Beets are healthy vegetables that can be fed to dogs. However, as with any food, there are some things you need to watch out for when feeding them to your dog. In this article, we will go over the benefits of beets, determine if beets are safe for dogs to eat, and then look at some of the potential problems that may occur when feeding them.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Beets?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked beets. In fact, they provide a number of health benefits for your dog. Beets are a good source of fiber, low in calories, and full of many minerals and vitamins that are great for your pup.
Benefits of Dogs Eating Beets
Here are some of the great benefits of feeding your dog cooked beets:
Beets Can Help Your Dog Lose Weight
Beets are a great food to help dogs lose weight. They are low in calories and high in fiber, which helps your dog feel full and satisfied after eating.
They are low in fat as well as sodium, which means feeding your dog beets will not cause them to gain weight or suffer from obesity-related problems.
Mix a small amount of diced or smashed beets into your dog’s food to help them lose weight while still providing your pet with the nutrients they need.
Beets Provide Your Dog With Energy
Beets are a great source of energy for dogs, which is why you will often see beets in many commercial dog foods. They provide lots of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for regulating different bodily functions.
They have a large amount of Vitamin B as well as potassium to provide your dog with the energy they need for everyday activities and will also help their muscles work properly.
Beets Promote Eye Health
Beets are filled with vitamins that promote eye health, including Vitamin A and C. The high level of minerals in beets also helps to keep your dog’s eyes healthy.
Beets Can Help Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Beets are a great food for regulating blood sugar levels in dogs. If your dog suffers from diabetes, adding beets to their diet can help them manage their condition and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
They Can Help With a Dog’s Digestive Health
Beets are a good source of fiber, which is beneficial for your dog’s digestive health. Fiber helps to keep the digestive system functioning properly by moving food through the intestines and promoting regular bowel movements. This helps to prevent runny stools and stomach bacteria.
Your Dog Will Have a Healthier Coat and Skin
Beets are also a good source of Vitamin C, which is important for keeping your dog’s coat and skin healthy. The antioxidants in beets help to fight against free radicals that can cause damage to the cells and lead to health problems. These benefits can extend life as well as the quality of life of your pet.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Beets?
Small amounts of raw beets are ok for your dog to ingest, and aren’t toxic or poisonous for your pup.
However, it’s important not to feed them an excessive amount. Beets contain components that are hard for dogs to digest even when cooked and can cause them serious gastrointestinal problems such as bloating or intestinal blockage if consumed in large amounts.
Problems That Can Occur When Feeding Raw Beets To Your Dog
Here are some of the potential problems that can occur when feeding your dog beets:
Beeturia: This is a condition that results in red urine after eating beets. While it is not harmful, it can be alarming to see your dog’s urine turn bright red.
Gastrointestinal Problems: As mentioned before, raw beets can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs if they are consumed in excessive amounts. This includes bloating, constipation, and intestinal blockage.
Skin Irritation: Some dogs may experience skin irritation after eating beets. If your dog has any kind of skin allergy or sensitivity to beet juice, make sure to avoid feeding them this vegetable.
Kidney Stones: The high amount of oxalate in beets can cause dogs to develop kidney stones. If your dog has a history of kidney stones, it is best not to feed them beets.
Can Dogs Eat Beets Skin?
The skin on a beet is another source of beneficial nutrients for dogs. The skin contains lots Vitamin C and fiber.
Similar to raw or cooked beets, the skin of a beet is good for your dog in moderation. When the beet skins are raw, they will likely have a bitter flavor, which your dog may not like unless the skins are mixed in with other foods.
If you are going to give your dog beet skins, make sure that they are washed and dried thoroughly before feeding them. Avoid giving your dog any parts of the beet that are wilted, moldy, or have black spots on them as these could be signs of spoilage.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Beets?
Dogs shouldn’t exceed eating more than 15% to 20% of fresh plants in their diet, and you can use this guideline to decide how often you want to feed beets to your dog.
If the beets are added to your dog’s food, it is likely a small and balanced amount that your dog can handle eating every day.
If you’re feeding them fresh beets, you could feed them a couple of pieces each day or a whole beet split up over a weekend, Make sure to monitor your dog after eating beets to make sure they don’t have any side effects from the food.
Feeding your pup beets with consistency is the best way to receive their benefits while making sure they don’t have a strong digestive reaction. Giving your dog a little everyday likely won’t cause any problems.
Can Dogs Eat Beets Every Day?
In general, it is safe to feed your dog beets every day. Start with a small amount and gradually increase the amount with careful observation. Don’t surpass more than 15% to 20% of their diets with plants to make sure they have a good balance of macro-nutrients. A daily portion of beets will provide your dog with a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can promote their overall health.
However, if your dog has any sensitivities or allergies to beets, avoid feeding them this vegetable. You can test to see if your dog has any sensitivities by feeding them a small amount of beets and watching for any adverse reactions.
Beet Greens vs. Beet Roots
The leaves of the beet plant are also edible and are a great source of nutrients for both humans and dogs alike.
Beet greens are high in beta-carotene, Vitamin K, and magnesium. They also contain a good amount of fiber and are low in calories.
Beet greens can be added to your dog’s food just like the beet roots. You can feed them fresh or frozen beet greens, but avoid feeding them canned beet greens as they may contain too much salt.
If you’re going to feed your dog beet greens, you can serve them raw or cooked in water (sauteed or boiled). Don’t add any seasonings because these may upset your dog’s stomach or even cause an allergic reaction.
How Many Beets Can a Dog Have?
If your dog is eating fresh beets, it’s best to keep their consumption below 15% or 20%. This means that you can give them up to 1/5th of their food in beet form. So for example, if your dog eats a cup of kibble per day, you could give them one-fifth of a cup of boiled or mashed beets. If your dog is eating raw beets, it’s best to keep their consumption below one beet a day.
If you’re giving your dog canned beets, you will want to be aware of the sodium level, since dogs are sensitive to excessive amounts of salt. Most dogs should consume 500mg or less of sodium each day.
One cup of canned beets contains about 670 mg of sodium, so if your dog eats a whole can of beets, they will have consumed way too much sodium for the day. Too much salt could lead to health problems like hypertension and congestive heart failure down the road.
How to Prepare Beets For Your Dog
1. Get Good Quality Beets: If you can use organic beets or grow your own, they will have the best nutritional value for your dog. This is because organic beets are not grown with pesticides or herbicides, which can be harmful to your pup.
If you’re using conventionally-grown beets, try to find ones that have been labeled “USDA Certified Organic.” This means that they haven’t been treated with any synthetic chemicals.
2. Wash and Prepare Your Beets: Next, thoroughly wash your beets with water. Look for any spots on the beet that are wilted, moldy or have black spots. Remove these sections if you notice them. You can use a vegetable brush to scrub off any dirt on your beets before you prepare them for your dog’s consumption.
This helps to remove any germs, residue from the beet being transported, or pesticides that may have been on the skin. This is especially important for those using conventional beets.
3. Puree Raw Beets: Since raw beets can be harsh on a dog’s stomach. it’s important to feed them to your dog as a puree. This will help to retain all of the nutritional value of the beet while avoiding digestive issues. You can puree beets by cutting them up into small pieces and putting them in a blender or food processor.
You can also use an immersion blender if you want to puree smaller batches of beets at once. Just be sure to blend the pieces into a fine puree that your dog can easily eat.
4. Boil Beets: If you’re not comfortable feeding your dog raw beets, you can also boil them. This will help to soften the beet and make it easier for your pup to digest.
Simply chop up your beets into small pieces and put them in a pot of water. Bring the water to a boil before reducing the heat and simmering the beets for about 20 minutes.
After they have cooked, you can use a slotted spoon to remove the beets from the water and let them cool down before feeding them to your dog.
You can mash the beets or puree them, then store the mixture in an airtight container for up to three days.
5. Leave the Seasoning Out: If you’re cooking your beets for your dog, it’s best to leave out any seasoning that might upset their stomach. This includes salt, pepper, sugar, garlic, onion, and whatever additional spices that your pup is sensitive or allergic to.