Agave
6 foods contain this ingredient
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About Agave
Agave refers to extracts of the agave plant used in pet products either as a syrup sweetener or, separately, as a purified inulin fiber source.
Agave is most commonly used in pet products as a natural sweetener or humectant and in some cases as a source of soluble fiber (inulin) with potential prebiotic effects. While inulin-type agave can modestly support gut bacteria, agave syrup is high in fructose and provides nonessential calories that can contribute to weight gain, dental disease and metabolic problems; it can also cause gastrointestinal upset and should be avoided in diabetic pets, and offers little to no benefit for obligate carnivores like cats.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- sap/core of agave plants (commonly Agave tequilana)
- Primary role
- sweetener/humectant, or purified fiber source when used as inulin
Why it's used
Formulators reach for agave largely because it is marketed as a plant-based, less-processed alternative to refined sugar, and because agave-derived fructans can be isolated separately as a concentrated fiber ingredient. The syrup and the purified fiber extract are used for distinct purposes in a formula and shouldn't be assumed to have the same effect.
Common concerns
- Raw agave plant material The raw agave plant (leaves and sap) is a separate matter from processed agave syrup or inulin, and calcium oxalate crystals in the sap have been documented to cause oral and gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed or ingested, distinct from any concern tied to processed agave ingredients in food.
- Fiber dosing and GI tolerance Fructan fibers from agave are fermented by gut bacteria, and introducing them too quickly or in excess amounts has been associated with gas, bloating, or loose stool in some animals.
Also relevant
Research on agave fructans has shown they can shift gut bacterial populations, including increases in Bifidobacterium and reductions in certain other bacterial groups, when fed as a prebiotic.
Common Questions
What category is Agave?
Agave is categorized as a sweetener ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Agave part of an allergen group?
No allergen group is linked to Agave in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Agave?
6 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Agave, including Earth Animal, Fera Pets, JustFoodForDogs.
Foods with Agave
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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