You love your canine pal and want to take good care of his basic needs. A healthy diet is important to keep your dog healthy and happy. As for us humans, a healthy diet means a perfect mix of fruits, vegetables, and meat; it is also more or less the same for dogs. You need to offer foods other than meat to your dog to keep him healthy.
So, can dogs eat veggies? What about vegetables like beetroots? Can dogs eat beets? Are they safe or healthy for them?
Yes, dogs can eat beets, but we need to determine whether this veggie adds any nutritional value to their diet? In this article, we will take a closer look at the benefits of feeding beets to a dog and also see if there is anything harmful in it.
So, let’s get started.
Can Dogs Eat Beets? Or Should We Avoid Feeding Them This Veggie?
As a dog owner, there are a lot of questions that may come to your mind about your canine pal’s diet and overall well-being. You may wonder if you can feed your dog vegetables such as potatoes, beetroots, or carrots. Are these root veggies safe for your canine? Can dogs eat beets?
As mentioned earlier, dogs can eat beets, and they even enjoy having these. But diet experts suggest against feeding them beets every day. The American Society for the Prevention to Cruelty to Animals confirms that beets are non-toxic for pets, including dogs, but they should be fed in moderation and only occasionally.
Health Benefits of Feeding Beets to Dogs
As beets are a rich source of vitamins and minerals that are very beneficial for humans. Beets are loaded with vitamin A, C, vitamin B6 and have high magnesium levels. These are also high in iron and fibers. All these minerals and vitamins prove beneficial for a dog’s health. To help you better understand this, we have listed down what roles all these elements play in the healthy development of a dog.
- Vitamin A & C: Help build a healthy eye vision and immune system in dogs.
- Vitamin B6: Plays an important role in building a healthy metabolism.
- Magnesium: It is important for preventing constipation and urinary disorders.
- Iron: Benefits a dog’s respiratory and cardiovascular health.
- Fiber: Foods rich in fiber play an important role in maintaining healthy digestion.
Eating Portions—Things to Consider While Feeding Beets to a Dog
As you now know that dogs can eat beets, you may be curious to know in what quantity you can feed this veggie to your dog.
Here is a brief breakdown of the forms beets can have—and which form is better for them.
- Fresh or Canned? One thing you need to be careful about feeding beets to your dog is that they should be fresh. Canned beets contain additives and preservatives that can be harmful to your canine pal.
- Shred it as a Topping: To make the veggie easy to digest, you can shred a raw beetroot and top it on their meal.
- Boiled or Cooked? You can also lightly cook or steam the beets to make it easy for your pet to digest them.
- Cut it in Chunks: Another way you can feed raw beets is by cutting the veggie into small pieces to avoid choking hazards.
- Wash the Veggies: Always thoroughly wash vegetables or fruits before you feed them to your pet. This is because there are chemicals on the skin of vegetables and fruits that can be harmful to your pet’s health.
- Exercise: To help your pup easily digest high fiber foods like beets, take him for a walk or some other light form of exercise.
- Water: Just like exercise, water is also important for your dog to prevent kidney stones after your dog consumes high-fiber foods.
What if My Dog Becomes Sick After Consuming Beets?
As a general rule, it is always a good idea to consult a vet before you start a new diet or add a new food to your dog’s diet. To prevent your canine pal from becoming sick, you should ask a vet first.
But, if for some reason—like consuming beets in large quantities—the dog reacts in an unexpected way, you should closely observe your dog. It usually takes 12 – 24 hours for a dog to completely digest veggies like beets, so it is suggested to keep a close eye on your doggo for the said time.
Some dog owners may get alarmed after seeing the red color of their dog’s pee. This red color is due to the excretion of betacyanin and is pretty normal. It goes away on its own after 24 hours. But if it doesn’t, it may indicate something more serious. In such a case, you should take your dog to a vet’s clinic and get him checked.
Other unusual signs your dog may exhibit after consuming beets and becoming sick after that can be are:
- Vomiting and Diarrhea
- Excessive Panting
- Dehydration
- Lethargy or Depression
- Blood in Stool
If your doggo is showing any of these signs, it is better to consult your vet, either by visiting the clinic or through call. You can communicate your observations to a vet and take his or her expert opinion about what you can do to help your dog feel better.
Possible Health Concerns Related to Feeding Beets to Your Dog
If you are concerned about feeding beets to your dog or the possible health issues that may arise from its consumption, it is always a good idea to consult a vet. Some pet parents have faced the following health problems arising after their canine fellows consumed beets.
- Stomach Upset: Due to the high fiber content in beetroots, it sometimes causes an upset stomach in dogs and cats. So, you should not go overboard with feeding this veggie to your dog.
- Diabetes: As we know, beets are high in sugars, it may lead to diabetes in dogs and other pets. This is when they are fed to pets on a regular basis and more than the recommended amount.
- Weight Gain: Due to the high sugars, eating too many beets can cause weight gain issues, especially in large dogs. You need to keep an eye on your dog’s weight to avoid any weight-related issues.
- Kidney Stones: As beets have a high concentration of oxalates, it can increase the possibility of developing kidney stones in some pets.
The possibility of having developed these health risks doesn’t mean you should completely cut off beets from your dog’s diet. What we recommend is that you give beets in moderation and don’t go overboard with it right from the beginning.
Alternate Options of Beets for Dogs
There is a lot of other options of healthy veggies and fruits you can feed your doggo if he can’t digest or doesn’t like consuming beets.
- Vegetables like broccoli contain vitamins A, C, and K. Thus, you can consider broccoli as a healthy alternative to beets for your dog.
- Brussel sprouts are also loaded with essential vitamins and minerals. If you are looking for a substitute for beets, you can try giving Brussel sprouts to your canine pal.
- To balance the sugars in your dog’s diet, you can also add mangoes to their diet. This sweet fruit is loaded with an adequate amount of sugars that prove beneficial for a dog’s health—again, in moderation.
- Edamame can be another healthy substitute for beets. These beans have rich quantities of omega-3 fatty acids and iron. They are considered essential for puppies as they help in development.
Conclusion
To sum up the discussion around the popular query “can dogs eat beets?” we hope you have enough information regarding beetroots and their benefits for a dog’s health. By adding this veggie in moderate amounts to your dog’s diet, you will help him stay healthy.
Just remember not to go overboard when introducing any new food to your pet. Do your homework and educate yourself about the meal portions your dog can easily digest. If still unsure or concerned, it is always wise to consult a vet in this regard and better understand what your dog’s body needs.