So, can dogs eat beets? Most of us learn early on that vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. It’s hard to argue against the fact that eating beets is good for your health.
They are low in calories but full of important nutrients that help you live a happy and healthy life. So it’s only natural for dog owners to wonder if their furry friend can join in.
Can Dogs Eat Beets?
So, can dog eat beets? Dogs can safely eat beets, and they are good for them in many ways. They can be a healthy treat for a dog that likes to eat people’s food. Small pieces of beets can be given to dogs safely, either mixed in with their food or given on their own.
Cooked beets: So, can dogs eat beets cooked? The best way to eat beets is to roast them or steam them in water. This makes them easy to chew. When you can, choose beets that are grown without pesticides.
Raw beets: Fresh, raw beets also work, but they need to be cut into very small pieces so that they don’t cause choking. (If your dog likes fresh beets, blend beet pulp into a beet puree that is easy to swallow.) You can also think about giving your dog beet greens, which have a lot of the same health benefits as the root vegetable.
Canned beets: Most canned beets are full of sodium and other chemicals that are bad for your dog’s stomach. The spices in canned beets that have been pickled can also cause problems. Don’t give your dog any canned vegetables, even canned beets.
Benefits Of Feeding Beets
So, now you know, can dogs eat beats? As you can see, beets are full of important vitamins and minerals that make life healthier for humans and dogs alike. The main reason why beets are good for dogs is that they help their digestive systems.
Any dog owner knows that a dog with an upset stomach can do a lot of damage (watch out, carpet! ), which is reason enough to start feeding your dog beets.
Other things that beets might be good for:
- The immune system gets a boost
- Helps a dog get healthier skin
- Helps the coat of the dog, makes the fur shine and makes the dog healthier.
Beet Greens vs. Beet Roots
The leaves of the beet plant can also be eaten. Both people and dogs can get a lot of nutrients from them. Beta-carotene, vitamin K, and magnesium are all found in high amounts in beet greens. They are also low in calories and have a good amount of fibre.
Like beet roots, beet greens can be added to your dog’s food. You can give them beet greens that are fresh or frozen, but you shouldn’t give them canned beet greens because they may have too much salt.
You can give your dog beet greens raw or cooked in water (sauteed or boiled). Don’t add seasonings because they could upset your dog’s stomach or cause an allergic reaction.
Related: CAN DOGS EAT AVOCADO?
Can Dogs Eat Raw Beets?
So, can a dog eat beets? Small amounts of raw beets are safe for your dog to eat and won’t hurt him or her.
But you should be careful not to feed them too much. Even when cooked, beets have parts that are hard for dogs to digest. If they eat too many beets, they can get serious stomach problems like bloating or intestinal blockage.
Can Dogs Eat Beets Skin?
So, now you know, can dogs eat beet? The skin of beet is also full of nutrients that are good for dogs. Moreover, the skin has a lot of fibre and Vitamin C.
The skin of beet is nice for your dog in small amounts, just like raw or cooked beets. If the beet skins are raw, they probably taste bitter, which your dog might not like unless they are mixed with other foods.
If you want to give your dog beet skins, make sure they are clean and dry before giving them to them. Don’t give your dog any parts of the beet that are wilted or mouldy. At the same time, they have black spots on them, as these could be signs that the beet is going bad.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Beets?
Dogs shouldn’t get more than 15% to 20% of their calories from fresh plants. You can use this rule of thumb to decide how often you want to feed your dog beets.
If beets are added to your dog’s food, the amount is probably small and well-balanced enough for your dog to eat every day.
If you feed them fresh beets, you could give them a few pieces every day or a whole beet over the course of a weekend. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog after it eats beets to make sure it doesn’t get sick from them.
The best way for your puppy to get the benefits of beets without having a strong digestive reaction is to feed them beets on a regular basis. Nothing will likely go wrong if you give your dog a little bit every day.
Can Dogs Eat Beets Every Day?
Your dog can eat beets every day without getting sick. Start with a small amount & slowly add more as you pay close attention. To make sure they get a good balance of macronutrients, don’t give them more than 15% to 20% of their food from plants.
Your dog will get a good amount of fibre, vitamins, and minerals from a daily serving of beets, which is good for its health as a whole.
But if your dog has an allergy or sensitivity to beets, you shouldn’t feed it this vegetable. You can find out if your dog is sensitive by giving it a small number of beets and seeing if it reacts badly to them.
How Many Beets Can a Dog Have?
If your dog eats fresh beets, you should try to keep the amount they eat to less than 15 or 20 per cent. This means that you can give them beets as up to 20% of their food. So, if your dog eats a cup of kibble every day, you could give them a fifth of a cup of boiled or mashed beets. If your dog eats raw beets, it’s best to limit him or her to no more than one beet per day.
If you give your dog canned beets, you should be aware of how much salt is in them since dogs can’t handle too much salt. Most dogs should not get more than 500 mg of sodium a day.
One cup of canned beets has about 670 mg of sodium, so if your dog eats the whole can, it will have eaten way too much sodium for the day. In the long run, too much salt could cause health problems like high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
FAQs: Can Dogs Eat Beets?
How Much Beets Can I Give My Dog?
Remember, it’s fine to give your dog beets in small amounts. We think that putting a small amount of this red root in your pet’s food once or twice a week is a good way to give them flavour and nutrients.
Why Are Beets Good For Dogs?
Vitamin C, fibre, manganese, folate, and potassium are all provided by beets for canine consumption. Your dog’s immune system, digestion, skin, and coat will benefit from these micronutrients.
How Do You Prepare Beets For Dogs?
If you want to feed your dog beets, you should clean them the same way you would a potato: by washing and scrubbing. After washing, peel them & cut them into thin slices. Now you have the option of baking, roasting, or dehydrating them. Even while you can eat them uncooked, you probably shouldn’t.
Do Beets Give Dogs Diarrhea?
If your dog has urinary tract or kidney issues, you should never feed him beets. Beets have a naturally acidic pH. Some canines may have gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, as a result of this.
Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.