Can dogs eat beets? Yes, they can. Dogs can eat both raw and cooked beets. Raw beets provide more nutrition than cooked beets, but cooked beets are more versatile and easier to handle. You can give them to your dog as a snack or add them to your dog’s diet. In addition, dogs can eat not only the beet itself, but the leaves as well!
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Can dogs eat beets: Potential health benefits of beets
Low calorie
Can dogs eat beets? Yes. Beets are low in fat and calories and high in water. This makes them a great snack as they keep dogs feeling full without producing excess calories. They contain 44 calories and 0.2 grams of fat per 100 grams. For reference, beets have 1/3 more calories than a similar carrot and 1/3 less than a similar potato.
Nitrates
Can dogs eat beets? Yes. Beets also contain nitrates. Nitrates can help lower blood pressure by helping blood vessels relax. Since high blood pressure is a common condition, this can be very beneficial to human health. Fortunately, high blood pressure is not common in dogs and cats. Beets are unlikely to cause major blood pressure fluctuations because a serving of beets contains a small number of nitrates. In humans, regular consumption of beets can reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure and stroke.
Nitrates have also been shown to improve exercise levels in humans. This may be due to vascular relaxation and improved oxygenation. While this has not been studied in dogs, adding beets to the diet of a sporting or working dog may show similar benefits based on the data.
Fiber
Can dogs eat beets? Yes. Like other tuberous root vegetables, beets are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber aids in gastrointestinal health by improving regularity and feeding good gut bacteria. In humans, adding fiber to the diet can reduce the risk of colon cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. However, these benefits are unlikely to be seen in dogs because these diseases are not prevalent in dogs. Nonetheless, adding fiber to your dog’s diet can still help with gastrointestinal health.
Betaine
Can dogs eat beets? Yes. Sugar beets contain a pigment known as betalains, which are thought to have anti-inflammatory properties in human medicine. Studies conducted on rats have shown that beet juice can reduce inflammation in the kidneys. Beet capsules have been used to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with osteoarthritis. Adding beets to your dog’s diet can help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
Can dogs eat beets: Precautions when giving beets to dogs
Beets need to be thoroughly cooked, cut into small pieces or mashed as they are a choking hazard for dogs. Never eat them raw as they are difficult to chew, swallow and digest.
Gastrointestinal upset. Any new addition to your dog’s diet to their life can lead to digestive problems. Start with very small amounts and monitor side effects before adding beets to their diet. If you notice any gastrointestinal issues, discontinue consumption immediately. Since beets add fiber to the diet, they may cause diarrhea if consumed in excess. Stop if you notice diarrhea.
Allergic reactions. Beets are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, but it is important to monitor for adverse reactions when you first add them to your dog’s diet. If there are any adverse reactions, stop promptly.
Pancreatitis. Beets should not be cooked with butter, oils or flavorings as these add calories and fat and can cause gastrointestinal problems or pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas caused by the ingestion of fatty or oily foods.
Beets contain high levels of oxalic acid. In some dogs, oxalic acid can cause bladder stones. If your dog has bladder stones or is susceptible to bladder stones, beets should be avoided.
Beets can also cause a change in fecal color due to the pigment contained in beets providing a blood-like appearance. If your dog has been eating red beets, this color change should not be a concern. If your dog is not eating beets, but has red/bloodstained feces, then this is something that should be taken to the vet promptly.
Can dogs eat beets: How much is too much?
Beets, like any food or dietary supplement, should not exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. For example, if your dpg’s daily calorie needs are 200 kcal, then their snacks/supplements should not exceed 20 kcal/day. More than 10% of calories can upset their balanced diet and lead to weight gain. Beets can be added to your dog’s daily diet as a snack or in small amounts.
In conclusion, giving your dog some beet in moderation can help enrich its diet, increase nutritional intake, improve digestive problems and oral health, and boost immunity. However, it should be noted that beet should only be used as a supplement to a dog’s diet, not as a substitute for staple food, and should be given in moderation to avoid overdoing it and triggering digestive problems!
