoor playtime.
Kale is another source of fiber needed for your beagle. Try chopping kale and balancing it for a while. You add it with other food if your beagle doesn’t like the taste of it. Kale should be included in your pup’s diet in a proper proportion as excessive intake can cause kidney problems.
A medium-sized sweet potato contains about 3 grams of fiber. Boil the sweet potato, and mash it with a fork and serve it to your beagle. Also, you can add it to your pup’s meal.
A lot of vegetables have a good source of fiber and can be used as a quick snack, or you can mix with their meal. Try and don’t feed canned vegetables as they are high in sodium and can be harmful to your beagle.
Final Thoughts
Including fiber regularly in your diet can be good for your digestive as well as a winner for your beagle too. Pups depend on their dog food for fiber, but including food items available at your home can be a good beginning. Fibrous food plays a vital role in a Beagle’s commercial as well as household diet plans. Start introducing fibrous food supplements to your beagle’s diet in small quantities first and then in proper moderation. Add fibrous vegetables, fruits, and plenty of water to your beagle’s diet.